Sandy Hill is a historic neighbourhood in Ottawa, just a five minute walk from downtown. The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by the Rideau Canal, on the east by the Rideau River, on the north by Rideau Street and the ByWard Market area, and to the south by Nicholas Street.

Formerly the wealthiest neighbourhood in Ottawa, peppered with mansions in the early 1900’s, this area is now more middle-class and has a heavy student population due to the University of Ottawa within its boundaries. However, there are still some wealthy residents who live near the embassies next to the Rideau River.

The renters population in Sandy Hill is as diverse as its architecture. Victorian mansions sub-divided into apartments are quite the contrast to newer condo buildings. Rental options range from 1 and 2 bedroom apartments for rent in older high-rises, to 4 bedroom heritage rental houses that become quite affordable if shared with roommates. The area is a mix of the wealthy, working class, new immigrants, and students, as the University of Ottawa is located in this neighbourhood. Searching for student housing in Sandy Hill? Rentals.ca has got you covered with a unique map filter that allows you to see how far certain rentals are from the school of your choice!

Strathcona Park, named for the fountain donated by Lord Strathcona in 1909, is a large part of Sandy Hill. In recent years, the park has become home to Odyssey Theatre, a professional company that presents open air plays each summer on a stage at the northeast corner of the park.

What makes this community so attractive to many is living right next to the downtown core, with easy walking access to the Rideau Centre shopping mall, the many restaurants, shops, and bars of the ByWard Market, and the beautiful banks of the Rideau River.

The city of Ottawa recently constructed a pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the Rideau River, connecting the Rideau River Eastern Pathway at Donald Street with Strathcona Park and Somerset Street East, providing a quicker route between Ottawa's Vanier and Overbrook neighbourhoods and Sandy Hill, the University of Ottawa, and the downtown core. The park is surrounded by a series of large homes which today are mostly embassies, and the area around the park is referred to as Embassy Row.

When Ottawa was named the country's capital in 1857, Sandy Hill became home to many senior public servants and to the Prime Minister, who lived at Stadacona Hall on Laurier Avenue, and later in what is now known as Laurier House (which is currently a National Historic Site open to the public.)