Last Updated: December 26, 2025
Ottawa’s neighbourhoods each tell their own story, from tree-lined streets filled with heritage homes to hip urban districts buzzing with craft breweries and boutiques, making choosing where to live, work, or explore one of the capital’s most rewarding decisions.
Finding the right Ottawa neighbourhood can define your entire experience in Canada’s capital. Whether you’re relocating for work, searching for the perfect family-friendly community, or simply planning which areas to explore during your visit, understanding each neighbourhood’s distinct personality matters. This guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods in Ottawa for 2025, covering housing costs, transit access, local gems, and who each area suits best.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa’s best neighbourhoods include The Glebe for walkable urban living, Westboro for outdoor enthusiasts, Hintonburg for artists and young professionals on a budget, Centretown for downtown convenience, and Kanata for tech workers seeking suburban space.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Most Walkable | The Glebe, Centretown, ByWard Market |
| Best for Families | Old Ottawa South, Rockcliffe Park |
| Most Affordable | Hintonburg, Vanier, Orleans |
| Tech Hub | Kanata North |
| French Community | Orleans, Vanier |
| Nightlife | ByWard Market, Elgin Street |
The Glebe: Ottawa’s Premier Walkable Neighbourhood
The Glebe stands as Ottawa’s quintessential urban village, where tree-lined residential streets meet a vibrant commercial corridor along Bank Street. This neighbourhood south of downtown attracts young professionals, growing families, and anyone who values walkability over car dependency.
Picture wide sidewalks shaded by mature maples, century-old homes with wrap-around porches, and neighbours who actually know each other’s names. Weekend mornings bring residents out for coffee and farmers market runs at Lansdowne Park.
Best Local Spots: Compact Music has served local music lovers for decades. Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s remains the go-to toy store for families. Bridgehead Glebe provides bustling two-story cafe space. Lansdowne Park anchors the neighbourhood with TD Place stadium and the Ottawa Farmers’ Market.
Outdoor Spaces: Patterson Creek provides scenic walking paths connecting to the Rideau Canal, which transforms into the world’s largest skating rink each winter. Multiple bus routes and excellent cycling infrastructure mean many residents live car-free.
Housing Costs: Single-family homes regularly sell above $1.2 million. One-bedroom rentals average $1,800-2,200 monthly.
Best For: Young professionals, families with young children, anyone prioritizing walkability and community connection.
Westboro: Where Outdoor Living Meets Urban Style
Westboro has cultivated Ottawa’s most health-conscious, eco-friendly reputation, where organic grocery stores, yoga studios, and outdoor gear shops define the commercial landscape along Richmond Road.
Think farmer’s market shopping with reusable bags, morning runs along the Ottawa River, and weekend paddle-boarding sessions. The neighbourhood maintains a distinctly village feel despite steady development.
Best Local Spots: MEC serves outdoor enthusiasts with gear for every adventure. Herb and Spice stocks local organic produce. Morning Owl Coffee House provides cozy atmosphere for slower weekend mornings. The annual Westfest music festival transforms streets into outdoor concert venues.
Outdoor Spaces: Westboro Beach offers summer swimming and beach volleyball. The multi-use pathway connects to dozens of kilometres of trails perfect for cycling, running, and cross-country skiing.
Transit & Housing: The Confederation Line LRT stops at Dominion station. Single-family homes average $1 million-plus, with one-bedroom rentals starting around $1,700 monthly.
Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts, health-conscious professionals, anyone prioritizing fitness and environmental sustainability.
Hintonburg: Hip, Artsy, and Still Affordable
Hintonburg represents Ottawa’s creative soul, where artists and makers have transformed a former working-class neighbourhood into the city’s hippest arts district. Wellington Street West buzzes with galleries, craft breweries, and restaurants.
Street art covers building walls. Craft breweries host trivia nights and live music. Vintage shops mix with contemporary galleries. Hintonburg maintains an edge that more established neighbourhoods have lost, though gentrification shrinks the affordability advantage yearly.
Best Local Spots: Beyond the Pale Brewing pioneered Ottawa’s craft beer scene. Suzy Q Doughnuts has achieved cult status with inventive flavours that sell out before noon. Supply and Demand serves creative brunch highlighting local ingredients. The Orange Art Gallery showcases contemporary Canadian artists.
Transit & Housing: Multiple bus routes serve Wellington Street with quick downtown connections. One-bedroom rentals start around $1,500, with older stock below $1,400. Single-family homes undercut Glebe and Westboro prices by 15-25%.
Best For: Young professionals, artists, creatives, craft beer enthusiasts wanting urban energy without Glebe prices.
For more on exploring this creative district, check out our Ottawa neighbourhoods guide.
Centretown: Downtown Living at Its Best
Centretown delivers urban living in its purest form, positioning residents steps from Parliament Hill and the National Arts Centre. This diverse district offers everything from high-rise apartments to Victorian row houses.
Government workers during the week, neighbourhood residents on weekends. The diversity reflects Ottawa’s multicultural reality, with restaurants representing cuisines from around the world.
Best Local Spots: Elgin Street serves as the social spine, lined with pubs and patios that fill after work. The National Arts Centre presents world-class theatre and music. Diverse dining ranges from Somali restaurants to Vietnamese pho houses and Lebanese shawarma shops.
Transit & Housing: Centretown wins for transit access with multiple LRT stops and dozens of bus routes. Older apartments offer rentals starting around $1,400. Modern condos range from $350,000-700,000.
Best For: Government workers, young professionals, students, anyone prioritizing urban convenience and transit access.
Other Notable Ottawa Neighbourhoods
Old Ottawa South
Family-friendly haven with tree-lined streets and strong community bonds. Brewer Park anchors recreational life with direct Rideau Canal access. Housing costs approach Glebe levels. Best for families seeking parks and community connection.
Kanata
Ottawa’s suburban tech hub around the Kanata North technology park. Larger homes, good schools, shopping centres. Single-family homes from $600,000-900,000. Best for tech workers and families seeking space.
Orleans
Eastern suburb with strong francophone heritage, French-immersion schools, and bilingual services. Affordable family housing with good schools. Best for families seeking affordable space and French-language community.
Rockcliffe Park
Ottawa’s most exclusive neighbourhood housing embassies and diplomatic residences. Historic mansions on expansive lots. Prices exceed $2 million. Best for those seeking privacy and prestige.
ByWard Market
Ottawa’s historic heart offering tourist energy and nightlife. Restaurants and bars fill heritage buildings surrounding Canada’s oldest farmers market. Best for young singles and nightlife enthusiasts.
For a deeper dive, see our complete ByWard Market guide.
FAQ
Q: What is the safest neighbourhood in Ottawa?
Rockcliffe Park and Old Ottawa South consistently rank among Ottawa’s safest neighbourhoods with very low crime rates. The Glebe and Westboro also maintain excellent safety records. Ottawa ranks as one of Canada’s safest cities overall.
Q: Which Ottawa neighbourhood has the best schools?
The Glebe, Old Ottawa South, and Rockcliffe Park are known for excellent public schools. Kanata and Orleans also offer well-regarded schools with newer facilities.
Q: What neighbourhood is best for young professionals?
Hintonburg and Centretown offer the best combination of affordability and social scene. The Glebe and Westboro attract young professionals with higher budgets. Kanata works well for tech industry workers.
Q: Is it easy to live without a car in Ottawa?
Centretown, the Glebe, ByWard Market, and Hintonburg all support car-free living with good transit and cycling infrastructure. Suburban areas like Kanata and Orleans remain car-dependent.
Q: What are the most affordable neighbourhoods?
Vanier, South Keys, and parts of Orleans offer Ottawa’s most affordable housing. Hintonburg provides the best value for trendy urban living, though prices rise annually.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Ottawa neighbourhood comes down to your priorities. Families gravitate toward the Glebe and Old Ottawa South for parks and schools. Young professionals find their people in Hintonburg’s craft brewery scene or Centretown’s convenient urban living. Outdoor enthusiasts thrive in Westboro’s health-conscious atmosphere.
Ottawa’s manageable size means you’re never far from other neighbourhoods, making exploration easy regardless of where you live. Whether you’re relocating to the capital or simply planning which areas to explore, understanding each neighbourhood’s personality helps you find your perfect Ottawa match.
Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board, City of Ottawa, local business associations
