Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood Spotlight

The city of Ottawa is a beautiful and diverse place. There are over 80 neighbourhoods within city borders. On this page, you will find a thorough explanation of how to understand some of Ottawa’s neighbourhoods.

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KANATA

Home to the high-tech industry, Kanata real estate encompasses one of the largest suburbs in Ottawa and is made up of diverse smaller communities. From the more mature areas such as Kanata Lakes, Beaverbrook, Katimavik, Bridlewood, and Glencairn. To newer developments such as Blackstone, Emerald Meadows, Heritage Hills, and Fairwinds, there is a home for every buyer considering living in Kanata.

Unlike other suburbs, Kanata was designed to have a mix of densities and commercial and residential properties.

Kanata is a safe, family-friendly suburb with highly rated schools, plenty of parks, great shopping, a variety of restaurants, and things to do.

For families with an active lifestyle, there are an abundance of parks and trails for walking and cycling. A few activity centres are the Kanata Recreational Complex which has programs for families and children with 2 full-size hockey arenas. In the winter, you can enjoy snow activities such as tobogganing and skating on the rink. Swimmers will appreciate the Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave pool.

When it comes to entertainment, you can enjoy hockey games, other sporting events, concerts, comedy shows, Disney on ice, and other events at the 18,000 seat Canadian Tire Centre (CTC), which is home to the Ottawa Senators NHL Hockey team.

Kanata Centrum is Ottawa’s third-largest shopping centre. This outdoor mall has over 81 brand-name stores and 28 different restaurants. In addition, the recently built Tanger Outlet has over 75 designer stores, specialty shops, and food venues.

The luxury Brookstreet Hotel is in the middle of the Kanata Research Park, surrounded by the first of two urban 18-hole golf courses, called the Marshes Golf Club, and is open to the general public.

In the Kanata Lakes area, there is the second of two urban, 18-hole golf courses in Kanata for Club Link members.

NEPEAN

Located west of Ottawa’s inner core, this growing community is known for its great schools and scenic parks, along with the all-around convenient lifestyle that it provides.

It is close proximity to downtown Ottawa, the Glebe, Westboro, and Kanata. The experiential farm is great for walks and cycling or if you have a 4 legged friend, you can take your dog to the off-leash Bruce Bitt Conservation area just by the 417 E.

Running North to South, Merivale road is the retail centre of Nepean, offering many smaller shops as well as big-box stores.

The boulevard of Hunt Club West hosts a large auto mall, big box stores, PetSmart, and Costco.

College square shopping plaza just off Baseline and Woodroffe which includes Loblaws, LCBO, Rexall, Kettlemans Bagel, and other retail stores and dine-in/take-out spots. Just behind the Loblaws is a big Home Depot and across the street from College Square is the Algonquin College.

Baseline station is directly across from the main campus of Algonquin College. Aside from serving many Algonquin students and Centrepointe residents, it is also a major transfer point for communities in the inner southwest part of Ottawa, making it one of the busiest stations. It also includes a park and ride.

Nepean has many fantastic and coveted neighbourhoods such as Saint Claire Gardens, Briargreen, Centrepoint, Carleton Heights, Crystal Beach, Arlington woods, Qualicum, Bells Corners, and many more.

OTTAWA CENTRAL

The heart of Ottawa - Downtown, Byward Market and University culture.

Central Ottawa hosts Lower Town/Byward Market/Sandy Hill, Downtown/Golden Triangle/Elgin Street, Colonel By Drive/Old Ottawa South, The Glebe/Dow’s Lake.

Downtown Ottawa - sometimes referred to as the Central Business District and contains Ottawa’s financial district is located near big attractions like Parliament Hill and the Byward Market district, the downtown Rideau area is a shopping, culture, dining, and entertainment destination - officially designated by the city as Ottawa’s Arts, Fashion and Theatre District.

In the summer, the Rideau Canal attracts boaters and paddlers with its calm waters and historic locks. In the Winter, the canal is transformed into the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink where thousands of people skate to work, school, or for pleasure. The pathways and green parks that line both sides of the canal are a Mecca for cyclists and runners looking for a scenic workout.

The Golden Triangle is a small central district known for lively pubs, high-end restaurants, and cafes along its main strip, Elgin Street. There are paved cycling and walking path lines offered with benches and picnic tables alongside the Rideau Canal, which borders the neighbourhood.

Old Ottawa South is an older urban neighbourhood in the Capital Ward in Ottawa. A relatively small and compact neighbourhood located between the Rideau Canal (to the North) and the Rideau River (to the South). It is an upper-class area with close proximity to Carleton University and one of Ottawa’s more politically progressive neighbourhoods with many neighbourhood businesses lining Bank Street, including several pubs, restaurants, and boutique shopping.

STITTSVILLE

Stittsville is located in the west end of the city, it is close to Kanata with plenty of small-town charm. It has a small village-like feeling but has all the amenities of a big city.

WESTBORO

Westboro is an area in the northwest end of Ottawa. Located along the Ottawa River and bordering many other fantastic neighbourhoods such as Hintonburg, Wellington Village, and Civic Hospital.

It is a thriving community with a lively street scene. Westboro and its surrounding areas are filled with a concentration of recreation and high-end offerings including Mountain Equipment Co-op, Lululemon, Bushtukah, Farm Boy, and Nicastros Fine Foods. There are a number of boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops on Richmond Road. It’s lovely to walk through on a beautiful day!

Two OC Transpo stations serve Westboro; Westboro and Dominion, an LRT station is currently active at Tunnies Pasture in Hintonburg, with another LRT station slated to open during phase 2 of LRT in 2024.

Westboro Beach is a major attraction in the area and a great place to stop off during a cycle or jog down the Ottawa River parkway.

ALTA VISTA

Ottawa’s south-central community of Alta Vista is located in a very convenient location close to downtown and is bordered by Heron Road and Walkley Road to the South and Smyth Road to the north. This vibrant community is full of modern, mid-century charm and is surrounded by many unique neighbourhoods such as Faircrest Heights, Playfair Park, Urbandale, Guildwood Estates, and Elmvale Acres. This location remained largely undeveloped until the 1950s and ’60s and was named for its location above the Rideau River.

The winding road of Alta Vista Drive is one of the main access points into the community and takes you along a mature parklike setting surrounded by many large custom-built homes and generous property sizes. The community is neighbouring the Ottawa General Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) which provide comfort in proximity to many of the residents. Billings Bridge also provides direct access to the downtown core and many beautiful shops and restaurants are located along the famed Bank Street.

These family-friendly neighbourhoods are home to some of the best French and English schools in the region, which presents a strong bilingual community. Well-known as one of the most prestigious locations in the city of Ottawa, home buyers will find a wide array of single detached homes, surrounded by green space and mature old-growth trees.

ORLEANS

Ottawa’s eastern community of Orléans is boarded by the beautiful Ottawa River, rural countryside, and stunning forested conservation for you to enjoy. The rapidly growing community has a population of over 115,000 with all major amenities and services located primarily along St. Joseph boulevard and Innes road.

Orléans has a strong French-speaking community and is well-known for its character, charm, welcoming neighborhoods, and quality schools.

The main highway linking Orléans to central Ottawa to the west is officially known as Ottawa Regional Road 174 and forms part of the Queensway. The community is home to three major exits including Jeanne D’Arc Boulevard (west), Tenth Line (central), and Trim Road (east). Depending on what type of neighbourhood you prefer, there are new developments to the East and South End that connect closely to the Mer Bleue Conservation area and mature neighbourhoods to the North and West end that border the Ottawa River, beautiful parks, and numerous walking trails.

This family-friendly community is the perfect place to call home with its excellent selection of condos, townhome/row homes, and single-family homes for you to choose from. Today, Orléans spans the municipal wards of Orléans, Innes, and Cumberland and will soon be fully accessible by the Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project.

BARRHAVEN

Barrhaven is a rapidly growing suburban neighbourhood in the southwest of Ottawa. It is approximately bounded to the north by the Greenbelt, to the east by the Rideau River, to the west by Highway 416, and to the south by the Stonebridge/Half Moon Bay development along Cambrian Road south of the Jock River.

Barrhaven is surrounded by rural areas and farmland. This suburban area contains several Public and Catholic schools and numerous parks and playgrounds.

The commercial district in central Barrhaven surrounds the intersection of Strandherd Drive and Greenbank Road which includes Home Depot, Loblaws, Wal-Mart, Farm Boy, LCBO, Best Buy, Your Independent Grocer, Indigo, Staples, Canadian Tire, Winners, Home Sense, Cineplex, TD Bank, CIBC, many restaurants and coffee shops such as Browns Social House, Five Guys, and Mad Radish. It is served by seven local bus routes and includes Fallowfield station (also via rail), Strandherd Transitway Station, and the Barrhaven park and ride in the Riocan/Barrhaven Shopping Centre.

The commercial district in West Barrhaven the area of Strandherd Drive and Woodroofe includes Movati fitness, Heart & Crown Pub, Starbucks, Shoppers Drug Mart, Cobs Bread, Ten Spot Nail Salon, TD Bank, Metro, Freshco, Farmers Market, and many more great amenities.

The commercial district in East Barrhaven the area of Highway 416 and Strandheard includes a Costco, LCBO, Lone Star Texas Grill, Cedar Hill Golf Club, and many other great amenities.

THE GLEBE

The Glebe is located just south of Ottawa’s downtown area. Bordered on the north by the Queensway, on the east and south by the Rideau Canal, and on the west by Carling Avenue and Dow's Lake. The area south of The Canal is known as Old Ottawa South and the east of The Canal is known as Old Ottawa East.

The area is mostly populated by families with great schools including Glebe Collegiate High School, Immaculata High School, Hopewell Avenue Public Elementary School, and Glebe Montessori.

The stretch of Bank Street that runs through the Glebe is one of Ottawa's premier shopping areas, with many small boutiques, and restaurants offering a wide variety of services.

It is also home to Landsdowne Park which contains TD Place Stadium, where Ottawa’s CFL football team play their home games. Landsdowne also contains great shopping and entertainment including Sporting Life, Cineplex, Farmers Market, WholeFoods, TD Bank, Joey & Local Restaurant, and much more.

BEACON HILL

The East-Ottawa community of Beacon Hill received its name from a lighthouse constructed in 1860 around Duck Island near the provincial border. Today, you will find a beautiful area surrounded by lush and mature green space and stunning walking/skiing trails along the Ottawa River.

The neighbourhood of Beacon Hill is bounded on the east by the Greenbelt, including Green's Creek ravine area, and to the south by Highway 174. The location is primarily broken up into two locations referred to as Beacon Hill North, closest to the river, and Beacon Hill South along Highway 174. One of the many reasons this location is so sought after by families is the exceptional schools located around the area, including the prestigious Colonel By Secondary School which offers English/French Immersion Public and the International Baccalaureate Program.

Most homes made up in the community are one-story and two-storey single-family dwellings. However, there is also an abundance of townhome/row homes available within the south end of this location. Many homes within this location are undergoing significant renovations making this neighbourhood a popular spot for home-buyers searching for that turn-key property.

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