Moving to Ottawa
Whether you’re relocating for work, arriving in Canada, or moving on a military posting, we help you find the right neighbourhood and the right home, often before you’ve set foot in the city.
Relocating to Ottawa for work
Ottawa’s big employers are spread out: federal departments downtown and in Gatineau, the Kanata North tech park in the west end, hospitals and universities in the core. Where you work shapes where you’ll want to live.
- A neighbourhood shortlist that fits your commute, schools and budget
- Video tours when you can’t be here in person
- Closing dates timed with the sale of your current home
- Help finding a rental first, if you’d rather settle in
Newcomers to Canada
Buying or renting your first home in a new country comes with new rules and new words. We explain each step in plain language and take the time to answer every question.
- How buying works in Ontario, step by step, from offer to closing
- Lenders with newcomer mortgage programs, even without a long Canadian credit history
- Federal rules on who can buy, and first-time buyer programs, checked for your situation
- Renting first while you settle in
Military postings
Posted to National Defence Headquarters at the Carling campus, CFS Leitrim or another Ottawa unit? Or posted out and need to sell? Military moves run on fixed dates, so we plan around yours.
- House-hunting trips and closing dates planned around your report date
- Help with the paperwork your relocation provider asks for
- Neighbourhoods near your unit: Kanata and Westboro for Carling, Findlay Creek and Riverside South for Leitrim
- Selling or renting out your home when you’re posted out
Common questions
Can you help me buy a home in Ottawa before I move there?
Yes. We shortlist neighbourhoods and homes for you, tour them by live video, and handle offers and paperwork remotely, so many clients buy before they arrive.
Which Ottawa neighbourhoods are good for families relocating?
It depends on where you’ll work and your budget. Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Findlay Creek, Riverside South and Orléans are popular family suburbs, while the Glebe and Westboro suit people who want to walk to shops and downtown.
Can newcomers to Canada get a mortgage?
Many lenders have programs for newcomers, including permanent residents and some work permit holders, even without a long Canadian credit history. We connect you with mortgage specialists who work with newcomers.
I’ve been posted to Ottawa. How quickly can you help me find a home?
We can start as soon as you have your posting message. We plan your house-hunting trip around the days you’re given and set closing dates to match your report date.
Do you help people rent in Ottawa as well as buy?
Yes. Many people rent first while they get to know the city, and we help with finding and applying for leases.
Start your custom search
Tell us your budget, timing and must-haves. We’ll build a custom search, send you a neighbourhood shortlist and new listings as they come up, and get started right away.