Where should you live in Ottawa? It depends on your base.

Posted to NDHQ Carling? Look west.

National Defence HQ at Carling sits in Ottawa's west end, which makes Kanata, Stittsville and Bridlewood the natural fits — strong schools, newer builds, and a manageable commute. I lived in Kanata Lakes and now in Bridlewood myself, so this is home turf.

• Kanata — tech-hub west end, great family infrastructure, range of price points.
• Stittsville — a touch further out, more home for your dollar, small-town feel.
• Barrhaven — south-west, worth comparing if you want newer and slightly cheaper.

Posted to CFS Leitrim? Look south.

Leitrim is in the south end, which puts Riverside South, Findlay Creek and Barrhaven within an easy commute. Riverside South in particular has grown fast and has the LRT extension working in its favour for resale.

• Riverside South — newer community, family-focused, strong future resale story.
• Findlay Creek — close to Leitrim, good value, growing amenities.
• Barrhaven — bigger selection, established services and schools.

Posted to Uplands / south Ottawa?

South-end postings open up Riverside South, Barrhaven and Greely for those who want a bit more land. The trade-off is always commute versus space — happy to map your specific drive.

Downtown or ByWard-area posting?

If you're posted downtown and want to skip the car, the central and east options — from the Glebe to Orléans on the LRT line — change the math entirely. We'll weigh condo-versus-house and transit access for your situation.

Watch the neighbourhoods before you fly

I've filmed full walkthroughs of the areas military families ask about most. Start with the overview, then watch the ones that match your base.

Start here: Best places to live in Ottawa

Head-to-head comparisons

Kanata vs. Barrhaven

Kanata vs. Stittsville

Orléans vs. Barrhaven

Neighbourhood deep-dives

Living in Riverside South: pros & cons

Living in Richmond Village: pros & cons

Explore each community in depth

Want the full breakdown — market stats, schools, new-build areas, and current listings? These in-depth community guides live on my main site.