Moving to Ottawa, Canada this July with three children under 4!!!

[algaffney77]

Hello ladies,

I'd love some advice on moving to Ottawa, Canada from the UK. We are moving there for two years with a posting through my husbands job. I'm about to have our third child (4 weeks to go til my dd), we have a one year old and a three and a half year old, both girls. We will also be bringing our dog as well so our home needs to be close to a dog friendly park.

I'm interested to hear about good neighbourhoods to live as a family in a central location in the city of Ottawa and perhaps good real estate agents to look up for city centre family homes. I want to be able to walk short distances to local parks, shops and cafes etc. I also would love advice on schools for my eldest as she is due to start the Canadian version of Foundation year school this coming September, which I think is called Kindergarden??

Oh I can think of a million more queries but that is it for now- I hope some of you can offer help as we will be doing this move completely blind!!!

Many thanks

Hello!
Ottawa is a great city, tons to do, and very friendly. You can find out loads about it on line, on the site Ottawa.ca .
Is your daughter going to be in English kindergarten, or French Immersion?
To get a look at what is available for sale, check out mls.ca it is the main housing website, and you can look for the kinds of houses you like and price range you want.

Lucky you! I live in the UK but am originally from Ottawa. It is a GREAT city for families. (The winter is not so great.)

Are you looking to buy or rent? All central neighbourhoods in Ottawa are pricy but if you are looking for somewhere with a 'high street' scene I would look at Wellington Village and Westboro in the west end (also Hintonburg along the same stretch of Wellington Ave is becoming very popular but it has more of a hipster vibe), the Glebe and Old Ottawa South to the south of downtown, and New Edinburgh in the east. Alta Vista is another lovely family area but you won't get any shops and cafes there.

Are you still about OP. I have info but can't be bothered typing it out unless you are coming back