Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

That you compare Ottawa to Birmingham says it all really.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

No it doesn't.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

If you look at metropolitan areas Ottawa is much smaller than Birmingham. Maybe only 1/3 the size.

I agree with this. I guess whether or not it's enough for people hinges on what they want for 'entertainment'.

I'm the opposite. I prefer smaller city living with a bit more excitement only a couple hours away. Like you say, it depends what you want.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Ottawa's OK - I've been living in the city for a couple of years now and have to agree with Lemonfish on a lot of points. I compare the city sizewise and in attitude to Edinburgh, although it has nowhere near the cultural level of Edinburgh.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Ottawa and the City of Gatineau have a combined population of approx 1.2 million. Urban Birmingham has a population of approx. 2.3 million and Metropolitan Birmingham has a population of approx. 3.7 million:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

That's interesting. I got a completely different figure for Birmingham when I Googled it. Just goes to show that you can't believe everything you find on the internet. Either way, at 1.2M, Ottineau can't really be called small.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Isn't it one of Canada's five biggest cities?

Although I guess that's like being one of the most famous Finns or something.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Small in a global context, big in a Canadian context. Yet, it doesn't feel like a big city... feels like a medium sized city with a relaxed pace.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

I agree with most of what Lemonfish said also!

We have been here in Ottawa for nearly a year with our 3 kids, aged 8 months, 3 and 6. I think that it is a beautiful city and very family friendly. There are lots of things to do with the kids and lots of open spaces. Yes it is a bit quieter and sleepy compared to other cities and places in England - my first night out in the market area was a complete shock...I was expecting loud music, lots of people out like a typical Sat night out in England but it was the opposite!

However my priorities have changed with having my kids and I am just pleased that they have settled and love it so much. If I want the real hustle and bustle then a weekend in Montreal or Toronto isn't too much effort!

Melanie

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

I agree wholeheartedly with Melanie. Ottawa is small, yes, but is that such a bad thing? You can drive through the centre of town with no queues, no traffic jams, unlike any other city or even small town in the UK. But like anything, it depends what your priorities are. I too have a young family and Ottawa suits us perfectly, the schools are great, there are lots of activities for the children, and lots of opportunity for us as a family. The children have ski lessons at the weekend, 40 mins drive from home puts us at the ski slopes, no parking hassles, no parking meters, and in the summer, 5 mins from home puts us at a beach. OK, not white sand and azure water, but a beach and clean water nonetheless. I find that you can fall into a trap of comparing everything here to "back home", and finding fault, but let go of that and you will see that Ottawa is a great place to live. The States is just a couple of hours away, and Montreal, Quebec and Toronto are within close reach. Yes, the winters are cold, but where else in the world can you skate on a canal that runs through the capital city, for free. Make the most of all the seasons, just like the real Canadians do.

:)

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Is there a problem if you don't speak French? I loved Montreal when I visited it, and would love to see Quebec, but I have no french and this put me off, have heard the people will not speak to you in English, and don't want english there!! Is this really the case?:confused:

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Without opening a can of worms, simply put, language is entrenched in politics in Montreal. If you are interested, I recommend Taras Grescoe's "Sacre Blues: An Unsentimental Journey Through Quebec" to put it in perspective, in an entertaining sort of way. ;)

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

Thank you I will have a read. My sister lives in Geneva and visted me in Ottawa, she said she could'nt understand the french they speak in Montreal, and it was spoken with an american accent, do you find this?:confused:

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

I've no idea about the Swiss, but when the French say that people in Montreal (and Quebec in general) speak with an american accent, they don't mean the Quebecois sound like Americans speaking french, they are just referring to the bastardization of french pronunciation used in Quebec.

Re: What's Ottawa like?
 

She is fluent (she has lived there for 38 years so I would like to think she is) and of course her kids are, they said they really had a hard time following their conversation ans it was spoken with an american intonation I suppose, but is that not speaking with an american accent?:confused: I don't speak French so I can't comment on this at all.:unsure: