OT: Gatineau vs Ottawa (possibly moving to Ottawa from Montreal)

[stebed]

Hey everyone, I know this may be off topic but I hope it doesn't break any rules, I've been coming here for a couple of years now and although it's a golf forum it's also probably the best Ottawa forum online My wife and I (30) are considering moving to Ottawa and are weighing the pro's and con's of living in Ottawa vs Gatineau area. I was wondering if you guys could help us out with your advice, opinions, and general experience with city.

We're looking at the Gatineau area primarily because it's considerably cheaper (or at the least a better value). We like the idea of living somewhere like Chelsea which has a large english population. Big lots, lots of trees, and is right beside the park but is only a 15 minute drive to downtown Ottawa. According to google maps living somewhere like Nepean (where my sister lives) or Orleans would be no closer to downtown and I'm assuming there's probably a lot more E-W traffic on the 417 than there is N-S traffic on the 5? I know Aylmer is predominantly English but it also doesn't seem to be any closer to downtown than Chelsea.

We're very active people, we love to ski, hike, rock climb, etc.. so proximity to the park is a definite bonus especially if it doesn't put us any further away from the city than most Ottawa suburbs would. Cheaper real estate, cheaper utilities, cheaper daycare, cheaper car insurance, cheaper private school, etc.. would certainly more than offset the higher tax rate and we could easily still work in Ottawa and earn higher wages. Plus Hautes Plaines would be right next door We don't have children yet but will start working on that soon, we both come from families with one english parent and one french so we are perfectly bilingual. We'd like to send our kids to high school in french and there appears to be a great private high school (Saint Alexandre) in Gatineau which is only $2,500 a year. We would actually prefer to send them to french elementary and then english high school but doing so would prevent their kids from accessing the Quebec english public school system should they choose to stay in Quebec. The only downside we've heard so far is that health care system is very poor in the Gatineau, and that it is almost impossible to get a family doctor.

So, is Chelsea for us? Is there anywhere else we should consider? What are the pro's and con's we have missed? What is your experience? Thanks!

[314314]

I think you answer your own questions, you should stay in Quebec. You are already used to the taxes there and planning to have kids which are more kids friendly there (tax wise). Gatineau has access to great golf, rives, lakes, hiking, skiing, etc.

The only drawbacks on that side is health care access and infrastructure. I hope that you don't get sick there.

[stebed]

I think you answer your own questions, you should stay in Quebec. You are already used to the taxes there and planning to have kids which are more kids friendly there (tax wise). Gatineau has access to great golf, rives, lakes, hiking, skiing, etc.

The only drawbacks on that side is health care access and infrastructure. I hope that you don't get sick there.

How bad is it? Ie, is it so bad one should make it a determining factor? No other drawbacks other than that? Crime, etc..?

[Marcos]

Being right across from Chelsea on the other side of the river is also an option.Up Cantley way,its very nice little town and great community.Mostly francophone also,I dont know if you have checked the real estate up in Chelsea but its fairly expensive compared to this area.Unless your buying a fixer upper,its not cheap.Cantley is 5 minutes away from the bridge over the Gatineau river so about the same as Chelsea.You cant get on the 50 highway as fast as Chelsea to go to Ottawa.If you have the bucks I would choose Chelsea because of the charm and the fact that it is a English speaking community.Great spa up there(Le Nordik) Great little pub,and a few nice little shops.Go and visit first and find out about the price of land.Like you said,you are used to living in Quebec and if you get a doctor on the Ontario side,you wont have any problems getting healthcare on that side of the river.The system in Gatineau is very slow to access but once you are in, its o.k.Good luck with your search and welcome to the area.

[stebed]

We will be up this weekend and will take a nice long drive checking everything out. I noticed that prices are much cheaper in Cantley but I want to be as conveniently located as possible. Also from what I read Chelsea is more anglophone? Does anyone have experience with traffic in that area during rush hour? I'm wondering what that 15 minute drive turns into. In Montreal a 15 minute drive can easily turn into a 60 minute drive during rush hour but there's probably a fraction of the congestion we experience here on those routes. Also in Montreal to live in a semi rural area that isn't almost completely francophone one would have to be a good 40-45 minutes from downtown and that's with no traffic (Hudson/St.Lazarre). The idea of only being 15 minutes from the city center but still have a big lot and an enourmous wilderness park as a backyard, at a reasonable price, is pretty rare in this day and age. I just keep wondering what the catch is

[Sakuraba]

There is no catch. Quebec is great. I'd look into Chelsea and the outlying region. Wakefield, Old & New Chelsea, Hollow Glen, Alcove. MLS it and enjoy. My wife grew up in that area and has always pressured me to move there, the only problem for me is its too far from the Renfrew Golf Club.

[314314]

At least for us what is keeping us from living in Quebec are taxes and health care other than that is great!

How bad is it? Ie, is it so bad one should make it a determining
factor? No other drawbacks other than that? Crime, etc..?

[poppadon56]

I just moved back to Orleans from Aylmer after a 7 year stint in Aylmer. A big factor for us was the health care. Living in Montreal now, you probably wouldn't notice the health care problems, but if you live in Gatineau you can't get anything done. You are forced to go to Montreal and that puts a strain on the one being treated and the family. Young children aren't too bad as they still accept them at the Children's Hospital in Ottawa (CHEO), will this be the case if 5+ years, I certainly hope so, but...

Access to all the sporting areas previously mentioned isn't a big deal from anywhere in Ottawa.

French education in Orleans is excellent and second to none. They are also building a brand new french college in Orleans, ready this Sept.

On the finance side, give your money to the Quebec government with higher taxes or to the bank, larger mortgage, I'd rather give it to the bank.

From someone who went from Ottawa to Gatineau for 19 years, back to Ottawa 12 years, back to Gatineau 7 years and now back in Ontario.

Just my 2 cents.

[Marcos]

The only place you will run into traffic is on Highway 5 near the Casino and going onto MacDonald-Cartier bridge in the morning.Its busy at the normal working hours 7-9 am.Other than that its prob. faster than being in Gatineau and stuck on the Highway 50 in rush hour.Chelsea will prob. fit your lifestyle better.
Not going to get into the Quebec vs.Ontario battle.There is good and bad on both sides of the river.Its you that will decide.Poppadon56 raised some good points but,there is nothing like Chelsea in the whole Capital area so close to downtown with access to so many things to do.By the way,I dont live in Chelsea but I always wished I could have bought some land there when it was cheap.

[stebed]

poppadon5, why did you move from side to side so much? i wasn't implying that french education was better in gatineau, just that we'd like our kids to have a mix of quality english and french education and despite being chelsea being a small area, there still seems to be quality schools. please feel free to share more pro's and con's, the more information and opinions we have, the better equiped we'll be to make a decision. or pm me if you perfer! thanks everyone, keep em coming. don't be afraid to say something negative, this is what i'm asking for. i'd rather hear about it now then find out about it after i've moved there.

[spackler]

You might want to check into how the community centre and Chelsea Creek developments are affecting the town, Chelsea Creek especially. Chelsea is undergoing a big transformation right now, it's changing from small town to suburb. That said, we spend a lot of our summer up in the Chelsea area and love it. It's amazing how far away from the city you can get in a short 15 minute drive.

[stebed]

Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea about this. I've found a scattering of articles on cbc.ca from 2008 about a proposed Chelsea Creek development and referendum, and a blog website about a Hendrick Farms development but there doesn't seem to be a lot of current information out there. If anyone knows of any forums or websites pertaining to the Chelsea developments, please let me know. Or if you can summarize what's currently going on, that would also be helpful. Thanks!

[Marcos]

Now that Spackler mentioned that,i do remember something about a referendum (popular theme in Québec) LOL.Regarding a big housing development. I guess your best bet would be city hall witch is right down main street Chelsea.I hope they dont develop the area any more as it will loose all its country charm and create too much traffic etc... I think its still in court or something right now.

[spackler]

We don't hear too much about it as we are cottagers as opposed to residents, but last year there was a referendum asking whether to allow the Chelsea Creek development to go ahead. It was only open to landowners whose property bordered the development property, I think 80 people or so. The referendum split right down the middle and the mayor cast the deciding vote to allow the development to go ahead. I don't know enough about the situation to comment one way or the other on how the community is reacting, but it will definitely change the face of Chelsea as it's about a 200 unit development with some commercial components as well. The site is located at the southeast corner of the highway 5/Old Chelsea Rd interchange. Last I heard, they were planning to start building this year, although I don't know what the actual status is.

Not sure what your situation is, but if I was looking for a house in Chelsea, I would try and find one in the quieter parts, Kingsmere, Meech Lake, in the hills above Scott Rd and the 105, or down between the 105 and the river in Tenaga, Kirks Ferry or Cascades. That reflects my own bias though as we spend our time up there relaxing, not really making a home. I love it up there.

[stebed]

We don't hear too much about it as we are cottagers as opposed to residents, but last year there was a referendum asking whether to allow the Chelsea Creek development to go ahead. It was only open to landowners whose property bordered the development property, I think 80 people or so. The referendum split right down the middle and the mayor cast the deciding vote to allow the development to go ahead. I don't know enough about the situation to comment one way or the other on how the community is reacting, but it will definitely change the face of Chelsea as it's about a 200 unit development with some commercial components as well. The site is located at the southeast corner of the highway 5/Old Chelsea Rd interchange. Last I heard, they were planning to start building this year, although I don't know what the actual status is.

Not sure what your situation is, but if I was looking for a house in Chelsea, I would try and find one in the quieter parts, Kingsmere, Meech Lake, in the hills above Scott Rd and the 105, or down between the 105 and the river in Tenaga, Kirks Ferry or Cascades. That reflects my own bias though as we spend our time up there relaxing, not really making a home. I love it up there.

Well because it's where we would live we would want it to be as convenient as possible. I don't think we'd be willing to go that far north, just something where we can have a nice 1-2 acre wooded lot, instead of of a suburban lot that's 0.2 acres with neighbors right on top of us, be close to the park, trails, the water, etc.. in a quiet community but still only 15 minutes away from the city when we need it. I'm thinking our best chance would be somewhere not too far north or south of old chelsea road.

[caoshaug]

Hi, I happened to catch your post. Its funny that I did because I have a house to sell in Gatineau!
To answer some of your questions though, I always lived in Ontario, but moved to Gatineau when my first daughter was 1 because of #1 cheaper prices and #2 to be in a french environment. Ottawa was very english and we were loosing our french as we speak English at home.
I have LOVED it. I love the bedroom community that I am in. I come from a small town and I love how quiet it is yet it is very close to everything. I work in Ottawa and I live on the express bus route and its only a 20 minute bus ride for me. My husband works in Hull now and its only 15 minute drive for him.
The daycare is very affordable. My daycare is on my street! I pay privately, but I received a significant sum in tax credits and in payments every three months.
I have not had any problems with health care. I still have a family doctor in Ottawa that accepts QC health cards. I have given birth to one child while living in Gatineau and had her in Ottawa with no issues. I have had a chronic disease and received treatment at an Ottawa hospital and then follow-up care at the CLSC. They were great! My daughter has ADHD and I have had all the support I need in QC. Therapy, support at school, child psychologists. So in my humble opinion, don't let the health care issue scare you.
My husband loves the golfing. There is the Templeton golf course about 10 minutes or less away and three more all within a half hour! He has my daugther starting golf too.
Bottom line, the houses are about $100000 cheaper on the Gatineau side and you get a LOT more house for that price. I am selling a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, with a deck, big back yard, pool and heated workshop/garage all for way under $200k. You can't get that on the Ontario side.
In fact, we love it so much we have the option of moving to Ontario and we decided to move further INTO QC! (we bought a country home).

[stebed]

Hi, I happened to catch your post. Its funny that I did because I have a house to sell in Gatineau!
To answer some of your questions though, I always lived in Ontario, but moved to Gatineau when my first daughter was 1 because of #1 cheaper prices and #2 to be in a french environment. Ottawa was very english and we were loosing our french as we speak English at home.
I have LOVED it. I love the bedroom community that I am in. I come from a small town and I love how quiet it is yet it is very close to everything. I work in Ottawa and I live on the express bus route and its only a 20 minute bus ride for me. My husband works in Hull now and its only 15 minute drive for him.
The daycare is very affordable. My daycare is on my street! I pay privately, but I received a significant sum in tax credits and in payments every three months.
I have not had any problems with health care. I still have a family doctor in Ottawa that accepts QC health cards. I have given birth to one child while living in Gatineau and had her in Ottawa with no issues. I have had a chronic disease and received treatment at an Ottawa hospital and then follow-up care at the CLSC. They were great! My daughter has ADHD and I have had all the support I need in QC. Therapy, support at school, child psychologists. So in my humble opinion, don't let the health care issue scare you.
My husband loves the golfing. There is the Templeton golf course about 10 minutes or less away and three more all within a half hour! He has my daugther starting golf too.
Bottom line, the houses are about $100000 cheaper on the Gatineau side and you get a LOT more house for that price. I am selling a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, with a deck, big back yard, pool and heated workshop/garage all for way under $200k. You can't get that on the Ontario side.
In fact, we love it so much we have the option of moving to Ontario and we decided to move further INTO QC! (we bought a country home).

Yes but you are in a unique situation where you lived in Ottawa and were able to find a family doctor and keep him despite moving to Qc.. I don't think it would be so easy for everyone else We've put our plans on hold for the moment but I'm curious, what area were you in and where are you going? Past Chelsea?

[caoshaug]

Actually, I found the doctor after I moved.
Many doctors in Ottawa accept QC health cards. My daughter's psychologist is in Ottawa and we found him within the last year.
Also, I just had major surgery in the Civic hospital (ottawa side). They have an agreement with QC to provide health care. Then I had follow-up care at the CLSC. All this happened within the last year.
All that to say that its just not as bad as you think. I come from Sudbury, in Northern Ontario. My parents are still there and they end up going to Toronto, Ottawa etc for care because there are just no doctors. So I think that how you feel about the situation is all relative to what you have experienced in the past.

We were in Templeton, Gatineau and had a cottage in Litchfield, QC. We sold the cottage and are now moving to Val des Monts. About another 15 minutes further from Ottawa. Its not in the same area as Chelsea. I think its more East (not sure)? Just beside Cantley.
We did not even look at Chelsea. We looked a lot at Cantley. We found Chelsea prices to be pretty expensive for what you are getting and the taxes are very high.
We are at the edge of Val des Monts, close to Lac St-Pierre, and its only 20 minutes from the Alonzo Wright bridge. One of the major access points to Ottawa...

[Shushu]

How come I have never heard of the Templeton golf course? Where is it? Am I in a minority here?


My husband loves the golfing. There is the Templeton golf course about 10 minutes or less away and three more all within a half hour! He has my daugther starting golf too.

[caoshaug]

Woops! Typo. I meant Tecumseh...I was thinking Templeton because that's where we live.
There is a driving range, its kind of really not fancy just past Templeton, but that's not what I was thinking of.

[Shushu]

ahhh...ok....haha...thought this was was secret I was just finding out about. Thanks