Barrhaven is a rapidly growing suburban neighbourhood, surrounded by rural areas and farmland. The Jock River meanders through it, and the Rideau River Canal System is a stone’s throw away.  Conveniently located 17 kilometres southwest of downtown Ottawa, the commute is quick and easy via the 417 and Queensway.  Prior to amalgamation with Ottawa in 2001, Barrhaven was part of the City of Nepean.  Its population as of the most recent survey was 52,197.

 Barrhaven was built relatively quickly and quite recently, and like most North Ameerican suburbs, it has a very uniform feel considering its size.  Almost every street consists of town houses with some streets having fairly large late 20th century style suburban houses. In the older parts of Barrhaven, the streets wind and turn, never forming a grid as they do in older parts of Ottawa.

Barrhaven is divided into numerous smaller communities, including Stonebridge, which is an up-scale residential area built around a 180-acre championship golf course.  There is a section known as “Old Barrhaven” which was the original development site in the late 60’s, and is notable for well-established neighbourhoods and streets lined with mature trees.  Half-Moon Bay is a trendy new subdivision constructed on the banks of the Jock River.  It is not uncommon to see people fishing and picnicking in this quiet scenic spot during the summer months.

You won’t travel far in Barrhaven without encountering a park, soccer field, playground, tennis court or ball diamond and the area is infused with bike paths.  The Walter Baker Sports Complex is equipped with a community pool, fitness facilities, conference rooms and a library.  The community of  Manotick is located only minutes away on the Rideau River Waterway, and offers marinas and launch facilities for all varieties of water sports and recreational boating.

Barrhaven boasts the full gamut of educational facilities including Montessori, numerous public and catholic schools, alternative schools and nursery schools.  Daycare facilities abound in and around the area, and sports and leisure activities for adults and children of all ages are varied and abundant.  

The area is a shopper’s paradise, with numerous shopping centres, strip-malls and specialty shops which include Wal-Mart, Staples Canadian Tire, Winners, Sport Chek, Sobey’s, and Loblaws to name a few.   Relatively new to the area is a seven-theatre cinema complex.   Every variety of restaurant can be experienced close-by and cafes and take-outs are plentiful and easily accessible.

Numerous medical centres, labs and imaging facilities are at your doorstep as well as dentists, chiropractors, physio and massage therapy clinics, natural health practitioners and wellness centres.  The Queensway Carleton Hospital and Civic Hospital are very close by.

Barrhaven has everything a suburb could offer within walking distance, and only minutes from downtown.