BOUNDARIES

Balmoral Drive, Limebank Road, Mitch Owens Road, Spratt Road, Rideau Road, Rideau River (OREB 2602) Riverside South has been “almost there” for nearly two decades, since the first houses went up in 1996. For residents, it has been a long wait for everything from transit to recreational facilities, even though the population soared by 59 percent between 2006 and 2011 alone, to roughly 11,000 people. The city forecasts that by 2031, almost 50,000 people will live here.

And unlike many neighbourhoods, Riverside South offers a wide range of housing types, so it will be relatively easy for residents to stay in the area as their needs change from starter condo to family home to bungalow. “It’s a new way of building a neighbourhood,” says realtor Miller.

The big news last year was the completion of the Vimy Memorial Bridge across the Rideau River, connecting Earl Armstrong Road in Riverside South to Strandherd Drive in Barrhaven. Until it opened, residents routinely drove seven kilometres south to Manotick or 13 kilometres north to South Keys to shop. After the ribbon cutting, they suddenly had access to extensive retail and recreation choices in Barrhaven, just a few kilometres away. Also the city is once again talking about extending the O-Train and Transitway to Riverside South. Cross your fingers.

Price range early 2015: $237,500 to $1,149,999.