A decent 3 bed for under $1300 in a decent area, central and good transit and amenities and not suburb will be a tough one to find. As for the link Partially discharged posted, make sure you get closer to New Edinburgh rather than Vanier.

Agreed on New Edinburgh vs Vanier, but as always you pay for the neighbourhood. Rentals on houses or apartments within houses in the area near Carlingwood Shopping Centre would be OK. I wouldn't recommend Carlington area as there are some dodgy parts to it.

Using Kijiji, Craigslist, Viewit, padmapper, paramountapts, mino and other groups of properties, general google ... in the wiki section on renting they've got a list of some rental site links, not all are appropriate for Ottawa but most are. It's a minefield - have constantly got google maps up lol.

Yes, I'm sponsoring my husband. But he doesn't have a job offer so we're going in on a visitor visa (have received confirmation of spousal approval but going before we receive COPR) so he won't be able to work. We'll ask at the immigration place when we land but pretty sure it'll be a "no" - which is fine, we can survive without him working (hopefully!!!). So, can't help you on that front I'm afraid as don't know how the work permit bit works. But think there's lots of links & threads on the Immigration section about LMOs and TWPs etc.

I think realistically we're going to get a 2bedroom flat to start with until we're a double income family again and then after a year move to a 3bedroom (we'll be trying for kiddie #2 next year as well) - we don't want visitors until we've found our feet so that'll be ok - plus it'll help us get into a preferred neighbourhood without breaking the bank, then deciding if we do actually like it. Who knows, hubbies work may take us out Kanata way rather than downtown (he's in the IT world) lol, but for now don't need too much of a culture shock coming from London to Ottawa by plonking ourselves in the boonies of the suburbs just yet But instinct is driving us to the west part of the city rather than east. Plus don't know where I'll be working (yes - we're going out with NO jobs to go to lol). We've got a holiday let for 6 weeks through airbnb to help us find our feet and have a temporary base.

Thanks for the tip on Carlington!

hi
i live in kanata dont know much about the schools other than the ones my daughter has supplied in as she is an Educational assistant .I love Kanata i lived in nepean when we first moved here 7 years ago and thats not a bad area either.we have been in kanata 3 years now bus services are good ,house prices not to bad (partner is a realitor if you need help with rental or house buying pm if you wan more info ) I came over with no job but within 3 weeks found one so fingers crossed for you guys
good luck on your adventure .