Do you have to move to the Ottawa-Gatineau region for work? Perhaps you've just received a position with the federal government in Hull and you're about to start your new job at Place du Portage, but you still need to find a place to live?
Don't start looking for an apartment in Gatineau just yet - you'll be happy to know that Paramount Properties has several excellent Ottawa apartments for rent that are perfect for government employees everywhere, regardless of which side of the river they work on.
Be one of the thousands civil servants that have chosen to live in Ottawa while they work in Gatineau - and discover why our apartments are known for their numerous features and incredible accessibility to government buildings in Hull.
A Few Facts About Hull / Gatineau
Located along the north shore of the Ottawa River, Hull is the oldest part of the City of Gatineau (which was created in 2002 with the amalgamation of Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau, Buckingham, and Masson-Angers). While many people still refer to the area as Hull instead of Gatineau, the name now only officially applies to the neighbourhood of Gatineau that primarily features the government offices (such as Place du Portage) that are across the river from the Parliament Buildings.
Prior to amalgamation, the population of Hull was approximately 66,000 people, with 80% of the residents speaking French as their first language.
Think It's Cheaper To Rent In Hull? You Might Be Surprised!
Perhaps you've heard that rent is cheaper in Hull than it is in Ottawa, and at the most basic level, this is correct - the actual amount of rent you'll pay each month will probably be less expensive. However, your living costs include much more than your rent, and if you live in Quebec, you'll actually find it to be much more expensive than you first thought.
For starters, those that say it is cheaper to rent in Hull aren't taking into account the fact that income tax rates are much higher in Quebec than they are in Ontario. If you're working in Quebec, this amount will have to come off of your paycheque no matter what, but if you're living and renting in Ontario, you'll be to able to get much of that tax back at the end of the year. As well, gas prices are generally higher (and more heavily taxed) in Quebec than they are in Ontario.
Living In Ottawa – Exceptionally Convenient
When choosing where to live, there's also the convenience factor to consider. When you rent an apartment in Ottawa, you're living right where all the action is, with a wide variety of festivals, special events and attractions such as the Rideau Canal, and shopping opportunities right at your doorstep.
Plus, many of Paramount's apartment buildings are packed with exceptional features and amenities, such as pools and saunas, onsite convenience stores and restaurants, and smart card laundry systems - things you simply won't find if you go with a budget-priced, walk-up apartment in Hull.
Get Where You Need To Go Quickly And Easily With OC Transpo
Another huge advantage of living in Ottawa is public transportation - a very important factor to consider for many government employees who move to Gatineau for work. The City of Gatineau is serviced by the STO bus system. However, you should be aware that the STO routes are not as extensive or far-reaching as Ottawa's OC Transpo, and only a handful of STO routes run past midnight (and none of them run as late or as frequently as the routes on the OC Transpo Transitway). In fact, unless you live right in the heart of downtown Hull, you'll most likely need have to own a car to quickly get to and from work each day.
When you rent a Paramount apartment in Ottawa, you have access to all of the best transit routes in the National Capital Region - one of the best things about OC Transpo is that there are several routes that will take you directly across the river to Place du Portage and other federal buildings, without having to change buses mid-trip.
Great Ottawa Apartment Locations For Government Workers
If you already have a vehicle of your own, many of Paramount's apartments are ideally located for travel into Gatineau. For example, Centretown Place is located just a few blocks from Portage Bridge - meaning you can get to work in just a couple of minutes, even though you live in an entirely different province! Now that's convenient!
Many of our other downtown Ottawa apartments, such as Elgin Square, Cartier Square, and Alta Vista Towers, are just a few minutes away from Parliament Hill and several of the bridges connecting Ottawa to Gatineau, making getting to work a quick and simple task.
In the end, where you live is up to you. But consider the advantages of living on the Ottawa side of the river while you work on the Gatineau side - you won't be disappointed.
Looking for an apartment in Ottawa? Paramount Properties is Ottawa’s second largest residential property management company. With roughly 7,000 Ottawa apartments for rent in some of the city’s finest locations, we’re your #1 choice for apartment rentals in Ottawa.
