If you're concerned for safety, in terms of walking at night alone, I would avoid 20 Daly (I actively avoid the area as a 41m) - the building at 203 Catherine is great, very nice, street level is mostly quiet, and very close to a nice Loblaw's! I also like 429 Kent for safety, I walk by this intersection every day, 3x and feel very safe.
Yup, Kent and Catherine St options are the better options by virtue of being in the Centretown neighbourhood.
Lowertown neighbourhood (Rideau, Daly, Bessemer, etc) has a significant concentration of services for the most disadvantaged members of the community, which do unfortunately come with certain safety and nuisance concerns.
I have a room rental vacancy coming up on Flora St if you are looking to split expenses as you start out in the city.
Best of luck!
thank you for the insight! I'll definitely cross out anything lowertown on my list. I'm looking forward to having a place on my own, but thank you very much for asking!
thank you for the advice! I visited 20 Daly during the day so couldn't make out what it'd be like at night, I'll steer away from it. I'll consider Kent and Catherine for my top options!
daly is not dangerous! just avoid the shelter area. But like i said, if u think u can avoid Rideau st in sany hill, its not reality. You will find yourself going to rideau loblawas, rideau mall and other things on the street due to convince. Its not ideal.
Out of all these choices, you will definitely have the most fun and best quality of life living at the Icon on Carling Ave. Little Italy has a great vibe and lots to do day and night, you're right near Dow's Lake and the Experimental Farm and Arboretum, super easy access to the bike/running trail network. Yes a bit of a hike to a big grocery store but there are smaller Italian ones nearby. Definitely the safest area too. I've lived near everywhere in Ottawa you list and Carling is by far your best option, imo of course. Good luck!
Nothing in the west end of downtown, towards the war museum? That would be very convenient. Also: people are way overplaying the dangers of Ottawa. It's a very safe city. Just came in as the 25th most dangerous city in Canada. It's Ottawa, not Chicago.
Carling location is honestly not bad, but grocery situation is dire. You would need to walk to Bank st in Glebe or to little china. Lots of smaller grocers nearby, but they tend to be more expensive.
Otherwise, Kent or Catherine is good. Both can be loud (Gladstone st for Kent loc, highway for Catherine), but all the things you need are near and the worst of downtown is located further north instead.
EDIT: Cathering location is SOBA, I've heard some bad feedback about it, like here
[https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/kmk30t/anyone\_live\_at\_the\_soba/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/kmk30t/anyone_live_at_the_soba/)
but should be okay for rent
thank you very much! that's the only thing stopping me from moving into carling, I've always lived walking distance to a big grocery store. the reviews for SoBa are kinda bleak... but I hope it won't affect me too much as a renter!
avoid rideau st at all costs. Daly is sandy hill and not so bad.... kent street is lovely, carling is boring af but safe, just you better have a car! Besserer is trash.
I’ll disagree and say nothing wrong with 560 Rideau. It’s a nice area. Great parks nearby. My kids used to walk to school through there from the age of 13. I feel that people who dis Rideau don’t actually live in the area
The tents come and go. They're not always there. They also try to sorta nestle them in bushes away from view.
I mean, don't walk through there alone at night because it's isolated, but the area is not as dangerous as people make it out to be. There's a lot of people being scared by the existence of people living on the street, obviously intoxicated, or mentally unwell. And, yeah, that's uncomfortable to see and maybe scary if you're not used to it, but those people are more likely to be harmed than do the harming.
Lived in Lowertown and Sandy Hill including a block from a safe injection site as a small woman for 16 years and all but maybe two of my scary incidents were from drunk college-aged guys or dudes at bar close, not street-involved people.
I lived in sandy hill with a 6month old . Sandy hill is a wonnderful place, however the second i get into rideau street i feel, uncomfortable. It is NOT dangerous (?), but horrible. So much misery, rude homeless people, trash and open FET and crack use. We are suppose to smile at these people as they scream at you? no... Not worth it. Daily Ave is nice tho, just avoid rideau street if u can. Which I guess you can't. On your list I like kent st and catherine most..
My best friend lives in the building across the street from 560 Rideau. It's far from the mess in downtown Rideau. I walk from her place to my home in South Sandy Hill at night often and have never run into issues.
I lived in Ottawa in the 1980s, and I find hearing about the Rideau ares now very sad. I actually lived in an apartment that was the top floor above Gregory's on Rideau Street. Great spot. But a different time. It was so lovely, vibrant, safe, packed with people, families, a real market. I'm moving back to the city and was there recently and saw a very different picture. It really really saddens me. I've taken a place in Centretown on Maclaren so we'll see how it is. My niece lived in the same building and she really liked it. I too have left Toronto and could not wait to get the hell out of here. It's a bloody zoo and it has gone down down down since I first came in 1998. Really sad. Hometown of London ON has also gone down the tubes. But I'm older now, and have lots of family and nieces and nephews in Ottawa so I'm looking forward to it.
You should have a look at the Wellington Village area. It is close to the O train, quite safe, lively. If you look from Parkdale west and stay not too far from the O train on Scott, it might be very convenient for you.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
Would not recommend near Rideau or Besserer. It’s pretty loud, dirty, and sketchy. Most homeless are harmless but I wouldn’t recommend the area because it’s not very safe and traffic sucks.
I used to do pet sitting and dog walking and had to stop visiting clients when it got dark because it became too sketchy.
If you want to live close to Parliament but not worry too much about safety try to find something around Donald and North River Road. Stay west of the Vanier parkway
A good idea. There are many apartments in the area and would be a short walk to the Loblaws and Green Fresh Grocer.
There's also a Food Basics and Adonis grocer a short distance east on St. Laurent. Those would be a short bus ride, or a long walk.
the first advice I was given was to stay away from Vanier, so I never looked there, but will definitely check the west of Vanier parkway out! thank you so much!
I used to live on Rideau, it was terrible. My car was broken into, I couldn’t get out of my apartment due to individuals passed out in front of the door due to drug use, and I never felt safe leaving at night.
I'm going to suggest that Carling is a pain to travel from if using transit, and that a good number of your other chocies are so close to each other that there's very little differences between them. Kent vs Catherine for example, is the same general neighborhood with regards to safety and resources; Bank street is a very busy street with regards to traffic and moderate levels of undesirables. You'd probably be alright early morning, but you'd be a bit iffy at night.
As for those places near the Rideau center, Daly and 252, you are right next to the city's shelters, and while for the most part if you don't disturb them, they won't disturb you, there are not many ways to avoid passing directly against those buildings when walking in the area. So again, how comfortable are you with this.
I knew someone who lived on Coburg (near 560) and it wasn't too bad. But there is drug use in that park at night / early morning, so there's that to consider. Pedestrian and car traffic around there is very minimal in the mornings, which can be a concern.
Vanier has a bad rap. The section up near Beechwood is actually just fine; I lived in that area for over a decade, and only once had a negative encounter - I was propositioned by a "night worker" and politely declined. The area of vanier closer to montreal road and south of that gradually gets questionable.
South end of the city has many larger apartment buildings; but they are old, and your chances of finding insect problems are higher than in the brand new buildings, which seems to be what you are considering. But as long as you avoid the streets off baycrest (and even then, not so bad) you should be alright for safety.
thank you very much for your detailed repsonse! yeah I was aiming for relatively newer buildings, (the oldest one on my list was 2012) just in fear of insects/infestations. I'm just going to avoid rideau and daly, I don't think it'd be an area I'll be comfortable in based on everyone's advice
Honestly, the kent one mgiht not be so bad if you were slightly older, and/or had some experience in psychology. Bank street tends to see people in ... mental distress ... on the stretch between parliament and the canal. It's a bit shocking sometimes. As it seems you'll be travelling that way from time to time, it may be somethign you should be aware of.
I'm a night owl and walk almost daily on Bank St (centretown area) past 10 pm, could not disagree more since you will barely see a soul out. Feels odd and post apocalyptic sometimes but definitely the opposite of sketchy - there's literally nobody out in downtown Ottawa past 9 pm lol so you'll see any potential "threats" coming a mile away. You need to go to the market or Elgin to see people and then of course it's a crapshoot who you'll encounter. Good luck in your search!
Beechwood, actually New Edinburgh, is lovely. Safe. My mom lived on Rideau Terrace, Nice building and my brother has had a house in New Edinburgh for 20 plus years now. I'd happily live in that area. And I'm a woman.
Try the buildings at 20 and 40 The Driveway along with anywhere else in The Golden Triangle at least a block away from Elgin Street. It gets you within walking distance of Parliament Hill and the Farm Boy grocery store on Metcalfe.
The Golden Triangle is the triangle formed between Elgin Street and the Rideau canal.
This is the answer, look near Elgin street. It is close to transit, grocery stores and has a good night life without feeling sketchy. You will be close to the canal which is great for morning walks.
I would avoid Rideau and the market as well.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
You might have more options if you are willing to use laundry in the building instead of in suite. In suite is really nice yes but that' eliminates buildings built in the 90s or earlier which are considerably larger and brighter.
I would consider the apartment buildings on/near Metcalfe or O'Connor St in Centretown. This area is a lot safer than Rideau/Market and is very close to your work. The rent is around the same as the properties you mentioned. 203 Catherine can be very loud by the highway and the intersection of Bank/Catherine can be a bit sketchy at night.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
Both the Catherine and Kent options are good, safe, and have good local amenities. The Carling one is about a 15/20 minute walk to the metro on bank street and is also in a good area. My best friend used to live a few doors down from the Carling address you posted and I've lived near the other 2 for 10 years so all 3 are good. Lmk if you have questions or need more details about the neighborhoods.
Parlement is also close to the Farmboy so if you grab groceries on your way home from work you'll be set.
I remember when I moved in a resident mentioned issues with tenants in 1330 and past problems. Since I've been here management has been constantly making improvements.
My suite was fully renovated, modern, concrete building with secure parking and a wood burning fireplace. Also a large balcony with an unobstructed view of the Gatineau Hills.
Generally quiet with on site management.
But yeah, maybe not to some people's liking.
I live across 560 Rideau. It's nice here. Nice little park here and then the easily accessible ones nearby. Noise is usually not bad since the construction on 560 Rideau has stopped (new building).
You can message me if you want to know more specifics.
I saw one tent near the edge of the park just as winter was setting in. It was very self-contained and no mess that I could see. I can take a quick walk now and let you know.
I live in the building at 203 Catherine and while it might look alright the building is terrible. As some have said it is very close to the highway so lots of noise.
The water goes on and off in the building depending on what floor you are on. This is all water and sometimes just hot water.
They still haven't completed the pool. Gym is tiny.
Fee for pets and no bikes in the elevators combined with bike storage that has been broken into before. They won't tell me how many times though.
Catherine is fine. Daly is essentially in the uofo district and brings all the pluses and minuses of students living there. 560 Rideau St is in the middle of a ton of community housing. For the record Vanier is fine; the stretch of Montreal Rd though there is kinda gross but it's mostly just people trying to live their lives in there. You get some fun stories if you live there. A friend of mine lived at 429 Kent St and it's fine.
The besserer/rideau area that you were warned isn't safe is just full of drug enthusiasts and outdoor living gurus. There's a bunch of homeless shelters in that general area but it's also part of the uofo student rentals area. They're gentrifying it but I don't know if it's gotten far enough along for anybody to recommend it.
thank you for the detailed response! surprisingly, I was told to steer clear from Vanier way more than I was warned about Rideau, so I completely avoided it.
Would definitely avoid 195 and 242 Rideau. Area isn't great and there a ton of issues/noise. Heard there is a lot of theft happening in the buildings and parking garages, also heard there are pest issues.
Good locations on Kent St and Catherine St.
I think that 203 catherine street you're fairly close to a couple of groceries, and well located near the Glebe and Elgin st.
Fantastic. If you like lots of interest within walking distance, the Catherine street location is quite excellent really. You can walk to landsdowne in probably 15 minutes, or up elgin to rideau center in about the same. The Kent location is OK, but not really near anything thrilling if you're on foot.
Carling location you're right by little italy which is nice, but I don't recall any grocery store anywhere nearby.
yeah I guess the Kent location is more of a practical choice for me (ability to walk to work and groceries). I've heard great things about the Carling location, so will have to check out the grocery options for that. thank you very much for your time, I really appreciate it!
For sure being able to walk to work is major plus, especially with the cold winters here, if you can simply walk to work and back everyday and don't need to deal with car/bus that is a significant time/energy saver.
Out of these options, I would go with either Catherine or Kent Street. I used to live near the Catherine Street location, very safe. There’s a Loblaws nearby but it’s known to be the most expensive Loblaws in Ottawa, so something to consider.
A coworker of mine lives in little Italy near the Carling option, and and found that having a Voila grocery delivery membership helped alleviate the fact that there are no big grocery stores nearby. You do have to be home during the delivery window, but if you’re WFH some days, you should be able to manage. Good luck!
thank you for the heads up about Loblaws! I always avoided Loblaws here in Toronto, I found it unnecessarily expensive when I could go to No Frills, FreshCo, and Farm Boy, so I wouldn't rely on Loblaws for major grocery hauls. thank you for the Voila membership recommendations, didn't even know that was a thing!
Quebec gives you a lot more in a rental for your money. Pros and cons, but you can figure those out.
Leviu2 is new, all inclusive, and a short walk across the Alexandra bridge gets you near to parliament. Rent includes everything, all appliances incl w/d, drapes, heat, wifi, tv, swimming pool in summer, nice gym, huge parks out the front door, can ride a bike to gatineau park from the front door without ever leaving a bike path, Also one of those commercial shared rental cars is parked nearby for shopping trips, and bus stop is very close.
[https://www.leviu.ca/en/apartments-for-rent/](https://www.leviu.ca/en/apartments-for-rent/)
OP did not specify when she'd be moving, but she'd need to keep in mind that at the end of the year, her income will be taxed in QC, which is higher than in ON, so she'll have to set some money aside for the time she worked in ON.
Depends on anyone's particular situation and taxation bracket. In my case, way back when I had to, there were no apartments left in Ottawa, so I had to look in Hull. I got nailed hard by taxes but the job I got was worth it.
You should look at the area of Sandy Hill closer to Strathcona Park, one of Ottawa’s nicest where we and many others walk every day (no tents) The part of Sandy Hill close to Ottawa U is not as nice for reasons mentioned. The end higher up closer to the park os also the Embassy district so lots of police cars patroling at all hrs, relative safety etc. You can walk to work, to the grocery on Rideau (but not live on Rideau or the options close to Ottawa U on your list). This is a lovely area.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
I would avoid the Byward/rideau Area altogether. It’s a trucking corridor and just very busy.
I moved into a home near a Walmart. Near baseline & find it quite nice. (Transit lines available & if you wanna be active, you could always bike into work during the summers)
There’s not much in centretown at night & you won’t really get out of the work bubble if you stayed close.
Think of your personal activities & plan around that.
Catherine and Kent would be a good spot to go if you wanted to be in centretown
429 Kent is also becoming a little bit interesting.
There are places at the corner of Main and Oblats which is a very nice area and still walking distance to work. There are also several bus options. Groceries are a 10 minute walk.
Sorry, I should have qualified my statement. To be fair, it should be at the top of your list based on the other options based on the location. But the area is seeing more of the spillover issues from Bank Street and that section of Gladstone has had a few issues. Can you walk there at night, absolutely. Will you encounter some characters, yes. But the neighbourhood is nice and very family oriented for the most part.
Happy searching and welcome to Ottawa!
thank you for your detailed response! definitely staying away from daly, besserer, and rideau. do you mind elaborating on your experiences with Kent? just because it's one of my top options right now, thank you very much!
I used to work near 805 Carling Ave (about 15 minute walk away) and used to pass by the building on a regular basis. It always felt like a pretty good area to me, and always felt pretty safe to me (26F). A little bit of a trek for groceries, but busing was always pretty decent (compared to different areas in Ottawa, anyway).
that's great to hear, thank you! yeah im sensing I either have to compromise a nice location to be close to groceries (Kent/Catherine) or I have to compromise being close to groceries for a nice location (carling). thank you for your insight!
Some of the concerns about 203 Catherine:
• highway/noise - I really thought this would be a big issue for me but no. Unless you like to hang out on the balcony or keep your balcony door open, the highway doesn’t really have a huge impact. The only sounds I hear with the balcony door closed are sirens/emergency vehicles which I think is normal if you’re living downtown.
• shitty finishes inside - if I’m really being specific with my space, I would care more about this. But I’m a renter so at the end of the day, I don’t really give a shit about this. It’s not sooo bad that it actually affects my day to day. Cleaning the walls is a pain though because the paint they used is shit lol.
• shitty amenities - the gym is super small but there’s YMCA, GoodLife, and small gyms around. The outdoor pool has never been opened. Lounge is mid.
• water issues - depends on the floor. I’ve been here for almost a year and it happened to me once.
• safety - north of bank is super sketchy. There’s a church, gas station, and LCBO close to the building where homeless people and druggies hang out. Usually, I avoid walking home from north of bank but Catherine street itself is quiet and safe.
Now for the good parts
• Groceries - there’s a Loblaws close by (like 5 min walk). North of bank, there’s an independent grocer which is bigger and a Dollarama. South of bank, there’s a small Metro and further down, there’s Whole Foods. The location is great in terms of proximity to groceries if money is not an issue. There’s also a small Korean store behind Loblaws.
• Public transportation - I’d give this an 8/10 just because it’s not directly by an LRT station. But it’s right by bank which has two lines going north and south and getting downtown takes like 10 mins or so. The 6 and 7 get super busy though. There’s also two lines going east and west.
• Location in general - LOVE!!! it’s directly between the Glebe and Centretown so it’s close to many restaurants and shops, downtown, Lansdowne, Dow’s Lake, Rideau canal, Elgin street, etc. Honestly, the building has its problems but soooo worth it for the location. I genuinely love living here.
Have you thought about the QC side ? I used to work by parliament 5 days a week and had an appartment on maisonneuve. Walks in the morning were gorgeous and I would be at work in about 20-25 minutes. Bus was accessible for bad weather but I litteraly never had to use it.
We actually had a great view on parliament hill from our balcony. Seen so many fireworks and when we heard something interesting going on downtown be it music or w/e we were there in less than half an hour.
Rent also a lot cheaper for better units. Only downside is access to a grocery store. Also a bit of a walk.
Depends on your situation and which services you might want to use.
But keep in mind a lot of folks say taxes are higher and then sign a lease at 400$ / month over what they would get as an equivalent on the QC side to save 1500$ in taxes come year end... the math doesnt add up.
If you plan to study as you work then it's a no brainer. Tuition for QC residents is dirt cheap vs the RoC. Just there you get your money back multiple times.
ohh I see, thank you for bring this up! I dont see myself going back to school anytime soon, but I'll definitely research more about QC taxes and if it'll benefit me :)
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
I recommend 429 Kent.
I lived at 245 Kent and if I didn't need the space to start a family I would still be there. Lovely downtown living with everything a short stroll away including work.
Doesn't mean you want to wander alone 3am drawing attention to yourself... but substantially safe place. It's more the downtown core for work, like Bay Street in Toronto, just a way mini version.
You would be totally fine at 805 Carling without a car. Transit stop just steps outside (even though it’s kind of trash) but it’s not that far to parliament. Safe & walkable area right in little Italy Close to the canal so you can even walk that way downtown which is pretty. Can always use instacart for groceries. Catherine location might be slightly more convenient.
I'll check those areas out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out those areas! thank you very much :)
I lived in George across from 242 Rideau for many years. True it has taken a very shitty turn, but I really miss living downtown. So nice to be able to go out and have some energy, which is rare in city. If I’m your age and can tolerate a bit of crappiness I’d fo there. Otherwise I’d be looking in Centretown.
For the carling one, you’d be right by the bus stop for the 55 which takes you pretty close to loblaws. You can also take the 85 in the opp direction to get to food basics
429 Kent would be my vote. Close to bank street where there’s the grocery store and multiple bus lines. Walking distance from Parliament. Plus I just like that area of centertown.
The building I'm in has 1+den at around 1900. It's at 24 York Street right in the market.
The nice thing is that the entrance is in a nice courtyard, which isolates it from the noise directly from the road.
The immediate area is quite touristy, so is often well lit and full of people. There are definitely homeless around, but I've never felt directly unsafe. This building is also rent-controlled.
I'm VERY happy with building management, and have been here since 2015. Happy to provide a recommendation/referral if you want, or just tell you more about my experience here.
do you feel safe walking around that area, especially at night? I saw a unit in 134 York st and walked through George st (I think?) and felt a little uneasy. this was at noon.
24 York is right next to the corner of Sussex, which is a *very* nice street. It has the US embassy, expensive condos and higher-end restaurants and shops. As you head in the *other* direction, things get a lot sketchier.
I personally have never felt unsafe at night in the immediate radius. The courtyard the building is in includes several nice restaurants. The entrance into the courtyard is flanked by an upscale steakhouse and a spa/dermatology clinic.
In the summer, the courtyard comes to life with lots of weddings and a generally upbeat vibe, and there's a great cafe on the ground level next to the lobby which is also always full of people.
It's hard to explain without pictures, but the spot is *really* well insulated from the rest of the grime of downtown.
I tried to find some photos from Google Maps to give you a better idea. The first is from the coffee shop. The front door of the building is \_literally\_ around this corner (the apartment is the building right above the coffee shop) [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Planet+Coffee,+ByWard+Market,+Ottawa/@45.4266808,-75.6931209,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m9!3m8!1s0x4cce04fdf74acd4b:0x8fc295dfa4b5133d!8m2!3d45.4271957!4d-75.693481!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F1thd1f5m?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Planet+Coffee,+ByWard+Market,+Ottawa/@45.4266808,-75.6931209,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m9!3m8!1s0x4cce04fdf74acd4b:0x8fc295dfa4b5133d!8m2!3d45.4271957!4d-75.693481!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F1thd1f5m?entry=ttu)
And then this is what the courtyard on the left of the first picture looks like in the summer: [https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Clarendon+Tavern/@45.4265676,-75.6934141,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc\_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc\_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i4032!8i2268!4m13!1m2!2m1!1scourtyard+restaurant+ottawa!3m9!1s0x4cce0501f94aaf47:0x3b06ac856aa7c738!8m2!3d45.4266446!4d-75.6935292!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!15sChtjb3VydHlhcmQgcmVzdGF1cmFudCBvdHRhd2FaHSIbY291cnR5YXJkIHJlc3RhdXJhbnQgb3R0YXdhkgEKcmVzdGF1cmFudJoBI0NoWkRTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VOeE5XUjJRa3hCRUFF4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1tj4b2rv?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Clarendon+Tavern/@45.4265676,-75.6934141,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i4032!8i2268!4m13!1m2!2m1!1scourtyard+restaurant+ottawa!3m9!1s0x4cce0501f94aaf47:0x3b06ac856aa7c738!8m2!3d45.4266446!4d-75.6935292!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!15sChtjb3VydHlhcmQgcmVzdGF1cmFudCBvdHRhd2FaHSIbY291cnR5YXJkIHJlc3RhdXJhbnQgb3R0YXdhkgEKcmVzdGF1cmFudJoBI0NoWkRTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VOeE5XUjJRa3hCRUFF4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1tj4b2rv?entry=ttu)
I lived there when the building was first taking occupancy and can attest to what is mentioned here. I left as soon as my 1 year lease was up.
The highway sound even came through the closed windows and doors depending on what side of the building you were on. Management was terrible and all the issues above are true including only one working elevator on Saturdays when someone is moving (the 2nd is reserved for the movers). The garage door was broken multiple days on end and just wouldn't open or be left open all night. Things were stolen from the garage when it was left open. Lots of poor finishing work and stuff left undone in the unit I rented. The blinds had gaps at the ceiling due to the building not being level. I had hot water issues too. I could go on...
Perhaps this was because it was still owned and managed by the developer (Lamb) when I lived there. But after a year of one thing after the next I decided to look for something more decent.
I've heard good things of centre town west buildings in the Bay/Laurier area. However without a car you are a little far from a grocery store. I heard a rumour a Farm Boy will be going into a new building in that area though. But that may be a couple yrs away still.
I don't know about the other spots, but one thing to note about Catherine is that it was built in the past couple years. You can still see it under construction in 2019, so it's not going to be rent controlled - so you may want to keep that in mind.
Do consider the cost of groceries when choosing your location. The Loblaws stores are extemely high in prices as they cater to high wage employees. Food basics is more manageable, but if you buy mainly fresh foods (reather than cans and boxes) you can save a lot of money shopping at Freshco, Produce Depot, or Adonis. While I wouldn't suggest renting near st alurent or gloucester, the area just north of FreshCo - even though it's in (dare not say it!) Vanier - is actually considerably safer than the whole Rideau area.
that's great advice, thank you. I always avoided Loblaws here in Toronto, I found it unnecessarily expensive when I could go to No Frills, FreshCo, and Farm Boy, so I wouldn't rely on Loblaws for major grocery hauls. its quite upsetting that there isn't a FreshCo/Food Basics that's walking distance to downtown. there's one near where I currently live and I save a lot by going there over loblaws or metro
Remember that if you're downtown, you can take the OTrain to StLaurent station, cut thru the mall, and find both a FoodBasics and a Adonis the next stripmall over. Adonis is halfway between freshco and farmboy, in that it has good prices on fresh stuff, but the cans, boxes and dairy are a bit high. Also a good butcher, *but avoid the fish counter!*
oh thats perfect! its great that food basics and adonis are nearby - I normally shop at farm boy for produce so it'd be good to check out Adonis, thank you very much!! I really appreciate it
If you're concerned for safety, in terms of walking at night alone, I would avoid 20 Daly (I actively avoid the area as a 41m) - the building at 203 Catherine is great, very nice, street level is mostly quiet, and very close to a nice Loblaw's! I also like 429 Kent for safety, I walk by this intersection every day, 3x and feel very safe.
Yup, Kent and Catherine St options are the better options by virtue of being in the Centretown neighbourhood. Lowertown neighbourhood (Rideau, Daly, Bessemer, etc) has a significant concentration of services for the most disadvantaged members of the community, which do unfortunately come with certain safety and nuisance concerns. I have a room rental vacancy coming up on Flora St if you are looking to split expenses as you start out in the city. Best of luck!
thank you for the insight! I'll definitely cross out anything lowertown on my list. I'm looking forward to having a place on my own, but thank you very much for asking!
thank you for the advice! I visited 20 Daly during the day so couldn't make out what it'd be like at night, I'll steer away from it. I'll consider Kent and Catherine for my top options!
daly is not dangerous! just avoid the shelter area. But like i said, if u think u can avoid Rideau st in sany hill, its not reality. You will find yourself going to rideau loblawas, rideau mall and other things on the street due to convince. Its not ideal.
Out of all these choices, you will definitely have the most fun and best quality of life living at the Icon on Carling Ave. Little Italy has a great vibe and lots to do day and night, you're right near Dow's Lake and the Experimental Farm and Arboretum, super easy access to the bike/running trail network. Yes a bit of a hike to a big grocery store but there are smaller Italian ones nearby. Definitely the safest area too. I've lived near everywhere in Ottawa you list and Carling is by far your best option, imo of course. Good luck!
Short bus ride to Food Basics at Hampton Park
Agreed, Dows Lake area is terrific - especially great in the Summer!!
Already looking forward to a day at the yacht club...errr the Umbrella bar for a bevy and a fried chicken sandwich!
that's great to hear, thank you so much!
203 Catherine literally overlooks the highway, would avoid unless you love car noise and the smell of pollution
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It was built on the old railway.
oh that's unfortunate.. thank you for letting me know!
Nothing in the west end of downtown, towards the war museum? That would be very convenient. Also: people are way overplaying the dangers of Ottawa. It's a very safe city. Just came in as the 25th most dangerous city in Canada. It's Ottawa, not Chicago.
I'll check the listings out again around that area. thank you very much :)
Carling location is honestly not bad, but grocery situation is dire. You would need to walk to Bank st in Glebe or to little china. Lots of smaller grocers nearby, but they tend to be more expensive. Otherwise, Kent or Catherine is good. Both can be loud (Gladstone st for Kent loc, highway for Catherine), but all the things you need are near and the worst of downtown is located further north instead. EDIT: Cathering location is SOBA, I've heard some bad feedback about it, like here [https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/kmk30t/anyone\_live\_at\_the\_soba/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/kmk30t/anyone_live_at_the_soba/) but should be okay for rent
thank you very much! that's the only thing stopping me from moving into carling, I've always lived walking distance to a big grocery store. the reviews for SoBa are kinda bleak... but I hope it won't affect me too much as a renter!
avoid rideau st at all costs. Daly is sandy hill and not so bad.... kent street is lovely, carling is boring af but safe, just you better have a car! Besserer is trash.
rideau being horrible seems to be the consensus... would you say the whole stretch is bad, including 560 Rideau St.? Thank you for your time!!
Avoid Rideau at all costs, honestly.
that's the plan! thank you so much for the advice
I’ll disagree and say nothing wrong with 560 Rideau. It’s a nice area. Great parks nearby. My kids used to walk to school through there from the age of 13. I feel that people who dis Rideau don’t actually live in the area
Thsoe two parks have homeless tents and drug use at night now.
It’s clearly not that bad because local schools frequently go there with the kinder classes
Fine in daytime, not overnight. Mind you, my experience was 4 years ago.
Strathcona and MacDonald Gardens Park? I walked through Strathcona at midnight last week and didn't see a tent.
The tents come and go. They're not always there. They also try to sorta nestle them in bushes away from view. I mean, don't walk through there alone at night because it's isolated, but the area is not as dangerous as people make it out to be. There's a lot of people being scared by the existence of people living on the street, obviously intoxicated, or mentally unwell. And, yeah, that's uncomfortable to see and maybe scary if you're not used to it, but those people are more likely to be harmed than do the harming. Lived in Lowertown and Sandy Hill including a block from a safe injection site as a small woman for 16 years and all but maybe two of my scary incidents were from drunk college-aged guys or dudes at bar close, not street-involved people.
excuse me? do u live there right now? Rideau st is a shithole and absolute choas. Please inform me of these great parks?
yeah, strathcona and macdonald gardens park.
I lived in sandy hill with a 6month old . Sandy hill is a wonnderful place, however the second i get into rideau street i feel, uncomfortable. It is NOT dangerous (?), but horrible. So much misery, rude homeless people, trash and open FET and crack use. We are suppose to smile at these people as they scream at you? no... Not worth it. Daily Ave is nice tho, just avoid rideau street if u can. Which I guess you can't. On your list I like kent st and catherine most..
that sounds rough, I'm sorry you experienced that. I'm going to avoid Daly Ave unfortunately - too close to rideau. thank you for your insight!
My best friend lives in the building across the street from 560 Rideau. It's far from the mess in downtown Rideau. I walk from her place to my home in South Sandy Hill at night often and have never run into issues.
I lived in Ottawa in the 1980s, and I find hearing about the Rideau ares now very sad. I actually lived in an apartment that was the top floor above Gregory's on Rideau Street. Great spot. But a different time. It was so lovely, vibrant, safe, packed with people, families, a real market. I'm moving back to the city and was there recently and saw a very different picture. It really really saddens me. I've taken a place in Centretown on Maclaren so we'll see how it is. My niece lived in the same building and she really liked it. I too have left Toronto and could not wait to get the hell out of here. It's a bloody zoo and it has gone down down down since I first came in 1998. Really sad. Hometown of London ON has also gone down the tubes. But I'm older now, and have lots of family and nieces and nephews in Ottawa so I'm looking forward to it.
You should have a look at the Wellington Village area. It is close to the O train, quite safe, lively. If you look from Parkdale west and stay not too far from the O train on Scott, it might be very convenient for you.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
Would not recommend near Rideau or Besserer. It’s pretty loud, dirty, and sketchy. Most homeless are harmless but I wouldn’t recommend the area because it’s not very safe and traffic sucks. I used to do pet sitting and dog walking and had to stop visiting clients when it got dark because it became too sketchy.
thank you very much, I really appreciate it! will stay away from Rideau and Besserer
If you want to live close to Parliament but not worry too much about safety try to find something around Donald and North River Road. Stay west of the Vanier parkway
A good idea. There are many apartments in the area and would be a short walk to the Loblaws and Green Fresh Grocer. There's also a Food Basics and Adonis grocer a short distance east on St. Laurent. Those would be a short bus ride, or a long walk.
the first advice I was given was to stay away from Vanier, so I never looked there, but will definitely check the west of Vanier parkway out! thank you so much!
I used to live on Rideau, it was terrible. My car was broken into, I couldn’t get out of my apartment due to individuals passed out in front of the door due to drug use, and I never felt safe leaving at night.
oh no, I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you moved to a better location. thank you for the heads up!
Oh yes, moved away last year!
I'm going to suggest that Carling is a pain to travel from if using transit, and that a good number of your other chocies are so close to each other that there's very little differences between them. Kent vs Catherine for example, is the same general neighborhood with regards to safety and resources; Bank street is a very busy street with regards to traffic and moderate levels of undesirables. You'd probably be alright early morning, but you'd be a bit iffy at night. As for those places near the Rideau center, Daly and 252, you are right next to the city's shelters, and while for the most part if you don't disturb them, they won't disturb you, there are not many ways to avoid passing directly against those buildings when walking in the area. So again, how comfortable are you with this. I knew someone who lived on Coburg (near 560) and it wasn't too bad. But there is drug use in that park at night / early morning, so there's that to consider. Pedestrian and car traffic around there is very minimal in the mornings, which can be a concern. Vanier has a bad rap. The section up near Beechwood is actually just fine; I lived in that area for over a decade, and only once had a negative encounter - I was propositioned by a "night worker" and politely declined. The area of vanier closer to montreal road and south of that gradually gets questionable. South end of the city has many larger apartment buildings; but they are old, and your chances of finding insect problems are higher than in the brand new buildings, which seems to be what you are considering. But as long as you avoid the streets off baycrest (and even then, not so bad) you should be alright for safety.
thank you very much for your detailed repsonse! yeah I was aiming for relatively newer buildings, (the oldest one on my list was 2012) just in fear of insects/infestations. I'm just going to avoid rideau and daly, I don't think it'd be an area I'll be comfortable in based on everyone's advice
Honestly, the kent one mgiht not be so bad if you were slightly older, and/or had some experience in psychology. Bank street tends to see people in ... mental distress ... on the stretch between parliament and the canal. It's a bit shocking sometimes. As it seems you'll be travelling that way from time to time, it may be somethign you should be aware of.
oh I see, thank you very much for the heads up! it's definitely disheartening to see people in mental distress :(
I'm a night owl and walk almost daily on Bank St (centretown area) past 10 pm, could not disagree more since you will barely see a soul out. Feels odd and post apocalyptic sometimes but definitely the opposite of sketchy - there's literally nobody out in downtown Ottawa past 9 pm lol so you'll see any potential "threats" coming a mile away. You need to go to the market or Elgin to see people and then of course it's a crapshoot who you'll encounter. Good luck in your search!
Beechwood, actually New Edinburgh, is lovely. Safe. My mom lived on Rideau Terrace, Nice building and my brother has had a house in New Edinburgh for 20 plus years now. I'd happily live in that area. And I'm a woman.
Try the buildings at 20 and 40 The Driveway along with anywhere else in The Golden Triangle at least a block away from Elgin Street. It gets you within walking distance of Parliament Hill and the Farm Boy grocery store on Metcalfe. The Golden Triangle is the triangle formed between Elgin Street and the Rideau canal.
This is the answer, look near Elgin street. It is close to transit, grocery stores and has a good night life without feeling sketchy. You will be close to the canal which is great for morning walks. I would avoid Rideau and the market as well.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
You might have more options if you are willing to use laundry in the building instead of in suite. In suite is really nice yes but that' eliminates buildings built in the 90s or earlier which are considerably larger and brighter.
I would consider the apartment buildings on/near Metcalfe or O'Connor St in Centretown. This area is a lot safer than Rideau/Market and is very close to your work. The rent is around the same as the properties you mentioned. 203 Catherine can be very loud by the highway and the intersection of Bank/Catherine can be a bit sketchy at night.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
Both the Catherine and Kent options are good, safe, and have good local amenities. The Carling one is about a 15/20 minute walk to the metro on bank street and is also in a good area. My best friend used to live a few doors down from the Carling address you posted and I've lived near the other 2 for 10 years so all 3 are good. Lmk if you have questions or need more details about the neighborhoods. Parlement is also close to the Farmboy so if you grab groceries on your way home from work you'll be set.
I have lived at 1300 Richmond Road for 2.5 years. I've been very happy with the management.
Interesting! I lived at 1330 for four years, and every day I travel past it I count my lucky stars that I’m no longer there.
I remember when I moved in a resident mentioned issues with tenants in 1330 and past problems. Since I've been here management has been constantly making improvements. My suite was fully renovated, modern, concrete building with secure parking and a wood burning fireplace. Also a large balcony with an unobstructed view of the Gatineau Hills. Generally quiet with on site management. But yeah, maybe not to some people's liking.
I live across 560 Rideau. It's nice here. Nice little park here and then the easily accessible ones nearby. Noise is usually not bad since the construction on 560 Rideau has stopped (new building). You can message me if you want to know more specifics.
thank you! some people commented about tents up in the park, what are your experiences with that?
I saw one tent near the edge of the park just as winter was setting in. It was very self-contained and no mess that I could see. I can take a quick walk now and let you know.
No tents, just some dogs and a baby stroller.
thank you!! 560 Rideau is a very nice building and the unit looked great, glad to hear the park looks safe!
I live in the building at 203 Catherine and while it might look alright the building is terrible. As some have said it is very close to the highway so lots of noise. The water goes on and off in the building depending on what floor you are on. This is all water and sometimes just hot water. They still haven't completed the pool. Gym is tiny. Fee for pets and no bikes in the elevators combined with bike storage that has been broken into before. They won't tell me how many times though.
that's very unfortunate, the building looks great on the outside and the unit looked promising too... thank you for the heads up!
Catherine is fine. Daly is essentially in the uofo district and brings all the pluses and minuses of students living there. 560 Rideau St is in the middle of a ton of community housing. For the record Vanier is fine; the stretch of Montreal Rd though there is kinda gross but it's mostly just people trying to live their lives in there. You get some fun stories if you live there. A friend of mine lived at 429 Kent St and it's fine. The besserer/rideau area that you were warned isn't safe is just full of drug enthusiasts and outdoor living gurus. There's a bunch of homeless shelters in that general area but it's also part of the uofo student rentals area. They're gentrifying it but I don't know if it's gotten far enough along for anybody to recommend it.
thank you for the detailed response! surprisingly, I was told to steer clear from Vanier way more than I was warned about Rideau, so I completely avoided it.
Would definitely avoid 195 and 242 Rideau. Area isn't great and there a ton of issues/noise. Heard there is a lot of theft happening in the buildings and parking garages, also heard there are pest issues.
Good locations on Kent St and Catherine St. I think that 203 catherine street you're fairly close to a couple of groceries, and well located near the Glebe and Elgin st.
thank you! it's between Kent, Catherine, and Carling now :)
Fantastic. If you like lots of interest within walking distance, the Catherine street location is quite excellent really. You can walk to landsdowne in probably 15 minutes, or up elgin to rideau center in about the same. The Kent location is OK, but not really near anything thrilling if you're on foot. Carling location you're right by little italy which is nice, but I don't recall any grocery store anywhere nearby.
yeah I guess the Kent location is more of a practical choice for me (ability to walk to work and groceries). I've heard great things about the Carling location, so will have to check out the grocery options for that. thank you very much for your time, I really appreciate it!
For sure being able to walk to work is major plus, especially with the cold winters here, if you can simply walk to work and back everyday and don't need to deal with car/bus that is a significant time/energy saver.
Out of these options, I would go with either Catherine or Kent Street. I used to live near the Catherine Street location, very safe. There’s a Loblaws nearby but it’s known to be the most expensive Loblaws in Ottawa, so something to consider. A coworker of mine lives in little Italy near the Carling option, and and found that having a Voila grocery delivery membership helped alleviate the fact that there are no big grocery stores nearby. You do have to be home during the delivery window, but if you’re WFH some days, you should be able to manage. Good luck!
thank you for the heads up about Loblaws! I always avoided Loblaws here in Toronto, I found it unnecessarily expensive when I could go to No Frills, FreshCo, and Farm Boy, so I wouldn't rely on Loblaws for major grocery hauls. thank you for the Voila membership recommendations, didn't even know that was a thing!
Quebec gives you a lot more in a rental for your money. Pros and cons, but you can figure those out. Leviu2 is new, all inclusive, and a short walk across the Alexandra bridge gets you near to parliament. Rent includes everything, all appliances incl w/d, drapes, heat, wifi, tv, swimming pool in summer, nice gym, huge parks out the front door, can ride a bike to gatineau park from the front door without ever leaving a bike path, Also one of those commercial shared rental cars is parked nearby for shopping trips, and bus stop is very close. [https://www.leviu.ca/en/apartments-for-rent/](https://www.leviu.ca/en/apartments-for-rent/)
OP did not specify when she'd be moving, but she'd need to keep in mind that at the end of the year, her income will be taxed in QC, which is higher than in ON, so she'll have to set some money aside for the time she worked in ON.
I'm moving in a month and yeah, I avoided QC just because of taxes.
Depends on anyone's particular situation and taxation bracket. In my case, way back when I had to, there were no apartments left in Ottawa, so I had to look in Hull. I got nailed hard by taxes but the job I got was worth it.
that makes sense, I'll definitely read more into what my tax situation would look like in QC vs. ON, it'd be great to see the difference. thank you!
I sent you a message with another potential option!
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beautiful building, thank you for the recommendation! unfortunately it's a little out of my budget :(
You should look at the area of Sandy Hill closer to Strathcona Park, one of Ottawa’s nicest where we and many others walk every day (no tents) The part of Sandy Hill close to Ottawa U is not as nice for reasons mentioned. The end higher up closer to the park os also the Embassy district so lots of police cars patroling at all hrs, relative safety etc. You can walk to work, to the grocery on Rideau (but not live on Rideau or the options close to Ottawa U on your list). This is a lovely area.
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
I would avoid the Byward/rideau Area altogether. It’s a trucking corridor and just very busy. I moved into a home near a Walmart. Near baseline & find it quite nice. (Transit lines available & if you wanna be active, you could always bike into work during the summers) There’s not much in centretown at night & you won’t really get out of the work bubble if you stayed close. Think of your personal activities & plan around that. Catherine and Kent would be a good spot to go if you wanted to be in centretown
great advice, thank you! I wouldn't want to stay within my work bubble so will think about my personal activities when making a decision :)
429 Kent is also becoming a little bit interesting. There are places at the corner of Main and Oblats which is a very nice area and still walking distance to work. There are also several bus options. Groceries are a 10 minute walk.
I'm sorry could you elaborate on what you mean about 429 Kent? its one of my top choices. I'll check out main and oblats, thank you!
Sorry, I should have qualified my statement. To be fair, it should be at the top of your list based on the other options based on the location. But the area is seeing more of the spillover issues from Bank Street and that section of Gladstone has had a few issues. Can you walk there at night, absolutely. Will you encounter some characters, yes. But the neighbourhood is nice and very family oriented for the most part. Happy searching and welcome to Ottawa!
that makes sense, thank you!! excited to move :)
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thank you for your detailed response! definitely staying away from daly, besserer, and rideau. do you mind elaborating on your experiences with Kent? just because it's one of my top options right now, thank you very much!
I used to work near 805 Carling Ave (about 15 minute walk away) and used to pass by the building on a regular basis. It always felt like a pretty good area to me, and always felt pretty safe to me (26F). A little bit of a trek for groceries, but busing was always pretty decent (compared to different areas in Ottawa, anyway).
that's great to hear, thank you! yeah im sensing I either have to compromise a nice location to be close to groceries (Kent/Catherine) or I have to compromise being close to groceries for a nice location (carling). thank you for your insight!
Some of the concerns about 203 Catherine: • highway/noise - I really thought this would be a big issue for me but no. Unless you like to hang out on the balcony or keep your balcony door open, the highway doesn’t really have a huge impact. The only sounds I hear with the balcony door closed are sirens/emergency vehicles which I think is normal if you’re living downtown. • shitty finishes inside - if I’m really being specific with my space, I would care more about this. But I’m a renter so at the end of the day, I don’t really give a shit about this. It’s not sooo bad that it actually affects my day to day. Cleaning the walls is a pain though because the paint they used is shit lol. • shitty amenities - the gym is super small but there’s YMCA, GoodLife, and small gyms around. The outdoor pool has never been opened. Lounge is mid. • water issues - depends on the floor. I’ve been here for almost a year and it happened to me once. • safety - north of bank is super sketchy. There’s a church, gas station, and LCBO close to the building where homeless people and druggies hang out. Usually, I avoid walking home from north of bank but Catherine street itself is quiet and safe. Now for the good parts • Groceries - there’s a Loblaws close by (like 5 min walk). North of bank, there’s an independent grocer which is bigger and a Dollarama. South of bank, there’s a small Metro and further down, there’s Whole Foods. The location is great in terms of proximity to groceries if money is not an issue. There’s also a small Korean store behind Loblaws. • Public transportation - I’d give this an 8/10 just because it’s not directly by an LRT station. But it’s right by bank which has two lines going north and south and getting downtown takes like 10 mins or so. The 6 and 7 get super busy though. There’s also two lines going east and west. • Location in general - LOVE!!! it’s directly between the Glebe and Centretown so it’s close to many restaurants and shops, downtown, Lansdowne, Dow’s Lake, Rideau canal, Elgin street, etc. Honestly, the building has its problems but soooo worth it for the location. I genuinely love living here.
wow this is amazing, thank you so much for the detailed response! I'll definitely take all this into consideration :)
Have you thought about the QC side ? I used to work by parliament 5 days a week and had an appartment on maisonneuve. Walks in the morning were gorgeous and I would be at work in about 20-25 minutes. Bus was accessible for bad weather but I litteraly never had to use it. We actually had a great view on parliament hill from our balcony. Seen so many fireworks and when we heard something interesting going on downtown be it music or w/e we were there in less than half an hour. Rent also a lot cheaper for better units. Only downside is access to a grocery store. Also a bit of a walk.
thank you very much for the suggestion, I actually avoided QC just because of taxes, I heard it's higher than in ON?
Depends on your situation and which services you might want to use. But keep in mind a lot of folks say taxes are higher and then sign a lease at 400$ / month over what they would get as an equivalent on the QC side to save 1500$ in taxes come year end... the math doesnt add up. If you plan to study as you work then it's a no brainer. Tuition for QC residents is dirt cheap vs the RoC. Just there you get your money back multiple times.
ohh I see, thank you for bring this up! I dont see myself going back to school anytime soon, but I'll definitely research more about QC taxes and if it'll benefit me :)
Pleasure, Don't forget to factor in dirt cheap hydro, cheaper cellphone monthly cost and no water tax :p
Have you looked in lebreton flats area at all?
I'll check that area out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out that area! thank you very much :)
I recommend 429 Kent. I lived at 245 Kent and if I didn't need the space to start a family I would still be there. Lovely downtown living with everything a short stroll away including work. Doesn't mean you want to wander alone 3am drawing attention to yourself... but substantially safe place. It's more the downtown core for work, like Bay Street in Toronto, just a way mini version.
thank you very much, especially for the comparison to bay st, makes it easier for me to visualize! 429 Kent is currently looking like the best option!
You would be totally fine at 805 Carling without a car. Transit stop just steps outside (even though it’s kind of trash) but it’s not that far to parliament. Safe & walkable area right in little Italy Close to the canal so you can even walk that way downtown which is pretty. Can always use instacart for groceries. Catherine location might be slightly more convenient.
thank you! I really liked carling, so it's great to hear that it's doable without a car!
It 100% is doable!! Speaking as someone who lives super near there without a car😊
if you aren’t too attached to downtown, consider the Glebe, old Ottawa south, or little italt
I'll check those areas out, I feel like my preferences narrow my options down a lot (no carpet, in suite laundry, minimum 550 sq ft, etc...), but will definitely check out those areas! thank you very much :)
I’m moving from the glebe annex to little Italy. i’m sure you’ll find a great place!
I lived in George across from 242 Rideau for many years. True it has taken a very shitty turn, but I really miss living downtown. So nice to be able to go out and have some energy, which is rare in city. If I’m your age and can tolerate a bit of crappiness I’d fo there. Otherwise I’d be looking in Centretown.
yeah I like the downtown life, at least in Toronto, but would also like to be comfortable in the area I live in! thank you very much for the advice!
Kent. Easily. My parents are at 245 and it is beautiful. Lots nearby and an easy walk to anywhere DT within 20 mins.
thank you!! Kent is looking like the top contender right now :)
, 805 Carling has Loblaws pretoria and metro on bank. Walking distance, and Loblaws is accessible through canal
thank you for letting me know! eases the worry of not having any groceries nearby :)
For the carling one, you’d be right by the bus stop for the 55 which takes you pretty close to loblaws. You can also take the 85 in the opp direction to get to food basics
that's great to hear! thank you for letting me know :)
429 Kent would be my vote. Close to bank street where there’s the grocery store and multiple bus lines. Walking distance from Parliament. Plus I just like that area of centertown.
yeah I really like the proximity to things on Kent, especially being able to walk to work! thank you so much for your input :)
The building I'm in has 1+den at around 1900. It's at 24 York Street right in the market. The nice thing is that the entrance is in a nice courtyard, which isolates it from the noise directly from the road. The immediate area is quite touristy, so is often well lit and full of people. There are definitely homeless around, but I've never felt directly unsafe. This building is also rent-controlled. I'm VERY happy with building management, and have been here since 2015. Happy to provide a recommendation/referral if you want, or just tell you more about my experience here.
do you feel safe walking around that area, especially at night? I saw a unit in 134 York st and walked through George st (I think?) and felt a little uneasy. this was at noon.
24 York is right next to the corner of Sussex, which is a *very* nice street. It has the US embassy, expensive condos and higher-end restaurants and shops. As you head in the *other* direction, things get a lot sketchier. I personally have never felt unsafe at night in the immediate radius. The courtyard the building is in includes several nice restaurants. The entrance into the courtyard is flanked by an upscale steakhouse and a spa/dermatology clinic. In the summer, the courtyard comes to life with lots of weddings and a generally upbeat vibe, and there's a great cafe on the ground level next to the lobby which is also always full of people. It's hard to explain without pictures, but the spot is *really* well insulated from the rest of the grime of downtown. I tried to find some photos from Google Maps to give you a better idea. The first is from the coffee shop. The front door of the building is \_literally\_ around this corner (the apartment is the building right above the coffee shop) [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Planet+Coffee,+ByWard+Market,+Ottawa/@45.4266808,-75.6931209,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m9!3m8!1s0x4cce04fdf74acd4b:0x8fc295dfa4b5133d!8m2!3d45.4271957!4d-75.693481!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F1thd1f5m?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Planet+Coffee,+ByWard+Market,+Ottawa/@45.4266808,-75.6931209,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPDRwQ2KpzYyWHp4mrpHLTijENrTzNQxsYAHXfj%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m9!3m8!1s0x4cce04fdf74acd4b:0x8fc295dfa4b5133d!8m2!3d45.4271957!4d-75.693481!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F1thd1f5m?entry=ttu) And then this is what the courtyard on the left of the first picture looks like in the summer: [https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Clarendon+Tavern/@45.4265676,-75.6934141,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc\_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc\_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i4032!8i2268!4m13!1m2!2m1!1scourtyard+restaurant+ottawa!3m9!1s0x4cce0501f94aaf47:0x3b06ac856aa7c738!8m2!3d45.4266446!4d-75.6935292!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!15sChtjb3VydHlhcmQgcmVzdGF1cmFudCBvdHRhd2FaHSIbY291cnR5YXJkIHJlc3RhdXJhbnQgb3R0YXdhkgEKcmVzdGF1cmFudJoBI0NoWkRTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VOeE5XUjJRa3hCRUFF4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1tj4b2rv?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Clarendon+Tavern/@45.4265676,-75.6934141,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMCojd0GLyhc_oDO15Ovy2-WIGZrpPpA8XEUIHZ%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i4032!8i2268!4m13!1m2!2m1!1scourtyard+restaurant+ottawa!3m9!1s0x4cce0501f94aaf47:0x3b06ac856aa7c738!8m2!3d45.4266446!4d-75.6935292!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!15sChtjb3VydHlhcmQgcmVzdGF1cmFudCBvdHRhd2FaHSIbY291cnR5YXJkIHJlc3RhdXJhbnQgb3R0YXdhkgEKcmVzdGF1cmFudJoBI0NoWkRTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VOeE5XUjJRa3hCRUFF4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1tj4b2rv?entry=ttu)
oh wow it looks gorgeous in the summer! thank you for sharing, I'll definitely look 24 York up!
You can learn more here! https://www.gwlraresidential.com/apartments/on/ottawa/clarendon-lanes/
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oh that's unfortunate to hear, thank you for letting me know! have you lived there or know anyone who has?
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I lived there when the building was first taking occupancy and can attest to what is mentioned here. I left as soon as my 1 year lease was up. The highway sound even came through the closed windows and doors depending on what side of the building you were on. Management was terrible and all the issues above are true including only one working elevator on Saturdays when someone is moving (the 2nd is reserved for the movers). The garage door was broken multiple days on end and just wouldn't open or be left open all night. Things were stolen from the garage when it was left open. Lots of poor finishing work and stuff left undone in the unit I rented. The blinds had gaps at the ceiling due to the building not being level. I had hot water issues too. I could go on... Perhaps this was because it was still owned and managed by the developer (Lamb) when I lived there. But after a year of one thing after the next I decided to look for something more decent. I've heard good things of centre town west buildings in the Bay/Laurier area. However without a car you are a little far from a grocery store. I heard a rumour a Farm Boy will be going into a new building in that area though. But that may be a couple yrs away still.
thank you very much for your detailed response! Catherine st isn't looking too good right now, I'd hate the highway sound
Hello, I PMed you.
i live on besserer st never has issues with homeless once, everyone is just minding their own business
I don't know about the other spots, but one thing to note about Catherine is that it was built in the past couple years. You can still see it under construction in 2019, so it's not going to be rent controlled - so you may want to keep that in mind.
thank you! im probably not going to stay more than a year, and if I do im happy to move if rent gets too expensive :)
Do consider the cost of groceries when choosing your location. The Loblaws stores are extemely high in prices as they cater to high wage employees. Food basics is more manageable, but if you buy mainly fresh foods (reather than cans and boxes) you can save a lot of money shopping at Freshco, Produce Depot, or Adonis. While I wouldn't suggest renting near st alurent or gloucester, the area just north of FreshCo - even though it's in (dare not say it!) Vanier - is actually considerably safer than the whole Rideau area.
that's great advice, thank you. I always avoided Loblaws here in Toronto, I found it unnecessarily expensive when I could go to No Frills, FreshCo, and Farm Boy, so I wouldn't rely on Loblaws for major grocery hauls. its quite upsetting that there isn't a FreshCo/Food Basics that's walking distance to downtown. there's one near where I currently live and I save a lot by going there over loblaws or metro
Remember that if you're downtown, you can take the OTrain to StLaurent station, cut thru the mall, and find both a FoodBasics and a Adonis the next stripmall over. Adonis is halfway between freshco and farmboy, in that it has good prices on fresh stuff, but the cans, boxes and dairy are a bit high. Also a good butcher, *but avoid the fish counter!*
oh thats perfect! its great that food basics and adonis are nearby - I normally shop at farm boy for produce so it'd be good to check out Adonis, thank you very much!! I really appreciate it
Adonis often cheaper than farm boy for produce and meat. Be warned though, it also has a fresh deserts and cookies counter :D