BC v Ontario to live? (rent, new house, wages)

[Woodhall]

I currently live in Whistler BC where I’ve lived for the past 2 years but am thinking of moving to Ottawa. I realise that these are polar opposites of each other but I just wanted to get a few opinions! I’m well aware that Whistler is noted for it party atmosphere and laid back lifestyle but I also enjoy it for its beautiful mountain scenery, snowy winters and hot summers. However at 28 I’m starting to tire of the Whistler lifestyle and think it may be time to re-enter the real world again!

I’m originally from a rural part of Yorkshire in the UK so I tend to gravitated to the country as appose to urban areas, however my background and education lies in Design and Architecture and I would dearly love to get back into this field, something which is very difficult in Whistler. I’ve never been to Ontario but my research has lead me to believe that Ottawa would be a less intense city to live in than Toronto.
It also appeals to me because of its historic architecture one of the few things I miss from the UK!
I’ve thought about Vancouver but it doesn’t quite appeal to me and its rainy winters also remind me too much of the UK! I enjoy snowy winters.

So if anyone has advice on what its like to live in Ottawa I’d greatly appreciate it.

[Acajack]

Ottawa is a much larger city than Whistler and though tourism is important in Ottawa, it is not strictly a tourist town like Whistler by any means.

Winters are cold and snowy and though there are no spectacular mountains nearby, the opportunities for outdoor recreation (including downhill skiing) are tremendously abundant in all seasons in the Ottawa area.

Other than that, I guess you would have to provide more specific questions about Ottawa.

[Woodhall]

Thank you, I'm really just trying to find out if Ottawa has good opportunities for someone my age? (28) I'd like to get back into Interior Design but am not sure what the job situation is like in Ottawa. Also are rents high? In Whistler Rents are high and wages are low making it very difficult to live comfortably.

[Acajack]

The job situation in Ottawa is pretty good. It has one of the healthiest economies in the country. Wages are relatively high, but so is rent (roughly 1000 dollars for a 2 bedroom apt I would say).

[Woodhall]

Thank you, even that sounds better than what I'm use to, a 2 bed apt here is between 1400-1600 at least.

[The_gateway]

Have you thought about Alberta? Is Ottawa the only option for you?

I would suggest Calgary as an option. Red hot economy right nowwith good wages, fairly decent housing options(friends just scored a brand new house for $995/month) and mountains are 45 min away. It would have the best of both worlds - farmland to the east, metropolis to the west but isn't too "big city". I know that interior design is growing here right now here coupled with a lot of house renovations - is that what you're into, or is it more commercial/business?

The one thing about Ottawa is the winters are a wet cold, and chills you down to the bone. We have a dry cold, so even when it's -25 it's not quite as bad. Plus the humidity in the summertime is much worse down east than out west.

Anyways, I would strongly suggest looking it up.

[Woodhall]

Thank you, my options are quite open as to where I go, I've traveled quite a bit of Alberta mainly the tourist areas such as Banff and Jasper and despite flying into Calgary some years ago I've never spent time there.

Thank you for the job advise I've done both renovation & commercial work so the heads up is really good to know.

I must admit that the humidity factor in Ontario does put me off a little, being from the UK I'm use to mild wet weather!

Thanks for your help