From tickets to tires: How Ashley Greco saves in Ottawa with CAA

Moving to a new city is never easy. It's all about learning new routes, hunting down the best local spots, and getting used to a completely different rhythm of life. For radio host Ashley Greco, relocating to the National Capital Region meant embracing all of that and then some. 

Since August 2024, Ashley has been waking Ottawa as co-host of The Morning Pickup on Pure Country 94.  

Now, after a year and a half as an official Ottawa resident, she's gone from newcomer to local expert. CAA Magazine caught up with Ashley to discover how she navigates life in the capital. Whether she's visiting family, planning weekend getaways, or enjoying staycations in her new hometown, Ashley has become a pro at finding Ottawa's best-kept secrets. 

Making the National Capital Region home 

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Moving to Ottawa was no small feat for Ashley and her family, but they dove headfirst into the adventure. Relocating from Toronto meant learning a new city, culture, and even the climate, some days.  

"When we moved, everything was so new to us," Ashley shares, and that includes the weather.  

Her first winter in Ottawa needed a little extra preparation. "One thing I learned as a new resident of Ottawa was that the winters are rough," she laughs. "Getting new winter tires was a priority coming here." 

Settling in a new community takes genuine curiosity to find the places that make a city feel like home. Even the little things can make a huge difference. It takes time, but Ashley has become an expert on all things Ottawa. 

Ashley said that when they first moved, she and her family "really took advantage of the different things we could experience." 

The importance of family  

The key to making a new city feel like home for Ashley was quality time with her daughter and husband. Sometimes that quality time is as simple as a nice family meal. "We love going to dinner as a family," Ashley shares.  

From exploring local Ottawa businesses to places with great comfort food, being together is part of what makes each meal so great. "Going to places like Crust & Crate or Montana's makes dinners easy for the family and allows us to get out and enjoy time together." 

Supporting Ottawa's sports teams is another way that Ashley and her family spend their time together. "We're a big baseball family," Ashley shared. Her family loves spending an afternoon cheering for the Ottawa Titans. With affordable tickets and great food options, the Ottawa Titans are an ideal family outing. 

When seasons change and temperatures drop, you'll find Ashley at the rink. "We're new Sens fans," she says. 

Her enthusiasm extends to the exciting world of women's sports, too. She's planning her first trip to see the Ottawa Charge, eager to witness the incredible talent of Ottawa's professional women's hockey team. 

Another favourite is the Canadian Museum of Nature. Ashley notes that fun, limited-time exhibitions like Butterflies in Flight keep her family coming back to explore more. She even participated in CAA's Member Day at the museum, celebrating National Dinosaur Day. 

While Ottawa is home base, Ashley still loves to travel, whether it's visiting family or a mother-daughter weekend away.  

Ashley's extended family still lives in Toronto, meaning there is "a lot of travelling back and forth," she shares. But that doesn't stop her from turning a routine visit to Toronto into quality time spent with her family. 

"My daughter and I recently did a little getaway to Toronto," Ashley shares. "We took VIA Rail and went to the Ed Mirvish Theatre to see & Juliet, which was an amazing show." 

Ashley's secret sidekick

So how does Ashley Greco manage it all? How does she balance a career, a major move, parenting, and an active social calendar while keeping costs under control? The answer is her CAA Membership.  

Having her Membership ready means she never misses a deal, whether she's filling up on fuel at Shell stations or browsing for a new outfit at RW&CO. "Keeping my Membership on my phone has been huge; it's so easy to remember to use it for discounts at Shell or when shopping," she explains.  

Her Membership means Ashley saves on tickets to her favourite sports teams, and to productions at Mirvish Theatres in Toronto. She saves on entry to attractions like the Canadian Museum of Nature, and even on purchasing new winter tires. Over the last 12 months, Ashley has saved $193 all thanks to her CAA Membership.