Living in Barrhaven | Home Prices, Schools & Real Estate

Where Is Barrhaven Located?

Barrhaven is located approximately 17 km southwest of downtown Ottawa. The community is well connected via Highway 416, Strandherd Drive, and Woodroffe Avenue, making it a popular choice for commuters.

OC Transpo provides extensive bus service throughout Barrhaven, and planned LRT Stage 3 expansion will further improve transit access—supporting long-term Barrhaven home values.

Neighbourhoods in Barrhaven

Established & Central Barrhaven Neighbourhoods

• Old Barrhaven – Larger lots, mature trees, and established homes

• Cedarhill Estates – Exclusive homes on larger lots

• Longfields – Family-oriented with schools, parks, and transit access

• Chapman Mills – Close to shopping, Strandherd Drive, and transit routes

Newer & Growing Communities

• Half Moon Bay – Master-planned community with newer homes and schools

• Heart’s Desire – Modern suburban living with parks and pathways

• Quinn’s Pointe – Newer development with contemporary homes and layouts

Golf-Course & Upscale Communities

• Stonebridge – Golf-course community with upscale homes and strong resale appeal

Barrhaven Real Estate & Housing Options

Barrhaven real estate is known for its wide variety of housing types, making it appealing to first-time buyers, families, and move-up purchasers.

Homes for sale in Barrhaven include:

• Condos and stacked townhomes

• Freehold townhomes

• Single-family detached homes

• Luxury homes in golf-course communities

Popular Barrhaven neighbourhoods include Stonebridge, Half Moon Bay, Chapman Mills, Longfields, Old Barrhaven and Cedarhill Estates. Housing ranges from established 1990s homes to newer construction, offering strong choice across price points.

Schools in Barrhaven

Barrhaven is widely recognized for its strong school network, which is one of the key drivers of long-term demand for Barrhaven real estate. Families are drawn to the area for its broad selection of public, Catholic, English, and French immersion schools, along with convenient access to early learning centres and extracurricular programs.

Public & Secondary Schools

Barrhaven is served by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, offering well-regarded elementary and secondary options.

Notable secondary schools include:

• John McCrae Secondary School – Known for strong academics, athletics, and arts programs

• Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School – Offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a wide range of extracurricular activities

Elementary schools are located throughout Barrhaven’s neighbourhoods, allowing many students to walk to school—an important consideration for families purchasing homes nearby.

Catholic Schools

Barrhaven also offers a full range of Catholic education through the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

Key Catholic schools include:

• St. Joseph High School

• Multiple Catholic elementary schools serving Barrhaven and surrounding communities

Catholic schools contribute to the area’s broad buyer appeal and often influence strong resale performance in nearby neighbourhoods.

French Immersion & Bilingual Education

French immersion is widely available in Barrhaven, making the community especially attractive to bilingual households and government employees. Many local schools offer early and extended French immersion programs, with pathways continuing through secondary school.

Early Learning & Childcare

Barrhaven has a wide selection of licensed daycare centres, Montessori schools, and early learning programs. These facilities are conveniently distributed across the community, supporting young families and dual-income households.

Shopping, Dining & Amenities

Residents enjoy easy access to shopping and services at:

• Barrhaven Town Centre

• Marketplace Avenue

• Strandherd Crossing

From grocery stores and medical clinics to fitness centres and local restaurants, Barrhaven offers everyday convenience close to home.

Parks, Trails & Recreation

Barrhaven features extensive green space and recreation facilities, including Walter Baker Sports Centre, neighbourhood parks, splash pads, and multi-use pathways. Access to the Rideau River corridor and Ottawa Greenbelt supports an active, outdoor lifestyle.

Living in Barrhaven

Living in Barrhaven means enjoying a safe, welcoming, and community-focused environment. Seasonal events, sports leagues, and community associations make it especially popular with families, professionals, and government employees.

Barrhaven Real Estate Snapshot

Barrhaven offers strong value within Ottawa’s suburban market, with a wide range of housing options and consistent buyer demand. Newer construction, family-oriented neighbourhoods, and ongoing transit and infrastructure investment continue to support long-term home values.

Market Highlights

• Property types include condos, stacked and freehold townhomes, detached homes, and select luxury properties

• Strong demand from families, professionals, government and tech workers, and relocators

• Well-priced homes—especially near schools and parks—often sell quickly

• Continued development and transit expansion support long-term resale appeal

Barrhaven Demographics (2021 Census)

• Population: ~103,000 residents

• Median age: ~37 years

• Household type: Predominantly families with children

• Average household size: ~3.1 people

• Household income: Above Ottawa average

• Languages: English primary, with French and other languages spoken

• Community: Culturally diverse and welcoming

• Education: High level of post-secondary attainment