Ottawa’s diverse neighbourhoods
Buying a home
Renting an apartment
Additional resources
Insurance

Ottawa’s diverse neighbourhoods

• Ottawa has a wide range of housing options and prices with many distinct neighbourhoods.
• As a newcomer, you are likely to meet others who are from your country of origin.
• Downtown Ottawa has some houses and many high-rise and low-rise apartments and condominiums.
• In central neighbourhoods such as the Glebe or Westboro, there is a mix of housing, including semi-detached and single-family houses, as well as smaller apartment buildings.
• Neighbourhoods in the suburbs, including Barrhaven in the west end and Blackburn Hamlet in the east end, have semi-detached and single-family houses, as well as townhouses.
• Google offers a map of Canada that you can use to zoom in and find an area or a neighbourhood of Ottawa that is right for you.

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Buying a home

• In general, living downtown is more expensive than living in the suburbs.
• The cost varies depending on the size and style of your home.
• The average cost of buying a house in Ottawa is $260,000.
• Most people borrow money from the bank to help pay for their home.
• In addition to the mortgage, you will have to pay for property taxes, utilities (water, heat, electricity, etc.) and insurance.

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Renting an apartment

• The cost of renting an apartment depends on the size and location, and whether or not utilities are included in the rental cost. If utilities are included, the rent will usually be higher.
• The average cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment is $960 per month.
• The cost varies depending on the size and location of your apartment.
• Apartments come in different sizes. Some have only one main room, while others are much larger.
• Most apartments are rented by the month however, most landlords usually require you to sign a year-long lease for the first year that you live in a new apartment as well as, provide a security deposit of first and last months rent.
• Most landlords will also require that you have a co-signer or a reference before they will rent to you.
• A co-signer is someone who agrees to share your financial responsibility for the rent.
• A reference is someone who can confirm your background or the likelihood that you and your family will be good tenants.
• To learn about your rights as a tenant, visit the Landlord and Tenant Board or Ontario Tenants Rights.

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Additional resources

The City of Ottawa offers subsidized housing for residents who need financial help. The following organizations can give you more information on buying, renting and subsidized housing:

• Action Logement – Action Housing is a charitable organization that helps low-income Ottawa residents find safe and affordable rental housing.
• The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Newcomer’s Guide to Canadian Housing tells you everything you need to know about renting or buying a home in Canada. You may also review the neighbourhoods in Ottawa.
• Housing Help provides free housing information and assistance for those looking for housing.

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Insurance

• Whether you buy or rent, you should have insurance for your home and belongings.
• You can often save money if you buy your house and car insurance from the same company.
• There are many insurance companies in Ottawa.
• You may call some insurance companies to find out which offers the best rate.
• Canada 411 has a listing of the insurance companies in the Ottawa area.
• You may also obtain insurance at most major banks.

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