Canada

Ottawa is one of my favorite cities in the world. This is my second hometown where I have been living for 15 years. I love this city not only because my family has settled here but also because of being in central Canada, with friendly people, reliable living condition, and a unique natural environment.

Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario and is the capital of Canada. Many of the employees are working with different sections of the Canadian government , which is mostly concentrated in the downtown area. Also, Ottawa is known around the world as the Silicon Valley of the North. There are many famous hi-tech companies gathered in the city such as Shopify, Adobe and Huawei, which makes Ottawa a top tech hub in Canada. Therefore, the employment rate in Ottawa is higher than other cities. The criminal rate is relatively lower.

As a medium size city in Canada, the population of Ottawa has reached to one million in recent years. Most people here are well educated and quite friendly to immigrants. Also, multi-culturalism is widely accepted. Every year, the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College complete academically with disciplines for students who come from all parts of Canada and the world. It is easy to get a high-level education and training no matter who you are. Later on their graduates become excellent talents to compete in the labour market.

Ottawa also has a strong healthcare system. Not only are there three general hospitals in Ottawa, but there are also several specialised hospitals and institutes such as the Eastern Ontario Children Hospital, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Eye Institute, etc. In addition, some district hospitals and a numbers of specialist offices also play a part in the localized services. All these healthcare organizations and units supply a comprehensive and reliable support to meet people’s requirements in the city. It is soundproof that Ottawa has a relatively low infectious cases and death during this Covid-19 pandemic.

The lifestyle in Ottawa is unique, as it combines metropolis and rurality at the same time. When people work downtown, they usually follow an urban lifestyle and a fast pace. However, when they come back home in the suburb region, there is a totally different feeling. Large fields, experimental farms, and vast forests give you another landscape which brings you a relaxation and enjoyment. Quite often we can buy seasonal vegetables and fresh fruits at the nearby farms or on the way to work. In recent years, the Ottawa government has developed several new residential areas around the city, which actually intensified this combination of lifestyle so that more and more people are benefitting from it.

Ottawa is a beautiful place and full of nature. The Ottawa River runs through the city and creates many splendid sceneries and parks where people go fishing, camping and hiking. Although Ottawa is “the second coldest capital in the world”, I think the climate here actually is comfortable especially in spring, summer and autumn. We can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in throughout the entire year. It is true that there is a lot of snow in Ottawa, sometimes ice rain and ice pellets, which brings inconveniences and dangerous situations. On the other hand, for people who love skiing, skating or other activities in winter, it is a good opportunity to enjoy outdoor exercise. Every year, Winterlude Ottawa shows the beauty of art and ice combined into ice sculptures, and also symbolizes the validity and fascination of the city.

As a capital city, Ottawa has complete urban infrastructure and functions, sound education and healthcare system, convenient and comfortable living, beautiful natural environment, and unique lifestyle. Those factors make Ottawa rank as the top place for living in Canada.