Posts Tagged ‘oc transpo’

The Challenges of Homeownership for Military Members in Ottawa

Posting to Ottawa is usually a message that our clients are excited about. It is much better than Cold Lake! The challenge with our market is that home ownership here is out of reach for many military families. Rising property prices, tight supply, and high interest rates have made things very tough!  These factors have shifted the housing landscape, prompting many CAF members to reconsider homeownership and instead explore renting as a more viable option.

The Rising Cost of Property in Ottawa

Ottawa has always been an attractive location for both civilian and military families. The city offers a high quality of life, excellent amenities, and a strong sense of community. However, the booming real estate market has driven property prices out of reach for many. For military members, who are often required to relocate frequently due to postings, the high cost of purchasing a home in Ottawa can be prohibitive. Especially if members are relocating from the maritime provinces where the property prices are typically much lower. If you are coming from the West you are typically going to find similar or lower prices here. 

For CAF members, who must adhere to a strict budget and financial planning, this competitive market can make homeownership seem out of reach.

Renting: A Practical Alternative

Given the current housing market conditions, many military members in Ottawa are turning to renting as a more practical and financially prudent option. Renting offers flexibility, which is particularly important for CAF members who may receive new postings on short notice. Additionally, renting eliminates the financial burden of a large mortgage and the potential loss in home value should the market fluctuate.

If you’re a military member navigating the Ottawa housing market, remember that you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, understanding your options and making informed decisions is key to securing a home that meets your needs without compromising your financial well-being.

To buy or rent? 

This will be dependent on many factors. With all expenses covered on a purchase it is really tempting to buy. With a good Realtor by your side you can make an investment that should appreciate in value. We have had less than 3 years of decreasing prices in the last 3 decades. So chances are you will have equity on the other side when you are posted out. There are also programs in place to mitigate losses should you find yourself in that unfortunate situation. 

Our military specialty is a bit unusual in Ottawa. We have lots of experience navigating these questions and would be happy to help in any way we can! 

Park and Ride Options for Military Relocations in Ottawa

Relocating to Ottawa for a military assignment comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is finding convenient and efficient ways to commute to key locations such as the DND Headquarters on Carling Avenue and downtown Ottawa. For those who prefer to avoid the hassle of downtown parking and traffic, Ottawa offers several Park and Ride options that make the daily commute smoother and more efficient. Here’s a look at some of the best Park and Ride options and the transit times to major destinations using OC Transpo services.

	Eagleson Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes. Route: Take Route 63 or 64 directly to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Eagleson Park & Ride, located at Highway 417 and Eagleson Road, offers easy access to Connexion routes and has ample parking space. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes. Route: Take Route 63 or 64 directly to downtown.
	Blair Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 55-60 minutes. Route: Take the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Situated in the east end, Blair Station is a key transit hub. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes. Route: Take the O-Train Line 1 directly to downtown.
	Fallowfield Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 40-45 minutes. Route: Take Route 95 or 74 to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer to Route 66 or another bus heading towards Carling Avenue. Details: Located at 100 Via Park Place, Fallowfield Park & Ride offers free parking and is well-connected with Fallowfield Station for transit options. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes. Route: Take Route 95 or 74 directly to downtown.
	Chapel Hill Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 70-75 minutes. Route: Take Route 32 or 33 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, followed by Route 66. Details: Located at Brian Coburn Blvd and Navan Rd, it offers free parking and good transit connections. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes. Route: Take Route 32 or 33 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to downtown.
	Trim Park & Ride To DND Headquarters: Transit Time: Approximately 80-85 minutes. Route: Take Route 39 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to Tunney’s Pasture, followed by Route 66. Details: This location is in the eastern outskirts, with direct transit routes available. To Downtown Ottawa (National Defence Headquarters): Transit Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes. Route: Take Route 39 to Blair Station, then transfer to the O-Train Line 1 to downtown.

Making Your Commute Easier

Using Ottawa’s Park and Ride facilities can significantly reduce the stress and cost associated with daily commutes. The OC Transpo Travel Planner is an excellent tool for planning your route and ensuring you catch the next bus or train on time. By leveraging these Park and Ride options, military personnel can enjoy a more convenient and efficient commute, allowing them to focus on their important work at the DND Headquarters or downtown offices.

DND CARLING CAMPUS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL OC TRANSPO SERVICING

DND management and OC Transpo are working together to resolve issues surrounding the DND headquarters on Carling Avenue. With the Ottawa light rail system launching, the plans are for quick and frequent service of the Carling Avenue location.

DND employees travelling from the west-end of Ottawa (Stittsville and Kanata) will have two options to transfer at either Moodie Station or Bayshore Station of which both will have frequent service to the DND. Route 66 will be revised once the LRT is up and running. It will be combined with Routes 101 and 103 as primary service to the DND.

TRANSIT AT CARLING CAMPUS NDHQ

As a relocation specialist, the first question that buyers often ask me is about commuting to the new NDHQ. For many, this will determine where they will purchase. Right now there is plenty of parking available at the facility but this may change over the upcoming years as more people get transferred to the building. OC Transpo has been working with the city and CAF officials to create a viable plan for those taking the bus.

Most customers across Ottawa will be able to travel to Carling campus with one transfer on bus routes 101, 103, and 152. The city extended the transitway from Bayshore to the Moodie off-ramp to help accommodate the extra bus users this relocation is going to create. Here is a map of the bus routes.

Many of my clients who are relocating to Ottawa end up choosing areas Stittsville, Kanata, and Barrhaven due to its relatively close proximity to the Carling campus. We are always happy to chat with you about your move. Feel free to reach out via my cell at 613-863-6999 or fill out our HHT booking ADD LINK sheet and we will be happy to assist. We have been doing this successfully for 14 years. We have an excellent track record of results and would be happy to assist.

For more information regarding Ottawa transit click here, it will give you some great insight into transit times to major DND work locations.