Why do people leave Ottawa for Toronto?

Thinking about relocation often leads us down the rabbit hole. We can easily end up exploring all the traits of a place on our journey to making a decision. However, due to our desire to move soon or simply due to a lack of information, we can find ourselves in a dilemma about the entire thing. Luckily, as one of the best moving companies Ottawa, we can help you do it like a real professional. Today, we will talk about important statistics that can assist you in making a decision about moving in the future. Let’s see why people leave Ottawa for Toronto and how often that happens!

The official numbers matter

Even though this may seem like information that is not significant for your move, it is actually pretty essential. In fact, knowing this detail can help you find a suitable neighborhood later, a new job, or even the perfect school for your kids. Relocations are complex processes, and even the most insignificant fact can matter a lot. When it comes to Ottawa and Toronto, you are not the first to compare them. Around 310,000 people decided to move in 2018, and this route was among the most popular ones. As of 2023, Ottawa and Toronto will remain two of the most often-chosen towns for moving to Canada. Therefore, let’s dive deeper into the details!

Do people leave Ottawa for Toronto because of a better job market?

According to some official statistics, one of the main reasons people decide to move in general is a new job offer. This is not only related to Canada, but pretty much anywhere in the world. Coming across a dream job or something you have been fighting for a long time will make moving the simplest task there is. Now, when you take the two largest cities in Canada, it is more than understandable that this has to be among the top reasons as well. But to understand why people do it and how often, we should take a closer look at Ottawa and Toronto’s job opportunities and markets.

It all begins by saying that Toronto is way more populous than Ottawa, and that instantly makes a huge difference. With its 2.93 million residents, this city surely has more to offer in different sectors and has a greater industry focus. Moving from Ottawa to Toronto will get you closer to the technology, media, and entertainment industries, mainly because Ottawa offers more government-related jobs. When you have a city that is more diverse and larger in the first place, it is only natural to expect more opportunities that can cover your interests. On the other hand, make sure to understand that competition will be much higher in Toronto, and don’t forget to have a good and strategic plan for your new job.

Working in Ottawa vs working in Toronto

That leads us straight to comparing what could be more beneficial for you. If you are a young professional and are eager to build your career while staying at a high level, maybe Toronto will be a better destination. You will have a chance to look at more sides at the same time and choose what is best for you more accurately. Let’s not forget that Toronto welcomes young people from all around the world. That could be your chance to present and share your skills like nowhere else. But those who have already managed to start a business that is going pretty well should consider leaving all of that behind. As we already mentioned above, competition in Toronto could be fierce, and if you have a strong client base in Ottawa, maybe that is where your success lies.

Checking the living costs before you leave Ottawa for Toronto

Of course, your budget is at the center of every big plan you are making now or will make in the future. The same will go out for your relocation and this transition. However, those who decide to leave Ottawa for Toronto must be aware that a lot of significant things will change. While you will get a chance to meet new people and see new places, living costs and the economy are things you should take seriously. If not, you can easily come across many issues in the future that should not be part of the plan. The relocation process may fit your pocket with residential movers Ottawa, but let’s see what exactly to expect in Toronto.

This is probably the biggest difference between these two cities, as Toronto is way more expensive than Ottawa. In fact, you would need around 6,993.5C$ in Ottawa to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 7,700.0C$ in Toronto. If you do have a stable job and a satisfying income, make sure you still know the details, as moving from Ottawa to Toronto can be a huge change for your wallet.

Housing and transportation costs

Let’s imagine that you have an excellent job and want to permanently settle in. The only logical thing coming after that is buying the property after your relocation. It is highly possible that you already have one in Ottawa, and you may be in a position to sell it. To assure that you will make the best decision possible, it is good to know more about housing and transportation costs before you make plans with long distance movers Ontario. For example, renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa will cost you around 1,764.12 Canadian dollars, while in Toronto you will have to pay around 2,454.73 Canadian dollars. When it comes to actually buying property, the difference will be pretty notable as well.

To buy an apartment in Ottawa, you will need a budget of around $418,670 Canadian dollars. People will often stick to the city center, especially if they live alone. On the other hand, after your relocation, you will need to prepare a little bit more for that. On average, an apartment close to the city of Toronto will cost you around $726,664. As you can see, there is a big differences in prices, so make sure you carefully organize your finances before making some big decisions.

Groceries and outdoor activities

Those who leave Ottawa for Toronto will be greeted with countless new and interesting things to see and do. This includes Toronto’s restaurants and bars, which you surely have to check out. So, how different will the prices be in this city’s supermarkets and restaurants? While shops sell goods for pretty similar prices, you should expect restaurants to be a little bit more expensive. In general, Toronto is around 8% more expensive than Ottawa in this sector.

Toronto attracts newcomers with interesting locations as well

Of course, Ottawa is absolutely wonderful and has so many amazing things you can see and do there. Its residents love spending time at the National Gallery of Canada and the Rideau Canal. Other notable locations include Major’s Hill Park, which is most popular among families and younger people. And while all these attractions attract countless tourists each year, you may become extremely eager to see something new in Toronto. Considering the city is way bigger, you will find a bunch of new spots that you will love. Apart from checking out the CN Tower, which welcomes hundreds of people daily, there are so many other places that should be on your list.

One of the most famous locations in the city is St. Lawrence Market. This lovely place is full of shops that sell all kinds of goods, including fresh food and other products. If you happen to live close to it, visiting this place will quickly become your daily tradition. If you are moving with your kids, they will love spending time at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. With huge tanks and even a couple of multiplayer games, the entire family will have lots of fun. Other notable spots to check out in time include:

• Casa Loma
• The Art Gallery of Ontario
• Toronto Zoo
• Yonge-Dundas Square

When people leave Ottawa for Toronto, where do they usually settle?

Before you find yourself in Toronto, you also need to spend some time thinking about a suitable neighborhood. Simply moving anywhere will not do the trick, as you need to think about your needs and lifestyle. This is even more important if you are moving with small kids or plan to start a family. If you need a more subtle neighborhood for any given reason and you move to an extremely dynamic one, you should be ready to experience some issues. Keep in mind that Toronto is huge and has around 158 neighborhoods in total. As a result, you must focus while choosing the perfect one. The good news is that the entire process is very easy, and all you need to do is compare their most notable traits and flaws.

If you are young, interested in socializing with people, and spend more time outside, downtown Toronto is probably perfect for you. It will remind you of downtown Ottawa, but in a much bigger and more diverse way. You will get a chance to explore amazing locations, including restaurants, bars, museums, and much more. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more subtle, Yorkville could be a good candidate. The houses are wonderful, and the crime rate is much lower than in other parts of the city. It resembles Sandy Hill and Westboro in Ottawa, which could make the blending-in process much easier. Other neighborhoods in Toronto worth mentioning are:

• The Annex
• Kensington Market
• Liberty Village
• Riverdale

What to expect from your relocation?

So, if you have the idea to leave Ottawa for Toronto as well, you must begin your preparations. These two cities are 278.39 miles apart, so you are in for a long-distance relocation. To make it successful and stress-free, you have to focus on a couple of important things. For example, packing services Ottawa will save you huge amounts of time and money in this process. You will surely want to spend more time exploring both Toronto and your new neighborhood rather than packing for days. Traveling this entire distance with your items alone can be risky, so it is much better to rely on professionals.

Just like many people before you did, you can also organize a short trip to Toronto before your moving-out day. This will be a great chance to see some things in advance and maybe explore your new neighborhood better. In case you already have some friends or cousins there, let them know you are coming so that they can help and direct you to important locations. As you can see, your inventory will not be the only important task during your move, so always keep your schedule organized. Thanks to moving boxes Ottawa and movers with enough experience, there will be nothing to worry about.

Be careful about the timing

If you have been an Ottawa president long enough, you know that the weather conditions there can be really harsh. While winters in Toronto will be equally freezing and snowy, you will get more sunny and warm days there in the summer. This is why you should be careful when choosing the time for your relocation. Inform your moving company about your plans, and they will surely come up with a perfect suggestion. According to those who have already traveled this route, early summer is your best chance, as there will be no rain or strong wind to disturb your journey. In case of some unexpected situations, storage facilities Ottawa will make sure your items are safe the entire time.

Now that you know why and how often people leave Ottawa for Toronto, you can proceed to make your own plan. Whatever you decide in the end, there is no question that Toronto will treat you well. After all, if you ever start missing your old place, the total drive of 5 hours will always be an option for a perfect weekend or even a longer vacation.

References:

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Canada&city1=Toronto&country2=Canada&city2=Ottawa

https://weatherspark.com/y/19863/Average-Weather-in-Toronto-Canada-Year-Round