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.