Moving to Ottawa! (BC to ON)

[kuhltiffany]

So DH just got transferred to Ottawa…we'll be moving in less than a month (want to get there before school starts) from Kelowna, BC to Kanata, ON.

Any tips for that area? WDW travel advice? We had planned on going to DL for Spring Break since we were on the west coast, but I'm not sure what we'll do now...

 

[ottawamom]

in advance to Ottawa. You will enjoy living in Kanata (good school, shopping etc). Spring Break will be the middle of March for you now. You can look up the specific weeks on the website for whichever school board you choose.

If you are not already and Airmiles member you may want to sign up and follow the Airmiles Alert thread. Living in Kanata there are two Sobey's within a short drive and Rexall drugstore all over. You can join our crazy train and use your Airmiles to offset the costs of a trip to Disney World (tickets or airfare). We have direct flights on both Air Canada and WestJet. You can also drive just across the border for many other airline options.

Happy moving, hope all goes smoothly.

 

[bankr63]

Prepare to purchase a new winter wardrobe. Unlike Kelowna, we actually get winter here in Ottawa... (both cold and snow...)



Ottawa is a very liveable city, lots to do, great festivals and events, and easy to get around. Welcome to your nation's capital.

And yes, you will probably want to acquaint yourselves with WDW now that you are heading east if you haven't already done so. Lots of options for getting there by air or land - many of us brave the 24 hour drive to visit the mouse.

 

[ottjdub]

Welcome to Kanata. I live in Kanata North, Morgans Grant area. Lots of beaches just a short drive away (10-20 mins). Farmers Market in Carp every weekend. The Carp and Richmond Fair season will start soon enough. (mid Sept). Lots of great restaurants in Kanata Centrum area. Now you will have to become a Sens Fan. hahaha
As for WDW trips, you have a lots of options. Fly out of Ottawa, Montreal (2hr drive), Toronto (4.5 hr drive) or even Syracuse NY (3 hr drive). New York state is 45-60 min drive down the 416 for Cross border shopping. Driving to Orlando from Kanata is approx 23-24 hrs. Depending on the route you take.

Have a safe move!!!

 

[ottawamom]

bankr63, nice way to scare her with the snowbanks photo! It is cold, and we do get snow but it's a great place to live.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Thanks everyone! We will definitely miss the mild winters here. Right now we have a pool that we open rom mid-April to mid-October, I think we may have to trade it for a hot tub .

I do collect Air Miles, easy to get in BC through Safeway. Hopefully Sobey's has similar sales! I'm also a big PC points shopper though…

@ottjdub we are actually looking for a house in that area, DH works for WindRiver. The real estate agent though keeps trying to steer us down towards Beaverbrook and Hazeldean, any idea why? Right now we only have 1 car and would love to stay that way, so we're hoping to find a house DH can walk to work from...

 

[Roguez]

Welcome to Ottawa I live in the East end in Orleans. We road trip to WDW every 2 years just about and we've done DL twice in the past 7 years (yes by car. long story ). Not sure if you're the flying or driving type of travelers but no DL during spring break? no problem just do WDW instead...

 

[papertraveller]

And back you come to Ontario! Hope the house hunting and move go well!

 

[Starwind]

Welcome to Ottawa !

 

[ccudmore]

Welcome to Ottawa! We've lived here 18 years and haven't regretted the decision for a second. It's a very livable city with no shortage of things to do and see all year 'round. Come winter, buy some long underwear and a warm parka and get out and enjoy the outdoors. Things are just as active in the winter with skiing, snow shoeing, skating, etc as they are in the summer.

For Disney, there's apparently a Disney Store opening in the Rideau Centre this month.

As for travel to Orlando always check charter flights out of Montreal as well. The 2 hour drive can sometimes save a lot of money. Also Allegiant has started flying out of Ogdensburg (45 minutes south of Ottawa in NY) with twice weekly flights to Orlando Sanford airport. If you hit the dates right you can get very cheap flights from there (with free parking at the airport).

 

[Roguez]

For Disney, there's apparently a Disney Store opening in the Rideau Centre this month.

Are you serious??? **muppet flail** I didn't know. Just looked it up and it's legit. **snoopy dance**

 

[ottawamom]

For Disney, there's apparently a Disney Store opening in the Rideau Centre this month.

This is the best news I've read all day!

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Welcome to Ottawa! It's actually a pretty great place to live. We're originally from Winnipeg but Ottawa is home now. Small enough to be safe (there are a few rougher areas but Kanata is not one of them...) but large enough to offer lots of entertainment, restaurants, great schools, etc.... I always sort of half imagined we'd head back out west when we retired but --- really Ottawa is great place and there is so much cool stuff and friendly people --- we'll probably stay here for the long haul (with maybe a seasonal place.)

You're close to Toronto/Niagara for all that southern Ontario has to offer plus your close to Montreal/Quebec City and the east coast for all that these areas offer. It's a relatively quick trip to New York, Vermont etc...

As mentioned you have lots of travel options (WestJet or AC -- including some directs to Orlando, plus Ogdensburg (Allegiant) or Syracuse (Jet Blue) or Montreal or Toronto.)

 

[ottjdub]

https://www.disneystore.com/disney-store-locator/mn/1001278/

 

[ccudmore]

https://www.disneystore.com/disney-store-locator/mn/1001278/

Did you post that to show that Ottawa isn't showing up yet? I think the opening date is within the next two weeks. Should show up then.

 

[ottjdub]

When viewed on the Full Site and not the mobile site. It shows New Store Openings in the bottom right corner. Rideau Center Aug 20th 10am.

 

[darwinsrule]

Unless the Rideau Centre gets swallowed by the sinkhole before the openning (he says safely from Toronto)

 

[kuhltiffany]

Hmmm, Disney Store, Ikea, MEC, Lee Valley, lots of good shopping! So many things to figure out, definitely packing the warm clothes for sure though!

 

[bankr63]

Hmmm, Disney Store, Ikea, MEC, Lee Valley, lots of good shopping! So many things to figure out, definitely packing the warm clothes for sure though!

Oh heck, you've got a whole Tanger Outlets out the end you're house hunting in. And a Cabela's opening soon (if it's not already open) to go along with your MEC shopping.

 

[kuhltiffany]

That sounds dangerous! I'd better switch my focus to looking at practical things like schools and doctors then!

Oh heck, you've got a whole Tanger Outlets out the end you're house hunting in. And a Cabela's opening soon (if it's not already open) to go along with your MEC shopping.