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November 2025 

 

The Calgary chapter of my life feels like a lifetime ago. It’s the city where I spent my early twenties, leaving my small town for university, finding my independence, and meeting my bestest friends. I truly loved Calgary and I believed it was my forever city. I had no plans—none at all—to leave. I loved Calgary and believed that city was forever. I had no plans to ever move. Then one February day - I called one of my best friends who had recently moved to Ottawa. She lightheartedly joked that since I was working remotely, I should move to Ottawa for the summer, live with her and we would have an East Coast summer. Almost instantly, I said “Yes, I’m coming to Ottawa”. The words left my lips before I even mentally processed the thought. I could see my friend light up with excitement and I quickly added, “wait, let me give it a thought and I will confirm with you”. That same night, I could not sleep - I was glowing in excitement. This was the first time I felt excited about something in months - (covid really took a toll on me).  I felt excited to make plans, see and experience new things. This was the first time I felt excited about something in months. 

 

Fast forward time - what was meant to be four months became five years. It was love at first sight with this city.  I loved how everything felt historical and charming and there were massive trees everywhere. This city truly felt like me.

In a couple months, I will soon be moving back out west - and I can’t help but reflect on this chapter of my life. My time in Ottawa has been truly heart-opening, healing, positive and deeply transformative. It gave me the experiences to grow into who I really am. 

 

I cannot even imagine not having lived here - the experiences I've had, the travelling I was able to do, working in the industry of my dreams and the people who really changed my life for the better. I’m just so incredibly grateful. 

 

I wanted to share a little reflection of my personal impressions of this amazing city, along with my top recommended spots in the city.

Strong & Weak Points of Ottawa

 

Strong Points 

  1. The autumns out east are out of this world beautiful. Beyond words. True magic. 

  2. The yoga in Ottawa is phenomenal. There are incredible teachers and each studio has its own personality and vibe. God I’m going to miss the yoga and pilates in Ottawa. <3

  3. I find the general public in Ottawa to be intelligent and well-spoken. People here tend to be genuinely well-rounded and well-informed—interested in current events, economics, and science.

  4. People in Ottawa tend to be left-leaning and community-oriented. There’s a strong emphasis on social programs, supporting those in need, and fostering a sense of collective well-being. It’s genuinely refreshing to live in a city that values inclusivity and compassion.

  5. I love, love, love the French influence in Ottawa. French is such a beautiful language and it’s so nice to hear people speak it in their day to day - it just romanticizes the city in the best possible way.

  6. Ottawa is so charming and historical with its heritage styled homes.  It gives a European vibe to this city. I especially love areas like the Glebe, Sandy Hill and Rockcliffe. 

  7. It's nice how naturey and green Ottawa is. I genuinely love how green this city is. It has so many beautiful parks, neighbourhoods, and scenic drives. The east coast is truly beautiful.

  8. Ottawa’s proximity to other major cities out east  - New York City, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, Washington DC, Vermont, Upper State NYC. I truly made the most of all my long weekends.

  9. Living out in Calgary for 7 years, summer forest fires were very common and the smoke would just suffocate the city. Once I even caught a lung infection because the air quality was so bad. Because it tends to rain in Ottawa often,  forest fires are a very rare occurrence. However, we did have some freak weather events, like ice rains and tornados. 

  10.  As a rookie skier, Ottawa is the perfect place to ski.  The hills are relatively close by and inexpensive for an entire season’s pass. I would sometimes head out to ski 2-3x a week after work because it was convenient. 

 

Weak Points

  1. I hate to say it but the food and cafe scene is pretty weak in comparison to some other cities tbh. There are some really great gems in the city but it took me some time to find them. 

  2. I miss the mountains. I wish Ottawa had mountains. 

  3. Ottawa downtown design misses the mark. It’s nothing outstanding. 

  4. Ottawa’s international airport isn’t a major hub and  flights often have to transit  to other major airports, like Toronto or Montreal. Prices flying out of Ottawa are also unusually expensive.

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East Coast List <3 

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2022

  • Move to Ottawa

  • Explore Ottawa + Gatineau 

  • Kingston

​

2023

  • Costa Rica Yoga Retreat

  • Syracuse, 5 Fingers Lake, Upper State NY

  • Mount Tremblant National Park June

  • Montrealx2

  • Torontox2

  • Cabot Trail and Halifax October

  • Algonquin Park x2 August

  • Vermont September

  • Poisson Blanc Parc October

 

2024

  • Ski Season Jan-Mar

  • Toronto Feb

  • Washington DC March

  • Move Apartments, Finish P.Eng April

  • Toronto, Niagara Falls, Kawartah Lakes May

  • Arnprior and Pembroke June

  • Centennial Ridge, Algonquin June

  • Chicago, Calgary, Bluesfest July

  • Montreal, Oschega August

  • Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Sept

  • Upper State NY & P.Eng Exam Octt

  • Toronto Nov

  • Nepal, China Dec 

 

2025

  • Los Angeles Jan

  • Ski Season Jan-Mar

  • Yoga Teacher Training Feb-Apr

  • Costa Rica April 11-25

  • Guatemala April 26-May10

  • NYC and Philadelphia Aug

  • Quebec City Sept

  • Los Angeles Dec

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