Riverside South

The perfect place to live!

Located along the beautiful banks of the Rideau River, this growing suburban community is the first choice for families, professionals, young couples and active seniors.

Talk To A Real Estate Agent About Riverside South
Explore

Schools

Parks

Public Transportation

Entertainment

Amenities

Dining

Riverside South

Real Estate in Riverside South

Nestled between Barrhaven and Findlay Creek, just southwest of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, the suburban neighbourhood of Riverside South couldn’t be a better place to settle. 

Not long ago, the area was part of the former city of Gloucester. Back then, it was primarily farmland, but (like other major suburban communities in the south end of Ottawa) extensive housing development has transformed Riverside South into a highly sought-after destination.

Today you find fantastic schools, accessible parks, a strong sense of community, and a plethora of amenities and conveniences, all with direct access to city life in our nation’s capital. And its central location means you’re just a 20-minute drive from either Kanata to the west or Orleans to the east.

Real estate options in Riverside South vary from single detached homes (some with waterfront views!) to townhouses, condos, apartments, and a senior living complex. The older homes in town were built in the late 90s or early 2000s, but there are many areas where builders remain busy. In 2022, the price for a single detached residential home can range from $850,000 to $1.4 million. Townhomes sell for $600,000 to $750,000, and condos start at $500,000. If you are searching for a rental property in Riverside South, the monthly rent falls between $1900 and $2400. 

These prices will undoubtedly continue to rise, especially with the soon-to-be-opened extension of Ottawa’s light rail transit system, extending all the way to Limebank Road in Riverside South.

Each of the four major school boards has schools within the community of Riverside South. While the elementary schools are in the immediate area, most students attend secondary school in neighbouring communities at this time. Plans have been approved to open new elementary and secondary schools in the near future, and, of course, families have the option to send their children to other Ottawa schools as well.

Please note: We have included a Fraser’s Institute Ranking where applicable. This is not the only way to determine school quality. For more information, please contact the individual schools.

Schools in Riverside South

Elementary/Intermediate

St. Jerome Catholic School

  • Grades: JK-6
  • Fraser Ranking: N/A
  • Board: The Ottawa Catholic School Board

Steve MacLean Public School

  • Grades: JK-8
  • Fraser Ranking: 7.6
  • Board: Ottawa-Carleton
  • District School Board

Kars on the Rideau Public School

  • Grades: JK-8
  • Fraser Ranking: 5.9
  • Board: Ottawa-Carleton
  • District School Board

École élémentaire catholique Bernard-Grandmaître

  • Grades: JK-6
  • Fraser Ranking: 7.8
  • Board: Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
  • The only Ottawa area school with a balanced calendar: summer vacation is shortened to allow for more days off during the school year.

École élémentaire publique Michel-Dupuis

  • Grades: JK-6
  • Fraser Ranking: 3.7
  • Board: Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario

Secondary

St. Francis Xavier

  • Grades: 7-12
  • Fraser Ranking: 7.6
  • Board: The Ottawa Catholic School Board

Merivale High School (Nepean, ON)

  • Grades: 7-12
  • Fraser Ranking: 7.8
  • Board: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

South Carleton High School (Richmond, ON)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Fraser Ranking: 7.8
  • Board: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Riverside South Secondary School/High School

  • Plans approved in 2022, opening date TBD

Shopping & Amenities in Riverside South

From grocery stores to medical plazas and bank branches to the local LCBO, you’ll find everything you need in Riverside South. Stores and offices are located along all the main arteries in town, and three plazas offer a wide variety of businesses to meet your needs:

  • Urbandale Plaza at Spratt Road and Limebank Road
    (This also happens to be the future home of the Trillium line stop.)
  • Canyon Walk Plaza at Canyon Walk Drive and Spratt Road
  • Riverside South Plaza on Earl Armstrong Road near the Vimy Memorial Bridge

Quickly cross the Vimy Memorial Bridge to find even more options in neighbouring Barrhaven.

Parks in Riverside South

Green space in Riverside South is not hard to come by; every pocket has its own park or parkette. A few of our favourites include:

Claudette Cain Park

Claudette Cain Park is located along the beautiful Rideau River. The park has a soccer field, a fieldhouse (with bathrooms), nature trails, a splash pad, and play structures. Picnic tables and benches line the many paths that wind throughout the park and two lots make parking easy.

Four Seasons Park

Situated on Spratt Road, Four Seasons Park has a little something for everyone: green spaces, a tennis court, baseball diamond, basketball court, splash pad, and two play structures. During the wintertime, bring friends and family to Four Seasons Park and enjoy tobogganing or ice skating.

Mountain Meadows Park

Adjacent to École élémentaire catholique Bernard-Grandmaître on Spratt Road, Mountain Meadows Park is a great place to gather. Kids enjoy the many play structures, soccer field and splash pad during the warm weather, and look forward to the skating rink that appears each winter.

Spratt Park

Close to Steve MacLean Public School, Spratt Park bears the same name as the road it is located on. It features play structures, a soccer field, a paved area and a rink in the wintertime.

Nimiq Park

Tucked into a beautiful subdivision behind the Urbandale Plaza, you can access Nimiq park from either North Bluff Drive or Black Sage Crescent. This park is a family favourite, offering a fun splash pad and tons of shade. Kids love the play structures and soccer field as well.

Honey Gables Park

Haney Gables Park is a gem! Sitting right on the Rideau River, it has a well-maintained play structure and swings. If you plan to spend some time on the water, it’s also a great place to launch a canoe or kayak.

Chapman Mills Conservation Area

Just on the other side of the river is Chapman Mills Conservation Area. Be sure to plan a visit and take in everything the 23 acres of protected land has to offer. Park on the north end and then enjoy the boardwalk for the vistas, wildlife, flora and fauna or slide your paddleboard into the water for a scenic trip down the river.

Public Transportation

Riverside South is bounded by Leitrim Road to the north, Rideau Road to the south, the Rideau River to the west, and Bowesville Road to the east. Getting around the immediate area in a car isn’t difficult as parking is easy to come by and, if you’re a cyclist, the infrastructure is very bicycle-friendly.

Currently, public transit options that shuttle you to and from downtown Ottawa and the many neighbouring towns are fairly limited. However, the OC Transpo bus 99 services Riverside South on its “Barrhaven Centre – Greenboro/Hurdman” route. As routes are subject to change without notice, always use the OC Transpo Travel Planner to plan your route.

Some exciting news is in store, though. Travelling in and out of Riverside South is about to become a whole lot easier. The community will soon have access to several stations (including stops on Leitrim Road and Bowesville Road) along the Trillium Line light rail transit (LRT) line. Projected to open in 2023, the Limebank Station will serve as the southbound terminus and provide Riverside South residents with easy access to Ottawa’s downtown core and the airport.

Community & Entertainment in Riverside South

Riverside South is lucky to have a very active community; there is always a game to watch or an event to join. It’s honestly very easy to get involved and meet your neighbours. The Riverside South Community Association (RSCA) helps by enhancing the quality of life in the community and organizing events year-round (like clean-up days and toy drives). The RSCA keeps the community informed via its website and a newsletter. 

Area residents also take advantage of the Rideauview Community Centre. It features a gym and classrooms. You can sign up for activities, drop in during open gym times, or even rent out space for a birthday party.

Are you a golfer? Riverside South is a stone’s throw from several top-notch courses, like Rideau View Golf Club in Manotick and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club just north of the airport.

If you’d like to catch a movie, pop over the bridge to the Cineplex Odeon in neighbouring Barrhaven. You’ll also find bars featuring live music there and legendary comedy clubs for a fun night out close to home. For bigger acts and professional sporting events, head 25 minutes north into the city. If you enjoy apple picking in Ottawa, there are some places in driving distance.

Dining Out in Riverside South

Riverside south’s restaurant scene isn’t very big—yet! But once the light rail project finishes, plans are to establish an urban destination with restaurants and cafes. This “Main Street” will have the same amenities and energy of Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park.

That doesn’t mean you have to travel far to get great food. A couple of local favourites include:

Broadway Bar & Grill

A favourite in town, Broadway is known for great food and amazing service. Start your day with a tasty breakfast (Pro Tip: order the hashbrowns!), drop in to watch the game, grab some takeout, or bring the whole family by for dinner—you won’t be disappointed!

ZiZis Kitchen

Described as delicious and a “not to miss” gem in Riverside South, this charming restaurant serves Mediterranean fare, wine and cocktails with a friendly touch. ZiZis is open for dinner, drinks, tapas, and takeaway seven days a week.

Gabriel Pizza

Residents frequent this place for much more than just pizza! The Canadian-Italian menu is packed with loads of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And the kids are always happy; even the pickiest of eaters will find the perfect meal at Gabriel Pizza.

Host India

You’ll find perfectly spiced mouth-watering Indian food at Host India. There’s something for everyone. And, if you’re vegetarian, there are more than twenty dishes to choose from. Do not leave without ordering some Naan!

Don’t forget, Riverside South is close to just about everything. Drive 10 minutes south to the quaint village of Manotick to find gems like the Black Dog Bistro or up to Mr. B’s Osteria in South Keys for an authentic Northern Italian feast.

Buying & Selling in Riverside South Neighbourhood

Riverside South has become a major community in southern Ottawa, and, with all the exciting transit and housing developments, it will continue to grow and thrive.

If you are ready to call Riverside South home or are looking to sell your property, the team at Paul Rushforth is here to help. Call us today.

Work with Paul Rushforth Real Estate