Best Areas to Live in Ottawa: From Downtown and Centretown to Sandy Hills

Farina Khan

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Ottawa, the capital city of Canada is an amazing city to live offering great living opportunities with more affordability and picturesque natural beauty. If you are planning to study in the seventh coldest capital of the world, and searching for the best areas to live in Ottawa, this blog will serve as a guide. With around 14 museums and 35 major festivals, Ottawa is one of the youngest cities in the country offering an amazing choice to live. Let’s identify some of the best places to live in Ottawa. Check out the table below.

List of Best Areas to Live in Ottawa

NeighbourhoodDistance from Parliament HillLandmarkHidden Gem
Downtown Ottawa0 kmPeace TowerSparks Street
Centretown1.54 kmCanadian Museum of NatureElgin Street Diner
ByWard Market1.05 kmByWard Market SquareSt Brigid’s Centre for the Arts
Lower Town1.59 kmNotre Dame Cathedral BasilicaMacDonald Gardens Park
Sandy Hill1.5 kmUniversity of OttawaStrathcona Park
Westboro4.9 kmOttawa River ParkwayWestboro Beach
Hintonburg2.8 kmGreat Canadian Theatre CompanyRemic Rapids
Alta Vista5.1 kmBillings Bridge Shopping CentreBillings Estate National Historic Site
Orleans17 kmPlace d’Orleans MallPrincess Louise Falls

Also Read: While exploring these interesting facts about the UK, Sneak Peek Into A Day In The Life Of A Student In Canada!

1. Downtown Ottawa

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Downtown Ottawa is the most affordable area to live in Ottawa. If you are studying at any of the universities in Ottawa, Downtown is the most ideal choice for student accommodation in Ottawa offering a plethora of options for food, shopping, and entertainment. University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Dominican University, and Université Saint Paul are some of the world-renowned universities located in the vicinity of the area. The area is a preferable choice for international students with easy accessibility to the landmarks of the city. Wellington Street is one of the common streets that has so much to offer. Various landmarks of the city are also easily accessible from the location.

2. Centretown

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Centretown is one of the most important neighborhoods located near the south of the downtown core. It is considered one of the best areas to live in Ottawa offering a blend of residential and commercial buildings. World-renowned landmarks such as the Canadian Museum of Nature, Rideau Canal, and Ottawa’s biggest mall CF Rideau Centre are located in the neighborhood. The students won’t face any trouble in locating nearby restaurants as the area offers a plethora of shopping and dining options. It also boasts its vibrant nightlife with a preferable choice for gay couples.

3. ByWard Market and Lower Town

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The city’s famous bars and eateries are located in the ByWard Market offering flavoursome delicacies and vibrant nightlife in some of the renowned restaurants and bars. Lower Town is towards the north of the ByWard Market. It is a place where English and French both are spoken with its prominent cultures. The area is the preferable choice for students because of easy accessibility and active social life. It is one of the most affordable options to live in Ottawa. Generally, due to the market and crowded things, families don’t prefer to live here. You will find the rented student accommodation in Canada at very reasonable and nominal prices.

4. Sandy Hill

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If you are studying at the University of Ottawa, Sandy Hill is an ideal place for you to live. It offers a preferable choice to the students as the locals who were residents here moved to the suburbs and metros. They usually lease out their apartments to the students at the nominal rates transforming Sandy Hill into something of a student ghetto. The area offers a plethora of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment with easy access to the downtown. There are several other universities offering world-class education located in the proximity of the area. Sandy Hill is considered a preferable choice for students moving to Ottawa for the purpose of studying.

5. Westboro and Hintonburg

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The history of both the neighbourhoods dates back to the 19th century. Westboro and Hitenburg are some of the best neighbourhoods offering affordable housing with lots of options to explore. There are several restaurants, shopping points, and boutique shops located within the vicinity of the neighbourhood. Although, the areas are quite expensive in comparison to the downtown area, but offer a perfect choice to enjoy your academic monotonous life.

6. Alta Vista

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Alta Vista is an ideal choice for students seeking cheaper accommodation with a more residential experience. The area offers impeccable amenities with two hospitals located within the neighborhood. The area is the preferable choice for international students due to its easy accessibility to commute options. If you are a student studying in a nearby university, this might be an ideal choice for you offering shopping, food, and entertainment options within the vicinity. The downtown area is easily accessible from the neighbourhood as public transit lines are running through the area.

7. Orleans

The neighbourhood is considered a suburb and also offers affordable choices to the students in Orleans. If you are studying at the world-renowned University of New Orleans, Orleans is the best area to live in Ottawa. Some of the major landmarks and largest shopping malls of the city are located in the neighbourhood. Petrie Island is easily accessible from the area offering vibrant nightlife and a plethora of entertainment options. It is a preferable choice for students seeking an area with a local culture and environment. It is one of the fastest-growing suburban districts with a friendly atmosphere and a sizeable French-speaking population.

Also Read: Keep scrolling and find some more interesting facts about the UK! Also, check out the Interesting Facts About Toronto That You Might Not Know

FAQs

Which area is the best option to live in Ottawa?

Ottawa is a beautiful city offering several areas to live. Some of the best areas to live in Ottawa include Orleans, downtown, and Alta Vista.

Which area should I choose to live in if I am studying at the University of Ottawa?

Sandy Hill is an ideal location to live in Ottawa with easy accessibility to the University of Ottawa.

Which is the best area to live in Ottawa?

Westboro and Hintonburg are considered to be some of the best areas to live in Ottawa.

These are some of the best areas to live in Ottawa. Always be sure to check the prices and compare the amenities offered in the neighbourhood. There are several areas offering easy accessibility to world-class universities. Identify the area located in the proximity of your university. Choose the area wisely. Happy Living!

For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118. 

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About Farina Khan

Farina Khan is a journalist by profession and a writer by passion. She carries over a decade of experience in Journalism and Mass Communication and worked with some renowned media organisations like Doordarshan and Zee Media. She performed numerous roles during her work tenure including reporting, anchoring, and heading output as well. Her passion for writing, combined with dedication in delivering high-quality content, drives her to excel in the dynamic field of content writing. From thought-provoking articles to SEO-friendly blog posts, or engaging website content, She is here to bring the ideas to life through words.

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