Located between the South Keys, Glebe and St. Laurent regions lies the area known as Alta Vista. This area is mainly residential, but there are three shopping centres in the area – Billings Bridge, the Heron Gate mall, and Elmvale Acres are nearby, as well as a number of other amenities. These shopping malls are small, but they do offer a wide range of stores. Another benefit to the Alta Vista area is that there are three hospitals within driving distance – the Ottawa Hospital’s Riverside and General campuses, as well as the Childrens’ Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Real estate within this area ranges from upper middle class to budget housing. There are a number of French and English schools, community centres, and public facilities – two indoor hockey rinks, some outdoor rinks, and numerous parks, churches, pools and libraries.

Within the middle class areas of Alta Vista is an older population with a high volume of retired residents. This mid-range and high-end housing is located on the west and south sides of Alta Vista, while lower-end real estate is found on the east side of Heron Road. The Alta Vista community operates on city sewage, and public transportation is highly accessible – commuting downtown is a painless affair. Much of the real estate was built between the 1960′s and 1980′s, and is extremely sturdy – many of the houses in this neighbourhood have been known to stand the test of time.

Benefits of Alta Vista Living

The benefits of living in Alta Vista include great public transit access, the wide selection of schools and community centres, the variety of community activities, and the steady increase of property value. Budget housing areas provide a number of affordable real estate options, and a number of shopping locations are within close proximity. In addition to having quiet neighbourhoods, downtown Ottawa is only a ten-minute drive away.

Drawbacks of Alta Vista Living

The drawbacks of the Alta Vista area are based in the lower-income areas. There are some problems with crime in these areas, and rush-hour traffic can be cumbersome along the main roads of Bank Street, Walkley, and Heron.