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| Subject: To wannabe |
Any news on Ottawa plans? Wonder where you guys are staying and for how long. Looks like accommodation prices are up there. We´re in the process of planning our trip, deciding if to go now or in the Spring.
[19-11-2007,20:42]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Ottawa plans are still percolating in our brains as we try to weigh the importance of French fluency in the workplace. We don´t have any travel plans up there at the moment; we were hoping to go during Winterlude (winter festival in February), but other plans have come up around that time and we´re not sure if we can swing both. The road trip up at that time could be adventurous, anyway! Decisions have to made soon, though, if we want to move by summer.
Accommodations are always expensive in Ottawa from what we´ve experienced. Last year we camped in Gatineau to get away from outrageous hotel prices, but obviously that´s not a solution in winter, nor would it work for everybody. You might check out hotels in Hull or other suburbs, or hotels that cater to business travelers if you´ll be there on a weekend. Travelocity lists some reasonable prices for mid February, on hotels in the city center. Downtown Ottawa is very walkable, so if you are flying in, you won´t need a car if you stay midtown (unless you want to check out other parts of the city or surrounding areas; a major downfall to the city is a lack of great public transportation).
I´ve never been to Ottawa in the winter and would like to see how much it changes the city. In the summer it is bustling, the pubs overflowing and the sidewalk cafes full, but winter temperatures can change the entire flavor (obviously you know that). If you decide to go in the spring, you might go during the Tulip festival in May, though hotels might be harder to come by.
I´m glad you are interested in Ottawa and will be curious to hear your impressions. I´ve only visited a few times, but if I can help with anything, let me know.
[20-11-2007,09:43]
[**.72.65.164]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Thanks for the valuable information. I assumed Ottawa was not as demanding of French fluency as cities in Quebec. Then maybe not! Also interested in camping and wondering what Gatineau has in that way. Looks like a city center and I´d be surprised if camping is possible right in the city.
Also have to check out job opportunities and what housing is available and prices. But looks like a nice city to visit regardless.
Also wonder about train travel up and down the southern Ontario corridor. Windsor-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal. If anyone has any experience with that. Via Rail prices are also much higher than comparable Amtrak trips, I see.
[20-11-2007,13:12]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Sorry for the confusion about Gatineau: it is the name of both a city (actually the recent conglomeration of several villages) right on the other side of the Quebec border (across the Ottawa River, and very much a part of the Ottawa metro area), as well as the name of an enormous and beautiful provincial park (in Quebec, right outside the town of Hull, now Gatineau). You are correct: I didn´t mean camping in the city, but in the park. Lots available there. We´ve camped there in the freezing cold in April and in the perfect Canadian late summer crispness in August. It is an incredible resource literally on the doorstep of a very urban, large city, and one of the major draws for us.
To me, it seems as though Ottawa was dropped down in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, which I think is why I love it so much. Despite the city´s grit and urban charms, it is surrounded by granite outcroppings, the beautiful Gatineau hills, wild rivers, and cultivated farmland: an outdoor lovers dream, from what I can tell. Proximity to the great outdoors is a major factor for us in deciding where to relocate.
Housing is reasonable in the city and downright inexpensive outside of it, especially compared to cities like Chicago. Ottawa consistently ranks at the top of the list for best standard of living for Canadian cities, factoring the salary to housing cost ratio. I spend way too much time checking out mls.ca, and have had no trouble finding nice housing in nice areas for around $250,000. Condo living is big there, like in most cities in Canada, but there are plenty of detached homes as well. Not sure what type of housing you prefer; we like older homes in the city core, neighborhoods like the Glebe or on the west end, though they tend to be a little more expensive.
Unlike some other areas (particularly Halifax), salaries (for my husband´s type of work, anyway) seem to be comparable to here, or slightly higher. So we have the sense that our standard of living shouldn´t change too much, which is likely not the case in the maritimes.
I hope this is helpful, and if I can help with any other ideas, please do let me know. We haven´t taken the Via yet, but in the summer they often have incredible discounts, and it would be well worth it for the experience.
[20-11-2007,15:14]
[**.72.65.164]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Again many thanks. Sounds like we have similar plans and thoughts about places. Something at back of mind is the 3 or so years left of PR expiration to move. But that should be plenty of time. Did you decide if job to be sought from U.S. or after move there?
The wilderness and outdoor scenery is also high on list for us. That´s why what you´ve said about that really intrigues us. Not sure how Ohio compares there or for overall liveability. Toronto still of interest for job opportunuties, but a smaller version of Chicago I´m afraid.
For me, BC is also still of interest per information from Bob, Sharon, and researching, especially Vancouver Island. But it´s so darn far from midwest, both for visiting and moving. I really shouldn´t complain about this with the many overseas PR relocations.
Finally, looks like the USD has recovered quite a bit (or Loonie is slumping). But exchanging even at this rate is for us still questionable. Will probably wait for further advance of USD.
[20-11-2007,15:46]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
I know exactly what you mean when researching the west coast; that it´s so far away which makes it more difficult, when the reality for most PRs is that they choose to move half way across the GLOBE for the opportunity to live anywhere in Canada. I think about that, too, and I feel a little guilty at the luxury of being able to travel to the places that interest me before packing up to move, and at the ability to be picky about where to make my new home.
Ohio completely lacks in outdoor interest, which keeps us on track when we start to wonder if this whole moving thing makes any sense. The city we live in is actually great; I am not from anywhere near here and it took me years to get used to it, but now we have a lot of friends and understand better the resources that are available for families. We have an amazing library system, a good science center, a world class zoo: the stuff we use every day in raising our little family, but which don´t really define who we are. It´s affordable and clean and nice, and so we feel a little spoiled, but like most everywhere in the midwest, the weather sucks and the geography is pretty dull. I don´t need more CITY, but I do need more green space.
Yes, good news on the USD/Loonie front. I suppose by the time we make any final decisions it will have sorted itself out, or be closer to doing so. We aren´t planning to buy a house right away anyway, so we´ll have time after moving to move all our money over if need be. Not sure we´ll ever again see the day the loonie is worth .62 to our dollar, but it´s better for Canada if that´s the case. I hope for the sake of the Canadian economy that things get corrected sooner than later, before it affects large segments of the economy.
[20-11-2007,16:08]
[**.72.65.164]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
hope you don´t mind. I am watching your conversation from the sidelines and enjoying it very much.
looks like the loonie is reacting to the Bank of Canada saying it will lower interest rates to keep the economy going. $1.10 was simply too high and there has been a lot of profit taking in the markets. It might go up and down a few more times but at this level, things are more comfortable. I don´t think the US dollar has improved against the EURO so I am suspecting the USD has not changed but the Loonie got a welcomed reality check.
[20-11-2007,16:44]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Given the state of the US economy as we slide toward a recession, I think things are probably where they should be right about now. The US is certainly grappling with issues that Canada seems to have avoided (the subprime dropout, for example) which I suppose will continue to affect the US dollar for some time. Meanwhile the Canadian economy is humming along and the loonie should benefit from that (within reason).
[20-11-2007,17:17]
[**.72.65.164]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
Always welcome to join. On this subject, I find something very strange about the sudden rise of USD vs. Loonie. Why so quicly and why not reflected with other currencies? Why did the change appear so suddenly, almost overnight, rather than as a steady natural flow of market forces?
I´m not exactly a believer in conspiracy theories, but my friend next door (who does believe) would say the "illuminati" new world order types who control world oil prices, exchange rates, etc. behind closed doors decided this new exchange rate. Based on how how quickly it happened, I´m starting to have second thoughts about my friends "crackpot" theories. Anyway, just a thought on this.
[20-11-2007,22:32]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
I think it has been a long time coming... just not so fast and not so extreme. Fast and extreme part is the herd mentality of the markets. Let´s see where things settle to in the spring.
[20-11-2007,22:42]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: To wannabe)
news tonight suggests the US national debt is $29K per person with a housing and car sector in recession and national debt that is rising. Canadian debt is $14K per person and economy is doing well.
I guess that is enough!
[21-11-2007,00:40]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
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