Things I Wish I’d Known About Living in Ottawa Before I Applied to Study at Algonquin College

Kaitesi Magara, a Ugandan student studying the Bachelor of Digital Marketing Communication (Honours) at Algonquin College, shares her experiences of adjusting to life in Ottawa.

Moving to a new country comes with a lot of expectations. Before I moved to Ottawa, I spent time researching Algonquin College, looking at the city and trying to get an idea of what my life in Canada would be like. However, there were still many things I didn’t fully understand until I actually started living here.

Now that I’ve had some time to settle in, I’ve realized that there are quite a few things I wish I had known before applying at Algonquin College and moving to Ottawa. Some things were easier to adjust to than others, while a few took me by surprise. If I could go back and give myself some advice before moving here, these are five things I would tell myself.

1. Getting Around Ottawa: Having a Driver’s License Can Make a Difference

One thing I didn’t think about enough before moving to Ottawa was transportation. When I was choosing where to live, one of my main priorities was finding somewhere close to Algonquin College. I didn’t really consider how far other parts of Ottawa, especially downtown, would be from where I was living.

I quickly realised that Ottawa is quite spread out. For example, driving downtown can take me around 20 minutes, but using public transportation can take close to an hour, depending on where I’m going. I’ve also noticed that some journeys that would take around 8 minutes by car can take approximately 20 minutes by bus.

At first, I thought I could occasionally use Uber or Lyft when I needed to get somewhere faster. However, I didn’t realise how quickly those trips would add up, especially when I wanted to meet friends or go downtown several times a week.

I’ve also had to learn to work around OC Transpo delays and cancellations. There have been times when buses haven’t arrived when expected or when the arrival times shown on the app haven’t been accurate. This can make getting to work, meeting friends or simply planning my day a little more difficult.

I also noticed that some of my friends who attend the University of Ottawa and Carleton University live closer to downtown. This means that meeting up sometimes requires more planning on my part.

Looking back, I wish I had started preparing for my driver’s license earlier. I would have liked to work towards getting my G2 so I could have more independence and flexibility when travelling around the city. I don’t think everyone needs a car to live in Ottawa, but from my experience, having a driver’s license would make certain parts of my life much easier.

Of course, transportation isn’t the only thing that took some getting used to when I moved to Ottawa. Another experience I wasn’t fully prepared for was just how much the weather would affect my everyday life.

2. Winter Is a Whole Different Experience

I knew Canada had four seasons before I moved here, but knowing about winter and actually experiencing it are two very different things. Before coming to Ottawa, I had never experienced a Canadian fall or winter, so I don’t think I fully understood what I was preparing myself for.

When I experienced my first snowfall, I was genuinely excited. Seeing snow for the first time was something I had looked forward to. However, that excitement changed a little once I started experiencing the cold temperatures.

I quickly realized that going outside wasn’t always as simple as putting on a jacket and heading out. My fingers and face would get extremely cold, and sometimes the wind would blow snow directly into my face. I also had to learn how to dress properly for the weather. I didn’t initially understand how important layering was or how much of a difference having the right winter jacket and footwear could make.

One thing I also struggled with was walking on icy sidewalks. I had to become much more careful about where I was stepping because slipping was always a possibility. I also found it interesting how different it felt going from the cold outdoors into heated buildings while still wearing all my winter clothes and boots.

Another thing I noticed was how much the weather affected my willingness to explore Ottawa. Since I arrived in the fall, the colder months made me less interested in spending time outside. Sometimes, I felt like I had to wait until summer to properly explore more of Canada.

That being said, there are things I genuinely enjoy about winter. I love seeing the Christmas lights, the snow-covered streets and the different seasonal foods and clothing that come with the colder months. Even though winter can be difficult to adjust to, I’ve come to appreciate parts of it.

While adjusting to the weather was one learning experience, another part of becoming comfortable in Ottawa was learning how much everyday things cost. Grocery shopping, something I was already familiar with, turned out to be a very different experience.

3. Grocery Shopping Can Be More Expensive Than You Expect

Before moving to Ottawa, I was already familiar with grocery shopping and cooking for myself. However, I didn’t realize how much my shopping habits would have to change once I started living independently in Canada.

One of the first things I struggled with was understanding the value of the Canadian dollar. Coming from a country where the currency is worth less than the Canadian dollar, I initially found it difficult to tell whether certain prices were expensive or reasonable. For example, I remember questioning whether spending $5 on a loaf of bread was actually expensive.

I also noticed that some of the foods I was used to buying back home were much more expensive here. Fresh vegetables and produce, in particular, could be surprisingly costly. One example I always think about is avocados. Back home in Uganda, the avocados I was used to were almost twice the size of the ones I usually find in Ottawa, and they were much cheaper.

Because of this, I had to start thinking differently about how I spent my money. I began looking for alternatives, such as buying frozen vegetables and planning meals around ingredients I could use for several different meals. I also started paying more attention to how long my groceries would last me, rather than just buying whatever I felt like eating at the time.

I found that comparing prices between grocery stores made a difference too. Walmart became one of the places I looked at for more affordable purchases. More recently, I also discovered that Indian grocery stores can be much cheaper for certain items, especially spices, herbs, rice, snacks and cooking oils.

I think the biggest lesson for me was that grocery shopping involves more than just buying food. I also have to think about budgeting, planning meals and making sure I’m not spending money unnecessarily. I knew I would have to manage my own food expenses when I moved here, but I didn’t realise just how much my shopping habits would need to change until I experienced it myself.

Thankfully, not every part of adjusting to a new city has been difficult. One thing that has made everyday life in Ottawa much easier for me is the people I’ve met along the way.

4. Canadians Really Are That Nice (And Maybe Even Nicer!)

Before moving to Canada, I had heard plenty of people talk about how nice and welcoming Canadians are. I knew it was a common stereotype, but I didn’t want to have too many expectations in case my experience turned out to be different.

However, after living here, I can honestly say that I think the stereotype is an understatement. I’ve met so many people who have been genuinely kind and willing to help me, especially when they find out that I’m new to Ottawa.

One thing I appreciated was how willing people were to share recommendations. I’ve had people introduce me to places and services I probably wouldn’t have discovered on my own. Some examples include Bulk Barn, Too Good To Go for discounted food and Value Village for affordable clothing.

I still remember my first time shopping at Bulk Barn. I had filled my bags with different items, but I wasn’t entirely sure what I was supposed to do next. When I asked the cashier for help, they took the time to explain how everything worked, including how to label and close the bags. They also mentioned a discount that I probably would have missed if I hadn’t asked.

It might seem like a small interaction, but it made a difference to me because I was still learning how things worked in Ottawa. I’ve had similar experiences when speaking to bank representatives and people helping me with housing-related questions. I’ve noticed that when I explain that I’m an international student and still getting used to the city, people are often more than happy to take the time to explain things.

These experiences have made settling into Ottawa feel less intimidating. I’ve realized that even simple everyday tasks can feel unfamiliar when you’re somewhere new, so having people who are willing to help has made a big difference in my experience.

Although I’ve had many positive experiences since moving here, I’ve also had to adjust to some things I wasn’t expecting. One of the biggest lessons for me has been realizing that living in Canada doesn’t mean everything will automatically be easier or better.

5. Canada Isn’t Perfect, and That’s Okay

Before moving to Canada, I had a certain image of what life here would be like. I had heard so many positive things about the country that I think I built up quite high expectations. I imagined that life would be more organized, that adjusting to a new environment would be relatively easy and that most things would fall into place once I arrived.

However, after spending time in Ottawa, I realized that living here comes with its own challenges. One thing that surprised me was seeing visible drug use and people struggling with addiction in certain parts of the city. I remember noticing this around areas such as Bayshore Shopping Centre and downtown. It wasn’t something I had really thought about before moving here, so it took me some time to understand what I was seeing.

Another thing I had to adjust to was the cost of housing. Before moving, I knew accommodation would be expensive, but I don’t think I fully understood just how much it could cost. I’ve come across housing options around $1,200 a month, sometimes without furniture or appliances. When I started thinking about the additional costs of setting up a home, I realized how quickly everything could add up.

I’ve also met people who work multiple jobs to support themselves. Seeing this has made me realize that living in Canada doesn’t automatically mean life is financially easier. I’ve had to learn that I can’t always be as frugal as I was back home, and I’ve had to make adjustments to how I budget and manage my lifestyle.

Despite these challenges, I still love living in Canada. One thing I appreciate is how much more independent I’ve become. I’ve had to learn how to do things for myself, from calling banks and restaurants to book appointments to finding my way around unfamiliar places. These might seem like ordinary tasks, but they have helped me become more confident and comfortable handling things independently.

I also appreciate having access to public transportation, even though I’ve had my frustrations with OC Transpo. Compared to what I was used to back home, I appreciate having a transport system that allows me to get around the city without always needing to arrange another way of traveling.

I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that no country is perfect. There are things I love about Canada, and there are things I wish were different. Experiencing both sides has helped me develop a more realistic understanding of what it means to move to a new country.

Conclusion

Looking back, there are so many things I wish I had known before moving to Ottawa. From understanding how spread out the city is and preparing for winter to learning how to manage grocery expenses and navigate everyday life, there were many things I only fully understood once I started living here.

Some experiences have been more challenging than I expected, while others, like the kindness of the people I’ve met, have made settling into a new environment much easier.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from my experience, it is that preparing to move to a new country goes beyond researching your college, choosing a program and arranging accommodation. I also needed to understand the city I would be living in and the everyday experiences that came with it. There were things I could have prepared for beforehand, but there were also lessons I could only learn by experiencing them myself.

Moving to Ottawa has taught me to become more independent, adapt to unfamiliar situations and become more comfortable asking questions when I don’t understand something.

Although adjusting hasn’t always been easy, I’ve come to appreciate the experiences, opportunities and people who have made this city feel like home.

So, if you’re considering moving to Ottawa, my advice would be to do your research, come with an open mind and give yourself time to adjust. From my experience, not everything will fall into place immediately, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help along the way. Ottawa might not be perfect, but it has a lot to offer, and some of the best parts of living here are the things I’ve discovered along the way.