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Part 6: Living in Ottawa

Helpful Ottawa Maps

The following resources are particularly useful during a relocation:

GeoOttawa

Use the City’s mapping system to explore:

OC Transpo maps and trip planner

Test a prospective commute at the actual time you expect to travel. Include walking, waiting, transfers and the final portion from the station to your workplace.

School-board locators

Use the official address-based locator for each applicable board. School boundaries and program eligibility can change.

City of Ottawa parks map

Search for parks, playgrounds, sports fields, recreation centres and accessible facilities. The City maintains roughly 4,300 hectares of parkland at more than 1,300 loc

National Capital Commission maps

Explore:

REALTOR.ca and Toscano Team property search

Use current listings to understand what your budget buys, but review recent sold properties before determining market value.

Ottawa Schools: Finding the Right One

Ottawa families can access four publicly funded school systems:

  1. Ottawa-Carleton District School Board—English public
  2. Ottawa Catholic School Board—English Catholic
  3. Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario—French public
  4. Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est—French Catholic

Each board provides school-location or boundary information. Official eligibility should be verified directly with the school or board, particularly in new developments or near a boundar

Before choosing a home based on a school:

School rankings provide limited information and should not replace a discussion about programs, student needs, transportation and community fit.

Ottawa is also home to major post-secondary institutions, including the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College and La Cité.

Ottawa Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor access is one of Ottawa’s strongest lifestyle advantages.

The City maintains approximately 4,300 hectares of parkland at more than 1,300 sites. The Capital Pathway adds more than 200 kilometres of off-road multi-use routes through Ottawa, Gatineau and the Gre

Popular activities include:

Popular outdoor destinations include:

When comparing homes, look at both large destination parks and the smaller neighbourhood park you will use every week.

Ottawa Culture, Arts and Entertainment

Ottawa combines national institutions with a growing local arts and food scene.

The region is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, along with the National Arts Centre, Ottawa Art Gallery, local theatres, galleries, historic sites and community fes

Annual events and attractions include:

Professional sports include the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Redblacks, Ottawa Titans, Ottawa Rapid FC and Atlético Ottawa.

Ottawa’s nightlife is smaller than Toronto’s or Montreal’s, but restaurants, breweries, entertainment and community events have expanded well beyond the traditional downtown core.

Healthcare in Ottawa

Ottawa is served by several major healthcare institutions.

The Ottawa Hospital operates three main campuses and numerous satellite sites. Its Civic and General campuses have 24-hour emergency departments; the Riverside campus does not have an emergency department. Queensway Carleton Hospital also operates a 24-hour emergency depa

Other important facilities include:

Before moving:

Health Care Connect matches people with participating primary-care providers accepting new patients, but newcomers should not assume immediate placement.