LIVING IN OTTAWA
Moving to Ottawa for a Government Job: Where to Live and How to Buy
Last updated: October 2026 · Part of our Living in Ottawa guide
If you’re moving to Ottawa for a government job, start your home search with your office address. Federal employees work across several large campuses, from downtown and Tunney’s Pasture to the National Defence headquarters on Carling Avenue and the Gatineau complexes across the river, and with most public servants now required on site four days a week, the commute shapes almost everything else.
This guide explains where the main federal workplaces are, which neighbourhoods suit each one and what to know about relocation benefits and mortgages when you’re starting a new public service job.
Where Ottawa’s Federal Jobs Are
Downtown and Parliamentary Precinct
Many departments have offices in downtown Ottawa, around Parliament Hill and along the O-Train Line 1 corridor. Downtown commuters have the widest choice of neighbourhoods, because Line 1 and the transitway connect the core to the east and west.
Tunney’s Pasture
Tunney’s Pasture is a 49-hectare federal campus in the west-central part of the city, between Scott Street and the Ottawa River. Statistics Canada and Health Canada are its largest occupants, along with Library and Archives Canada and other agencies. Tunney’s Pasture station is the current western end of O-Train Line 1, which makes the campus reachable by train from the east end and by bus from the west.
NDHQ Carling Campus
The Department of National Defence’s Carling Campus, at 60 Moodie Drive near Carling Avenue, is the former Nortel campus in the west end. DND plans to consolidate about 8,500 personnel there. It sits about a kilometre north of Highway 417, close to Crystal Bay, Bells Corners and Kanata. The O-Train’s west extension, including a new Line 3 to Moodie, is under construction, with opening expected in 2027.
Confederation Heights
Confederation Heights is a cluster of federal buildings in the south-central part of the city, bounded by the Rideau River. It includes Canada Revenue Agency facilities, the Sir Charles Tupper Building and the Canada Post headquarters. Nearby neighbourhoods include Billings Bridge, Riverside Park and Carleton Heights.
Gatineau’s Federal Complexes
Thousands of federal employees work across the river in Gatineau. Place du Portage, in the Hull sector, is the largest office complex in the National Capital Region, with about 10,000 office workers from departments including Public Services and Procurement Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada. If your office is there, read our comparison of Ottawa vs Gatineau before you decide which side of the river to live on.
The Four-Day Office Rule and Why It Changes Your Search
In February 2026, the Treasury Board announced that most federal public servants in core departments would be required on site four days a week starting July 6, up from three, with executives on site five days a week from May 4, Global News reported.
Four days a week makes commute time a major factor. A 50-minute drive that felt manageable twice a week adds up quickly at four days. When you compare homes, time the commute at the hour you’d travel, by car and by transit, and weigh it against the price difference between a closer neighbourhood and one farther out.
Office rules can change again, and some positions have different arrangements. Confirm your own on-site requirement with your manager before you buy.
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Best Neighbourhoods by Federal Workplace
These are common choices for each workplace. The right fit depends on budget, schools and whether you’d rather drive or take transit.
| Workplace | Neighbourhoods to consider |
|---|---|
| Downtown | The Glebe, Centretown, Old Ottawa South, Westboro, Hintonburg, or suburbs along the Line 1 and transitway corridors such as Orléans |
| Tunney’s Pasture | Westboro, Hintonburg, Wellington West, Champlain Park, Carlingwood |
| NDHQ Carling | Kanata, Bells Corners, Crystal Bay, Nepean, Stittsville |
| Confederation Heights | Alta Vista, Riverside Park, Billings Bridge, Old Ottawa South, Riverside South |
| Gatineau complexes | Westboro, Hintonburg and the central neighbourhoods, or Gatineau itself |
Our guides to Westboro real estate, Kanata real estate, Alta Vista and Riverside South go into each area in more detail. For transit-first buyers, see the best areas to live in Ottawa without a car.
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.
Is Your Move Covered by the Relocation Directive?
If your department is relocating you, your move may be governed by the NJC Relocation Directive, which covers reimbursement of reasonable expenses for authorized relocations in most federal departments. The RCMP and the Canadian Armed Forces have their own policies.
One rule matters more than any other: get written authorization before you spend money. The directive requires written authorization before relocation expenses are incurred, and it warns that signing contracts with realtors, lawyers or appraisers too early can cost you eligibility for some or all benefits. It also describes advances through the contracted relocation provider for costs such as a house-hunting trip, and for real estate and legal fees on the sale of your old home.
Talk to your departmental relocation coordinator first. Our page on federal employee relocation explains how Jason works within the directive’s process.
Not every federal hire is relocated by the employer. If you applied for a job in Ottawa and accepted it, you may be paying for the move yourself. Ask before you assume.
Buying a Home With a New Federal Job
Lenders look closely at employment when you apply for a mortgage, and a new job raises questions. Expect to provide:
- Your letter of offer, showing salary, position and start date
- Whether the position is indeterminate (permanent), term or casual
- Any probation period
- Recent pay stubs once you’ve started
Many lenders treat an indeterminate federal position favourably, but rules differ between lenders and for term positions. Get a pre-approval before you start looking seriously. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada notes that a pre-approval can hold a rate for 60 to 130 days, depending on the lender, but doesn’t guarantee final approval.
Job Security and Your Mortgage
Public service employment isn’t immune to change. The federal public service shrank by about 12,600 positions in the year to March 2026, to 345,282 employees, CTV News reported, as the government cut spending.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy, but it’s a reason to buy within a comfortable budget, keep an emergency fund and choose a home that would be easy to sell if your plans changed. Our guide to public service job cuts and your Ottawa home covers what to do if your job situation changes after you buy.
Renting First or Buying Right Away?
Some new federal employees rent for six to twelve months to learn the city and settle into the job before buying. Others buy straight away so they don’t move twice.
Renting first makes sense if you don’t know Ottawa, you’re in a term position or you’re not sure which campus you’ll end up at. Buying first can make sense if you know the area, your position is indeterminate and your relocation benefits favour a direct move. Our renting vs buying in Ottawa guide compares the costs.
Starting a Federal Job in Ottawa?
Tell Jason where your office is, your start date and whether your move is employer-funded, and he’ll map the neighbourhoods that fit. Call or text (613) 601-9333.
Planning a move? Get the free Ottawa Relocation Guide (PDF): neighbourhoods by workplace, schools, home prices, buying costs and a first-30-days checklist in one printable file.
Related Living in Ottawa Guides
Working With Jason Polonski
Jason Polonski is an Ottawa REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty and more than 15 years of experience helping buyers and sellers across the city. His office is in Kanata, a short drive from the NDHQ Carling Campus, and he works with relocating buyers heading to every part of the city.
Jason’s background in the construction and electrical trades helps him assess a home’s condition quickly, which matters when you’re buying on a tight relocation timeline. His Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University, with a double major in Marketing and Finance, helps him walk buyers through budgets, offers and resale value. Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $3,000 cash back at closing (conditions apply). Read his Google reviews or learn more about Jason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Ottawa for a Government Job
Large concentrations are downtown, at Tunney’s Pasture, at the NDHQ Carling Campus on Moodie Drive, at Confederation Heights and in the Gatineau complexes such as Place du Portage.
In February 2026, Treasury Board announced that most public servants in core departments would be on site four days a week from July 6, 2026, and executives five days a week from May 4. Confirm your own requirement with your manager.
Popular choices include Kanata, Bells Corners, Crystal Bay, Nepean and Stittsville, which keep the drive short via Carling Avenue, Moodie Drive or Highway 417.
Only if your relocation is authorized under the NJC Relocation Directive or another employer policy. Get written authorization before spending money or signing contracts with realtors, lawyers or appraisers.
Usually, yes, especially in an indeterminate position. Lenders will want your letter of offer and details of the position, and rules differ for term and casual roles.
Renting first suits newcomers, term employees and people unsure of their campus. Buying right away can suit those in indeterminate roles who know the area and want to avoid moving twice.
