Wellington Vs. Ottawa

Wellington is not big. Really not big. We haven't had a train ride or bus ride yet that was longer then 1/2 and hour. We went from CBD (downtown) to Petone yesterday and it was a 15 minute train.

In terms of neighborhoods, we've mostly focused on the down town core because we're urbanites without cars. of those,

CBD reminds me a lot of downtown, similar density, though here there's a LOT more retail mixed with the businesses. Living in CBD is a lot like living in the Somerset to Bronson corridor... there's some nice old houses, a lot of high rises but mostly just a lot of business going on around you.

Newtown is a lot like Chinatown is right now (between Bronson and Preston) but with more of a Wellington Village (Wellington / richmond area)

Where we are moving (Mt Cook, between CBD and Newtown) is a little strange. it's close to everything, but doesn't have much around it (other then Massey University, hopefully it won't be too loud!)

From Suburbs point of view, it's very difficult to compare because the land is so different. You won't really find sprawling suburbs with crescents ala Barhaven or Kanata. Because everything's built in the hills, it comes down to the style / newness of the house, proximity to various things and school districts. If you're planning on getting a car when you arrive, you shouldn't have much trouble figuring out where you want to live.

Oh, as a note, your impression of where you want to live will likely change once you get here.