Explore
Ottawa's Urban Communities
Buying a home in the right area means understanding what features in the community are important for you!
Here you will find basic overviews of each urban neighbourhood as well as downloadable links to PDFs of compiled lists of schools, neighbourhood activities, activism groups in the area, and ways you can get involved! Each neighbourhood can be explored more in depth by clicking on any of the neighbourhoods below!
Community Groups
Click to download the Ottawa Community Groups and Resource List where you'll find a compiled list of pertinent community resources, like community associations and contact information for City Councillors, as well as general resources for new Canadians, Ontarians, or Ottawa residents.
Resources
Schools
Click to download the School Resources List we've compiled to make choosing a neighbourhood more straightforward. Each neighbourhood page has its over overview of typical local paths for students so easy referencing.
Explore some of Ottawa's urban neighbourhoods to find out more about each of their unique features.
Neighbourhoods
Alta Vista is a residential neighbourhood with large backyards, schools, community centres and churches in this strong, community minded area of the city.
Beacon Hill is primarily a residential area built in the 1960s and 70s. It has many schools, parks and lots of green space. Located just to the west of the National Capital Commission’s greenbelt, residents can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing they will always be close to nature.
Also known as Dunbarton Court, this neighbourhood was built in the late 1980s and is home to 144 spacious, open concept townhomes. Located only minutes from downtown, this neighbourhood offers both traditional two storey homes and multi-level modern units.
Centretown is Ottawa’s vibrant urban core, offering an exceptional blend of residential living, employment, entertainment, and culture in the heart of the city. Generally bounded by the Rideau Canal to the east, Bronson Avenue to the west, Highway 417 to the south, and downtown Ottawa to the north, this dynamic neighbourhood is one of the capital’s most walkable and connected communities.
The Glebe is one of Ottawa’s most prestigious and beloved neighbourhoods, celebrated for its historic charm, vibrant main street, and strong sense of community. Located just south of downtown, the neighbourhood is bordered by Highway 417 to the north, Bronson Avenue to the west, and the Rideau Canal to the east and south, offering residents an ideal blend of urban convenience and natural beauty.
Surrounded by heritage homes, contemporary developments, and a thriving cultural scene, Hintonburg continues to be one of Ottawa’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. Its combination of artistic character, walkability, excellent transit access, and proximity to downtown has made it one of the city's fastest-growing and most desirable places to live, work, and explore.
Combining historic character, natural beauty, walkability, and excellent connectivity, Kingsview Park offers a unique urban lifestyle in a peaceful riverside setting. Its blend of established charm and modern convenience continues to make it one of Ottawa’s most desirable and well-positioned neighbourhoods.
A small community nestled between New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park, Lindenlea is a community rich in trees, parks and community spirit. Here, many of the 1950s style homes have been added to or renovated and now offer both its original charm and room for growing families. Lindenlea is a great place to live for any active family.
The ByWard Market and neighbouring Lowertown form the historic heart of Ottawa, representing some of the city's oldest and most culturally significant communities. Established in the 19th century, the area has long been a centre of commerce, culture, and community life.
Manor Park is a distinctive east-end Ottawa neighbourhood known for its quiet, village-like atmosphere and strong sense of community. Developed primarily in the 1940s and 1950s, it features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and generous lots that contribute to its mature, residential character.
Located to the east of downtown, New Edinburgh was founded in 1829 by Thomas McKay, one of the builders of the Rideau Canal. This neighbourhood is home to one of Ottawa’s heritage conservation districts. The area is rich in history and includes neighbours such as the Governor General, the Prime Minister and many foreign embassies and consulates
This small neighbourhood was originally the suburban community of Archville that was incorporated as the village of Ottawa East in 1888. In 1907 it was amalgamated with the growing community of Ottawa.
Located north of the Rideau River, south of the Rideau Canal, west of Riverdale Avenue and Main Street and east of Bronson Avenue, Old Ottawa South is a charming, walkable, vibrant, primarily middle-class neighbourhood, with roughly 8,000 residents.
The heart of the city’s francophone community, Quartier Vanier has been undergoing tremendous change and development in the last few years. Having become known as one of the Ottawa area’s least desirable places to live, the community organized and took the lead to promote itself, improve its streets, support its businesses and be proud of its neighbourhood, thus dispelling the “label”.
With plenty of stunning old world architecture, mature trees and green space, Rockcliffe is one of Ottawa’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. This exclusive neighbourhood is one of Ottawa’s wealthiest and most historical, featuring many impressive homes.
A quiet, established community originally developed in the 1950s with winding roads and a mix of unique period architecture and more recent "infill" estate style homes.
Sandy Hill is one of urban Ottawa's oldest communities. It is within easy walking distance to downtown office buildings and the Byward Market. Framed by beautiful Strathcona Park to the east bordering the Rideau River, this elegant neighbourhood is home to many fine heritage homes, more modern infill construction and elegant streetscapes with majestic trees.
A vibrant and growing east-end community, Wateridge Village combines modern living with an abundance of green space, offering residents a unique balance of urban convenience and natural beauty.