Ottawa Real Estate News

Ottawa real estate profile

Jan. 16, 2005 Ottawa real estate profile: Situated on the banks of the Rideau and Gatineau Rivers, Ottawa attracts over seven million tourists a year. With a population of over 1.2 million, Canada's capital is home to the Government of Canada, Parliament, the Senate and the Supreme Court of Canada. For families with small children, it really is an ideal place to live. It only takes 20 minutes to reach the country from the city. Families can enjoy the country life, larger homes and properties, fresh air, slower pace, etc., and at the same time easily take advantage of everything the city has to offer. Statistics Canada concluded that families in Ottawa have the highest medium income of any Canadian city (2001). A management firm based in Switzerland ranked Ottawa sixth in the world for quality of life. The city is multicultural, attracting people from all over the world. English and French are the predominant languages, but Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic are also spoken, along with many others.

There is plenty to do in Ottawa. There are galleries and museums, like the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and theatres like the National Arts Centre. Amid the spectacular architecture, there are night clubs, bars and restaurants. There is world class shopping for every taste and budget, as well as festivals and cultural activities to keep everyone entertained. Park Omega, one of the area's natural parks, is less than an hour north of the city. The park consists of 1,500 acres of wilderness and is home to many wild animals. For the more adventurous, whitewater rafting is popular on the Ottawa River. The NHL's Ottawa Senators and the CFL's Ottawa Renegades keep local sports fans entertained throughout the year.