All About Ottawa
Canada’s Capital Region currently has a population in excess of 1 million, and is expected to grow significantly in the future.
Ottawa has been ranked high in terms of quality of life, based on many factors, including low crime rates, environmental cleanliness, public services, political stability, and socio-economic conditions.
Ottawa is home to 12 national museums devoted to Canadian art, Nature, Science and Technology, Aviation, War, Civilization and more. Also of interest are the Royal Canadian Mint and the Byward Market, which is constantly buzzing with people visiting the many restaurants, shops and pubs.
The National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony, Nepean Symphony Orchestra and Kanata Symphony are Ottawa’s finest when it comes to classical music, yet the city indulges in tunes of every type to please even the most finicky patron.
For the outdoors enthusiast, there are numerous venues to appeal to all seasons for all individuals.
Alta Vista
Alta Vista is a community with plenty of culture, just east of the Rideau River. Steps away from the hustle and bustle of centre town, Alta Vista is anchored by the Elmvale and Billings Bridge Shopping Centres, community centres, churches, and restaurants nearby. You’ll never run out of things to do with your family in Alta Vista.
Alta Vista is a short bike ride away from Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, the Byward Market, and Rideau Canal. Alta Vista is full of schools, including Canterbury High School, a public high-school that is well recognized for its impressive arts and performance programs.
This area has easy access to tons of bus routes and is serviced by Para-Transpo. The neighbourhoods are full of parks and charming houses built in the mid 20th century. The Ottawa Hospital’s General Campus and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), make Alta Vista a fantastic place to call home!
Almonte
Almonte is the only city in Canada named after a Mexican General. Almonte is well known for the beautiful Mississippi river which runs through the town and divides it into two sections: Almonte on the South banks and Mississippi Mills on the North. The town was settled to build a mill on the Mississippi River, a beautiful historic building which has been redesigned by a local architect and developed into luxury, modern, rental units. Almonte has over 30 locally owned stores and 15 restaurants. It is community truly focused on local development and encouraging small business owners to succeed. Almonte has two public schools that service the area, but isn’t too far from options within other boards. The beauty and character of Almonte make this small town an incredible destination for an active family or a peaceful retirement.
Arnprior
Only 20 minutes down the highway from Kanata, Arnprior sits between Ottawa and Petawawa. The town of Arnprior prides itself on being a family-oriented and safe area not too far from the big city. Perfect for anyone who enjoys the quaintness of a small town. As the last major highway exit before cottage-country, Arnprior is well equipped with grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital. Arnprior has elementary and high schools in the public and Catholic school boards, offering parents plenty of options while planning for their children’s education.
Barrhaven
Barrhaven is Ottawa’s most rapidly growing suburb. What began a suburb of the City of Nepean in 1963, Barrhaven amalgamated with the city of Ottawa in 2001, at which time the neighbourhood of just over 30,000 residents. With a rapidly growing population of over 80,000 residents, Barrhaven is growing faster than any other part of the city. For comparison, it has roughly the same population as Victoria, British Colombia and Niagara Falls, Ontario. This South-West suburb has all the amenities of a small town. Shopping plazas, grocery stores, fitness and recreation centres, schools in every board, and much more—all conveniently located on the route of the 95, OC Transpo’s only 24-hour bus route. Barrhaven is known in Ottawa as being a safe and family friendly community that caters to residents of all ages.
Bayshore (Accora Village)
Nuzzled in the west end of Ottawa between the greenbelt and Westboro, Bayshore (or Accora Village) is a celebration of multiculturalism. Bayshore Public School, which services elementary students in the area, has embraced the community’s culture and offers parent resources in various languages to accommodate the diverse population. Bayshore features Ottawa’s largest shopping center, Bayshore Shopping Center which was recently renovated and expanded to include over 190 stores and restaurants. The National Capital Commission bike path runs through Bayshore along the banks of the Ottawa River and extends from Kanata to downtown and winds along the canal system.
Beaverbrook
Beaverbrook is the first and oldest residential neighbourhood in Kanata. Developed in the 1960s by Bill Terron, known as the Found of Kanata, Beaverbrook has a population of just over 5,000 residents. The neighbourhood is on the north side of the Queensway and is bounded by the Kanata North Business Park and March Road. Though the plans to center Kanata around the neighbourhood didn’t pan out, it has developed as a safe family oriented neighbourhood with tons of community parks, bike paths, and walking trails.
Bells Corners
Bells Corners is both a residential and industrial neighbourhood. Located along Richmond Road, Bells Corners was established as midpoint between Ottawa and the former military settlement in Richmond. Bells Corners offers residents many conveniences such as hotels for out of town guests, grocery stores, and incredible family owned restaurants. Bells Corners is a unique Ottawa neighbourhood, the vibe is similar to Carleton Place or other smaller towns outside of city limits.
Bridlewood
Taking up a large portion of South-Eastern Kanata, Bridlewood is one of the most popular communities in Ottawa. With a huge number of single family and townhomes, Bridlewood is a fantastic neighbourhood for families and investors alike. Several elementary schools in the public, French, and Catholic school boards service the rapidly expanding community, offering parents a choice to guide their children’s education. Littered with parks, sports centres, and bike trails Bridlewood is an active community where kids and adults alike can take advantage of facilities and the great outdoors.
Britannia
This Ottawa community sits on the Southern bank of the Ottawa River at the west end of the city. Tucked between Laurentian, Bayshore (Accora Village), and Crystal Beach, Britannia offers residence convenience and beauty. Parks and the Trans Canada bike path run through the area, along with Britannia beach and a large conservation area in the middle of the neighbourhood. In the summer Ottawa residents flock to Britannia Beach to take a dip in the river and enjoy one of Ottawa’s famous and delicious Baja Burgers. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing on the Transcanada is a popular outdoor activity for winter enthusiasts.
Calabogie
Home to the popular Calabogie Peaks Ski Hill and Resort, this picturesque cottage town is located less than an hour from Ottawa. With beautiful lakes, rivers, hills, and trails Calabogie offers an incredible variety of activities all year long. During the summer, locals and tourists can enjoy watersports, mountain biking, and hiking through the beautiful forests in the area. Calabogie is famous for its locally owned ski hill that offers skiers and snowboarders various runs to match their skill level. Nearby Renfrew provides most services to the Calabogie area such as healthcare, grocery stores, and more. Calabogie’s is one of the area’s most popular cottage destinations.
Carleton Place
Carleton Place prides itself on being a family-friendly oasis with a small-town feel. Just half an hour from Ottawa, Carleton is situated at the crossroads of two well-traveled county roads, Highways 7 and 15. On the banks of the serene Mississippi River, residents have four beautiful municipally maintained parks to enjoy the outdoors. Carleton Place has ten schools in the area belonging to both public and catholic school boards. Carleton Place is a town full of history and with a bright future.
Carp
Originally an airfield, Carp has an incredible connection to Canada’s military history. During the second world war, what once was home to a few farmhouses rapidly expanded to accommodate an influx of military professionals from Canada and the Commonwealth who were participating in intensive training regiments as a part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Program. Carp’s military connection doesn’t stop there! Home to the largest fallout shelter in Canada, the Deifenbunker is one of Carp’s major tourist attractions. Tours of this Cold War era fallout bunker are available to members of the public. In present times, Carp is a quaint farming village with a rich history and an awesome community agricultural fair.
Centerpointe
What was once a farmer’s field is now a highly populated nook of the burbs. This residential area is densely populated with lots of townhouses and condominiums. Centerpointe is home to the City Hall of the former city of Nepean (now a smaller office of the City of Ottawa). In the winter, residents can enjoy skating on the frozen fountain in front of the old city hall. Centerpointe Park offers residents a beautiful piece of green space that bisects the neighbourhood that has play structures for children, fields and ball parks, walking trails, and a scenic pond this is a popular destination for people who live in the area. OC Transpo’s Baseline mega-station is in the Centerpointe neighbourhood, providing easy access to public transportation.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill’s history begins around 1922 when it was established as a as a police village until 1974. Formerly known as St. Joseph D’Orleans, Chapel Hill is a community that sees a lot of action, boasting the most sales of single family homes in the past three years and is therefore one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Ottawa. Like much of the east-end Chapel Hill has a high population of francophone residents. Chapel Hill is near by many amenities including grocery stores, industrial parks, shopping centres, and strip malls. Commuting is made easy for residents of Chapel Hill with easy access to the highway and a major transit station serving numerous OC Transpo express routes.
Constance Bay
One of the original cottage communities on the outskirts of Ottawa, Constance Bay is known for its sandy beaches, shallow waters, and beautiful view of the Ottawa River and Gatineau Hills. Formerly known as Torbolton, Constance Bay’s property distribution has changed from 78% cottages in 1971 to approximately 90% year-round houses presently.
Constance Bay offers a unique ecosystem, different than anywhere else in the province. It’s dry, sandy, and infertile terrain formed by glacial sediment proved resilient to plants common to the area. The Torbolton Peninsula (which forms the bay) has seen red, white, and jack pine trees dominate the area with other incredibly rare plant species.
Constance Bay is a small, tight-knit community that values privacy and isn’t inclined to much tourism. If you are looking to settle down in a quiet, low-key, picturesque community, Constance Bay might be the place for you.
Kanata North
Welcome to the largest high tech hub in Canada, Kanata North. With the largest technology park at your doorstep you are surrounded by a hot bed of technological innovation.
Kanata North attracts a high number of highly educated, technical people who see Kanata as the best place to raise their families. Not only does Kanata North have some of the best schools in the city it is also home to the new Richcraft Recreation Complex. There are many trails and parkland to the delight of hikers, bikers, walkers, runners and nature enthusiast alike! Golf enthusiasts look no further, Kanata North has the renowned links-style 27 hole course at The Marshes, Kanata lakes, Loch March and other great courses.
Kanata is also home to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators Hockey Club! The Senators or “Sens” as lovingly know around Ottawa, play at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. Kanata has a rich blend of recreational actives, culture and shopping to satisfy a variety of tastes! The Tanger Outlet Mall, located across the 417 from the Canadian Tire Centre is the destination for fashion-forward shoppers!
Laurentian
Including the neighbourhoods of Carlingwood, Whitehaven, McKellar Park, Laurentianview, Glabar Park, and Woodpark; Laurentian is a safe and well-established neighbourhood ten minutes west of Centertown. Laurentian is well known for being a quiet community, occupied by long-term residents and retirees. Laurentian was established in the early days of the city of Ottawa’s expansion as a west-end suburb.
Compared to nearby areas like Westboro and Centertown, Laurentian features spacious lots, bungalows and ranches with large windows, and lots of parks. The Carlingwood Shopping Centre provides residents easy access to a grocery store, pharmacy, clothing retailers, and restaurants. Laurentian is also home to the massive Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
Rockcliffe Park
Established in 1864, Rockcliffe Park is one of the oldest, most well established neighbourhoods in Ottawa. This central community sits on the eastern banks of where the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers meet and a stone’s throw from the Byward Market. At the time of its settlement, Rockcliffe Park residents purchased lots in the area due to the low cost in comparison with the nearby, trendy Sandy Hill.
Over the years, Rockcliffe Park has evolved into arguably the most prestigious neighbourhood in Ottawa. Rockcliffe Park is the setting of important Canadian landmarks such as Rideau Hall, 24 Sussex Drive, and Stornoway.
If you are looking to live among the rich and famous of Canada’s capital, Rockcliffe Park is the neighbourhood for you.
Stittsville
Established in the early 1800s, Stittsville is a picturesque family-oriented suburb just west of Kanata. With a rich history and a small town feel, you won’t find anything like it, anywhere else. The Trans Canada Trail runs through the town centre, so you’re never more than a step away from a good walk, bike ride, or adventure.
Stittsville is sprinkled with small family-owned businesses, yet it’s minutes away from Kanata and the 417 and only 20 minutes from downtown. There are plenty of bus stops, churches, community centres, recreation centres and a library in and near the community.
Some of Stittsville’s amenities include eleven schools, plenty of parks, and the newly renovated Goulbourn Recreation Complex, with pools, rinks, fitness classes and more. With an ever-expanding number of grocery stores and other amenities, you are sure to find everything you need in beautiful Stittsville.
Let’s talk about what home means to you