This neighbourhood is a vibrant place with all kinds of interesting restaurants, specialty food shops, bakeries, boutiques, galleries, gyms and spas. There is a grocery store right across the street. Two bus routes stop in the doorway to the building, one of which takes you directly to Parliament and the National Gallery. Ottawa's new light rapid rail system can be reached by bus or a pleasant 12 minute walk. Trains run every four minutes and will get you to the downtown core (including the ByWard Market) in 5 minutes. They'll get you to the main train station (with connections to Montreal and Toronto) in less than 10 minutes. The system will also connect to the Ottawa International airport by 2023. Walkscore rates the walkability of the neighborhood at 92 and bikeability at 99.

With easy access to transport, walkability and bikes paths, all of Ottawa's major attractions are in reach. Heading East, you'll find an area known as Little Italy. Turn right on Preston Street and you'll be able to explore Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal, the Arboretum, Fletcher Gardens, and the Experimental Farm. If you don't turn, you'll soon find yourself in an area with endless Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants and shops. The formerly dodgy area known as Mechanicsville is now the hippest place in Ottawa with lineups out the door at all sorts of little hole in the wall places. It's less than a 10-minute walk from our flat, and the Parkdale Farmers market anchors the neighourhood. To the West is the tonier Westboro high street area with shop after shop leading to the world famous Mountain Equipment Coop. Once equipped with your outdoor gear, you can head down to the Ottawa river for a walk, bike or hike. The 300 kilometer Rideau Trail from Ottawa to Kingston passes within a 10 minute walk of our flat. Cross the river on the scenic Champlain Bridge and you will find yourself in the enormous Gatineau Park with hundreds of kilometers of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and lakes for swimming. In winter it is some of the best cross-country skiing anywhere.