Toronto is often the first place Ontario residents think of when it comes to city dwellings. However, it can also be one of the most expensive places to live! if you are considering moving to Ontario, Ottawa is a great choice. Here are the advantages of living in Ottawa over Toronto…
Smaller City Size
Ottawa and Toronto both have large populations. However, Toronto has an additional 2 million residents compared to Ottawa. With so many people the city deals with high volumes of traffic, condensed living spaces and a very busy environment. Ottawa has more residential developments and is a good balance between the suburbs and the city. The overall environment is laid back. Ottawa would be a much better option for those first-time city dwellers, as it is far less congested and overwhelming.
Lower Cost of Living
The cost of living in the year 2022 is already very high. Between supply chain issues, inflation, and the overall cost of goods/services, living in the city can be very expensive. On average an individual living in Toronto will spend $2500 to $4000 a month. In Ottawa, an individual’s living expenses range from $1800 to $3500 monthly. Homes in Ottawa are also much lower in price than in Toronto. There are a lot of new developments, which offer larger properties and lower listing prices. Rent is also cheaper, the average rent for a single-bedroom apartment in Ottawa is $1850, whereas in Toronto it is $2300.
More Nature + Green Space
Being able to surround yourself with nature occasionally is important. Living within a city can be difficult to find green spaces to enjoy. Ottawa has beautiful parks that are all easily accessible and just across the river in Quebec, is the beautiful Gatineau Park. The park has endless hiking, skiing, and biking trails to explore. It is a great spot to visit in your free time and enjoy nature not too far from the city.
Public Transit
The most common way to travel within a city is by transit. Although we said there was less traffic in Ottawa, rush hour and delays still happen, just to a lesser degree than in Toronto. Ottawa offers many transportation options for those who don’t want to drive including the OC Transpo, Via Rail, and the LRT Confederation Line. The monthly transit cost for Ottawa is $113.75 and Toronto’s monthly transit cost is 146.25. Toronto offers many transit options as well, but Ottawa’s advancement is making transit more accessible and affordable.
Overall, if you’re looking to move to a city in Ontario, Ottawa is a great choice. The cost of living is lower than in Toronto, the housing market is more affordable, there are tons of parks and nature, the transit system is growing and advancing, there are lots of job opportunities, and in general it’s a great place to call home!
District Realty is a great resource for your rental apartment search to help you learn about different parts of the city.
