By Jason Polonski, REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty · Last updated: October 2026
Downsizing in Westboro usually means moving from a family home into a condo along Richmond Road, a one-floor bungalow on a quiet side street, or a condo townhome, while keeping a walkable neighbourhood with shops, the river pathway and Westboro Beach close by. It suits two groups: long-time Westboro owners who want less house without leaving, and people from larger suburban homes who want to trade a yard and a car-dependent routine for village life.
The move works best when three things line up: the right type of home for the next 10 to 20 years, a sale and purchase timed so you do not carry two properties, and a clear view of the tax and financial details. This guide covers each one. For the neighbourhood overview, see the Westboro real estate and neighbourhood guide.
Why Downsizers Choose Westboro
Westboro offers something few Ottawa neighbourhoods can: daily life on foot. Cafés, restaurants, specialty shops and everyday services are along Richmond Road, and the Ottawa River pathway and Westboro Beach are a short walk north. For many downsizers, that means driving less, or giving up a second car entirely.
Staying active is easy too. The Dovercourt Recreation Centre offers a fitness centre, aquafitness, swimming and general interest courses. In winter, the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail starts at the beach for skiing and snowshoeing.
Healthcare access matters as you plan ahead. The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus on Carling Avenue is a short drive east, and the O-Train Line 1 western extension, with Westboro and Kichi Zībī stations, will add rapid transit across the city. City officials have targeted early 2027 for that service, as reported by Capital Current.
For more things to do close to home, see things to do in Westboro.
Your Downsizing Options in Westboro
Condos
Condos are the most common downsizing choice in Westboro. Elevator buildings on and near Richmond Road give you one-floor living, secure entry, underground parking and no exterior maintenance. Pay close attention to condo fees, what they include, the reserve fund and the building’s rules on pets and renovations. Our Westboro condos guide covers what to check, and the Condominium Authority of Ontario explains the status certificate every buyer should review.
Bungalows
Westboro’s post-war bungalows offer one-floor living with a yard and no condo fees. Many are now 70 years old or more, so wiring, plumbing, the sewer line and the basement need careful inspection. Some downsizers buy a bungalow and renovate it for accessibility before moving in. Read buying a character home in Westboro for what to check.
Condo townhomes and stacked townhomes
Townhomes give you more space than most apartment-style condos, with the corporation handling exteriors and grounds. The trade-off is stairs. If mobility could become an issue, look for a layout with a main-floor bedroom or the space to add one.
Newer infill homes
Many Westboro infill homes are three storeys tall, which makes them a poor fit for most downsizers. The exception is a newer bungalow or a design with a main-floor primary suite. See Westboro infill homes for the trade-offs.
Retirement residences
If you want services such as meals and some care included, retirement residences are another path. In Ontario, they must be licensed by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, which publishes each home’s compliance history.
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Timing the Sale and the Purchase
The biggest risk in downsizing is timing. Buy first and you may carry two homes. Sell first and you may have to move twice. Most downsizers can avoid both with planning.
- Line up the closing dates. Negotiating the closing on your sale and your purchase for the same day, or a few days apart, is the cleanest approach. See should I sell first or buy first?
- Use bridge financing. If the purchase closes before the sale, a short-term bridge loan can cover the gap. Read bridge financing in Ottawa.
- Negotiate a later closing or a rent-back. On the sale side, a longer closing or a short rent-back can give you time to find the right condo.
- Consider a conditional offer. An offer conditional on the sale of your home protects you, though it is weaker in a competitive market.
For the full process, see selling and buying a home at the same time and our guide on how to avoid carrying two mortgages.
Get Cash Back When You Buy a Home in Ottawa
Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
The Financial Side of Downsizing
Capital gains and your principal residence
In most cases, the gain on selling your principal residence is not taxed. However, the Canada Revenue Agency requires you to report the sale and designate the property as your principal residence on your tax return, or the exemption may not be allowed, as explained on the CRA’s principal residence page. If you own a cottage or rental property too, talk to an accountant first. Our guide to capital gains tax when you sell covers the basics.
Costs on both sides
Budget for selling costs, land transfer tax on your purchase, legal fees and moving. Our net proceeds calculator and land transfer tax calculator help you see what you will have left to invest or spend.
Monthly costs
A condo fee can look high, but compare it with what you spend now on maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, insurance and utilities in a larger house. Many downsizers find their total monthly cost goes down even with fees.
Programs for older homeowners
- Ontario’s Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant provides up to $500 a year to eligible homeowners aged 64 or older, based on income.
- The City of Ottawa’s property tax deferral program lets eligible low-income seniors defer property taxes, with conditions and interest.
- The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit applies to eligible renovations that make a home safer or more accessible, up to $20,000 in expenses a year.
Eligibility rules and amounts change, so confirm the details with each program or your accountant.
Preparing Your Current Home to Sell
If you have lived in your home for decades, preparation is often the hardest part. Start early: sort belongings room by room, decide what goes to family, what you will sell or donate, and what fits in the new home. Measure your new space before you decide what furniture to keep.
Then prepare the house for buyers. A pre-listing inspection on an older home tells you what buyers will find, and fixing safety and system issues usually pays back more than cosmetic renovations. Staging helps buyers see the space rather than your memories in it, and our home sellers checklist keeps the steps in order.
If you are not sure what your home is worth, start with what’s my Westboro home worth? or our citywide guide to downsizing in Ottawa.
Is Staying Put an Option?
Downsizing is not right for everyone. Some Westboro owners renovate for accessibility instead, adding a main-floor bedroom, a walk-in shower or a stair lift, and stay in the neighbourhood they know. Others create a secondary unit for a family member or caregiver, where zoning on their lot allows it. Price both paths: the cost of renovating and maintaining a larger home against the cost and lifestyle of a move.
Questions to Ask Before You Downsize in Westboro
- How long do I plan to stay? A home that works for the next 15 to 20 years should allow for changing mobility, such as one-floor living or an elevator.
- How much space do I really use? Count the rooms you use every week. Guest rooms, a home office and storage are where most downsizers decide what they can give up.
- Do I still need a car, or two? In Westboro, many downsizers can drop to one car or none, which changes whether you need a parking space in a condo.
- Where will family visit and stay? Some condo buildings have guest suites, and nearby hotels or a sofa bed can replace a spare room.
- What about pets? Check each condo building’s rules on the number, size and type of pets allowed before you make an offer.
- How will I invest the difference? If you free up equity, speak with a financial planner before you close so the money has a plan.
Answering these early makes your search faster and helps you avoid buying a home that suits you today but not in ten years.
Downsize With a REALTOR® Who Coordinates the Whole Move
Jason Polonski has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers across Ottawa over more than 15 years, including many downsizers moving out of long-time family homes. He works as a move coordinator: helping you choose the right next home, timing your sale and purchase so you do not carry two properties, and connecting you with trusted movers, stagers, lawyers and contractors.
His background in construction and the electrical trades helps on both sides. He can tell you which fixes will pay off before you sell, and he looks closely at the condition of any condo building or bungalow you consider. Learn more about Jason, read reviews on his Google Business Profile, see the Westboro REALTOR® page, or compare other Ottawa neighbourhoods for downsizing.
Call or text (613) 601-9333 to plan your downsizing move.
Downsizing in Westboro FAQs
Yes, for people who want to walk to shops, the river and recreation. Elevator condos, bungalows and condo townhomes give downsizers several options within the same neighbourhood.
Elevator condos suit most downsizers because they offer one-floor living with no exterior maintenance. Bungalows suit those who want a yard and no condo fees, but older ones need careful inspection.
Most downsizers try to align closing dates on both sides. Bridge financing, a longer closing on your sale, or a short rent-back can cover any gap.
The sale of a principal residence is usually exempt, but you must report the sale and designate the property as your principal residence on your tax return. Speak with an accountant if you own more than one property.
Compare condo fees with what you currently spend on maintenance, snow removal, landscaping and some utilities. Many downsizers find their total monthly cost is similar or lower.
Ontario’s Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant provides up to $500 a year to eligible homeowners aged 64 or older, and the City of Ottawa offers a property tax deferral program for eligible low-income seniors.
Many downsizers start sorting and planning six to twelve months before listing. The sale and purchase themselves usually take two to four months from listing to closing.
