Burlington/ Hamilton, ON vs. Ottawa/ Gatineau (rentals, job market, university)

[antiguanmom]

Hi all

Im new to this forum and would appreciate your feedback. My husband and I have been quite indecisive about where to move to in Canada. We received our PR about 2 years ago and we have been living in the US but it is time to move to Canada.

So far we have narrowed it down to the Ottawa area or somewhere in the GTA area (we have been looking at Burlington). I speak a little French but my husband is a native speaker. We also have a little toddler. Where would be most likely for us to find jobs? I am a writer and an Educator and my husband is a scientist. I know that we might not be able to find anything is our fields right off the bat so just being anything that would help pay the bills (and is legal lol) would work for now. What areas would have modestly priced rentals and a good place for families? We would prefer a place that has a small town feel.

Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance.

[ThroatGuzzler]

Hamilton is a dying city, unemployment is at a much higher percentage than Ottawa, jobs are scarce, and most are depenant on Industry. As you know Hamilton is referred to as "Steel City". I wouldn't really suggest Hamilton, Ottawa may be a better choice from the information you've given me. If you HAVE an education (degree), since Ottawa relies more on the Knowledge-based economy, as opposed to Hamilton being industry, Ottawa would be a greater choice.

[antiguanmom]

Thanks! Im gonna throw Waterloo into the mix. How does it compare to these other places given my criteria.

[west_end_don]

Congrats on your move to Canada!

You cannot do wrong with any of the three choices you mentioned.

Ottawa - Pro's: all around nice city. Lot's of government and tech jobs. Con's: um, cold winters? Mid-size city.
Burlington - Pro's: Nice suburban-type community. Although it borders Hamilton, it's still the GTA - therefore relatively easy commute to the Toronto job market. Con's: A bit too far on the western-fringes of the GTA for commuting; no real a small town feel, lots of generic suburbia.
Waterloo - Pro's: Nice small city with a top notch university. Lot's of Tech jobs. Cost of living probably cheaper than the other two choices. Con's: If you can't get jobs in your fields, there might not be a lot of fallback options.

Since you mentioned your husband parle-vous's francais, I'd give the tilt to Ottawa. More of a bi-lingual atmosphere and his bilingualism might play to a greater advantage.
Good luck.

[antiguanmom]

Thanks! We are leaning more towards Ottawa too so there would probably be our next destination. Now to decide on Ottawa or Gatineau area

[Babbsy]

I'd go to Toronto unless you speak french.

[mkal]

Ottawa, no question.

[antiguanmom]

Well we do speak French. I speak some a little more than basic and my husband is a native speaker. So Ottawa it is. Thanks everyone who answered my post!