Ottawa, Canada's best place to live? Part II
Mon, 2008-07-07 08:41
#1
Ottawa, Canada's best place to live? Part II
Mon, 2008-07-07 08:41
#2
Continued from [url=http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=33&t=000319]h...
quote:
I'm an Ottawa native now on Quebec's coast, and I've never heard of that place before, but it sounds like it was wonderful, and I'm sorry to hear it went up in flames.
Speaking of Ottawa and restaurants, friends of mine just returned here from a holiday in Ottawa, and came back raving about how much they loved dining at Mother Tucker's in the ByWard Market area. Isn't that just another chain? (I've never been inside, although I've walked past it several times...)
Rasputin's was a great little cafe (known for their apple cider!) which housed small concerts and even the odd stage production. I saw [url=http://www.carleton.ca/sjc/capitalarts/2006/s4.shtml]The Ballad of Phil Ochs[/url] there a number of years ago ([url=http://www.rabble.ca/arts_media.shtml?x=29981]Wow, I had no idea rabble did a piece on that. Very cool[/url]) and it was made even more memorable due to the intimate setting of Rasputin's. It truly is a very sad loss, though I hope they can rebuild.
As for Tucker's Marketplace, it is indeed a chain, and not a very good one in my humble opinion! There are many better places for Ottawans and visitors to grab a bite.
Mon, 2008-07-07 09:59
#3
Boom Boom
Thanks. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img] I think my friends were awed by the quantity of food available at Tuckers, maybe not so much by the [i]quality.[/i] When I'm in Ottawa (hardly ever, nowadays) in the Byward Market, I always eat at the Old Fish Market Restaurant. Hey, I like fish! [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
Mon, 2008-07-07 10:37
#4
The last thing I need is large quantities of indifferent food. Would be different if I were a manual worker, a teenager or an athlete in training (though the latter also has to be very careful about quality).
I remember Silk Roads at the market but it is no more. Can't think of any outstanding, reasonably-priced places there now.
Mon, 2008-07-07 11:32
#5
Boom Boom
Quite a few of our people here on the coast visit Ottawa and Montreal, and settle down in one of those two places. We don't have many really nice restaurants here, and we generally don't have a lot of money, so when we leave the coast, we head for places where we can buffet dinners or all-you-can-eat. Well, for the first few days, anyway, until we find better places to eat.
Thu, 2008-07-31 11:25
#6
[url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/30072008/54/sexy-canada.html]Sexist study finds Ottawa unsexy.[/url]
Thu, 2008-07-31 18:08
#7
quote:
Originally posted by jrose:
[b][url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/30072008/54/sexy-canada.html]Sexist study finds Ottawa unsexy.[/url]
"Frankly, I find it more than a little insulting," said Justine Cleroux, 27, sipping suds at the Royal Oak in the Glebe. "I'd like to see the science behind their study."[/b]
[img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
I've always enjoyed saying the word Ottawa.
Thu, 2008-07-31 18:19
#8
Boom Boom
I grew up in Ottawa, and survived. It was boring as hell, but boring in a nice way. And Montreal or Toronto were within easy reach. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
Sat, 2008-08-09 08:42
#9
So, it looks like I'm going to be relocating from the t.dot to the 'twa. Any pointers on life there?
Sat, 2008-08-09 09:44
#10
quote:
Originally posted by Papal Bull:
[b]So, it looks like I'm going to be relocating from the t.dot to the 'twa. Any pointers on life there?[/b]
Good Luck Papal Bull! I don't know if pointers are necessary, but just enjoy! There's lots to do out that way, especially if you take the time to explore some of the small surrounding towns.
Sat, 2008-08-09 09:47
#11
quote:
Originally posted by jrose:
[b]Good Luck Papal Bull! I don't know if pointers are necessary, but just enjoy! There's lots to do out that way, especially if you take the time to explore some of the small surrounding towns.[/b]
Yeah, I'm excited! I'm going to be transferring from my current universitron to Algonquin for a program I really want to take - Museum Studies. I've planned to get my G2 by the time I go to Ottawa so that if need be, I can drive around and explore it more in depth. Plus, I'll be able to bone up on my now lackluster French.
Sat, 2008-08-09 11:33
#12
Boom Boom
quote:
Originally posted by jrose: Good Luck Papal Bull! I don't know if pointers are necessary, but just enjoy! There's lots to do out that way, especially if you take the time to explore some of the small surrounding towns.
Good advice. Go to Merrickville and enjoy the pub in an ancient beautiful stone building on the corner across from the locks.
Rent a kayak or canoe by the locks and have fun on the Rideau River.
Take a walk on the main drag in Merrickville, there's some nice little shops - and a neat little electric toy train business inside the small mall. Log Cabin Framing displays some great nature art by Brenda Carter.
Usually on weekends all summer local artists and craftspeople have an outdoor exhibition, maybe not every weekend, but they're worth going to when they do. Merrickville's a really small town, but I've always enjoyed my drives out there (I have family in Merrickville).
[ 09 August 2008: Message edited by: Boom Boom ]
Sat, 2008-08-09 12:13
#13
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to being near the Ottawa River so I can do some real kayaking!
Sat, 2008-08-09 15:10
#14
Boom Boom
I don't remember if I've been in a kayak or not - but I've canoed half my life. I used to collect and repair old Chestnut Prospector canoes, made of canvas/cedar. Sold them all, then brought a replica of the Prospector by the North Bay Canoe Company. Then, I sold that one, and haven't been in a canoe since. I moved on to racing bicycles, then after a stroke in 1993, sold them, too. All I have for recreational use is a mountain bike I brought when I moved to the coast in 1995. It keeps my heart pumping.
Sat, 2008-08-09 15:21
#15
I've lived in Victoria, Montreal, and... Amos. Also seen a lot of other places.
If I had enough money I'd live in Vancouver.
I'm not a big fan of Montreal, terrible weather 11 months out of 12, pathologically broken politics, disappointing quality of food in the 15-75 dollar price range, terrible mass transportation systems.
Sat, 2008-08-09 19:32
#16
quote:
Originally posted by Papal Bull:
[b]So, it looks like I'm going to be relocating from the t.dot to the 'twa. Any pointers on life there?[/b]
You can buy the cheapest tickets for Ottawa Rapidz home games and sit just about anywhere in the stands you want. [img]biggrin.gif" border="0[/img]
Wed, 2009-04-29 16:49
#17
MoneySense's 2009 rankings are as follows:
10. Brandon, Man.
9. Peterborough, Ont.
8. Winnipeg, Man.
7. Fredericton, N.B.
6. Moncton, N.B.
5. Vancouver, B.C.
4. Burlington, Ont.
3. Kingston, Ont.
2. Ottawa-Gatineau
1. Victoria
Any thoughts? I've lived in two of the top five, plus have spent much time in a third. Very interesting ...
Wed, 2009-04-29 16:54
#18
Sorry -- I was in a rush. Here's the link:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090427/best_cities_090427/20090427?hub=Canada
Burlington shocks me after spending the majority of my life there, and still visiting there on a very regular basis. In fact, I'm expected there for dinner in about an hour.
I'll have to give the article a read tonight to see what MoneySense's criteria is. Burlington was an excellent place to grow up, but it's also very conservative.
Wed, 2009-04-29 16:57
#19
I'm not a big fan of Montreal, terrible weather 11 months out of 12, pathologically broken politics, disappointing quality of food in the 15-75 dollar price range, terrible mass transportation systems.
I'd say Montreal is the best city in Canada. If I ever move back to Canada, I think it would be to MTL. Beautiful architecture, great culture, amazing food. 500 Apples, if you want cheap food, jsut go to Schwartz's! I still get that stuff SHIPPED to me!
Wed, 2009-04-29 17:22
#20
Bah. Quebec City, in a walk.
And when it comes to winter, I reply: Mont-Ste-Anne, Stoneham and Le Massif.
Thu, 2009-04-30 08:57
#21
Oh hell yeah! I'd add Sutton to the list as well. Montreal is pretty damn close though so you can easily drive up and spend your weekends there enjoying some real skiing, East coast style.
Fri, 2009-05-01 07:47
#22
That's a neat list. I'm from Burlington, my partner's from Kingston. I love Kingston, she loves Burlington.
Kingston's pretty awesome. Smallish, but big enough to have things to do. Nice downtown with independent stores. Reasonably affordable as long as you don't live in Sydenham ward. The university brings in lots of shows/events that you wouldn't get anywhere else. Regional hub with a large rural hinterland meaning lots of country drives, getaways, farmer's markets. Close to Westport and Perth, not far from Ottawa. It's becoming more and more suburbanized, but I'm still it's number one fan. We'd tried to score jobs there, but finding two full-time, well-paid jobs in our field was impossible.
I actually found Kingston to be a lot like Burlington, but with much more to do, see, more affordable eating, more heritage, and a bit less outwardly conservative. Kingston's still pretty conservative I find, but it's the greater economic diversity (as compared to Burlington) - the farmers, the back-to-the-landers that moved to the outlying counties in the 80s, the old money, and the professor/student population, corrections workers, military - that mitigate its natural conservativeness, in my opinion.
I'm not surprised that Burlington's on that list though; conservative or not, it's a really nice place. A bit boring, and definitely not for those who like nightlife or big city living. But not as suburban as it's Oakville and Georgetown/Milton counterparts, very, very liveable and quite close to big city amenities. If we worked in Burli, we'd consider living there (although I'd prefer to live in Hamilton.) The girlfriend thinks Burlington the land of milk and honey. And it is...it's been quietly siphoning off Hamilton's milk and Toronto's honey for almost it's entire existence...
Fri, 2009-05-01 08:14
#23
Boom Boom
As much as I love it here on the Quebec coast, I'd love to return to Ottawa, my home town. That would take a considerable change in my financial status, as Ottawa real estate is much more expensive than when I left in late 1973.
Fri, 2009-05-01 08:19
#24
Ms. C is in 7 today and 6 on Monday and Tuesday. That's one of the advantages of living in Saint John.
I lived in Ottawa while doing my MA (85-87) and thoroughly loved it.
Fri, 2009-05-01 09:49
#25
Ottawa has arranged for "Styx" to appear at their annual "Bluesfest".
This is a crime against humanity, and Ottawa should be shunned by the rest of the world.
Fri, 2009-05-01 09:51
#26
I love Styx but i wouldn't put them in the Blues genre.
Fri, 2009-05-01 09:53
#27
Boom Boom
Yeah, that sounds odd. Isn't Styx a heavy metal group? (I've never listened to them)
Fri, 2009-05-01 10:07
#28
I'd call them Rock. Certainly not Heavy Metal.
Fri, 2009-05-01 14:59
#29
Nice to see another Burlintonian on babble! :)
Sat, 2009-05-02 11:52
#30
I'd call them Rock. Certainly not Heavy Metal.
I was never a fan of their music..but Wiki calls them a rock band.. Styx
Sat, 2009-05-02 13:39
#31
Aerosmith and ZZ coming to Ottawa in September.
"And you know what Im talkin about, Boom Boom
And you know if you wanna go
To that home out on the range.
Sat, 2009-05-02 14:21
#32
Boom Boom
FWIW, I saw Black Sabbath at Ottawa's Civic Centre shortly after the release of their first album. They sucked then, as they always have.
Sat, 2009-05-02 14:48
#33
I never appreciated Sabbath music all that much, nor Alice Cooper. I thought Ted Nugent was pretty crazy.
I've always thought actor Lee Marvin was the original lead vocal on la grange. I'm almost positive, but dont quote me.
Sat, 2009-05-02 17:32
#34
Boom Boom
Fortunately while I lived in Ottawa, there was a great coffee house with live entertainment - folk and blues - called Le Hibou. I went there from 1965 until it closed in the 70s.
Tue, 2011-08-30 14:24
#35
Catchfire
Vancouver no longer world's most livable city
Vancouver has been knocked out of top spot as the world's most livable city because of a highway closure on Vancouver Island, according to the magazine that does the ranking.The Economist Intelligence Unit, a division of Britain's Economist magazine, says Vancouver has slipped to third place behind Melbourne, Australia, and Vienna.
The list:
- Melbourne
- Vienna
- Vancouver
- Toronto
- Calgary
- Sydney
- Helsinki
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Auckland
Why do the world's most conservative cities (Vienna? Wtf?) always top these lists? (Because they're compiled by publicatins like The Economist, says Captain Obvious). And why is a Vancouver Island traffic jam affecting Vancouver's rating? And why do they like Australia so damn much?
Tue, 2011-08-30 14:37
#36
Timebandit
I'm shocked that Calgary made the list.
Tue, 2011-08-30 14:39
#37
Boom Boom
Three Canadian cities on that list, not one of them is Ottawa. 
Tue, 2011-08-30 14:39
#38
I'm shocked that Calgary made the list.
No offense to the resident Calgarians, but I think they really mean Canmore.
Tue, 2011-08-30 14:40
#39
Boom Boom
No American cities on that list???
Tue, 2011-09-06 00:00
#40
The odd thing about those lists is that they didn't include little cities and villages with a pop of 100 000 and lower. only major city are in the list. Little city and village got a surprising good life quality. I lived in Montreal, Sherbrooke, Granby and Marieville. So i can compare what is to life in Different size of city. Big cities are great for cultural life even if there is a lot of people it like living in a desert, for commodity it great everything is close and can be done by walking so it easy to stay fit. Medium City is good you got the commodity of big city without the traffic. Bottom line you often got to do a bit by cars so it harder to integrate exercise in life style. Village is great for social life as long as you stay in the grace of the good people, every body know every body, But you got to use the cars often only quick accommodation is available by walking and stay fit is a bit of a challenge if you don't like outside sport, but for other sport who require little installation, it just great.
Tue, 2011-09-06 06:55
#41
I'm not a big fan of Montreal, terrible weather 11 months out of 12, pathologically broken politics, disappointing quality of food in the 15-75 dollar price range, terrible mass transportation systems.
I'd say Montreal is the best city in Canada. If I ever move back to Canada, I think it would be to MTL. Beautiful architecture, great culture, amazing food. 500 Apples, if you want cheap food, jsut go to Schwartz's! I still get that stuff SHIPPED to me!
right on, Star,
500, not my impression from a dozen years living there:
1/....terrible weather 11 months out of 12,
OK, but more like 5+ months of snow and slush; summer can be humid, but often long and hot
2/. ... pathologically broken politics,
seems pretty calm to me, plus I like politics
3/.... disappointing quality of food in the 15-75 dollar price range,
sheesh, The Main and Plateau offer piles of stuff... Greek à go go was my 20s diet
4/... terrible mass transportation
well, we disagree: big and growing Metro, some crummy buses but extensive routes.... choose your stop and rent right there.
Thu, 2011-09-08 12:43
#42
Those lists are ridiculous, Vancouver typically ranks high up there, but I always have to question what their criteria are. Shouldn't affordability for average residents be one of them? Oh, and somehow Vancouver has more culture than Vienna? How? And then of course the traffic jam on Vancouver Island.
But whatever, my favourite Canadian city by far is still Montreal. Hopefully I'll go to grad school there within the next five years so I can bone up on my French and actually live there for a substantial period of time, since I'm not really comfortable working in French right now and would rather not do menial subsistence labour and live in a closet. Food, culture, affordability and transportation. I think it has it all, except weather. But you're never going to get great weather in Canada anyways, so suck it up eh!
As for Ottawa. No thanks. It seemed kind of lame (i.e. no interesting neighbourhoods - in my judgmental opinion). Admittedly I only went once but it was a bit dead downtown and in the close in neighbourhoods. Oh and it was too outdoorsy with people running on trails and all that nonsense (I'm not a proper Vancouverite, nature doesn't do it for me - I'm a city boy through and through though, which is why I've never been a mindless booster of my hometown).