Ottawa vs Toronto - Where Should You Live?

Summary

This video compares Ottawa and Toronto, two major Canadian cities, across various aspects. It discusses employment opportunities, with Toronto's business and financial hubs giving it an edge. Real estate is more affordable in Ottawa, which also boasts a better commute and lower crime rates. Both cities offer diverse cultures and entertainment, with Toronto being a shopping and healthcare hub. Education is a tie due to the specialized institutions in both. The video concludes that the choice between these cities depends on personal preference for lifestyle and career opportunities.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Ottawa often ranks highly in city rankings for quality of life and cost of living.
• 🌆 Toronto is recognized as Canada's business and financial capital, offering a wide range of employment opportunities.
• 🏠 Ottawa has a lower median real estate cost compared to Toronto and a history of steady growth.
• 🚇 Toronto boasts an extensive and efficient public transit system, but it can be plagued by long commute times.
• 🚌 Ottawa's newer Light Rail Transit (LRT) system provides reliable service with shorter commute times.
• 🔍 Toronto ranks 39th in crime severity index among 237 Canadian cities, making it safer than Ottawa, which ranks 107th.
• ❄️ Toronto experiences more moderate weather with less snow compared to Ottawa's harsh winters.
• 🎭 Both Ottawa and Toronto offer rich cultural scenes, with Ottawa being the nation's capital and Toronto being a hub for major events.
• 🛍 Toronto has a more diverse shopping scene due to its larger size and central location in Canada.
• 🏥 Healthcare in both cities is comparable, with state-of-the-art facilities and a range of private practices available.
• 🎓 Education opportunities are abundant in both cities, with each offering specialized programs and institutions to suit various career paths.

Q & A

Which city is often ranked at the top for quality of life and cost of living?

Ottawa is most of the time at the top of many city rankings, if not number one for the quality of life and cost of living.

What is Toronto known for in terms of business and finance?

Toronto is seen as a central location for anything and everything that happens in Canada, and it is the business and financial capital of Canada with a hub that covers almost every industry.

What are the main employment sectors in Ottawa?

Ottawa's employment sectors include the federal government, hospitals, education, high tech, educational institutions, diplomatic affairs, and non-government entities.

What is the current median cost of a home in Toronto?

The median cost of a home in Toronto is currently $989,000.

What is the difference in land transfer tax between Toronto and Ottawa when purchasing a home?

In Toronto, there is a double land transfer tax (provincial and municipal) when purchasing a home, whereas in Ottawa, there is only the provincial land transfer tax with no municipal tax.

How does Ottawa's public transit system compare to Toronto's in terms of efficiency and reliability?

Ottawa's public transit system, with its new LRT stations and OC Transpo, provides a reliable and timely service. It is considered efficient for commuting within the city and suburbs.

Which city has a higher crime severity index, Toronto or Ottawa?

Toronto has a higher crime severity index, ranking 39th out of 237 cities, towns, and communities across Canada, while Ottawa is ranked 107th, indicating it is a safer area.

What are the weather conditions like in Toronto compared to Ottawa?

Toronto experiences a decent amount of snow in winter with a beautiful summer and fall, while Ottawa has a good amount of snow in winter, sometimes up to five to seven feet, but also offers winter festivals and activities.

How does the entertainment and cultural scene in Toronto compare to that of Ottawa?

Toronto is a hub of entertainment, events, and culture with many major shows and sporting events, while Ottawa, being the nation's capital, has numerous national museums and festivals throughout the year, making it a tie in terms of arts, culture, and entertainment.

Which city offers more shopping options, and why?

Toronto offers more shopping options due to its sheer size and density, with a variety of boutique shops and brands that may not be available in Ottawa.

How do the healthcare facilities in Ottawa and Toronto compare?

Both Ottawa and Toronto offer state-of-the-art medical facilities. Toronto has a higher density of hospitals and medical facilities due to its larger population, while Ottawa provides comparable healthcare services for its population size.

What are some of the educational institutions found in Toronto and Ottawa?

Toronto is home to the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, OCAD for design, York University, Humber College, among others. Ottawa has the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College, and a few others, offering specialization in various fields.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Urban Showdown: Ottawa vs. Toronto

This video compares the two major Canadian cities, Ottawa and Toronto, across various aspects to help viewers decide where they should live. Ottawa is often ranked highly for quality of life and cost of living, while Toronto is known as the central hub for business and entertainment in Canada. The video outlines the differences in employment opportunities, real estate costs, commuting experiences, crime rates, weather, arts and culture, shopping, healthcare, and education between the two cities, aiming to provide a comprehensive guide for potential residents.

05:00

🏡 Housing and Lifestyle Comparison

The script discusses the real estate market in Ottawa and Toronto, highlighting Toronto's high median housing cost and potential real estate bubble, along with the additional land transfer taxes. In contrast, Ottawa has a growing market with a six-year history of year-over-year increases and no municipal land transfer tax. The video also compares the commuting experiences, with Toronto's extensive but congested public transit system and Ottawa's newer, efficient, and less congested transit options. The crime rates are also compared, with Ottawa ranking as a safer city based on the Crime Severity Index. The video concludes that Ottawa is the winner in these categories due to its more affordable housing, better commuting experience, and lower crime rates.

10:02

❄️ Weather and Cultural Experiences

The video script contrasts the weather conditions in both cities, with Toronto experiencing moderate snowfall and cold wind chills, but also having beautiful summers and falls. Ottawa, on the other hand, has heavier snowfall but hosts winter festivals like Winterlude, making the cold season enjoyable. The script also covers the arts, culture, and entertainment scene, where Toronto is described as a hub with a variety of events and shows, while Ottawa, being the nation's capital, offers a rich cultural experience with national museums and festivals throughout the year. The video concludes that both cities have their unique charm in terms of weather and cultural experiences, making it a tie in this category.

💼 Employment and Education Opportunities

The final paragraph of the video script delves into employment opportunities, with Toronto being the business and financial capital of Canada, offering a vast array of industries and global company representations. Ottawa, while more niche, has a focus on federal government, healthcare, education, high-tech, and diplomatic sectors. The video also compares the education systems, with Toronto boasting a large number of universities and specializations, and Ottawa providing a more focused range of educational institutions. The video concludes that the choice between the two cities for employment and education depends on personal preference and the specific field of interest.

Keywords

💡Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, known for its high quality of life and cost of living. In the video, Ottawa is compared to Toronto in various aspects such as employment opportunities, real estate, and cultural activities. It is described as having a less dense population, a rich history, and a focus on green spaces and outdoor activities, which contribute to its 'old town' nickname.

💡Toronto

Toronto is Canada's largest city and a major economic hub, often referred to as 'Hog Town' or 'The 6'. The video positions Toronto as a cosmopolitan city with a fast-paced lifestyle, significant employment opportunities, and a vibrant cultural scene. It is also noted for being the financial capital of Canada and having a diverse range of industries.

💡Employment

Employment is a central theme in the video, where it compares job opportunities in Ottawa and Toronto. Toronto is highlighted as the business and financial capital of Canada, offering a wide range of industries and global company representations, making it the winner in terms of employment prospects. Ottawa, on the other hand, is described as having niche employment sectors such as government, healthcare, education, high tech, and NGOs.

💡Real Estate

Real estate is discussed in terms of median home costs and market trends. Toronto's high median cost and potential real estate bubble are contrasted with Ottawa's more affordable market and steady growth. The video suggests that Ottawa is the winner in this category due to its more favorable real estate conditions and absence of a municipal land transfer tax.

💡Commute and Transit

Commute and transit are analyzed by comparing the efficiency and convenience of public transportation systems in both cities. While Toronto has an extensive and well-connected transit system, the video points out the long commute times for residents. Ottawa's newer Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and shorter commute times make it the preferred choice in this aspect.

💡Crime

Crime is evaluated using the Crime Severity Index (CSI), which measures the volume and seriousness of police-reported crimes. The video notes that Ottawa is ranked 107th out of 237 cities, indicating it is a safer place compared to Toronto, which ranks 39th. This makes Ottawa the winner in terms of safety and security.

💡Weather

Weather is a factor considered in the宜居性 of the cities. Toronto is described as having a more moderate climate with less snow and harsh wind chills, which makes it more appealing in terms of weather conditions. The video suggests that Toronto wins in this category due to its generally milder weather.

💡Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

Arts, culture, and entertainment are explored through the lens of available events, festivals, and institutions. While Toronto is portrayed as a hub for major entertainment and cultural events, Ottawa, being the nation's capital, offers a wealth of national museums and cultural activities. The video concludes that both cities are tied in this category, as they both provide rich cultural experiences.

💡Shopping

Shopping is discussed in terms of the variety and accessibility of retail options. Toronto is noted for its abundance of shopping opportunities, including boutique shops and brands not found in Ottawa. The video suggests that Toronto is the winner in this category due to its larger selection and shopping density.

💡Healthcare

Healthcare is compared based on the availability and quality of medical facilities. Both Ottawa and Toronto are described as having state-of-the-art medical facilities, with Toronto having a higher density due to its larger population. The video concludes that both cities are tied in terms of healthcare, as they both offer comparable services to their residents.

💡Education

Education is evaluated by the presence and quality of educational institutions. Toronto is noted for having a large number of universities and colleges, offering a wide range of specializations. Ottawa, while having fewer institutions, also provides quality education with a focus on areas like engineering and journalism. The video suggests that this category is a tie, as the choice depends on personal preference and desired specialization.

Highlights

Ottawa is often ranked highly for quality of life and cost of living.

Toronto is considered the central location for business and events in Canada.

Ottawa has a less dense population and is known for its green spaces and outdoor activities.

Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with a financial and entertainment hub.

Toronto is the business and financial capital of Canada, hosting many global companies.

Ottawa's employment sector is niche, focusing on government, healthcare, education, and NGOs.

Toronto's median real estate cost is significantly higher than Ottawa's.

Ottawa has a history of steady real estate growth with no municipal land transfer tax.

Toronto has an extensive and efficient public transit system.

Ottawa's new LRT system provides reliable service with shorter commute times.

Toronto ranks higher in crime severity index compared to Ottawa.

Ottawa is considered safer and a better place to raise a family.

Toronto experiences more moderate weather with less snow than Ottawa.

Both cities offer a variety of arts, culture, and entertainment options.

Toronto is a hub for shopping with a wide range of boutique shops and brands.

Both Ottawa and Toronto have state-of-the-art medical facilities.

Toronto is home to several renowned universities and educational institutions.

Ottawa also offers specialized education opportunities in various fields.

The choice between Ottawa and Toronto depends on personal preference for lifestyle and career.

Transcripts

in this video we're gonna look between

where you should live

ottawa versus toronto toronto versus

ottawa it's the battle of the two big

cities

it's old town versus the big smoke it's

the by town versus hog town

it's a capital versus the t dot it's the

613

versus the six but before we get into it

show real hit

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

ottawa is most of the time at the top of

many city rankings

if not number one for the quality of

life and cost of living

toronto is seen as a central location

for anything and

everything that happens in canada

ottawa's less dense population

gives it the old town nickname with a

rich history of focus of green space

and outdoor activities and cultural

influences whereas toronto's

cosmopolitan

big city feel financial capital and

fast-moving action with entertainment

and business

is very attractive

[Music]

so point number one employment toronto

is basically the business capital canada

all the global companies have

representation in toronto it's also the

financial capital of canada with a hub

with all these outlets

the market covers almost every industry

that you can think of it's a it's an

absolute giant

whereas ottawa is a bit more niche we

have a federal government hospitals

education high tech and educational as

well as diplomatic affairs

and ngo non-government entities

so the winner clearly for the employment

section is toronto

so point number two real estate

toronto's median cost right now is 989

thousand dollars

some people feel that there's a real

estate bubble taking place there

there's also a double land transfer tax

when you purchase a home in

toronto both are provincial and

municipal whereas in ottawa

you only have the provincial land

transfer tax there is no municipal when

you purchase

and ottawa also shows a six year history

of growth year over year

in fact every year goes up about three

to five percent and then every seven to

ten years you'll see a bit of a spike as

the economy

cycles through so the winner in this one

point number two is taken by

[Music]

ottawa

so point number three is commute and

transit between these two hubs

so toronto actually has one of the best

subway systems and transit systems in

all of canada

its system actually is connected quite

well to the suburbs and getting around

toronto

with the help of the go train the ttc

and up express

it is very efficient somewhat affordable

and it runs

all the time without any issues now a

big downfall of that is actually the

commuting time for toronto residents

that are trying to get the downtown

those commutes can actually be pretty

horrendous from what i understand

and i've talked to a few people that

live and work in toronto and it is a bit

of a daunting task

whereas in ottawa we have a brand new

lrt system now the system has

actually been implemented so we've

actually encountered some issues across

the board but they're actually getting

up to date with those

with brand new lrt stations and oc

transpo which is actually local provider

of the public transit system

runs all through ottawa into the suburbs

and it provides

fantastic timely reliable service as

well

now if you're commuting into the city in

terms of get past the highway there's

this natural green belt around ottawa

so coming in suburbs in the downtown can

be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes

but that's a lot better than looking at

the commutes you'd actually have in

toronto so on this point

ottawa takes the cake because i hate to

commute

[Music]

so point number four is crime

when we're using the crime severity

index the csi

stats canada measure all police reported

crime which takes into consideration

both the volume

and the seriousness of offenses on that

scale

out of 237 cities toronto ranked number

39.

now these 237 cities are cities towns

and communities across canada and

specific to canada

other notables are vancouver which

showed up at 59th

montreal at 63rd halifax at 60

sudbury at 66 st john's newfoundland at

70

calgary at 71 gatineau at 77 kingston 94

london ontario at 100. ottawa was fairly

safe ranked at 107th

it's a very safe area very safe place to

raise your family

or to pursue a career and that's why

this point

ottawa takes it

so point number five is weather now

toronto does get a decent amount of snow

from throughout the winter months

but the wind chill is pretty uh

horrendous there when i've been there

but the summers are beautiful fall is

beautiful and it's a great spot

it's much much more moderate than what

you'd experience in ottawa

ottawa has a good amount of snow

throughout the winter we're talking

five to six to seven feet sometimes and

but we have winter festivals that

actually bring out

so you can actually enjoy the wintertime

such as winterlude and different

festivals

skating and different types of sports

now the fall time

frame is absolutely beautiful in ottawa

the trees change

colors the summer can be summer can be

very

humid and hot and the spring is just

beautiful and lively

but both cities offer some great weather

but the one that wins this one

it's toronto because it's much more

moderate with less snow

so point number six is arts culture and

entertainment

i'm sitting here with oscar peterson

over here at the national art center in

ottawa

absolutely beautiful area now toronto

offers so much entertainment it is the

hub of entertainment

events and culture fashion there's a lot

of stuff to do and all the major show is

actually going to toronto

and they have wonderful sporting events

as well and a lot of stuff that actually

wins for canada

will most likely be held in toronto

because of the sheer size and volume of

toronto

but ottawa is actually the nation's

capital so there's a lot of

infrastructure

for all the national museums all the

different events you could do throughout

the year

festivals in every season of the year

it's hard pressed in summer

not to actually see a festival that you

can actually enjoy in ottawa

in ottawa with all the national museums

such as the national gallery art

the national arts center that we have

here the museum

of war the museum of nature the museum

of science and technology

my personal favorite the deep bunker

museum so this one

it's a tie toronto ottawa they're tied

on this one because it really depends on

your choice

so point number seven is shopping

between ottawa and toronto

well this one's an easy one toronto has

an abundance of shopping

they have fantastic boutique shops

ottawa also has comparable stuff

but toronto just because of its sheer

size sheer density and being the center

of canada

they get some brands that we don't even

see here in ottawa

so shopping toronto takes this one

[Music]

so point number eight is healthcare both

ottawa and toronto offer

state-of-the-art medical facilities for

their populations

now the sheer density of toronto offers

so much abundance from hospitals and

medical facilities

but ottawa offers a very comparable to

the population that we have

and both have private practices as well

as dentists and doctors for families

it's just a matter of getting on those

wait lists and finding access to those

services

but both are very comparable so this one

it's a tie

ottawa toronto tied on this one

so point number nine education

in toronto you have the university of

toronto ryerson university

ocad for design york university humber

college

et cetera there's so much it's a massive

population and they have a lot of

educational institutions

with some wonderful specialization that

happens in toronto

now ottawa has university of ottawa

crown university algonquin college

plus a few others as well it doesn't

have as many universities as toronto

but also has a wonderful specialization

if you're looking for engineering or

journalism or design or

advertising there are so many

opportunities within ottawa and toronto

to get specialized

so this one it also comes down to

personal preference

and it's a tie

[Music]

so there you go ottawa versus toronto

and the score is in the tally is

three for ottawa three for toronto and

three ties

ultimately it comes down to your

personal preference the choices here are

so subjective

if your preference is for fast-paced

big-city life and fast career

then toronto is a great fit if you're

more of a slower pace

charming settings outdoor quality of

life stable economy and clean healthy

living then ottawa is a great fit we

love these cities and we love this

country

honestly we have so many people reaching

out to us who are relocating here to

ottawa or across canada

and we absolutely love helping them find

a new home if you're thinking about

making a relocation ottawa or toronto or

anywhere across canada

and myself and my team who are relocated

across canada can help your relocation

be

smooth feel free to reach out to us if

you have any questions

give us a call shoot us a text send us

an email even wrap it up in a bow and

send it first class

because we got your back we're moving to

ottawa or toronto

or across canada until next time take

care

and the wind chill can be pretty toxic

and we're sideways now

so point number five

[Music]

always on the phone making deals

like a realtor