Are you relocating to Ottawa? As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa stands out as an exceptional choice for those seeking a move to a larger city with expanded job opportunities, culturally diverse communities, and thriving commerce. It’s an ideal destination to establish a new business, advance your career, raise a family, and indulge in various activities and world-class services.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find a breakdown of different neighborhoods for housing – that is, until now. Here’s a handy guide to the most highly populated areas of Ottawa and its surrounding suburbs to get you started:
Sandy Hill
The Sandy Hill neighborhood, east of Parliament Hill, has a good mix of residential and commercial properties. The area is one of the oldest in the city. It has a ton of older residences, the University of Ottawa, and some of the world’s National Embassies. The neighborhood was home to the extremely wealthy. Still, it is mainly the stomping ground of University students, middle-class families, and immigrants. If you’re into restoring heritage homes, this could be an excellent option for you as well. The Rideau Canal and Rideau River line this community, so there are plenty of activities you can do on your days off, and its proximity to downtown means historical sites and national monuments are suitable at your front door.
Nepean
On the opposite side of the downtown core as Sandy Hill is Nepean, a large community of 125,000 and counting. Populated mainly by corporate and government employees and their families, Nepean is a very short way from work, and residents can commute through public transportation to nearby neighborhoods or within the community for work, recreation, and shopping. Many schools within Nepean range from English and French Public Schools to Catholic and non-religious private schools, making this a very family-friendly area.
Vanier
Vanier is a highly populated community across from Sandy Hill that is attractive because of its affordable housing and proximity to the city’s center. The demographic used to slant towards a Francophone majority. Still, it has declined in recent years. Vanier is now mainly home to young families, middle-class couples, and lower-income families. They can take advantage of several subsidized housing options.
Unfortunately, Vanier is rumored to be changing to allow a more affluent population with a very different lifestyle than the families currently living there, so empty lots and houses that can be bought as tear-downs are slowly being turned into hip and pricey condos.
Rockcliffe Park
The small and sparsely populated community of Rockcliffe Park is the wealthiest of neighborhoods in Ottawa. Still, it has very little to offer the general public regarding livability. High-ranking government officials, international diplomats, and business tycoons live in this neighborhood. Three schools are operating here, two of which are private secondary schools, and the recreation in the area is limited to a single library and community center with more green space or parkland and fewer homes.
Gloucester
East of Sandy Hill and past the Rideau River, Gloucester encompasses a large portion of Eastern Ottawa. It comprises 40,000 homes on just under 400 square kilometers of land. Many neighborhoods acquired new boroughs as a result of Ottawa’s 2001 Amalgamation that saw Gloucester become a suburb as opposed to a city of its own, stimulating the area’s economic growth by expanding its boundaries and opening up tons of opportunities for those who felt isolated from the rest of Ottawa. There are many schools in Gloucester and plenty of recreation areas for families.
Kanata
Home to Ontario’s highest-ranking public schools, Kanata is next to Nepean. It is known for its large technology sector. There are vast amounts of Kanata residents who are employed at over twenty different globally recognized technology companies in the North of this community, so the distance from Ottawa’s city center is much appreciated, considering the wait to commute, the busy lifestyle, and lack of quiet time for those who do shift work in busier areas. This neighborhood is 22 kilometers from Ottawa’s center but offers residents droves of recreational activities and entertainment. Scotiabank Place, Ottawa’s main entertainment venue and home ice for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators hockey team, is in Kanata. Along with many great restaurants, shops, malls, and community resources—one of the city’s most desirable places to live.
Corporate Stays for an unparalleled relocation experience
If you’re relocating to Ottawa than choose Corporate Stays! Since 2008, we’ve been a top provider of premium furnished rentals, offering over 1000 apartments across Canada with all the necessary amenities. Trust us for a seamless and enriching experience in the heart of the capital city.
Take a look at our furnsihed rentals in Ottawa. And discover why relocating to Ottawa will be a great experience! Remember to follow us @CorporateStays and stay updated.
