If you're shopping for a home in central Ottawa, two names come up again and again: the Glebe and Westboro. Both are walkable, tree-lined, close to the water and in demand. Both also come with premium prices.
But they feel quite different once you're living there. The Glebe is a compact, canal-side neighbourhood with heritage homes and a classic main street. Westboro is a bigger, more modern, river-side community with a village strip and an active outdoor culture. Here's how they compare.
A note on the numbers: published prices and walkability scores for these neighbourhoods vary by source, year, home type and how the boundaries are drawn. Treat the figures here as a general guide, not a valuation. For current numbers on a specific street or property type, ask us for fresh market data. This guide was prepared on October 16, 2026.
| The Glebe | Westboro | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Beside the Rideau Canal, close to downtown | Along the Ottawa River, in the city's west |
| Size | Compact, roughly 12,000 to 13,000 residents | Larger, about 22,000 residents |
| Vibe | Charming, established, community-minded | Active, modern, outdoorsy |
| Main street | Bank Street | Richmond Road |
| Housing | Heritage homes, townhomes, condos | Detached homes, modern infill, condos |
| Anchor attractions | Lansdowne Park, the Rideau Canal, Dow's Lake | Ottawa River Pathway, Westboro Beach |
| Getting around | Walk, bike and bus; short trip downtown | Transitway bus station (O-Train extension under construction), pathways and bus routes |
| Walkability | "Very walkable" | "Very walkable" |
| Price level | Premium | Premium |
Both neighbourhoods are among the most expensive in Ottawa, but the housing itself is quite different.
Known for its Victorian and Edwardian homes on mature, tree-lined streets, plus cozy townhomes and modern condos. Character is the main draw, along with a location that puts you close to downtown. Inventory can be tight, and homes in good condition often sell quickly.
Older homes mean charm, and also maintenance to plan for.
A broader mix: detached homes, a lot of modern infill construction, older bungalows being rebuilt, and newer condos. You'll find more contemporary layouts and finishes, and a wider range of home types than in the Glebe.
Premium properties near the river can reach well above $2 million.
Here's a look at 2025 district data from the Ottawa Real Estate Board for detached homes. District 44 covers the Glebe and Ottawa East, and District 43 covers Westboro, Hampton Park and West Wellington.
| Detached homes (2025) | Glebe area (District 44) | Westboro area (District 43) |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | $1.57 million | $1.33 million |
| Median price | $1.47 million | $1.29 million |
| Sales in the period reviewed | 15 | 18 |
| Months of inventory | 4.0 | 3.7 |
Across other published sources, average prices for each neighbourhood range widely, from roughly $0.9 million to $1.6 million depending on the year, the home type and the definition of the area. That's why we'd rather pull the current numbers for the specific street and home type you're considering. In general, detached homes tend to cost more in the Glebe, while Westboro offers more variety, including condos at a lower entry point.
Lifestyle: shops, food and communityBank Street is the heart of it, with 60-plus restaurants, cafés, bookstores, bakeries and boutiques within a short walk of most homes. Lansdowne Park adds the farmers' market, events, shopping and TD Place, with Atlético Ottawa soccer and big concerts on the calendar.
Community life is a big part of the Glebe's identity, from local festivals to neighbourhood sports and schools.
Richmond Road is lined with patios, indie coffee shops, boutiques and outdoor and fitness retailers, giving Westboro a village feel inside a larger neighbourhood. It skews active, with plenty of runners, cyclists and dog walkers on the pathways.
Newer restaurants and shops continue to open, so the neighbourhood keeps evolving.
Both neighbourhoods score well for commuting, but in different ways.
The Glebe sits right beside downtown, so many residents walk or bike to work, and Bank Street is a busy bus corridor. It's an easy ride across the canal to the downtown core and government offices.
Westboro has its own Transitway station, so express buses make for a straightforward trip downtown. The city is also extending the O-Train's Line 1 west to Westboro. That extension is under construction, with an opening expected in 2027 but not yet confirmed. The Ottawa River Pathway doubles as a commuting route for cyclists.
In the Glebe, event days at Lansdowne Park can bring extra traffic and parking pressure. In Westboro, Richmond Road and the roads around it can be busy at peak times. Check parking and driveway options on any home you're considering.
The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a four-season amenity, from fall walks to winter skating. Dow's Lake and the Dominion Arboretum (26 hectares and more than 1,700 species of trees and shrubs) are nearby, and Patterson Creek Park is a quiet pocket along the canal.
The Ottawa River Pathway runs along the water with sweeping views, especially at sunset, and Westboro Beach is a popular summer spot. Parks and recreation facilities add to the active feel.
Both neighbourhoods are popular with families, and both are served by public and Catholic school boards. The Glebe is often associated with established families and a strong neighbourhood school community, while Westboro attracts a mix of young professionals, couples and growing families, including many who want more modern layouts.
School catchments change, so always confirm the current boundaries for any address with the school boards before you buy.
The trade-offs to considerNeither neighbourhood is perfect. Here are the main things buyers weigh.
Pros: heritage character, close to downtown, Bank Street and Lansdowne, the canal and a strong community feel.
Cons: premium prices, tighter inventory, older homes that may need upkeep, and event-day traffic near Lansdowne.
Pros: river access, a Transitway station (with the O-Train on the way), modern homes and a range of housing types, and an active outdoor culture.
Cons: premium prices, busy roads at peak times, and ongoing infill construction as the neighbourhood changes.
Love character homes and mature trees, want to be close to downtown, value a classic main street and community events, and like living near the canal.
HeritageClose to downtownCommunityWant a modern home or a newer condo, love the river and pathways, want rapid transit close by (with the O-Train extension coming), and prefer an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.
ModernRiver accessTransitNot sure? Spend a Saturday in each. Walk the main street, grab a coffee, check the commute at rush hour, and picture a Tuesday night, not just a sunny weekend.
Many buyers use these two neighbourhoods as a benchmark and then look at nearby alternatives with a similar feel at lower prices, such as Hintonburg, Mechanicsville, Old Ottawa South and parts of Centretown. Condos in both the Glebe and Westboro can also be a more accessible way in.
Century homes bring charm and maintenance. Newer builds bring efficiency and open layouts.
Walking or biking from the Glebe, or the Transitway from Westboro, may suit your routine differently.
Which one do you picture yourself using most, in every season?
Include closing costs, any renovation plans and ongoing maintenance, not just the purchase price.
The longer you plan to stay, the more a neighbourhood's day-to-day fit matters.
Is the Glebe or Westboro more expensive?
It depends on the home type and the source, but detached homes in the Glebe have generally been more expensive. 2025 OREB district data showed an average detached price of about $1.57 million in the Glebe area compared with about $1.33 million in the Westboro area. Both are well above Ottawa's overall average.
Which is more walkable, the Glebe or Westboro?
Both are considered very walkable. The Glebe's Bank Street and Westboro's Richmond Road both put shops, cafés and restaurants within a short walk of many homes. Walk Scores vary by source and address, so check the specific property.
Which neighbourhood has better transit?
Westboro has its own Transitway (bus rapid transit) station, and the O-Train's Line 1 is being extended west to Westboro, with an opening expected in 2027 but not yet confirmed. The Glebe is close enough to downtown that many people walk or bike, and Bank Street is a busy bus corridor.
Is the Glebe or Westboro better for families?
Both work well. The Glebe is known for established families and a strong community, while Westboro attracts a wider mix and offers more modern homes. Confirm school catchments for any address you're considering.
Are there condos in the Glebe and Westboro?
Yes. Both neighbourhoods have condos, and they can be a more accessible way to buy into either area. Look closely at condo fees, the reserve fund and the status certificate.
Which has more green space?
Both are well served. The Glebe has the Rideau Canal, Dow's Lake and the Dominion Arboretum nearby, while Westboro has the Ottawa River Pathway and Westboro Beach.
Want help comparing homes in the Glebe and Westboro?
The Ali Realty Group team can pull current market data, tour homes with you in both neighbourhoods and help you decide. Call us at 613-327-0131 or visit alirealtygroup.com.
The Glebe and Westboro are two of Ottawa's best places to live, and you can't go wrong with either. The Glebe offers heritage charm, a classic main street and an easy trip downtown. Westboro offers modern homes, river access and an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.
The best way to choose is to spend time in both. Walk the streets, visit the cafés, and see which one feels like home. From all of us at Ali Realty Group, happy house hunting.
