While many newcomers consider moving to Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver, Ottawa can be a great option for those looking for a similar atmosphere for a fraction of the cost. Here, our panel physicians in Ottawa and Orleans discuss moving to Ottawa, Ontario and help you decide which neighbourhood is best.
Moving to Ottawa, Ontario
Here, we outline some of the neighbourhoods in Ottawa that are most popular with those considering moving to Canada’s capital. It's important to keep in mind that finding the right part of Ottawa for you may take some time, so you might want to hold off on committing to a neighbourhood until you have arrived in Ottawa and had the chance to explore more of the city.
Guide to Neighbourhoods in Ottawa
If you are considering moving to Canada, part of your immigration process will involve choosing where to live. If you are considering Ottawa, you may wonder which neighbourhoods are the most affordable, how far they are from downtown, and what you can expect from living in the area.
Downtown Ottawa
One of the main advantages of living in Ottawa is the affordability of living downtown. This gives residents easy access to the city’s economic core and places people go to socialize.
Ottawa’s downtown is dominated by government buildings, many of which are devoted to the civil service. Other business activities occur in this area, and plenty of hotels, apartments, and condominiums are also found there.
Downtown Ottawa offers almost every amenity an urban professional might be interested in, including many decent restaurants and pubs. However, living in downtown Ottawa is not the same as living in the downtown of a larger city. By the end of the workday, everyone who works downtown will have headed home, leaving those in the mood for culture or excitement needing to look to other Ottawa neighbourhoods for a more vibrant scene.
Centretown
Immediately south of the downtown core is Centretown. One of the most important Ottawa neighbourhoods, Centretown contains commercial and residential properties, including low- and high-rises, condominiums, townhouse developments, and traditional single-family homes.
Centretown is a historic neighbourhood home to many landmarks, including the famous Canadian Museum of Nature. It provides good access to the Rideau Canal, the CF Rideau Centre (the largest mall in Ottawa), and cross-town bus transit.
Centretown has plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Unlike downtown, this area doesn't completely shut down at night. It's a desirable location for people of all ages, which is part of why it can be more expensive than many other neighbourhoods in Ottawa.
ByWard Market & Lower Town
The centrepiece of downtown Ottawa is the ByWard Market, a historic bazaar where many of the city’s most famous bars and eateries are located. By day, this is a fine area to take a stroll or pick up some fresh produce from a farmers’ market, but by night, the market takes on a different character, revealing itself to be the nucleus of Ottawa’s nightlife.
Lower Town, just north of the ByWard Market, is where French and English cultures blend. You can maintain an active social life without relying on a taxi in this diverse neighbourhood. This is a popular area for professionals, students, and couples to live, rather than families.
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill’s proximity to the University of Ottawa greatly defines its character. Many of its former residents have moved out to the suburbs and leased their former homes to students, transforming Sandy Hill into a popular area for those seeking post-secondary studies in Ottawa. However, with numerous ethnic restaurants and bars offering student-friendly prices, easy access to downtown amenities, and almost any activity any night of the week, Sandy Hill remains an excellent choice for young people looking to make Ottawa their home.
Old Ottawa South & The Glebe
The Glebe and Old Ottawa South are affluent neighbourhoods in downtown Ottawa with colonial-era buildings, parks, cafes, and organic food shops. Residents are generally wealthy, and finding affordable housing can be challenging, although students can find reasonably priced accommodations due to the proximity to Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. Access to the Rideau Canal is great for running and cycling in the warmer months and transforms into a prime ice skating location in the winter.
Vanier
Found on the east bank of the Rideau River, Vanier is another important Ottawa neighbourhood. Historically one of the more francophone areas in the city, the demographics have shifted in recent years, and French speakers no longer comprise most of the population.
Vanier is one of the least expensive Ottawa neighbourhoods bordering downtown. This is perhaps due to Vanier’s reputation for being a bit seedy. However, recent developments and efforts at gentrification are starting to change this, and prices are increasing. However, Vanier is worth considering for those hoping to save on rent and still live near downtown Ottawa.
Somerset Street West
Somerset Street West may not be as well-established as some other neighbourhoods on this list, but it could still be a great choice for certain newcomers to Ottawa. It is roughly bordered by Bank Street to the east, Preston Street to the west, Somerset to the north, and Carling to the south. This area includes Ottawa’s Chinatown and Little Italy, resulting in a vibrant community with plenty of excellent and mostly affordable dining options.
Somerset Street West is a densely populated part of Ottawa that contains several homeless shelters and less green space than you might find in other Ottawa neighbourhoods. You may also find that many apartments here are less cared for than those in adjoining neighbourhoods, such as the Glebe. While rent may be a bit cheaper, Somerset Street West might still be a better choice for young people than for those looking for a place to raise children.
Westboro & Hintonburg
Continuing west, we come to Westboro and Hintonburg. Both Ottawa neighbourhoods date back to the 19th century and boast reasonable proximity to downtown. Even better, both have a reputation for being among the more quirky and exciting.
Westboro is the more established of the two. It has beautiful tree-lined streets, excellent schools, bars and restaurants, boutique shops, and spacious, eccentric homes. Westboro is very safe, central, and extremely desirable, so expect to pay more to live there. While Westboro primarily houses affluent families, Hintonburg is Ottawa’s hub for hipsters. It is home to artists, musicians, and the Great Canadian Theatre Company. While rent in Hintonburg is affordable, the popularity of the neighbourhood is causing rent to rise.
New Edinburgh & Rockcliffe Park
Heading back east across the Rideau River, we reach New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park. Located north of Vanier, these Ottawa neighbourhoods are extremely affluent and home to many embassies, consulates, and some of Ottawa’s wealthiest and most influential inhabitants, including the Prime Minister.
Characterized by picturesque mansions and extensive greenspace, these quiet Ottawa neighbourhoods will be well out of the price range for most. However, they are lovely to visit around Halloween or drive-through in December, when many houses are lavishly decorated with Christmas lights.
Alta Vista
If you prefer a quieter, more residential atmosphere, you might consider the Alta Vista neighbourhood. Houses in this area are more affordable compared to those in the Glebe or Old Ottawa South, but there are still plenty of amenities such as schools and bicycle paths. Additionally, two of Ottawa’s hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, are located in Alta Vista.
While public transit lines running through Alta Vista help residents get around, those without cars may still find it inconvenient to access the downtown. For this reason, Alta Vista may be a better fit for those looking to set down roots than for those hoping to maintain a faster pace of life.
Orleans
Head further east, and you will reach Orleans, the first neighbourhood on this list that qualifies as a suburb. Orleans is a large, sprawling city area with several subdivisions, residential developments, high schools, and a major shopping mall. There is a significant francophone minority in Orleans.
Orleans residents will enjoy easy access to Petrie Island, a parkland with a beach. However, remember that life in Orleans is very suburban, with little nightlife, and owning a car is practically a requirement.
South Keys & Gloucester
As we continue heading south, we reach the neighbourhood of South Keys and the former township of Gloucester. These areas are distinctly suburban and contain many new residential developments, strip malls, and chain stores. While perhaps lacking the charm of older Ottawa neighbourhoods, they remain options for those looking to get a lot of house for their dollar.
Kanata, Barrhaven, & Nepean
Ottawa has expanded its boundaries, incorporating Kanata, Barrhaven, and Nepean as suburbs. These areas are safe and family-friendly, with access to amenities. They are more affordable than downtown, but the commute can be long and houses can still be expensive.
Gatineau & Hull
For a more French-influenced experience, consider living in Gatineau, Quebec. Rent is significantly lower here than on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. It's beneficial to have knowledge of French, as many administrative services are offered primarily in French. However, many English speakers live here as well. Access to Ottawa is convenient, with regular bus services throughout the week.
Some tourist attractions on the Gatineau side include the Museum of History and Gatineau Park. Gatineau also offers some of the most scenic locales in the National Capital Region, including Le Nordique Spa in Chelsea and Wakefield, a beautiful rural area with impressive views of Gatineau’s National Park. Rents are considerably cheaper than those you’ll find on the Ontario side, but be warned: Quebec’s taxes are higher than those in Ontario.
Are you ready to move to Canada?
If you are considering making Canada your permanent home, you will need to apply for permanent residency. This process involves following specific guidelines and meeting eligibility requirements, which can vary based on the application method you choose. As part of your application, you will likely need to provide evidence of a job offer in Canada, demonstrate your financial stability, such as having sufficient funds to support yourself, and undergo an immigration medical exam to ensure you meet the health requirements for residency. We offer immigration medical exams performed by panel physicians at three convenient locations in Ottawa, Orleans and Cornwall.
