Ontario - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Half of the residents live in houses and half live in apartments. It depends on what you want to pay and how big you want your home to be. The best area for a family to live in is the High Park area. The best area for a single person is downtown. - Jan 2011
There is housing for every budget and lifestyle. We live in a condo down town int eh Byward Market. Some people choose to have a row style house in New Edinburgh and others prefer a single family home in the Glebe. The U.S. Embassy doesn't provide housing, so it is up to you where you want to live and what type of housing meets your needs.if you have a car, it is important to make sure you have snow removal in your lease. - Sep 2010
Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) post - BEWARE!!It is expensive, you will likely be out of pocket with the low US Dollar and housing is of poor quality. Despite two hot, humid months in the summer, do not be surprised if there is no A/C in the homes you find. Likewise, drafty homes with inadequate heating for the frigid winters are commonplace. The real estate vultures who hover over the diplomatic community are less than forthcoming with the negative aspects of housing they show, so it is wise to hire an independent inspector on your own to have major systems checked out. Problems with landlords are not uncommon and the embassy provides no/no assistance. - Oct 2009
