Each year, a growing number of people choose to make Kemptville their home — and the reasons are easy to understand. This community within the Municipality of North Grenville offers something increasingly difficult to find: room to breathe, a genuine sense of neighbourhood, and convenient access to a major city. If you are considering a move here, this guide outlines what life in Kemptville is really like, from everyday practicalities to the qualities that make residents stay.
Where Kemptville is — and what kind of place it is
Kemptville is the largest community in the Municipality of North Grenville, located in Eastern Ontario approximately 30 minutes south of Ottawa via Highway 416. It is a small town with a close-knit character, and one of the faster-growing communities in the region, with a steady arrival of new residents over recent years — many of them relocating from Ottawa and beyond.
The town is best defined by its sense of balance. Kemptville offers a walkable historic downtown, an active calendar of community events and seasonal markets, and an unhurried pace, yet it is far from isolated. The city is close enough that a move here does not mean sacrificing career options or urban amenities. For many newcomers, that combination is precisely the appeal.
Why people are moving here
Several themes come up consistently when residents describe their decision to move.
The first is space and pace. Kemptville offers a quieter, less crowded way of living with more room, less traffic, and a community small enough to feel genuinely connected. For those arriving from a busy city, this is often the primary draw.
The second is the shift toward remote and hybrid work. When a daily commute to a downtown office is no longer required, living 30 minutes outside the city becomes a very practical choice. A meaningful share of Kemptville's recent growth is tied directly to this change in how people work.
The third is lifestyle. Kemptville is a genuinely outdoor-oriented town. In 2023, North Grenville was recognized as Ontario's Most Active Community, and for families and individuals alike, that active, community-centred way of living holds real appeal.
Daily life and things to do
For a town of its size, Kemptville is well equipped for everyday life.
Riverside Park, located in the heart of downtown, serves as the community's recreation hub, with an outdoor pool, splash pad, skating rink, skate park, sports courts, a pump track, and trails along Kemptville Creek. Beyond the park, the Ferguson Forest Centre and the Rideau Trail provide kilometres of walking and cycling routes, while the Rideau River offers water access for paddling and quiet time outdoors.
Downtown Kemptville, centred on historic Prescott Street, is home to the independent shops, cafés, and restaurants that give the town its character, alongside regular markets and events throughout the year. The redeveloped Kemptville Campus has become a year-round community and events hub. For everyday shopping, the County Road 43 corridor covers the essentials; groceries, pharmacies, and major retailers — all within easy reach. For a closer look at the neighbourhood itself, see our guide to living in Kemptville.
Practical matters: schools and healthcare
For families relocating to the Kemptville and North Grenville area, there is a strong range of educational and childcare options available. Families can choose from public and Catholic elementary schools, two local secondary schools, and French-language education opportunities through the Francophone school boards.
Beyond traditional schooling, the area also offers a variety of alternative education approaches, including Montessori education, forest and nature-based learning programs, private and independent schools, and supports for homeschooling families. This variety gives parents flexibility in choosing an educational environment that best aligns with their child's learning style and family values.
Childcare options in the area continue to expand, with licensed daycare centres, home-based childcare providers, before-and-after-school programs, and bilingual early learning opportunities available throughout North Grenville. As is common across much of Ontario, childcare waitlists can be lengthy, so families are encouraged to begin researching and registering early in the relocation process.
Healthcare services are anchored by Kemptville District Hospital, with additional medical clinics and healthcare practitioners located throughout the surrounding communities. As is the case across much of Ontario, securing a family doctor can take time, so it is advisable to join local patient rosters and waitlists as early as possible during your move rather than after arriving.
The Ottawa commute
For many newcomers, the commute is a deciding factor. Downtown Ottawa is approximately a 30-minute drive via Highway 416, a four-lane route that makes the journey straightforward. Other key destinations like Ottawa's employment centres, the airport, and suburban hubs are all within a reasonable drive.
A realistic note: rush hour adds time, as it does anywhere, and winter driving is a genuine consideration in Eastern Ontario. That said, for anyone working a hybrid schedule — a few days in the office and the remainder at home — the Kemptville-to-Ottawa commute is very manageable. It is precisely the trade-off that a great many residents have found worthwhile.
Where to live in Kemptville
Kemptville offers several distinct neighbourhoods and living environments, each appealing to different lifestyles and stages of life.
The historic downtown core remains the heart of the community and is the most walkable area in town. Centred around Prescott Street and Riverside Park, it offers easy access to local shops, cafés, restaurants, recreation, and community events. For many people relocating from larger urban centres, this part of Kemptville provides the convenience and connection that can be harder to find in smaller communities.
The west side of town, around Oxford Village and nearby newer subdivisions, has experienced significant residential growth in recent years and remains especially popular with families seeking newer homes, parks, and proximity to schools and amenities.
Outside the main urban area, surrounding North Grenville communities such as Oxford Mills and Burritts Rapids offer a quieter rural lifestyle with larger properties, natural surroundings, and a slower pace of living.
For renters, the downtown core is often one of the most practical and desirable places to live. Being able to walk to groceries, restaurants, parks, healthcare services, and recreation can make daily life noticeably easier — particularly in a town where many errands otherwise require driving. This growing demand for convenient, low-maintenance living has contributed to the rise of newer rental communities in central Kemptville.
Parkside Living, located beside Riverside Park in the downtown core, reflects this shift in what many renters and downsizers are looking for: modern 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in a highly walkable location with immediate access to green space, trails, local amenities, and the everyday conveniences of town living. For newcomers to Kemptville, it offers an opportunity to enjoy a connected lifestyle while still experiencing the slower pace and sense of community that draw many people to North Grenville in the first place.
Settling in
What most new residents discover is that Kemptville delivers on its central promise: a calmer, more connected way of living, with the city still close at hand. It is a town growing precisely because that balance is difficult to find — and, for many, well worth seeking out.
Considering a move to Kemptville? If you are weighing your rental options, Parkside Living offers modern 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in the heart of town, steps from Riverside Park — professionally managed by the Saumure Group of Companies. Book a tour or reserve your suite to be first to hear about availability.