Ottawa, Canada Report of what it's like to live there - 09/03/25
Personal Experiences from Ottawa, Canada
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Eight other cities in Latin America, Africa, and Australia.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
USA is home country. It's an easy 1-2 flight to major airports (Chicago, Newark, Dulles) and a 1.5 hour drive to the border with Ogdensburg, NY. Very easy travel by land or air.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-present.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Very similar to the US and other big cities. There are small houses and apartments close to downtown, and larger houses available further out. It's easy to walk (year-round!) around downtown with proper winter gear, and walking commutes in that area can be 10-30 mins. Driving commute between suburbs and downtown can be 20-45 mins. If you need a ground floor bed/bath, you'll need an apartment or suburb in most cases. Any beyond a tiny yard will require being in a suburb.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available here, no concerns, with prices similar to the US.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Only favorite brands of certain toiletries. Otherwise it's all available here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Same as US. There is a good variety of restaurants at every price point, UberEats is here, a good variety of international cuisines, etc.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local post is adequate but takes more time than you'd think to go between US and Canada. Outside of dip missions, it's easy to get a PO Box and/or package delivery address (thru companies like MyUSaddress.com) in Ogdensburg if you absolutely have to have mail from the US.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
It's not inexpensive; picture US services/prices. I don't know people here with household help.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Super safe. You have to exercise common sense, especially around downtown area, but biking is easy and common and Ottawans spend lots of time outdoors throughout the year.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A full range of fitness clubs, including some with pools, plus community centers run by the city. There are lots of sports available: hockey is big, but also soccer, ultimate frisbee, all winter sports, volleyball, softball, archery, etc.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, credit cards and ATMs are common, safe, and recommended.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is a must, French is nice to have, too.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
It's tough in the winter, because even accessible entrances get affected by snow and ice, but it's generally as accessible as a large US city.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Public transport is pretty good and reliable. Get the local transit app for real-time updates on buses and trains.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
There are regular thefts of vehicles from large parking lots, generally small/midsize SUVs. We use a Club device on the steering wheel to be a harder target. Maintenance and parts of all major brands are easy to find here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, but it's more expensive than expected.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
If you have a US phone plan (like AT&T), you can likely use your phone here with no additional charges. Cell phone service from a Canadian company is much more expensive and does not offer free roaming in the US, so it's not recommended if you travel frequently out of Canada unless you have no other option.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, lots of vets and kennels, all pet services. No quarantine. Get your dog a winter coat and booties for snow and ice.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
It can be tricky for dip family members to get work authorization, but some have managed it and work locally or telecommuting. Salaries are similar to the US, maybe slightly less in professional areas but minimum wage is higher.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Everything you could want to volunteer for is available here.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Standard US business dress is most common. In winter people typically winter boots and coats at the door and bring a pair of dress indoor shoes with them for work events (and go in socks for casual events). Not much call for formal dress.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No specific concerns here.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
It can be difficult to find a local family doctor, but if you're paying cash out of pocket it's easier. Some US folks travel to Ogdensburg for medical care. Non-urgent services often involve a wait, sometimes a lengthy one.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good air quality, with occasional exceptions during summer/wildfire season depending on the wind.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Food is well labelled here. There's pollen in spring and fall.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Some people struggle with short days in winter, which can be long. It's important to make an exercise and light plan if you're prone to winter blues.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Temperate with a sometimes long and cold winter. Snow and ice are common from December to April.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Public and private schools are good here. Expat families are happy with a variety of schools. We have only used neighborhood public schools and liked them. There isn't a true international school, I don't think, except possibly Ashbury?
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, the full range of sports and activities is available here.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Ottawa is a very international city, full of business expats, dips, and new arrivals to Canada, which has had fairly open immigration for many years. There's not a discrete expat community here the way there is in some places.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
We have found local friends through our kids' school, through our own activities (sports and book clubs), and by making a point of meeting our neighbors.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for anyone, possibly a little harder for singles as it's a small city with a family focus.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes, it's been easy; there are many newcomers to Ottawa all the time, it's easy to break in and make friends.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, Ottawa is very queer-friendly and welcoming. The full range of health and social services are available here, from social activities to medical providers offering gender-affirming care.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Same as in the US: some systemic, historic inequalities, but Canada seems to be working harder to address them.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Ice skating on the canal, biking along the rivers, dog sledding in winter, skating trails through the woods in winter, sugar shack in the spring, exploring the small towns of the region.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Nordic Spa on the Quebec side is great, and the little town of Wakefield is a great spot for lunch. Get season tickets to the PWHL's Ottawa Charge as it's the best hockey in town!
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Friendly, big enough to have things to do without being overwhelming, working public transit, close to the US.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Keep a US cell phone instead of getting local!
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes! It's been a great place for our family.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Desire for exotic foreign experiences, household help, and cheap trinket shopping.
4. But don't forget your:
proper winter gear to include, real boots, a good coat, and a toque!
