10 Best Places for Big Families to Live in Ottawa

10 Best Places for Big Families to Live in Ottawa

When it comes to family-friendly places, Ottawa as a whole is a family-friendly city that offers a high quality of life and plenty of opportunities for all sorts of families. 

Whether it’s safety or quality of education, there’s a neighborhood here for you!

The best neighborhoods to live in in Ottawa, if you have a big family, are Barrhaven, Orleans Wood, Rockcliffe Park, Stittsville, Hunt Club, The Glebe, Westboro, Centrepointe, Island Park, and Carlingwood.

This is mainly because of the general safety of each neighborhood and the affordable costs of housing. Additionally, having nearby schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities in each location is also a plus.

Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa Infographic

Barrhaven

Barrhaven

Barrhaven is a family-friendly neighborhood that offers a variety of single-family homes, townhouses, and condos. 

It is a fast-growing suburban area with low crime rates at only 1,587 crimes per 100,000 population. The cost of living is also 2% lower than the city average of $1,254.85, which amounts to approximately $1,229.753 per month.

Barrhaven also has nearby amenities, such as medical providers, grocery stores, a community center, and around two dozen parks and playgrounds. 

It’s a generally quiet neighborhood that’s home to various prestigious public or private English and French schools like John McCrae Secondary. What’s more, housing costs are 5% lower than the city average of $621,291 at only $590,226 on average.

Overall, it’s a safe and affordable place with good housing and schooling options, along with more than enough recreational locations for the whole family.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Barrhaven911,587712$590,226

Orleans Wood

Orleans Wood

Orleans Wood is a peaceful neighborhood with a low crime rate of only 1,714.5 per 100,000 and is home to many nearby parks, playgrounds, and schools. The cost of a home here is $410,052, 34% lower than the average city price of $621,291.

Additionally, it’s located near the Ottawa River and offers easy access to recreational activities, such as biking, running, and hiking trails, perfect for an active family. Without rent, the cost of living here is 7% lower than the city’s average of $1,254.85 per month.

To be specific, the average monthly cost of living without rent in Orleans Wood is approximately $1,167.01.

Orleans Wood is definitely worth moving to, especially considering the savings families will be making from housing costs alone, which can then be used for other necessities.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Orleans Wood951,71548.63$410,052

Rockcliffe Park

Rockcliffe Park

Rockcliffe Park is a prestigious neighborhood that’s known for its historic mansions and tree-lined streets. Likely due to this, the housing prices in this area are 244% higher than the Ottawa average, which is around $894,659.

Despite the housing costs, it’s an ideal location as it’s situated near downtown Ottawa and has the lowest crime rate at only 1,079 per 100,000 people. 

In short, Rockcliffe Park’s crime rates are 60% lower than Ottawa as a whole, which makes it very safe.

One of the best things about this neighborhood is that it features several parks and green spaces where big families can spend their free time enjoying outdoor activities.

Designated as a Heritage Conservation District, Rockcliffe Park is also home to Ashbury College and Elmwood, two well-respected schools in the area. It’s no wonder why Rockcliffe Park showcases a higher-than-average school score of 86.7.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Rockcliffe Park1491,07986.73$894,659

Stittsville

Stittsville

Stittsville offers families a relaxed and welcoming community that’s ideal for those with children. The area is home to the popular Stittsville Farmers Market, along with being close to several shopping centers.

The cost of living here is 1% higher than the city average of $1,254.85 without rent, which is around $1,267.39 per month on average. Additionally, the crime rate here is 25% lower than Ottawa’s average, with around 2026 crimes per 100,000 population.

Housing costs in Stittsville are 10% higher than the Ottawa average, amounting to around $559,161. However, it makes up for it with various amenities like recreational facilities with skating & hockey rinks and local libraries & theaters.

What’s more, this neighborhood gives the feeling of a small village and is known as one of the most family-oriented neighborhoods thanks to the Stittsville Village Association.

You can find schools for all ages here, whether public or private, like the Frederick Banting Secondary Alternate Program.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Stittsville932,02677.33$559,161

Hunt Club

Hunt Club

Hunt Club is a diverse neighborhood that’s ideal for big families thanks to having single-family homes, townhouses, and easy access to stores and restaurants. What’s more, it even has its own community center for various recreational activities. 

It’s located near the Ottawa International Airport and has an average cost of living that’s more or less equal to the city average, which amounts to $1,254.85 without rent per month. 

Housing costs are also more or less equal to the average city prices at $621,291.

What makes Hunt Club one of the best neighborhoods for big families is its diversity, with residents coming from different backgrounds and various ethnicities. Plus, it has co-op housing options alongside family homes for rent.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Hunt Club932,698N/AN/A$621,291

The Glebe

The Glebe

The Glebe is a neighborhood that’s popular with families who want to live close to downtown Ottawa and features a variety of Victorian-style homes. 

Due to this, the average housing cost is $1,043,800, which is 68% higher than the city average.

However, this area has a crime rate of only 1,408 per 100,000 people, which is around 68% lower than the city’s average. This makes The Glebe one of the safest neighborhoods for big families because of how low the probability of crimes is here.

It has several parks, bike paths, and even the famous Rideau Canal, where you can enjoy outdoor activities like boating, running, and even skating in winter with the family.  

For big families who love being active, this is one of the ideal neighborhoods, and what’s more, the area’s schools also produce above the city’s average scores as well. 

There’s also a variety of shops and lovely restaurants to visit, particularly on Bank street.

Take note that the cost of living is 19% higher than the city’s average of $1,254.85, which is approximately $1,493.27 monthly. So families looking for cheaper housing may not be a right fit for this neighborhood.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
The Glebe1101,40872.57$1,043,800

Westboro

Westboro

Westboro is located along the west end of Ottawa and is a vibrant neighborhood that’s best for families who want to live in an urban area.

This neighborhood’s cost of living is 10% higher than the average of $1,254.85 at around $1,380.33 per month. What’s more, housing costs are 33% higher, amounting to an average of $826,320. 

However, Westboro makes up for it with a crime rate that’s 22% lower than the city average at 2,099 per 100,000 people.

From schools, shops, restaurants, and libraries, it even boasts a higher-than-average school score and has Westboro Beach within walking distance. 

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Westboro1012,09972.76$826,320

Centrepointe

Centrepointe

Centrepointe is a quiet suburban community that’s home to several parks, such as the 120-acre Centrepointe Park. It has a theatre, skateboard park, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, soccer fields, and an outdoor skating rink in winter.

This neighborhood is definitely another great option for big families looking for places where children can have lots of outdoor activities to try out. 

It’s a safe place with a crime rate that’s 11% lower than the city average with only 2,391 crimes per 100,000 people.

Due to its ideal location, Centrepoint’s housing prices are 12% higher than the Ottawa average, amounting to around $695,850. The cost of living is also 2% higher than the city average of $1,254.85, which is around $1,279.94 monthly without rent.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Centrepointe942,391503$695,850

Island Park

Island Park

Named after its iconic namesake drive, Island Park is ideally located near green spaces, parks, bike paths, sports clubs, and parks. 

Since it’s situated near the shopping districts, you can easily go out on a quick drive and check out the shops and restaurants.

This neighborhood has a 13% higher-than-average ($1,254.85) cost of living at approximately $1,417.98 per month. However, Island Park has one of the lowest crime rates at 1,578 per 100,000 population. 

And when it comes to education, it has the highest average school scores at 90.2. This makes it both safe and an ideal place to enroll school-age children.

Take note that housing prices in Island Park are 37% higher than the city average at $851,170, but it’s worth it when you consider the overall safety and amenities available.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Island Park1041,57890.24$851,170

Carlingwood

Carlingwood

Carlingwood is a small area situated on the west end of Ottawa, placing it near the Ottawa River where families of all sizes can go out and have lots of fun. Located in this neighborhood is Carlingwood Shopping Centre, one of the city’s first major malls.

This area’s cost of living is 3% higher than the average of $1,254.85, averaging around $1,292.49 without rent per month.

Housing prices are only 1% higher at $627,500. The crime rate in Carlingwood is 17% higher than the average at 3,163 per 100,000 people.

Despite this, Carlingwood has an above-average school score of 77.8 according to the statistics of user-submitted data compiled by AreaVibes. This means its schools and students are doing much better than the city of Ottawa as a whole in terms of education.

NeighborhoodCost of Living Index (Average City Index = 92)Crimes per 100,000 populationAverage School Score (Average City Score = 71.3)Total Public SchoolsHousing (City Average = $621,291)
Carlingwood95.03,16377.82$627,500