For many decades, Ottawa had the air of a small town. Basically, the city consisted of downtown and the closest neighborhoods like the Glebe, Sandy Hill, Old Ottawa South, and Old Ottawa East. Ottawans used to have the feeling that they all knew each other. But things changed once nearby towns like Vanier, Gloucester, OrleansContinue reading “A fresh guide to help know Ottawa’s neighborhoods (Part Two)”
Tag Archives: ottawa
A fresh guide to help know Ottawa’s neighbourhoods
Very soon it will be three years since I moved to Ottawa from Lima in Peru, and I must confess that I still sometimes find it difficult to get around the city without an app like Google Maps or Waze. I recognize my own neighborhood and its main streets and avenues, but there are stillContinue reading “A fresh guide to help know Ottawa’s neighbourhoods”
The 10 best elementary schools in Ottawa
One of the things that I like the most in Canada is that most kids go to the school nearest to their homes. These are often within walking distance, but the students can also use bikes or take the school bus. It’s easier and stress-free. Who wants to drive for half an hour or moreContinue reading “The 10 best elementary schools in Ottawa”
Four ways of camping in Canada if you haven’t done any yet
Since moving to Canada I have noticed that Canadians are crazy about camping. It’s perfectly understandable taking into account that Canada has astonishing landscapes, majestic, snow covered mountains, thick forests and beautiful lakes. Over the last year or so my family and I have tried four of the most popular ways to go camping inContinue reading “Four ways of camping in Canada if you haven’t done any yet”
My biggest fears when moving to Canada
Moving to another country is not easy. You can have great hopes and expectations of starting a new life in another country, but leaving your family, your friends, your house or your work, I mean your life as you have known it, is the hardest part. So, when it was my time to leave PeruContinue reading “My biggest fears when moving to Canada”
15 practical facts you need to know about Ottawa
When I moved to Ottawa in 2018 I knew very little about the city. I’d already been in Ottawa as a tourist in 2015 but real life 24/7 is a totally different thing. I remember getting lost driving my car many times, just because I didn’t know that my neighborhood was in the eastern partContinue reading “15 practical facts you need to know about Ottawa”
Ottawa’s real estate: hot as a two dollar pistol
It’s not news that the real estate market in Ottawa is really hot these days, even with the Covid-19 pandemic, and that people are often involved in bidding wars when buying a house. Ottawa has been attracting many people lately. It is not for nothing that it was ranked among the top three of theContinue reading “Ottawa’s real estate: hot as a two dollar pistol”
How a family of newcomers survived their first winter in Ottawa
I always wanted to write the story about the odyssey that it was for me and my family to move to Ottawa in the middle of the winter, when we were hit with a frigid week of sub-zero weather. Our tale might help someone thinking of moving to Ottawa but who has worries and secondContinue reading “How a family of newcomers survived their first winter in Ottawa”
My first experience in a cottage near Ottawa: two thumbs up!
People say that cottage life is as compelling for Canadians as is their love for hockey. I had always heard from my Canadian husband how awesome it was spend the summer in a lake-front cottage. I am a native of Lima in Peru and have always associated summer days with the ocean. So I wasContinue reading “My first experience in a cottage near Ottawa: two thumbs up!”
TEST: Is Ottawa a boring city?
The opinion that Ottawa is a boring city, or so boring, or the most boring city in Canada, is very subjetive. So if you are just curious about this or you really want to know because you might give Ottawa a try and perhaps move to Ottawa, I invite you to play this quiz. *Continue reading “TEST: Is Ottawa a boring city?”