Page 2 - GR_March_2017_web

GLEBE
2 Glebe Report March 10, 2017

all the fuss is about – and were mar- suburbs. But I have never been one to
ried in May, just in time to spend our make decisions solely based on what
first summer in Ottawa as a mar- is economically feasible, probably to
ried couple. Festivals and other fair my own detriment. Toronto has always
weather events pervaded the city and been too big for our tastes and sprawl-
weekly markets at Lansdowne, only ing suburbs, while fine for some, elicit
minutes from home, provided regular in me visions of purgatory. In Ottawa,
inspiration for my home cooking. As especially here in the Glebe, Ellen and
far away as we were from our families, I have found a happy middle ground.
Ottawa was finally starting to feel like
home. But life tends to add wrinkles
to what might otherwise be a flawless
picture.
In September 2016, we learned Ellen
was pregnant with our first child, due
two weeks before our first anniver-
sary. As ecstatic as we both are, we
have since had to grapple with a dif-
Ellen poses during her first skate on the Rideau Canal in January 2017. ficult question: where do we want our
child to grow up? What place will our
A year tled in the Glebe in January 2016. We family call home? It is one thing for
It was mostly by fluke that we set-
my wife and me to try a different life-
style in a new city, but when faced
looked around a few different com-
in the Glebe munities in Ottawa but decided that if with the need to establish roots to cre- Photos: daniel white
ate a stable environment for our child,
we were to move we wanted to be in
the city. We settled on an apartment in
other considerations come into play.
the Glebe for the same reasons I am Our social network after a year here
sure many people choose to live here. is still quite small compared with the Cayenne takes a much-needed break
by Daniel White Both of us can walk to work. There one that remains in the town where we from chasing her ball at the Lansdowne
is an off-leash dog park five minutes grew up. Ellen worries about support Dog Park.
I have lived in 14 residences in seven away so our hyperactive dog, Cay- systems here. Our families suddenly
municipalities across the country over enne, is less likely to drive us insane. seem farther away than they did a few Our child will be two months from
the past 10 years, none of which has There are some fantastic restaurants months earlier. And yet, something arrival by the time this paper is deliv-
ever really felt like home. I have never and good coffee shops that were espe- has thus far prevented us from making ered. We aren’t any closer to knowing
been more than a temporary visitor. cially useful for getting me out of the decision to leave Ottawa despite where our child will grow up. I sup-
Most recently, my fiancé Ellen and the house during my two months of the reality that it is bound to make the pose the decision will come down to
I were living in Burlington, Ontario unemployment following our move. next couple of years more difficult. how we manage through the first six
when she was offered a job in Ottawa If I dare to dodge the morning traffic The reason is partly financial. months. While remaining in the Glebe
late in 2015. We had to decide whether on the QED, I can even skate to work The cost of living in Halton and the likely won’t be in our long-term plans
to stay where we were, close to family when the winter weather cooperates. Greater Toronto Area is becoming as long as we maintain our goal of
with our wedding imminent, or set After spending most of 30 years liv- absurd. Even the prices of homes in home ownership, we just wanted to
off on a new adventure together. We ing in suburbs and relying on a car for the Glebe, which we will still never say thank you to all who have helped
didn’t know Ottawa at all as I hadn’t everything, it is refreshing to be able be able to afford without a surprise make this community feel like home.
spent time here since my eighth grade to reach every amenity by foot. international book deal, are moder-
school trip. Nevertheless, we opted for We made it through our first Ottawa ate when placed next to comparable Daniel White is a professional cook
the latter. winter unscathed – I am not sure what homes in Toronto and its surrounding and freelance writer.

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