Newcomer Guide to Living in Ottawa, Ontario

Why Newcomers Choose Ottawa

Ottawa is Canada's capital city, located in eastern Ontario on the border with Quebec. For newcomers to Canada, Ottawa offers a unique combination of advantages: a stable job market anchored by the federal government, a lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver, a bilingual environment that values both English and French, and a high quality of life with excellent schools, healthcare, and public services.

Ottawa is also a mid-sized city (approximately 1.1 million people in the metropolitan area), which means it feels less overwhelming than Toronto while still offering diverse communities, good transit, and plenty to do. This newcomer guide covers everything you need to know about making Ottawa your home.

Ottawa as a Bilingual City

Ottawa is officially bilingual at the municipal level, meaning city services are available in both English and French. The federal government, as the largest employer, requires many positions to be bilingual. In practice, you can live and work in Ottawa in English, French, or both.

Why Bilingualism Matters for Newcomers

• Federal government jobs: Many positions require proficiency in both English and French. If you speak both, your job prospects increase significantly.
• Daily life: Most signage, services, and businesses in Ottawa operate in English, but French is common, especially in neighbourhoods closer to the Quebec border.
• Gatineau access: If you live or work in nearby Gatineau (Quebec side), French is the primary language. Understanding French is important if you cross the river regularly.

Ottawa Neighbourhoods: Where to Live

Ottawa is a large city geographically, with distinct neighbourhoods ranging from urban to suburban. Here are the most popular areas for newcomers.

Centretown and Downtown

The urban core near Parliament Hill, with condos, apartments, shops, and restaurants. Well-served by the O-Train Confederation Line. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,800 to $2,100 per month. Ideal for professionals working downtown or in government offices.

Sandy Hill and Lowertown

Neighbourhoods near the University of Ottawa and the ByWard Market. Popular with students and young professionals. Lowertown has a historically francophone character. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,600 to $1,900 per month.

South Keys and Greenboro

Southern neighbourhoods along the O-Train Trillium Line with more affordable housing. Good for families. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,500 to $1,800 per month. South Keys has a large shopping area with essential services.

Barrhaven

A large suburban community in Ottawa's south end, popular with families for its newer homes, schools, and community centres. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,500 to $1,800 per month. Bus connections to downtown; the O-Train extension to Barrhaven is planned.

Orleans

A large bilingual suburb in Ottawa's east end. Growing francophone and multicultural community. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,500 to $1,800 per month. The Confederation Line extension to Orleans has improved transit connections to downtown.

Gatineau, Quebec (Across the River)

Gatineau is a separate city in Quebec, connected to Ottawa by several bridges. Many people live in Gatineau for lower housing costs and commute to Ottawa for work. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Gatineau is approximately $1,100 to $1,500 per month. However, living in Quebec means you are subject to Quebec provincial taxes (higher than Ontario), Quebec health insurance (RAMQ instead of OHIP), and Quebec language laws. Weigh the savings carefully.

Cost of Living Comparison

Ottawa offers a moderate cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities.

Expense	Ottawa	Toronto	Gatineau
1-Bedroom Rent	$1,500 - $2,100	$1,800 - $2,600	$1,100 - $1,500
Groceries (family of 2)	$450 - $650	$500 - $800	$400 - $600
Monthly Transit Pass	$125.50 (OC Transpo)	$156 (TTC)	$99 (STO)
Sales Tax	13% (HST)	13% (HST)	14.975% (GST+QST)

Public Transit: OC Transpo and the O-Train

OC Transpo operates Ottawa's public transit system, including the O-Train light rail and an extensive bus network.

O-Train Lines

• Confederation Line (Line 1): The main east-west light rail line running from Blair station through downtown (Rideau, Parliament, Lyon) to Tunney's Pasture, with extensions east to Trim and west to Moodie/Baseline.
• Trillium Line (Line 2): A north-south line connecting Bayview station to South Keys, Greenboro, and extending to the airport area.

Fares and PRESTO Card

OC Transpo uses the PRESTO card (the same card used in Toronto and the GTA). A single adult fare is $3.85, and a monthly pass costs $125.50. You can purchase a PRESTO card at Shoppers Drug Mart, OC Transpo customer service centres, or online at prestocard.ca.

STO (Gatineau Transit)

If you live in Gatineau and commute to Ottawa, the STO (Societe de transport de l'Outaouais) operates buses between Gatineau and downtown Ottawa. A monthly STO pass costs $99.00 and includes transfers to OC Transpo.

Government Jobs in Ottawa

The federal government is Ottawa's largest employer, with over 130,000 federal public servants working in the National Capital Region. Government jobs offer competitive salaries, benefits, pensions, and job security.

How to Apply for Federal Government Jobs

1. Create a profile on GC Jobs (jobs.gc.ca), the official federal job portal.
2. Search for positions matching your skills and experience. Many entry-level positions are open to newcomers with permanent residence.
3. Be aware that many positions require bilingual proficiency (English and French) at specific levels (BBB, CBC, etc.).
4. The application process can take 3 to 12 months, so apply to multiple positions and be patient.
5. Some departments hire through "pools" where you are assessed once and can be hired for multiple positions.

Other Major Employers

• Technology: Ottawa has a strong tech sector, often called "Silicon Valley North." Companies like Shopify (headquartered here), Nokia, Ciena, and BlackBerry QNX have major operations.
• Healthcare: The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO (children's hospital), and Montfort Hospital (francophone) are major employers.
• Universities: University of Ottawa (bilingual), Carleton University, and Algonquin College employ thousands and offer work opportunities.
• Non-profits and NGOs: Many national non-profit organizations and international development agencies are based in Ottawa.

Healthcare in Ottawa

As part of Ontario, Ottawa residents are covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan). Apply at a ServiceOntario location with your immigration documents and proof of residency. The three-month waiting period applies. For complete healthcare information, read our newcomer healthcare guide for general Canadian healthcare concepts.

Key hospitals in Ottawa include:

• The Ottawa Hospital (Civic and General campuses): The city's largest hospital system
• CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario): Pediatric care
• Montfort Hospital: Ontario's only francophone teaching hospital, excellent for French-speaking newcomers
• Queensway Carleton Hospital: Serving Ottawa's west end

Settlement Agencies in Ottawa

Ottawa has strong settlement services available to newcomers at no cost.

Key Settlement Agencies

• LASI World Skills: A collaborative of settlement agencies providing employment services, language training, mentoring, and credential recognition support. Main office: 613-233-0453.
• Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI Ottawa): Provides settlement counselling, language classes, employment programs, and refugee support. Serves all newcomers regardless of religion. Main office: 613-232-9634.
• Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO): Offers settlement counselling, youth programs, employment services, and interpretation. Main office: 613-725-0202.
• Hire Immigrants Ottawa: Connects newcomers with employers and helps with job readiness. Visit hireimmigrantsottawa.ca for programs and events.

Things to Do in Ottawa

Ottawa has a rich cultural life, with many free attractions as the nation's capital.

• Parliament Hill: Free guided tours of Canada's Parliament buildings. The Changing of the Guard ceremony runs daily in summer.
• National museums: The Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, and Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Many offer free admission on Thursday evenings.
• ByWard Market: Ottawa's historic market district with restaurants, shops, and fresh produce vendors. Free to explore.
• Rideau Canal: A UNESCO World Heritage Site. In winter, skate on the canal (free). In summer, walk, cycle, or boat along it.
• Winterlude: Ottawa's winter festival in February with ice sculptures, concerts, and family activities. Most events are free.
• Ottawa Public Library: 33 branches offering free programs, language resources, computer access, and newcomer services. The new central library (Adadawing/Inspiration) is a stunning space open to all.

Getting Started in Ottawa

Ottawa is an excellent choice for newcomers who value stability, bilingualism, and a high quality of life without the extreme housing costs of Toronto or Vancouver. The federal government provides thousands of stable, well-paying jobs, and the city's tech sector is thriving. Connect with LASI World Skills or CCI Ottawa early for free settlement support, and consider investing in French language skills to maximize your opportunities.

WelcomeAide is here to support your settlement journey across Canada. Our AI Newcomer Navigator can answer your questions about Ottawa, OHIP, government jobs, and more in your preferred language. Learn about our mission, explore our programs, see our impact, or browse more newcomer guides on our blog. For your essential first steps, read our guide to your first weeks in Canada.