The Best Neighbourhoods for Downsizing in Ottawa

Posted by Lynn Vardy on February 5, 2025

0 Comments

Walkers along the Rideau Canal in summer, one of the best neighbourhoods for downsizing in Ottawa

Leaving a home you have loved for years is hard, and picking where to go next can feel just as big. This guide covers the best neighbourhoods for downsizing in Ottawa.

You can see what each area offers before you decide.

I work mostly in Carleton Place, Kanata, Stittsville and Lanark County. For the other Ottawa areas below, I share what is publicly known and link to local sources. I have moved 15 times, and I helped my dad move. I know the where-to-go question is rarely just about the house.

None of this is a ranking. Rather, the right area is the one that fits your days.

Downsizing in Ottawa: What to Look For in a Neighbourhood

A smaller home is only part of the plan. The area around it shapes your day.

Start with how you want to live. Do you want to walk to a coffee shop? Do you want a quiet street and a short drive to the store? Your answer narrows the list fast.

Then look at four things:

Everyday errands within a short walk or drive
Access to clinics, pharmacies and a hospital, if that matters to you
Home types that are easy to look after, such as condos, townhomes and bungalows
Parks, rec centres and places to meet people

Transit and main roads can also help you stay connected. Check how you would get to family, friends and appointments.

There is no perfect area. Instead, there is a fit for the way you want to live.

Best Neighbourhoods for Downsizing in Ottawa: Six Areas to Know

These six areas come up often with people who want a smaller home. Visit each one before you decide. Also walk it on a weekday and on a weekend.

Westboro

Westboro is on the Ottawa River, west of Wellington Village. Shops line Richmond Road, its walkable main street, and cafés are nearby. Ottawa Tourism’s Westboro page has more.

Westboro Beach and riverside pathways are close. Parks such as Hampton Park and Westboro Kiwanis Park are nearby too. It may suit you if you want to walk to most errands.

The Glebe

The Glebe sits between Centretown and Old Ottawa South, and Bank Street runs through it. Lansdowne Park has a stadium, an arena, a farmers’ market and events.

The Rideau Canal runs along the Glebe, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bank Street has shops, cafés and restaurants. Ottawa Tourism’s Glebe page has more. It may suit you if you like a busy, walkable area with events nearby.

Kanata Lakes

Kanata Lakes is in Ottawa’s west end, close to Kanata North, a large technology park. The Kanata Golf and Country Club is on Campeau Drive in Kanata.

The community’s own site says shopping is a short walk or ride away. It may suit you if you want a calmer pace and a car-friendly setup. It is also close to my home base, so I can tell you more about it.

Orleans

Orleans is in Ottawa’s east end. It has parks, beaches and green spaces, including Petrie Island Beach and Princess Louise Falls. Ottawa Tourism’s Orleans page lists more.

The Shenkman Arts Centre is about 15 km from downtown. It hosts shows, exhibits and classes.

Barrhaven

Barrhaven is a growing suburb south of downtown. Its shopping hubs include Barrhaven Town Centre and Chapman Mills Marketplace. Ottawa Tourism’s Barrhaven page has details.

Clarke Fields Park and the Chapman Mills Conservation Area offer green space, picnic spots and birdwatching. It may suit you if you want a suburb with shopping and green space close by.

Alta Vista

Alta Vista has its own community association and a City-run community centre, the Alta Vista Heron Road Community Centre. Ask me about the streets you like, since each pocket feels different.

The Ottawa Hospital’s Riverside Campus is reached from Riverside Drive. Walkers and cyclists can also use a path from Smyth Road. So check the drive from the exact street you like. It may suit you if having a hospital close by matters.

Kanata and Stittsville: Closer Options for Downsizers

You do not have to stay inside Ottawa’s core to downsize in Ottawa. Kanata and Stittsville are part of the west end, and I work there often.

Some people like them because they are close to the city but feel quieter. Others like that they can stay near friends and family without a long drive. If you are weighing the west end against a smaller town, my post on Carleton Place vs Ottawa West for Downsizers can help.

However, if you want a closer look at one of these areas, ask me. I can walk you through what homes there are like, based on what you tell me you need.

How to Visit an Area Before You Decide

A short visit tells you more than a list can. Plan one that feels like a normal day.

First, go on a weekday morning and again on a weekend. Park the car and walk. Stop for a coffee. Notice the noise, the traffic and how busy the sidewalks are.

Next, try your real routine. Drive to the pharmacy, the grocery store and the nearest clinic. Time each trip. Check how you would get to family and friends.

Then think about winter, too. Ask who clears the snow and how the streets are cleared. If you can, come back in a different season.

Finally, take notes or photos. Write down what you liked and what bothered you. Two or three areas are easier to compare on paper than in your head.

If you would like company, I am happy to visit an area with you.

Low-Maintenance Homes in Ottawa: What to Ask Before You Choose

Hands writing in a notebook with a red pen while comparing low-maintenance homes

A smaller home can still take a lot of work. Low-maintenance does not mean no maintenance.

Before you fall for a place, ask who looks after the roof, the snow and the yard. In a condo, ask what the fees cover and how the building plans for big repairs. But in a townhome or bungalow, ask what you will still handle on your own.

If you want a closer look at what bungalows offer, read Bungalow vs Condo vs Adult Lifestyle Community.

A REALTOR® can pull together the facts on a home. A comparative market assessment from me is not a formal appraisal. If you need one, a licensed appraiser can provide it.

Costs to Ask a Lender or Accountant About

Prices and fees vary by area, building and home type. I will not guess at numbers here.

A lender can tell you what you can afford to buy and how a move may affect your mortgage. An accountant can explain how selling your current home may affect your taxes. So ask them early, before you choose an area.

Also ask each condo what its fees cover. Ontario.ca has a page on owning a condo. CMHC has a home buying guide that covers getting pre-approved and planning for future costs.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Pick an Area

Write your answers down. Then they will help you narrow your options to a short list.

How far do you want to be from family and friends? Do you want to walk to errands, or are you happy to drive? Do you want to stay in a place you know, or try somewhere new?

If stairs, yard work or snow become a worry, say so now. It is easier to plan for it than to fix it later.

If you would like a simple way to work through this, my free guide, The Downsizing Road Map, walks you through it at your own pace.

Choosing Where to Go Next

There is no single winner. The right area is the one that fits your days, your budget and the people you want nearby.

Take your time. Instead of rushing, visit a few places. When you are ready for a next step, my free guide, The Downsizing Road Map, can help you sort it out.

If you would like to talk it over, I am happy to have a private planning conversation with you.

About the author

Lynn Vardy, REALTOR®

I have 19+ years in real estate and work with RE/MAX Boardwalk Realty. Families in Carleton Place, Lanark County, Kanata and Stittsville come to me to buy and sell through big life changes, like downsizing, divorce and estate sales. I have been through some of these moves with my own family, so I know it is about much more than the house.

Read my story | Talk to Lynn | 613-686-2064

Keep reading

Thinking about downsizing? My free guide, The Downsizing Road Map, walks you through each step, at your own pace.

See how I help downsizers across Lanark County, Kanata and Stittsville.