Moving to Ottawa

Ottawa is the centre of politics in Canada, but it is also much more than that. Ottawa is surrounded by stunning nature, all seasons of the year. The city is diverse, attracting newcomers from every corner of the earth.

It is the second-largest city in Ontario, after Toronto, with over one million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. Ottawa finds itself on the border with the predominately French-speaking province of Quebec, which gives those visiting or moving to Ottawa a unique and enjoyable experience at the crossroads between French and English Canada.

Ottawans enjoy a high quality of life, regardless of which neighbourhood they call home. It is one of the safest cities in Canada. With numerous job opportunities, a strong construction industry and a dynamic culture, moving to Ottawa can be a wondrous, exciting experience.

While Toronto and Montreal have over time agitated to become Canada’s cultural capital, economic capital, sporting capital, musical capital, media capital and, back in the day, actual capital, Ottawa has quietly grown to become much more than Canada’s seat of government.

Ottawa is a place where families prosper and careers grow. If you are considering a move to Ottawa, don’t be put off by the few people who may dismiss the capital as unexciting. Most people who move to Ottawa end up staying a long time, and there are good reasons for that.

We cover all the essentials for your move to Ottawa, from information on immigration to Canada (including information on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program), accommodation, and employment, to lifestyle and things to do in Ottawa.

We want to get you both prepared and excited for your big move. For those already in Ottawa, our information will help you get settled. This content has been kindly shared by those who have taken these steps before you. We encourage to share your experience on your move to Ottawa as you go through the process.

Are you wondering how to immigrate to Ontario? For a detailed overview of Ontario’s most popular immigration options, check out this video we produced in partnership with Deanne Acres-Lans, founder of Canada Abroad, an immigration consultancy based in Ontario, and one of Moving2Canada’s trusted partners:

We hope this information will get you excited about living in Ottawa. Any questions? Contact us at [email protected] — we’re here to help!

The Moving2Canada Team