The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa You’ll Want to Call Home
Having lived in Ottawa for most of my life, I’m still surprised by its low cost of living, walkable streets, and better healthcare, especially compared to Vancouver or Toronto.
Like many naive 20-somethings, I had once thought about leaving Ottawa in pursuit of adventure on the West Coast, regardless of its cost.
But I’m glad I stayed in a city that I can afford to live in, where I’ve been able to pursue professional and creative passions without missing out on all the fun. With its strong arts, culture, and recreation scene, it’s a great place to find a healthy work-life balance.
We just know there’s a community out here that fits your vibe, lifestyle, and budget. To help you prepare for your big move, we’ll explore the best neighborhoods in Ottawa in this guide.
Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa
Whether you’re a young professional looking for an artistic enclave, a small family hoping to purchase your forever home, or a retiree searching for a peaceful retreat, Ottawa has a lot in store for you.
Here’s an overview of the best neighborhoods in Ottawa.
Downtown Ottawa
Walk score: 99/100 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 91/100 (Rider’s paradise; world-class public transportation)
Bike score: 96/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
One of the advantages of moving to downtown Ottawa is being close to its economic center. It’s quite a pricey area though, which is why its residents are mostly professionals or government employees who work nearby.
What we love about living here is that you’re right in the middle of everything—shopping centers, restaurants, clubs, and more. With museums and art galleries just a stone’s throw away, you have plenty to explore in your downtime.
No matter how touristy, the nearby ByWard Market will always be our go-to spot for seasonal produce and artisanal goods. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, where you can get everything from fresh naan and soup dumplings to beefy tacos.
You’ll also find a handful of green spaces here, where you can relax and perhaps take your mind off work. Major’s Hill Park is a popular choice as it has the most stunning views of the Parliament Buildings, but we’d go to Rideau Canal for peace and quiet.
Sandy Hill
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Walk score: 96/100 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 77/100 (Excellent transit; transit is convenient for most trips)
Bike score: 99/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
Just east of Downtown Ottawa, you’ll find the diverse community of Sandy Hill. Affluent families typically reside along the Rideau River, but near the University of Ottawa, you’ll find students and immigrants from all walks of life.
Sandy Hill has a lot of trendy spots like vintage clothing stores, cozy bookshops, and coffee shops. Our favorite brunch spot would be the Working Title Kitchen, which has freshly baked bread, great coffee, and artisanal cocktails.
As you can expect from a youthful neighborhood, brewpubs and restaurants offering student-friendly prices are a staple of its nightlife scene. The Rainbow Bistro is a local favorite as they serve live blues music with great cocktails.
From Sandy Hill, you can easily reach the Downtown area on foot. If you’re going to other suburbs, its well-connected public transportation system, which even passes through the university, will make the commute much easier.
Rockliffe Park
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Walk score: 10/100 (Car dependent; nearly all errands require a car)
Transit score: 37/100 (Some transit; limited transportation options)
Bike score: 65/100 (Bikeable; some bike infrastructure)
Rockliffe Park is the wealthiest neighborhood in Ottawa with highly sought-after properties. If you settle down here, you’ll be neighbors with the most affluent and influential Ottawans, including the Prime Minister.
With perfectly manicured gardens, old-growth trees, and historic homes, this community is in its own peaceful bubble. It feels like you’re in the suburbs far from the city, but you’re really just a 10-minute drive away from Parliament Hill.
Privacy is important to a lot of its residents, so Rockliffe Park is mostly a residential space. It has its own library complex, community hall, and schools, but you won’t find other commercial establishments like restaurants and shops.
It’s way out of our price range, but if we could, we would definitely live here. Before buying property, you need to keep in mind the area’s heritage designation, which will affect what you can and can’t renovate in the future.
The Glebe
Walk score: 91 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 59 (Good transit; many public transportation options)
Bike score: 78 (Very bikeable; biking is convenient for most trips)
Located at the heart of Ottawa, The Glebe is a very family-friendly, walkable neighborhood, where you’ll find a mix of condominiums, townhouses, and Victorian-style homes.
As young professionals, we like how vibrant and convenient the area is, especially since it’s home to many chic cafes, brunch spots, and trendy boutiques. We also think it’s a great neighborhood to raise a family because it’s safe and close to schools.
Along Bank Street and Bronson Avenue, you’ll find multiple bus stops that can take you to Centretown. Even if you can’t drive or you simply prefer not to, public transportation here makes it so much easier to travel to other parts of the city.
A 1-bedroom apartment costs around $1,900, making The Glebe one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Ottawa. If you’re working with a strict budget, we recommend checking out more affordable areas.
Hintonburg
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Walk score: 89/100 (Very walkable; most errands can be done on foot)
Transit score: 83/100 (Excellent transit; transit is convenient for most trips)
Bike score: 99/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
Situated between Wellington West and Westboro, Hintonburg is the hippest neighborhood in Ottawa. It’s a unique cultural hub, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of art, tastes, and interests set amidst its rich historical backdrop.
Dotted with galleries, studios, and specialty boutiques, it’s a desirable place to live for artists. Some of the most sought-after properties are in the Art district, where industrial and commercial spaces are transformed into workshops and boutiques.
The culinary scene here is just as special as you can stumble from bistro to brewpub to super club on foot. Our favorite spot to hit up is the Hintonburg Public House, which serves seasonal grub and craft beer in a cozy, family-friendly space.
Luckily for frustrated artists, Hintonburg has plenty of affordable housing options. Some are fixer-uppers, but still much cheaper compared to what you’ll find at The Glebe, which is just minutes away.
New Edinburgh
Media credit: taymazvalley
Walk score: 93/100 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 56/100 (Good transit; many nearby transportation options)
Bike score: 90/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
Nestled between the working-class neighborhood of Vanier and the affluent community of Rockcliffe Park, New Edinburgh is a delightful blend of both worlds. It has heritage homes and extensive green spaces, but it also has a myriad of restaurants and shops.
We’re sure that there’s a spot for every craving, mood, and occasion along Beechwood Avenue. From poke and sushi to chilaquiles, you’ll find a wealth of options to wine and dine after a long day at work.
Like Westboro, it’s close to the Ottawa River, so you can enjoy different water sports like paddling, rowing, kayaking, or sailing.
If you prefer to stay dry, you can go to the Tavern on the Falls to enjoy breathtaking views of the expensive Rideau waterfalls. You can also head off to Stanley Park or New Edinburgh Park for a stroll, a jog, or a bike ride along the river.
Wellington West
Walk score: 99/100 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 83/100 (Excellent transit; transit is convenient for most trips)
Bike score: 99/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
Just west of Downtown Ottawa, you’ll find the family-oriented neighborhood of Wellington. Its tree-lined streets, red-brick homes, and upscale shops near the residential areas are a few reasons to move here.
Lots of young professionals live here because of its awesome selection of trendy bars, shops, and restaurants—all within walking distance of each other. We also like that they have yoga and cycling classes, which are typically harder to find in smaller suburbs.
Wellington offers a variety of affordable housing options for young professionals, first-time homeowners, and downsizers. Parking is a bit of a problem in this area, so it’s better if you don’t have multiple cars.
On the bright side, your daily commute should be a breeze because of easy access to public transportation. It’s also just a quick bike ride away from Downtown Ottawa if you don’t mind the light exercise.
Westboro
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Walk score: 96/100 (Walker’s paradise; daily errands won’t require a car)
Transit score: 70/100 (Excellent transit; transit is convenient for most trips)
Bike score: 99/100 (Biker’s paradise; daily errands can be done on a bike)
Westboro is a chic upscale neighborhood located along the Ottawa River. It’s not as hip and eclectic as Hintonburg, but it still has a great selection of coffee shops, bistros, bakeries, and restaurants (even plant-based options).
What we like the most about it is Westboro Beach, where you can spend lazy summer afternoons soaking in the sun or taking a dip in its cool waters. If the weather allows it, you can go paddleboarding or kayaking.
With excellent wind conditions, you can try windsurfing or kiteboarding. But if these adrenaline-fueled sports are not for you, there are yoga and aerobics studios in the area that can help you stay fit and healthy.
Some homes in Westboro are quite old, but new luxury condos and duplexes are popping up in the neighborhood. The prime lots are closer to the river, offering scenic views of the water and Gatineau Hills.
Kanata
Walk score: 13/100 (Car dependent; nearly all errands require a car)
Transit score: 30/100 (Some transit; limited transportation options)
Bike score: 52/100 (Bikeable; some bike infrastructure)
Known as Ottawa’s tech playground, Kanata is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the capital. It’s a great place to settle down if you’re looking for a job at a tech company nearby and want to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Kanata boasts a fun and energetic community that makes the most of its many recreational activities, ranging from cycling and swimming to hockey. We know you’ll feel at home here if you lead an active lifestyle.
If we lived here, we’d definitely watch the Ottawa Senators’ home games whenever possible. Aside from hockey, the Canadian Tire Center offers great entertainment like Disney on Ice, concerts, and monster truck events that families can enjoy together.
With a wide range of real estate options, you should have no trouble finding a large townhome or a small condo that fits your budget and needs.
Manotick
Walk score: 56/100 (Somewhat walkable; some errands can be done on foot)
Transit score: 17/100 (Minimal transit; it’s possible to get on a bus)
Bike score: 47/100 (Somewhat bikeable; minimal bike infrastructure)
On the southern edge of Ottawa, you’ll find the waterfront suburb of Manotick. We love its rural old-town charm, which makes it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital—without actually leaving it.
Even though it’s quite peaceful, it’s never boring as there are many spots to explore like specialty boutiques, art galleries, and waterside parks. Our favorite thing about it is the variety of outdoor activities you can do here, including fishing, boating, cycling, and golf.
In terms of real estate, you won’t have trouble finding waterside properties with gorgeous views, but they come with a pretty hefty price tag. If you’re looking for more affordable options, we suggest looking at properties that aren’t near the river.
The downside of living in Manotick is the limited bus routes, which are also less frequent compared to other neighborhoods. Ideally, you should have your own car if you settle down here, so you can easily go in and out of the suburbs whenever you want.
What is the wealthiest neighborhood in Ottawa?
Rockliffe Park is the wealthiest neighborhood in Ottawa. According to CTV News, residential properties in the area now cost up to $2.5 million, which is more than double the price of properties from other communities.
Known for its large, luxurious homes and sprawling gardens, Rockliffe Park appeals to affluent members of society who value exclusivity and privacy.
Many Ottawa notables have called this neighborhood home, including former prime ministers, foreign dignitaries, and corporate leaders.
What is the hippest neighborhood in Ottawa?
Located in Ottawa’s west end, Hintonburg is the hippest neighborhood in the city. It’s home to the Art District, where industrial and commercial spaces have been transformed into art galleries.
Hintonburg is also a central hub for emerging trends in the culinary scene, fashion, and entertainment.
Many artisanal shops, art galleries, and restaurants have reallocated to this neighborhood in recent years due to the young and hip crowd it attracts.
Although it did raise the rent prices of residential spaces last year, the latest market trends show a 5% decrease in the past month.
What is the safest neighborhood in Ottawa?
The safest neighborhoods in Ottawa are in the West Carleton-March ward, which includes Arnprior, Kinburn, Galetta, Fitzroy Harbor, Carp, Constance Bay, and Dunrobin.
With a reported crime rate of 347 per 100,000 people, the ward had the lowest crime rate in Ottawa in 2022.