Ottawa Coworking: Where the Wi-Fi Works (Maybe) and the Coffee Doesn't Suck (Usually)
i've been a consultant in ottawa for three years and let me tell you, the only thing more exhausting than back-to-back client calls is finding a decent spot to actually do the work when your home office is a sad corner of your bedroom. i'm talking about a place with reliable wi-fi, enough outlets, and a coffee that doesn't taste like it was brewed through a sock. also, preferably without the guy who loudly explains his cryptocurrency investments to anyone who'll listen.
ottawa's got a weird mix: safe as hell but rent's climbing like it's toronto's side chick. average rent for a one-bedroom is $2,200 now (yeah, i just checked padmapper last night) and the job market? if you're not in tech or government good luck. but hey, at least the crime rate is low so you can nurse your flat white in peace. unless you count the existential dread of your student loans.
the humidity this week is like walking through soup that someone left in the sun. and don't get me started on the winters. but hey, at least montreal's only a two-hour drive and toronto a flight away, so you can escape when you need to feel like a human again. sometimes i just hop on the 417 east and pretend i'm in quebec for a few hours.
now, about those coworking spaces and wi-fi cafes. i've tested enough to know most are either overpriced co-working boxes with beanbag chairs (who are these people? consultants?) or cafes that treat you like a criminal for taking a table for more than an hour. but there are gems. maybe.
let's start with the coworking spaces. i've tried the fancy one on king edward - the one with the glass walls and a membership that costs more than my car payment. the wi-fi is fast, but the people are... intense. i overheard one guy say "i'm scaling my saas to seven figures" while taking a call in the phone booth. i wanted to throw my laptop at him. but the coffee is free-flowing and there's a shower if you have a client meeting after your spin class. r/ottawa's thread on coworking spaces says it's the place to be if you want to network. i just want to network with a barista who knows my order.
then there's the one in little italy that's got a backyard with string lights. perfect in summer, but in winter it's like working in a meat freezer. and the wi-fi? forget about it when the place fills up for dinner. local warned me: 'avoid the corner table by the bathroom, it's a dead zone.' should've listened.
now, cafes. i have a love-hate with these. love the vibe, hate when the barista side-eyes my laptop after the third coffee. my go-to for a while was this place on elgin - morning owl or something. solid espresso, okay pastries, and tables big enough for my spreadsheets. but then the fair trade beans went from amazing to meh. and they started charging for water. what is this, a restaurant? Yelp's top coworking spaces in Ottawa actually lists it as a top spot. go figure.
i also tried that place in hintonburg that's always packed with students and freelancers. the wi-fi is decent but the noise level is like a soccer stadium. and the seats? you have to fight for one. i once saw a guy put his jacket on a chair at 9am and come back at 3pm. not kidding. the coffee's good though. and they have those fancy cortados.
> overheard at the cream and sugar: 'i've been coming here for years and the owner started charging for the wifi password. i'm done. moving to the library.'
the library! yes, the ottawa public library main branch has free wi-fi and plenty of tables. but it's so quiet you can hear a pin drop, and if you cough too loud the librarian gives you the stink eye. also, no coffee inside? what kind of dystopia is this? TripAdvisor's best cafes in Ottawa has some hidden gems though, like that tiny place in centretown with the killer cinnamon buns. but good luck getting a seat.
> at the library, a student whispered to me: 'i come here because it's free and quiet, but i've learned to bring my own snacks. the vending machine eats your loonies.'
then there's the spot in byward market that's got the best people-watching. but the wi-fi is slower than my grandma's dial-up. and the prices? $6 for a latte? i might as well work from the fairmont lobby and pay for the ambiance.
> overheard a local at a community meeting: 'if you need to actually get work done, avoid the byward market cafes during tourist season. it's a zoo.'
i've also heard rumors about a new spot in westboro that's supposed to be quiet and have tons of outlets. but i'm skeptical. every time i find a good place, it gets discovered and then it's overrun with people on video calls with their cameras on. nothing kills a vibe like someone yelling 'can you hear me?' every five minutes.
so here's the drunk advice: if you need reliable internet and a seat, go to the coworking space on king edward. if you want to feel like a creative genius in a hipster den, try the hintonburg cafe but bring headphones. if you're broke, the library is your friend but bring your own coffee. and if you just want to people-watch and pretend you're working, byward market is the place. just don't expect to actually get anything done.
and remember, ottawa's weather is a rollercoaster, but at least the rent is... well, it's not. but you're here because you love the city or because you're stuck. either way, good luck finding a table. Ottawa Citizen's article on the rise of coworking says the trend is only growing. great, more competition for seats.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/air-quality-and-environmental-health-in-mexicali-my-lungs-are-questioning-my-life-choices
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-state-of-unemployment-and-economic-growth-in-tangerang
- https://topiclo.com/post/rio-de-janeiro-sun-sand-and-the-most-drawnout-photo-of-a-palm-tree-ive-ever-taken
- https://topiclo.com/post/remote-work-in-las-vegas-my-overcaffeinated-heatstroking-reality-as-a-nomad-photographer
- https://topiclo.com/post/relocating-to-lusaka-a-checklist-scribbled-on-a-napkin-with-coffee-rings