Moving from Toronto to Ottawa Checklist

Moving from Toronto to Ottawa is a big move, but in many ways, it’s simpler than you might expect. Since you’re moving within Ontario, a lot of things carry over, like your driver’s license and provincial health insurance. 

At the same time, relocating to Ottawa still requires planning, whether you’re hiring movers or handling the trip yourself. It can feel like you have an endless list of things to do, like finding an apartment, updating your car and home insurance, changing utility providers, and the list goes on. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. 

If you’re planning a move from Toronto to Ottawa, this checklist will guide you through everything you need to do before, during, and after your move, so you can stay organized every step of the way. 

Key takeaways

Moving from Toronto to Ottawa is a relatively straightforward process since you’re staying within Ontario. Use this checklist to stay organized.

Before you move: 

• Finalize the purchase of your home or sign the lease 
• Create a moving budget 
• Hire movers or rent a truck 
• Set up utilities 
• Get home insurance
• Update your car insurance policy 
• Set up internet 

After you move:

• Update your address
• Update your driver’s license and vehicle permit 
• Confirm local services 

Before you move to Ottawa

The earlier you start planning, the easier your move will be. Here are some key things to take care of before leaving Toronto. 

Finalize the purchase of your home or sign the lease 

Whether you’re renting an apartment or buying a house, take the time to carefully review your lease or purchase agreement. Once you sign the papers, your new home is officially confirmed! 

Ottawa’s rental market is generally less competitive than Toronto’s, which means you’ll have more time to make a decision, but apartments can be limited depending on the neighbourhood and time of year. 

Create a moving budget 

Moving within Ontario is more straightforward than moving provinces, but costs can still add up quickly. Set a budget and put aside money to account for:

• Movers or a moving truck 
• Packing supplies
• First and last month’s rent + any deposits
• Any furniture or appliances you need
• The size and exact distance of your move 
• The time of year (summer tends to be more expensive)

Book movers or rent a moving truck 

If you’re hiring movers, it’s best to schedule them at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. That said, since the 450km between Toronto and Ottawa is a relatively manageable distance, you might also consider renting a truck and handling the move yourself. This might be a more cost-effective option if you’re comfortable with the drive.

Set up utilities 

You’ll need to cancel your Toronto Hydro account and set up a new one with Hydro Ottawa for your new address. To do so, you must submit a moving request form online and pay a $29 account setup charge. Keep in mind that you must give at least 10 business days’ notice that you’d like to open an account.

If you’re moving to a suburb or more rural area outside the city, Hydro One may be the provider instead, so check which utility company services your area ahead of time. 

Get home insurance 

Because you’re not moving between provinces, there’s no major difference in tenant, condo, or homeowners’ insurance. However, your Toronto insurance policy won’t automatically transfer, so you’ll need to either update your address or get a new policy if your old one doesn’t cover your new area. 

If you need to switch providers or want to review your coverage options, digital insurance platforms like YouSet can help you compare quotes and buy online in minutes. 

Get the best price on insurance year-after-year

Get a quote

Update your car insurance policy

You’ll need to notify your insurer of your address change as soon as you move to avoid any coverage gaps. Just be prepared that when you do so, you may see changes to your premium, for better or worse, depending on the risks present in your new postal code. 

Set up internet 

You’ll need to check whether your current internet provider services your new address in Ottawa. Coverage can vary by neighbourhood, so it’s important to check availability before you move. Major providers like Bell, Rogers, and TekSavvy operate in both Toronto and Ottawa, but connection types and speeds can vary by area. Once you confirm availability, you can usually transfer or set up your service online. 

If you need to switch, some of the top internet providers in Ottawa include:

• Bell
• Rogers
• Oxio
• TekSavvy

After you move to Ottawa

Once you arrive, focus on setting up the essentials and taking care of these few key tasks. 

Update your address

Make sure to update your address across all important accounts and services, including: 

• Banks and credit cards
• Federal and provincial services (including CRA)
• Online accounts and subscriptions
• Insurance providers 

You may also want to set up mail forwarding through Canada Post for the first few months, so anything that’s sent to your old Toronto address is redirected to your new home in Ottawa. 

Update your driver’s license and vehicle permit

By law, you’re required to update the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration within 6 days of moving. You can do this quickly online or in person at a ServiceOntario centre. All you need is your driver’s license number and issue date. 

Confirm local services 

Get familiar with and set up any local services tied to your new address, such as:

• Parking permits: Apply for a residential on-street parking permit if you don’t have private parking
• Property taxes: If you own your home, sign up for a My ServiceOttawa account for property tax billing
• Garbage and recycling: Find your garbage and recycling collection day based on your address
• Pet registration: You must register your cat or dog, and you’ll receive a tag

Key differences between Toronto and Ottawa 

While both cities are in Ontario, life in Toronto vs Ottawa can be quite different. Here are a few key differences to note before you move. 

Ottawa is a smaller city with a slower pace of life

Toronto is a large, fast-paced city with endless options for dining, nightlife, and entertainment, while Ottawa is a mid-sized city with a slower, more relaxed pace of life. However, Ottawa has a big focus on outdoor events and festivals, including Ottawa Jazz Fest and Blues Fest during the summer and Winterlude and skating on the Rideau Canal in the winter. 

Ottawa has a lower cost of living

Housing in Ottawa is significantly more affordable than in Toronto. One-bedroom apartments in Ottawa often start around $1,400 compared to $2,300+ in Toronto. The overall cost of living in Ottawa is cheaper as well, being around 9% lower than in Toronto. 

If you’re deciding where to live, some of the best neighbourhoods in Ottawa include:

• Merivale Gardens
• Marlborough
• Kinbu
• Rockcliffe Park
• Riverside Park South 
• Constance Bay
• Navan
• Island Park 

Ottawa is bilingual, given its proximity to Quebec 

Ottawa is right on the border of Quebec, making it easy to travel to Gatineau for work or just to visit. Because it’s the capital city and closely connected to Quebec, it’s common to hear people speaking in French, and many roles, especially in government and healthcare, require candidates to be able to speak both languages.