Situated on the Ottawa river and bordering the province of Quebec, Canada’s capital city is filled with historical landmarks, unique neighbourhoods, and an enviable amount of green space for a large metropolis. But is Ottawa a good place to live? This story has all the information potential homeowners need for moving to Ottawa.
Approximately one million people live in the National Capital Region (NCR). That number includes the city of Gatineau, Quebec, which is located directly across the northern bank of the Ottawa River. Many NCR residents either live in Ottawa and work in Gatineau or vice versa. Because of Ottawa’s proximity to Quebec, the city has many Francophone elements, and a vast number of its citizens are bilingual.
Notable Ottawa neighbourhoods
Westboro/Hintonburg
Located just west of downtown, Westboro and Hintonburg have grown into Ottawa’s trendiest neighbourhoods in the past few decades. Full of unique eateries, independent shops, and a large outdoor market that’s open year-round, Westboro and Hintonburg attract Ottawa residents seeking some of the best eating and shopping options in the city.
The Glebe
The Glebe is found south of downtown and its charm and proximity to the Rideau Canal make it a popular destination for Ottawans. The Glebe is best explored on foot, with plenty of shops, cafes, and historic homes worthy of sight-seeing. Landsdowne Park, home to Ottawa’s CFL and Canadian Premier League soccer teams, is also a major draw of the Glebe, in addition to the stadium’s entertainment district.
Sandy Hill
East of downtown and home to the University of Ottawa as well as many of the city’s diplomatic residences, Sandy Hill has a youthful and multicultural flavour. The neighbourhood contains live music venues, unique bookshops, and independent brewpubs. One of Sandy Hill’s biggest draws is Strathcona Park on the shores of the Ottawa river.
Centretown
Located just south of downtown, plenty of Centretown’s amenities overlap with the city’s core and vice versa. Centretown is both a residential and commercial neighbourhood, making it a perfect spot for those seeking urban living. Centretown’s proximity to the Rideau Canal makes it a great place to enjoy activities near and on the water — from picnics on the riverbanks in the summer to skating on the frozen canal during the winter.
Britannia
Britannia is in the west end of the city on the Ottawa River. Residents can enjoy Britannia beach and park, which features plenty of green space for picnics, as well as trails for jogging and biking. The Ottawa River pathway extends along a long stretch of Britannia and cyclists can bike from this neighbourhood to Parliament Hill — a distance of about 12 kilometres. Many of Britannia’s cottages from the early to mid-20th century were repurposed as bungalows and are situated right on the shore of the river.
Ottawa’s largest employers
As Ottawa is the centre of the Canada’s federal government, many residents of the city are employed in the public sector. However, many Ottawans also work in healthcare, technology, finance, and education. Here’s a short list of some of Ottawa’s largest employers.
Federal Government
As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa’s largest employer is the federal government, with over 120,000 employees.
High-tech sector
Ottawa has a significant technology industry, employing approximately 74,000 people across hundreds of companies. Some notable tech employers include Shopify, Nokia, and IBM.
Healthcare
Ottawa’s three major hospitals are significant employers in the city.
Education
The city’s colleges and universities are major employers, with the four public institutions employing over 22,000 people combined. Some notable educational employers include the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College, and Collège La Cité.
The best activities in Ottawa
Visit Parliament Hill and buildings
As the seat of Canada’s government, this is a top attraction featuring gothic revival architecture and guided tours.
Explore the Rideau Canal National Historic Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this canal offers boat cruises in summer and transforms into the world’s largest skating rink in winter.
Tour the Canadian War Museum
This museum showcases Canada’s military history with extensive exhibits and artifacts.
Visit the National Gallery of Canada
Home to an impressive collection of art, including works by renowned artists such as da Vinci and Picasso.
Explore ByWard Market
One of Canada’s oldest public markets, offering local produce, souvenirs, and a variety of restaurants and boutiques.
Experience the outdoors at Gatineau Park
Located just minutes from downtown, this park offers year-round activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and snowshoeing.
Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature
With over 10 million specimens, this museum offers a comprehensive look at Canada’s natural world.
Tour the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Showcasing Canada’s aviation history with an extensive collection of vintage aircraft.
Attend the multiple local festivals
Ottawa hosts various festivals throughout the year, including the Canadian Tulip Festival, Bluesfest, CityFolk, and Winterlude.
Ready to move to Ottawa? Here is a list of new-home communities to explore.
Location: 378 Crossway Terrace, Ottawa, ON
Starting price: $764,990
Home types: Townhomes and single-family
Fairwinds South is a new townhouse and single-family home community by Mattamy Homes Canada currently under construction. Available units range in price from $764,990 to over $909,990. Fairwinds South unit sizes range from 1,485 to 2,748 square feet with three to four bedrooms, depending on the model.
Location: Fetterly Drive, Ottawa, ON
Starting price: $524,900
Home types: Townhomes and single-family
Russell Trails is a new home community by Tartan Homes currently under construction. Available units range in price from $524,900 to over $1,070,900. Russell Trails unit sizes range from 1,641 to 3,869 square feet and two to four bedrooms, depending on the model.
Location: Cope Drive, Ottawa, ON
Starting price: $669,213
Home type: Townhomes
Idylea Townhomes is a new home community by Tamarack Homes currently in preconstruction. The community is scheduled for completion in 2025. Available units range in price from $669,213 to over $744,375. Idylea Townhomes has a total of 12 units. Sizes range from 1,855 to 2,285 square feet.
Location: 106 Westphalian Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Starting price: $719,000
Home types: Townhomes and single-family
Blackstone is a new home community by Cardel Homes Ottawa. Available units range in price from $719,000 to over $1,057,000. Sizes range from 1,611 to 2,660 square feet with one to five bedrooms, depending on the model.
Location: 622 Summerhill Street, Ottawa, ON
Starting price: $696,800
Home types: Townhomes and single-family
Riverside South (HN Homes) is a new home community by HN Homes currently under construction. Units range in price from $696,800 to over $1,237,800. Sizes range from 1,545 to 3,637 square feet and one to four bedrooms, depending on the model.
