“Borehaven”? Not anymore. Barrhaven, a region that used to be the punch line of a joke, has quickly become one of the most sought-after areas for real estate in Ottawa.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to buy a home and raise a family, Barrhaven may be the place you’ve been dreaming of. With exciting developments on the way, a thriving housing market, and so many amenities available, Barrhaven has become the IT place to live.

Here are some reasons why.

Real Estate-Havensuburban residential street.

Ottawa’s housing market is on the rise, and one of the busiest real estate districts is Barrhaven. The average price of a home has increased by nearly 22% since last year.

With a huge influx of people moving to Barrhaven, we’ve seen significant growth in home builds and homes for sale in the last decade. That growth is expected to continue with the expansion of Barrhaven South.

One of the things that draw people to the area is the variety of homes available. Whether it’s a condominium, townhome or single-family home, there’s something for everyone.

School-haven

We know every parent wants the best for their children and that includes where they send them to school.

Barrhaven offers schools from all four major school boards at all levels.

  • Ottawa Carleton District School Board
  • Ottawa Catholic School Board
  • French Language Catholic School Board
  • French Language Public School Board

Aside from public schools, there are also private school options.

If you want your child to learn French, there are a variety of schools with highly-rated French immersion programs.

And don’t miss that after school basketball game! These schools offer strong extra-curricular programs to keep your kids busy and active.

Looking for the best childcare for your little one? Barrhaven has a variety of top-notch day-care services that offer flexible childcare for families.

Transit-haven

No car? No problem. Barrhaven’s transit system will get you where you need to go. There are several bus routes that loop throughout Barrhaven’s neighbourhoods. Their major station, Fallowfield, gives you access to their VIA rail service and OC Transpo bus that can take you straight downtown.

If you work in the city, skip the traffic, and try OC Transpo’s Park and Ride service.

Another exciting proposed project is the extension of Ottawa’s Light Rail to the Barrhaven Town Center.

Community-haven

Barrhaven is made up of smaller communities. In a neighbourhood in Barrhaven, you know your neighbours and your neighbour’s neighbour. This makes for a tight-knit community, which makes for a safer one.

Here are just a few popular communities:

  • Cedargrove
  • Longfields
  • Stonebridge
  • Half Moon Bay

And within these communities, are MORE communities. Barrhaven has become a multicultural neighbourhood, so in addition to diverse communities, it also means, you’ve got diverse and delicious food options to choose from.

Family-havenFamily walking in a park in barrhaven.

Do you have a family or are starting to plan for one? Many families choose to call Barrhaven home because it’s considered one of the safest communities in Ottawa with access to so many amenities like parks and community centres for the active young family. In terms of real estate, no matter the size of your family, the area offers endless housing options.

Shopping-havenRendering image of the new barrhaven downtown.

Photo Credit: Fotenn Planning + Design

Skip the trip downtown because Barrhaven has your shopping needs covered with plenty of great malls and outlet shops.

The future of Barrhaven looks bright, especially with the proposed development plans for the Barrhaven Town Centre. With several plans already in place, Barrhaven will soon have its own mixed-use downtown core centered around a rapid transit station.

While we await this exciting project, there are still plenty of great places to get your shopping done in one place. Don’t forget to stop at Costco for all your grocery needs.

Health-havenWomen walking on a trail in Barrhaven.

Are you an avid cyclist or marathon runner in training? Barrhaven is home to a variety of parks and trails to explore. Take the dog to Larkin Park or set up a picnic at Jock River Landing.

If you’ve got future NHLers in the family, take them to one of two major recreation centers: Walter Baker Sports Center and Minto Recreation Complex. These recreation centers offer a haven for kids to skate, swim, dance and play in state-of-the-art facilities.

Let’s not forget golf. With its abundant green spaces, Barrhaven’s known as a getaway for golf enthusiasts. Play a round at the Stonebridge Golf Club before the season ends.

Food-havenCoffee drinks being shared at a barrhaven cafe.

Restaurants and cafés are the lifeblood of a community and Barrhaven has no shortages of them. Whether you’re craving a “half-caf, lite foam, cappuccino” or a cold crisp pint, Barrhaven can satisfy those thirsts with the many coffee shops and bars.

No need to travel to downtown Ottawa to enjoy some tasty food either. Barrhaven has become a foodie haven thanks to these hidden foodie spots.

Now we’re hungry just thinking about it.

We love a place that you can shop, live, learn, and play in. It has all the big city amenities that you need but remains a tight-knit community, with tasty food, great shopping, and lots of entertainment.

So, will Barrhaven be your next haven?

Buy and Sell with Confidence. Choose The MacDonald Property Group.

At MacDonald Property Group, we have a dedicated full-service team under one roof ready to provide the expertise you can trust. With over twenty-five years of experience in real estate, we have sold and bought over a thousand homes. We’re proud to say that we’ve helped thousands of clients in Barrhaven and across the Ottawa area close a deal with confidence and satisfaction.