Ottawa Voted Canada’s Most Boring City? Really?!
So there was this event called “The Boring Awards” not long ago in Canada. I know what you’re thinking, who would want to go to that event but let’s get past that, ok? The issue is that Ottawa was voted the most boring city in Canada, that’ right the MOST BORING. There is NO DOUBT that Ottawa is a somewhat boring city and that all residence at one point or another have told their siblings, parents or spouses that they are bored but that’s universal though…
Heck, I’m from Ottawa and I started a blog called “Stop Having a Boring Life”.
What actually makes Ottawa a boring city is the type of residents it attracts aka “Sam and Sally Security” or “Paul and Paula Politicians”. When it comes to a government town such as Ottawa, security is the name of the game. Who cares about how you spend the first 65 years of your life when you can retire in what sounds like “heaven”. You get great benefits and job security which in today’s world is hard to come by, yes? On the bright side, marijuana is now legal in Canada! So if you are visiting, check out a Canadian online dispensary guide and have a package waiting for you at your hotel room.
Growing up in this city I’ve seen an influx of boring people the older I get. Also many of my friends that have stayed have become increasingly boring as they age, it’s sad but true. It also appears as though their is a pilgrimage of boring types looking for security while all the adventurous and creative souls I once knew have moved to more exciting places like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or simply gone global.
Now that we’ve set the stage, I want to address that voting Ottawa as Canada’s most boring city is some kind of joke, it has to be. Canada is a beautiful place but there are plenty cities that I’ve personally visited within the borders that are way more boring than Ottawa… Remember that at the end of the day, Ottawa is an international city with something going on all the time, regardless of how vanilla you like your latte.
The boring city list goes something like this: Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sherbrooke, Moncton, Campbell River, Prince Rupert, Edmonton, Peterborough, Hamilton, Brockville, Oshawa, Kingston, Port Hardy, Ucluelet and the list just goes on…
In fact, if you want to see a comprehensive list of boring cities, check out the TBEX press trips being offered to international travel bloggers attending the event. You can rest assured I did not sign up for any of these trips because going on a group tour to London, Sudbury, Hamilton, Kingston, Thunder Bay or Peterborough is a fate I wish on on one, not even the creators of this rubbish boring list.
In closing, I’d like to say that I’ve been to every province and territory in Canada besides Prince Edward Island, Yukon and The North West Territories so I’ve been around. Ottawa isn’t Toronto or Vancouver but it most certainly has a tremendous wealth of natural beauty and all sorts of events going on at any given time and two universities. Oh yeah, it’s also a great place to raise your kids but I guess that goes hand in hand with safety, security and a bit of boredom, yes?
Tips hat,
P.S: Good luck finding anywhere in Canada with more golf courses in the area than Ottawa, it’s golfer’s paradise…
You literally made me laugh out loud with the comments about the TBEX press trips.
I literally took a picture of Mario when I told him Dylan was going on a fly-fishing trip. His expression was priceless.
Happy to have brought a little more laughter into your life! ;]
Ottawa boring? Absolutely not! It is a vibrant cultural city. For the sports minded, there are various ski hills, kayaking, an endless bike trail system, numerous lakes and rivers for fishing or boating etc…If someone is bored in Ottawa it is because they are not interested in culture, music, sports, fine dining, nature….It is a wonderful place to raise a family because it is so diverse. We are also blessed to live in a bilingual environment where French and English co-exist peacefully. Everybody has the opportunity to become bilingual thanks to our fantastic school system. Ottawa boring? NEVER!!!!!!!
Well said thanks for reminding me where my bilingualism all started!
Wow! It definitely isn’t a boring place in my books. I’ve been to plenty of cities in Ontario that I think would beat Ottawa in that category. There are so many great activities to take part in just outside the city. It’s also a lot of fun if you’re a student! The winters are harsh, but there’s plenty about this place that doesn’t make it boring.
True the winters are harsh and agreed on PLENTY more boring cities abound.
As a Canadian, I agree that there are far more boring cities in Canada than Ottawa. Ottawa certainly isn’t an edgy, exotic place, but it has its pretty points, and there’s definitely plenty to do if you dig a little deeper. My family once drove from Ontario to British Columbia, and I would say that Saskatchewan and Manitoba have a higher than usual concentration of boring. The drive across those provinces was miles of completely flat scenery and towns with one traffic light.
Thanks for your input and completely agree on ” would say that Saskatchewan and Manitoba have a higher than usual concentration of boring”.
Hello, I’ve just started reading your blog. I’m from Ottawa, too, and have been living abroad for the past 11 years.
I’m always defending Ottawa. I’ve had people tell me what a great time they’ve had in Canada, that they’ve visited some great cities…except for “this one called Ottawa”. Obviously, they didn’t know that I come from there.
I think Ottawa is a great city. It is safe, quiet, and clean. It’s not too big and not too small. There’s lots of parks and living is easy. It is a great place for kids. I think that Ottawa is unique thanks to bilingualism – there are some great opportunities to learn French there, especially for kids. When I left Ottawa, I didn’t know how good I had it. I had a case of the “grass is greener”. Now, the longer I am away, the more I miss it and the more I appreciate it. I actually have come to realise that I prefer to live in cities that are similar to Ottawa. That’s why I like Copenhagen so much I guess.
Two things that keep me away: cold and long winters and bad public transport.
The long winters are one of the core reasons I moved on with life.
What about yesterday aka June 11th, 2013? It felt like November!
The main problem with Ottawa is that everything closes so early! Long weekends are brutal for this! I grew up in this city and always hated it for the lack of life in it. So many people in this city are either boring, afraid of everything, or simply dead from the neck up. As a travel destination it’s clearly useless. Zero passion, no guts and nowhere to go.
Hahha and well said!
Are you guys kidding me!? Ottawa IS the most boring city! What is there honestly to do on a day you have nothing to do!? There are no arcades around, no water parks close by to have fun, heck not even an amusement park or roller coasters! What do you do!? Go to a resteraunt? Big deal! There is NO FUN HERE. I’ve been bored since the day I was born in this horrid city. I’m definitely moving to a better area real soon and get out of this hell place.
I totally agree Ottawa SUCKS LOL
Ottawa most BORING city in the world.
I hate this city so much.
Even my ex landlord was stealing from me, and also workmen stole from me as well lol, Then move to new apartment and its like scum live all over new neighbourhood 8 attempted break ins , I now have CCTV and window bars in my new apartment. Then I get insulted for no reason and threatened couple of weeks later 2 guys try to mug me , so I stood my ground dam I nearly get mugged cause I walk with a walking stick. I am now saving my money so I can send my property back to my country via ups & get a plane out of here. In 12 years of living in this hell hole I have not made a single friend. People here only seem interested in hockey drugs smoking or beer , I hate all of those things so rather not mix with these disgusting ignorant rednecks. Also if you stink its a plus have you travelled in the bus yuck disgusting bo stink everywhere. And if you are educated you are shit out of luck , because in Ottawa to be a stupid moron is a good things. You rarely see anyone reading a book all you see if these brainless twats on their mobile phones . And do not bother trying to listen in on other peoples conversation as 9 times out of 10 they talk boring bs lol.