The historic village of Manotick, located on the Rideau River and best represented by Watson’s Mill – one of the few operating grist mills in Ontario – boasts the successful merger of history and tradition with a thriving business and artisan community.

Situated just a short drive south of downtown Ottawa, part of the reason this picturesque community of nearly 5,000 permanent residents is steadily growing in size is due to the town’s close proximity to larger city centres.

However, if you ask the average Manotick resident what they enjoy most about living here, it’s got nothing to do with being close to the nation’s capital. Instead, they’d probably point to the area’s stunning natural landscapes, tight-knit community feel, high quality of life, and expanding selection of local amenities and attractions.

While the way of life might be slightly slower in Manotick, that’s just how they like it around here. And when you’ve got everything you need either close by already or just a short jaunt away, there’s no reason not to fall in love with the laid-back lifestyle living in Manotick affords.

To learn more about this tranquil suburb of Ottawa, read our community guide here.

The Location

Sat right alongside the beautiful Rideau River just a short 25 kilometres from Ottawa’s downtown core, the community of Manotick is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes.

While Manotick’s main commercial core is situated just south of neighbouring Barrhaven, the greater area of Manotick covers an expansive section of more rural areas and wide-open green spaces.

Manotick Real Estate

When it comes to Manotick real estate, the main draw is quite clear — value for money. With a much lower average cost per square foot than more populated urban centres nearby, those who live in Manotick generally enjoy living on much larger plots and properties.

Whether they’re daily commuters or rarely leave town, residents of Manotick treasure having more space to stretch out and enjoy their favourite hobbies here due to the comparatively lower average home prices. And, with the recent trend towards working from home lifestyles, Manotick has seen an influx of new residents coming from larger urban centres looking for more space.

For that same reason, it’s much more common to find detached single family homes for sale here than any other type of property. Farms and agricultural land are also quite popular, while housing inventory for new developments and suburban-style layouts are also increasing year over year.

If you’re on the search for a larger home with lots of space for a growing family, Manotick is a great investment. If you’re looking for a townhouse or condo in Manotick, you might be hard-pressed to find something that suits your needs here — at least for now.

The Community

Despite Manotick being quite large and spaced out, there’s an unmistakable air of community here. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a newcomer to Manotick, becoming a part of this welcoming community isn’t difficult.

That being said, most of Manotick’s residents are very family-oriented, which makes for a great place to raise a family, but not particularly ideal for singles. That’s not to say if you shouldn’t move in if you’re young or single though, especially given the burgeoning local arts community is made up of generally younger citizens.

As noted above, Manotick’s close proximity to some surrounding larger urban areas like downtown Ottawa, Kanata, and Nepean means there are quite a few commuters who call Manotick home.

Getting Around Manotick

Although Manotick is growing quickly, the public transit infrastructure is still a good few years behind that of neighbouring cities. While Manotick is serviced by a few reliable bus routes in the Ottawa-Carleton Transportation Commission, travel by car or other personal vehicles is still your best bet for getting around Manotick.

Being just a half-hour drive from Ottawa’s city centre, you can expect a fair bit of local traffic from commuters at peak times during the day. And, with quick access to local highways including the Veterans Memorial Highway — outlining the western border of Manotick — travelling back and forth between work and home is no trouble at all.

For the most part, however, driving in Manotick is a dream compared to the bumper-to-bumper traffic you might be used to in larger cities.

During the summer months, bicycle travel is also commonly enjoyed by those in Manotick who like being on two wheels, though it’s more of a hobby and healthy lifestyle practice than a serious mode of transport.

Local Amenities

Just because Manotick might be comparatively smaller than some of its neighbouring communities doesn’t mean it falls short on local amenities. From shopping to recreation to schools, restaurants, and street-front cafes, there’s just about anything you could ever need in Manotick.

The best part? Manotick is still expanding, with plans to open even more soon. For the time being, the one can’t miss Manotick attraction has to be Watson’s Mill.

Watson’s Mill is undebatably Manotick’s most recognizable local landmark. This celebrated industrial-level grist mill was originally constructed in 1860. While still functional, the museum and shopping areas of Watson’s Mill are more widely visited by both tourists and Manotick locals.

Getting Outside

One of the biggest perks of living in Manotick is enjoying direct access to the many beautiful natural landscapes that encompass the community. Between the rivers, golf courses, trails, and recreational facilities, there’s plenty of opportunities to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors here.

Some of our favourite ways to get outside in Manotick include:

• Golfing — two of Manotick’s most popular golf destinations are the Carleton Golf & Yacht Club and the Rideau View Golf Club, both of which are perfectly manicured and make for a great day out on the green.
• Fishing — what’s the point of being situated right along the Rideau River if you can’t get a decent day’s fishing done? Enjoy a tranquil day with a family member or friend fishing for Walleye Pickerel, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Perch, and other native species of fish along the inspiring Rideau River — just make sure they’re caught in season!
• Produce Picking — for some of the freshest produce in all of Manotick, head over to Miller’s Farm and Market and pick out your very own locally-grown goods! Between Asparagus, Rhubarb, Garlic Scapes, and Strawberries, there’s lots to find in the fields at Miller’s Farm.

Other Resources: 
The Local Area Website
The Local Business Website