Moving to Ottawa in 2026? Here’s What People Actually Want to Know (And What It’s Really Like)

If you type “moving to Ottawa” into Google, you’ll get the same recycled answers over and over. Government jobs. Cold winters. Quiet city. Safe place to raise a family.

None of that is wrong. But it is incomplete.

What we see every day, working with real buyers and renters across the city, is that people moving to Ottawa in 2026 are asking different questions. More personal ones. Less about averages and more about lifestyle.

So instead of stats and charts, here’s a grounded, real-world look at what living in Ottawa is actually like right now and what matters if you’re considering a move.

“Will I be bored in Ottawa?”

This is the big one. And the honest answer is no, unless you want to be.

Ottawa is not a city that screams at you for attention. It rewards people who lean in a little. The social life here is built around neighbourhoods, not spectacle.

On a random weeknight, that can look like a packed wine bar in Hintonburg, a trivia night in Centretown, a run club along the canal, or a last-minute dinner reservation that did not require planning your life around it two weeks in advance.

The city feels especially alive if you like routine with variety. Familiar spots, familiar faces, but enough going on that your weekends never feel repetitive unless you want them to.

“Do I need a car to live here?”

This depends entirely on where you live and how you live.

If you are downtown, in places like Centretown, the Glebe, Hintonburg, or Westboro, a car is optional for many people. Groceries, gyms, coffee, transit, and work are often within walking distance.

If you are in the suburbs, a car becomes more useful, especially for families or people commuting across the city.

What surprises most newcomers is how neighbourhood-specific Ottawa is. Two addresses ten minutes apart can offer completely different lifestyles. This is why choosing where you live matters more here than almost anything else.

“What do people actually do in the winter?”

They live their lives.

Winter in Ottawa is real, but it is also functional. Sidewalks are cleared. Transit runs. Restaurants are open. People still walk to coffee, still meet friends, still train for races, still take their dogs out twice a day.

If you enjoy cozy routines, winter works in your favour. If you enjoy being outdoors, Ottawa gives you skating, winter running paths, skiing nearby, and green space that stays accessible year-round.

The biggest adjustment is not the cold. It is learning how to dress properly. Once you do, winter becomes a season instead of an obstacle.

“Is Ottawa good for remote or flexible work?”

Quietly, yes.

Ottawa has become a strong choice for people who work remotely but still want structure in their day. Cafes are laptop-friendly. Commutes are manageable. Coworking spaces exist without feeling chaotic.

Many people move here from bigger cities looking for balance. They want a city that still feels professional, still feels social, but does not require burnout to participate.

Ottawa fits that lane well.

“What kind of people move here?”

In 2026, we are seeing fewer purely job-driven moves and more lifestyle-driven ones.

People relocating to Ottawa often want stability without stagnation. They want community. They want space to grow. They want access to nature without giving up city convenience.

We also see a lot of people moving here at transitional moments. New careers. First homes. Post-breakup resets. Growing families. Downsizing parents. Ottawa tends to meet people where they are rather than forcing them into a specific version of success.

The real takeaway

Ottawa is not trying to impress you. And that is exactly why people fall in love with it.

If you want a city that feels livable, human-scaled, and quietly interesting, Ottawa deserves a serious look. The key is choosing the right neighbourhood and understanding how you want your days to feel, not just where you want to land on a map.

At New Purveyors, this is how we approach real estate. Less about selling square footage and more about helping people find a place that actually fits their life.

If you are thinking about moving to Ottawa and want an honest conversation, we are always happy to talk it through.