Neighbourhoods

Overview

Ottawa is a beautiful city to live in, and whether you are a city mouse or a country mouse, there’s bound to be a neighbourhood that’s right for you. Considering where to settle in a city is not as easy at it sounds. Key things to take into account are budget, lifestyle, the size and makeup of your household, and what amenities you prefer—and which ones you require. These can be considerations such as a church, school, parks, yards, pools, gyms, groceries, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.  Sorting all that out can take a while, but it helps before you start the search for where to settle in the long run.

For urban dwellers, Central Ottawa is your best bet. Though some suburban areas have a lot to offer, Centretown and the surrounding neighbourhoods have the most nightlife, restaurants, shops and services in the city. Single people and young couples without children often find Central Ottawa to be an exciting and diverse neighbourhood, and while not traditionally thought of as an ideal place to raise children, there are many quiet streets, detached homes with yards and parks and schools in the area. It can also be very convenient for those who work downtown in the many government and private businesses in the area. However, if cost is an issue, then perhaps other options are worth considering.

Suburban dwelling is often ideal for those who don’t mind a possible commute to work if they can have a larger home with a bigger yard. Some areas, such as the Glebe and Westboro, are thriving trendy neighbourhoods that are still very close to Centretown. If you’d rather have peace and quiet, and travel to places with more activity when you need to, then there are a variety of different suburban markets that can be ideal. If you are Francophone, for example, you might want to consider being east of the city, such as in Vanier, Overbrook or Orleans, where you are more likely to get bilingual or French businesses, services and neighbours. If you work in the high tech field, then Kanata can be an ideal spot to move to. Barrhaven is a longer commute, but the costs of many of the terrace homes and condos make it an ideal starter location for first-home buyers.

Please browse through our list of neighbourhoods and learn more about what makes each part of the city unique. If you have any questions about moving to or relocating within Ottawa, please contact the OLH Team for detailed information and excellent advice.