Where to Live in Ottawa: Discover the Best Areas to Live in Ottawa

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 is the perfect place for you to live. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, offers great living opportunities with affordability and stunning natural beauty, making it an ideal city to call home

This blog serves as a guide to help you discover the best areas to live in Ottawa. With over 14 museums and 35 major festivals, Ottawa is one of the youngest cities in Canada, offering an incredible range of living options. Let’s explore some of the best places to live in Ottawa.

List of Best Areas to Live in Ottawa

Whether you’re looking for a vibrant urban atmosphere, peaceful suburban living, or proximity to nature, Ottawa has something for everyone. Here is a list of the best areas to live in Ottawa, highlighting key features such as distance from Parliament Hill, landmarks, and hidden gems, helping you find the perfect neighborhood to call home.

Neighbourhood	Distance from Parliament Hill	Landmark	Hidden Gem
Downtown Ottawa	0 km	Peace Tower	Sparks Street
Centretown	1.54 km	Canadian Museum of Nature	Elgin Street Diner
ByWard Market	1.05 km	ByWard Market Square	St Brigid’s Centre for the Arts
Lower Town	1.59 km	Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica	MacDonald Gardens Park
Sandy Hill	1.5 km	University of Ottawa	Strathcona Park
Westboro	4.9 km	Ottawa River Parkway	Westboro Beach
Hintonburg	2.8 km	Great Canadian Theatre Company	Remic Rapids
Alta Vista	5.1 km	Billings Bridge Shopping Centre	Billings Estate National Historic Site
Orleans	17 km	Place d’Orleans Mall	Princess Louise Falls

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Now that you have an overview of the best areas to live in Ottawa, let’s explore these top neighborhoods in detail, one by one.

1. Downtown Ottawa

Downtown Ottawa is the most affordable and best 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.

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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

Centretown is one of the most important neighborhoods located near the south of the downtown core. It is considered one of the best area to live in Ottawa offering a blend of residential and commercial buildings.

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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

The city’s famous eateries are located in the ByWard Market, offering flavorful delicacies and vibrant nightlife at some of the renowned restaurants and bars. Lower Town, situated just north of the ByWard Market, is a neighborhood where both English and French are spoken, with its rich cultural diversity making it one of the best areas to live in Ottawa.

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The ByWard Market and Lower Town 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

If you’re studying at the University of Ottawa, Sandy Hill is one of the best areas to live in Ottawa. 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.

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The Sandy Hill 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

The history of both neighborhoods dates back to the 19th century. Westboro and Hintonburg are among the best areas to live in Ottawa, offering affordable housing with plenty of options to explore. These neighborhoods feature a variety of restaurants, shopping centers, and boutique stores, all located within close proximity, making them ideal places to live for those seeking a vibrant, well-connected community.

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Although, the Westboro and Hintonburg areas are quite expensive in comparison to the downtown area, but offer a perfect choice to enjoy your academic monotonous life.

6. Alta Vista

Alta Vista is one of the best areas to live in Ottawa for students seeking affordable accommodation in a more residential setting. The neighborhood boasts excellent amenities, including two hospitals within its boundaries. Its convenient access to public transport makes it a preferred choice for international students, offering easy commuting options to various parts of the city.

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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.

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What Are the Best and Safest Areas to Live in Ottawa?

Some areas in Ottawa stand out more than others for their safety, tranquility, and family-friendly environment. For students, Ottawa offers many neighborhoods that cater to their needs. The following table highlights some of the best and safest neighborhoods in Ottawa, breaking down crime rates, local services, housing availability, and the cost of living for each area to help you make an informed decision.

Neighborhood	Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents)	Local Amenities	Housing and Cost of Living
West Carleton-March	945.9	Limited retail, nearby Barrhaven	Single-family homes, higher prices
Rideau-Goulbourn	1,179	Limited amenities, Barrhaven nearby	Estate homes, higher costs
Stittsville	1,538	Shopping, schools, libraries	Single-family homes, average costs
Kanata	1,547.9	Shopping centers, parks	Mixed housing, average costs
Osgoode	1,582	Limited amenities, Barrhaven nearby	Large single-family homes, higher costs
Barrhaven	1,365	Shopping centers, schools	Single-family homes, average costs
Orleans	1,623	Shopping centers, recreational facilities	Mixed housing, average costs
Cumberland Ward	1,724	Shopping centers, schools	Single-family homes, average costs
Gloucester-South Nepean	1,842	Shopping centers, parks	Mixed housing, average costs
Sandy Hill	2,147	Cultural attractions, cafes	Apartments, higher living costs

Best Luxury Areas in Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa offers some of the most exclusive and luxurious neighborhoods in Canada, featuring stunning homes, rich history, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Here are the top luxury areas in Ottawa that stand out for their sophistication, charm, and premium amenities.

Name of Luxury Areas in Ottawa	Description	Key Features
Rockcliffe Park	Historic, upscale area with stately mansions and lush parks.	Scenic views of the Ottawa River, Rideau Hall, elite residents, quiet atmosphere.
Westboro (McKellar Park & Highland Park)	Trendy and family-friendly with vibrant shops, parks, and dining options.	Tree-lined streets, outdoor activities, easy access to public transport, blend of urban and nature.
The Glebe	A blend of old-world charm and modern amenities, located south of downtown.	Tree-lined streets, unique shops, cultural attractions like the Rideau Canal, vibrant community.
Manotick	A peaceful village on the Rideau River, offering a country-like feel with close access to the city.	Historical landmarks, waterfront properties, strong community feel, easy city access.
New Edinburgh	Historic area with heritage homes, cafes, and boutiques, near government buildings.	Village-like atmosphere, proximity to Rideau Hall, charming streets, relaxed pace of life.

Honorable Mentions in Ottawa

• Cedarhill Estates: Near the Cedarhill Golf Course, offering expansive properties and stunning views.
• Old Ottawa South: A charming riverside neighborhood with a mix of history and modern amenities.
• Rothwell Heights: A serene neighborhood with spacious homes and quick access to downtown.
• Manor Park & Alta Vista: Quiet, community-oriented areas with excellent amenities and easy city access.

FAQs on 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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