Where to live when you're a student in Ottawa

The Canadian capital might not get as much attention as its flashier older siblings Montreal and Toronto, but Ottawa is a brilliant city in its own right. With top level universities such as the University of Ottawa and Carlton University, there’s a reason why many students choose Ottawa. This year is Canada’s 150th birthday, and Ottawa will be celebrating in style. It has the highest standard of living in Canada and very high employment rates – perfect for aspiring graduates! Ottawa is packed full of history, culture, character and more, and its location makes it easy to get to other major Canadian cities in Montreal and Quebec. Each neighbourhood offers something different: to help you decide, we’ve picked out a few very different options…

Besides containing the University of Ottawa itself, Sandy Hill has a ton of student friendly housing and a large number of embassies. As it used to be one of the wealthiest areas of the city, many of the huge houses have been transformed into apartments, shared housing or embassy buildings. The most convenient option for UofO, Sandy Hill is often considered the ‘obvious choice’ for students there. It’s a great area to be if you like to walk everywhere, and you’ll get some impressive views for your morning stroll!

Right next to the University of Ottawa campus, The Golden Triangle is an area on the up and bustling with students. The name for the region between Elgin Street, the Rideau Canal, Laurier Avenue and the Queensway comes, unsurprisingly, from its shape. The area has lots of places to eat, drink and socialize, as well as exercise; the canal is a haven for walkers, cyclists and ice skaters (but only during the winter). The area is incredibly safe and very central, being located in Centretown, and will set you in easy distance of wherever you need to go, including campus.

Old Ottawa South is the obvious choice for students and professors at Carleton University, which is situated in Ottawa South. The area has a nice charm and a lot to do, without the massive rents in other areas. Not too far from downtown and other attractions, there’s also an impressive amount of greenery, which can be a blessing to some in the city. There’s a strong sense of community and local history, as it is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. It can be pricey but for such a short commute to the university and great transport connections, for many it is well worth the price.

A throwback to Ottawa’s original name of ‘Bytown’, ByWard Market is a more upmarket region for those with a little more to spend. Home to some incredible properties, you’re most likely to stumble upon an apartment. It is one of the most recognizable regions of the city and is considered to be the birthplace of what we now call Ottawa. The area is populated by students, young professionals and renters, with few families. There are great facilities in the area and it even has its own website to help eager tourists.

With so many areas to choose from, you still have to choose what type of accommodation will work for you! Roomlala has a range of spare rooms in Ottawa as well as flat and house shares. Both can be a great way of getting to know locals and learning about the area. If you’re not sure what type of accommodation suits you and your situation, why not check out our articles on flatsharing to see if it’s right for you!

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Author: Roomlala