Ottawa’s Best Neighbourhoods: Convent Glen-Orleans Wood
Known as “Down the Hill” to those who grew up there, Convent Glen in Orleans is one of our favourite communities in Ottawa. The area offers a great mix of properties, excellent schools and scenic trails along the Ottawa River. It’s also home to Taffy Lane, one of the city’s most popular holiday destinations. Check out our neighbourhood highlights to see why we think Convent Glen is one of Ottawa’s best neighbourhoods!
An Ottawa Neighbourhood with History
Convent Glen is one of the oldest communities in Orleans with much of the development beginning in 1970. You may be surprised to learn that the neighbourhood is named in honour of the Convent of the Grey Nuns of the Cross which was formerly housed in the Villa St. Louis. The building which sits on the shore of the Ottawa River was destroyed in a bizarre plane crash in 1956. It was later rebuilt as Residence St-Louis and now operates as a bilingual long-term care facility.
You can also find one of the oldest buildings in Orleans in the neighbourhood. The St. Joseph Church on St. Joseph Blvd was originally a stone church which began construction in 1870! The church was rebuilt in 1920 due to structural issues and is still in operation today.
Convenient East End Location
Covering the northwest area of Orléans, Convent Glen is bordered by Greenbelt to the west, the Ottawa River to the north, Champlain St. to the east and St. Joseph Blvd. to the south. The neighbourhood offers easy access to the Queensway with multiple on-ramps and is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. The Jeanne d’Arc Transit Station is conveniently located for those who wish to commute by bus.
Amenities Available in Convent Glen
You’ll find almost everything you need within minutes in this great neighbourhood. The area offers a wide selection of restaurants, a number of grocery stores and gas stations, as well as other conveniences such as dental, health care and seniors services. Not to mention the Place d’Orleans Shopping Centre and Orleans Cinema for all your shopping and entertainment needs.
A Strong Sense of Community and Culture
The Convent Glen/Orléans Wood Community Association provides recreation and social programs and plans social events for the community. The association represents the interests of area residents and aims to enhance the quality of life in the Convent Glen and Orléans Wood neighbourhood.
The Shenkman Arts Centre which offers performing and visual arts presentations, art exhibits and instruction is located nearby. Patrons of all ages can enjoy concerts, plays, comedy shows, seminars, classes and camps.
And let’s not forget one of the neighbourhood’s most popular attractions – Taffy Lane! This famous street goes all out for the holidays and makes every list of Ottawa’s top Christmas attractions.
Get Outside and Play in Convent Glen
Convent Glen is an ideal neighbourhood for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several parks and sporting fields, large forested areas and Petrie Island park and beach are just minutes away. With direct access to the Ottawa River pathway, you can cycle along the river and be downtown in an hour! There are also footpaths throughout the community that connect different neighbourhoods providing easy to access all parks and facilities.
Schools in Convent Glen
A healthy mix of English and French-speaking families reside in Convent Glen. As a result, schools in the area also offer a balance of English and French programs. The offers a great selection of schools including:
- Convent Glen Catholic
- Orleans Wood Elementary
- Terry Fox Elementary
- St. Matthew Catholic High School
- Cairine Wilson Secondary, and
- École élémentaire catholique des Voyageurs
Homes for Sale in Convent Glen
Convent Glen is a well-established neighbourhood with little space for future development. Many of the homes in the area were built during the 1970s and are predominately two-storey detached homes. A small selection of townhouses and a few condo buildings round out the housing in the area.
Houses do not tend to stay on the market for long in this prime Orleans community. If you are interested in buying a home in Convent Glen contact us today to get set up with a custom search so you’ll be the first to know when new homes become available.