Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, known for its rich history, cultural institutions, and vibrant neighborhoods. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1,000,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 70 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Canadian Dollar (CAD), approx. 1 CAD ≈ 0.75 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Rogers, Bell, and Telus |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most major banks like TD Canada Trust, RBC, and Scotiabank are available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, rental apartments, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Options like HI Ottawa Jail Hostel and Backpackers Hostel. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Common Ground Coworking offers modern facilities and a vibrant community. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Ministry of Coffee is popular for its friendly atmosphere and good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech events often occur at places like Invest Ottawa. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Ottawa International Meetup and Expats in Ottawa Facebook group are great for networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used in Ottawa. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | OC Transpo Bike Share program available for rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Westboro Beach is popular and 15 mins away from downtown. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Canada offers great regional services. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Canada, United Airlines, and WestJet serve international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways like the 416 and 401 are easily accessible. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Ottawa Train Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | OC Transpo offers day passes and monthly passes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (VIA Rail) and buses (Greyhound) connect to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | The Ottawa Hospital is the largest and provides extensive services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Public and Flow are popular yoga studios. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness offer various memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Lounge and The Washboard are reliable options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and SkipTheDishes are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | BeaverTails - a Canadian pastry must-try! |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green Door Restaurant is renowned for its vegetarian buffet. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pâtisserie La Bottega is a popular dessert spot. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | ByWard Market offers budget shopping and food stalls. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.ca and local retailers like Chapters offer online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Instacart and Walmart Grocery Delivery are available. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The ByWard Market area is vibrant with bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Tuntum Brewery offers local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Urban Pear is a cozy wine bar with a nice selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks are prevalent at festivals and in downtown areas. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Signatures Restaurant serves diverse international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, and Rideau Canal are must-visit spots. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Canadian Museum of History and the National Arts Centre are noteworthy. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market are historically significant. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is a stunning site worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Winterlude and Canada Day celebrations attract many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The ByWard Market and Arts Court are vibrant cultural hubs. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | NAC (National Arts Centre) hosts many local and international performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | ByWard Market is a great spot for local foods and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Ottawa Bluesfest and local bars host live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals and installations can be found throughout the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinaria Cooking School offers various culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Ottawa Art Gallery showcases local and Indigenous art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Canadian Museum of History features incredible architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Ottawa's heritage is reflected in its museums and historical sites. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Gatineau Park offers stunning natural landscapes just a short drive away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Gatineau Park is the closest major national park, ideal for hiking and skiing. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Capital Pathway provides extensive trails for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Alexandra Bridge offers a picturesque view of the Ottawa River. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Mud Lake Wildlife Refuge is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in Gatineau Park permit campfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Canada Post and FedEx provide reliable parcel delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and Best Buy offer tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Ottawa hosts matches and practice sessions. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Algonquin College offers language learning programs. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Ottawa Public Library system offers multiple locations for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centretown Community Health Centre offers various community services. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Café Nerve is a popular spot for gaming and eSports. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino du Lac-Leamy is nearby, offering gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 228,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 174,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 280,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 192,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% at the federal level, plus provincial tax. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 25% for residents, lower for non-residents in certain cases. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Canada has a progressive tax system for individuals and businesses. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 33% for individuals. |
| 🧾 VAT | GST is 5%, with provincial tax additional depending on the province. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Canada has CFC regulations governing taxation for offshore companies. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on municipal assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A standard land transfer tax of 1% applies to property transactions. |