Ottawa Neighbourhoods Poised for Growth in 2026

5 Ottawa Neighbourhoods to Watch in 2026

Author

Cale Botha
December 25, 2025

This one's a bit longer, but if you want to know which pockets of Ottawa are set up for growth in 2026 and put yourself ahead of the curve, this is for you.

Here's the thing: not all neighbourhoods grow at the same pace.

Some areas sit quiet for years. Others get "pulled forward" fast, usually because of one thing: infrastructure.

New train lines. Major employers. Big redevelopments. These are the things that make a neighbourhood easier to live in, easier to get to work from, and way more desirable for buyers, renters, and investors.

With 2026 right around the corner, I've been watching a few pockets of Ottawa that are about to pick up serious momentum, and I want to walk you through them so you're not caught off guard.

Whether you're planning a move, looking to invest, or just curious what your home might be worth in a year or two, here's what I'm watching.

1) Orléans along Highway 174 (Blair to Trim corridor)

If you live in Orléans, you already know the story: when the train gets closer, demand usually follows.

The Stage 2 O-Train east extension to Trim is expected to open in 2026, which means way easier commutes downtown for anyone living in the east end.

What that usually boosts:

  • First-time buyers (you get way more value here compared to closer-in neighbourhoods)

  • Renters looking for good commutes

  • Long-term resale prices in areas near the train

Neighbourhoods to keep an eye on: Avalon, Cardinal Creek, Chapel Hill, and nearby areas that benefit from easier access to Line 1.

2) Riverside South and Findlay Creek (south-end transit effect)

Ottawa's south end has been steadily building for years, and a big piece of that is better transit.

Lines 2 and 4 have already come back online with more service to Limebank and the airport, which makes people more confident about living in the south end and supports continued growth.

What that usually boosts:

  • Move-up buyers looking for newer homes and more space

  • Rental demand from people working near the airport or south end

  • More building and development activity

3) Carling Avenue and the Civic Hospital area (Dow's Lake, Little Italy edge)

Big institutions pull people in. When a massive new campus is being built, it usually drives demand for nearby housing, rentals, and services.

The Ottawa Hospital's new Civic campus is a huge project, and construction is already underway.

What that usually boosts:

  • Rental demand from healthcare workers, researchers, and visiting staff

  • Prices going up on well-located homes and condos

  • New businesses opening nearby (coffee shops, services, all of it)

4) LeBreton Flats and the west downtown edge (Pimisi, Bayview, Hintonburg nearby)

LeBreton is one of the biggest "future story" areas downtown.

Two things make it especially interesting heading into 2026:

  • The NCC has a clear path forward, with key city approvals expected around the end of 2025.

  • The Senators and NCC signed an agreement in August 2025 to move forward on a major arena and entertainment district, with more planning and construction still to come.

What that usually boosts:

  • Condo demand and investor interest near the train and downtown

  • More attention on nearby neighbourhoods like Hintonburg and Mechanicsville

  • Long-term value tied to how quickly the area gets built out

5) West-end areas that will "catch the next wave" (Lincoln Fields, Iris, Baseline area)

Even if the west extension won't be done until 2027, 2026 is often when buyers start paying closer attention to areas that are already on the map for major transit work and progress.

The city has shared timelines for Stage 2 work on both the east and west extensions, with the west side expected to finish after the east.

What that usually boosts:

  • Early buyers getting in ahead of the crowd

  • More renovations and stronger resale prices near future stations

  • Demand for family homes where commutes are getting better

The quick takeaway

If you're trying to buy smart, invest, or time a move in 2026, watch for neighbourhoods where:

  • Commute times get a lot easier

  • Big projects bring jobs and services closer

  • Development changes how people use the area

I'm not saying every area on this list is going to skyrocket overnight, but I've been doing this long enough to know that infrastructure moves markets, and the buyers who get in early usually win.

Want To Benefit In This Market?

I’ve got a beautiful track record with buying and selling in all kinds of markets. If you want a clear plan for today’s market, reply to this email to book a no-pressure home sale consultation.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of my newsletter.

Sincerely,

Cale Botha

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