Most of us have heard the phrase “Buy Local.” It’s a feel-good reminder that shopping close to home supports small businesses and keeps money circulating in our community. And in Convent Glen – Orléans Wood, we’re lucky to have a growing number of independent shops, markets, and services that benefit when we choose to spend locally.
But I want to challenge us to go one step further. If “Buy Local” is about where we spend our money, “Live Local” is about where we spend our lives.
Living Local means leaning into the everyday opportunities right here in our neighborhood—to walk more, connect more, and participate more. It’s choosing to stroll the pathways along the Ottawa River rather than hopping in the car for entertainment. It’s attending a yoga class at the community centre, joining a walking group, or striking up a conversation at the Jeanne d’Arc bus stop.
Why does this matter? Because being present where we live helps us forge the kinds of relationships that turn a neighbourhood into a community.
When we live local, we start recognizing the familiar faces at the grocery store, the dog walkers on the trails, and the folks tending the Little Free Libraries sprinkled through our streets. These chance encounters and daily routines build social trust—and that’s the secret sauce of a connected, resilient community.
Urban studies have long shown that neighbourhoods where people walk, linger, and know each other are not only more vibrant, but also healthier and safer. Communities with stronger social bonds are better at weathering crises, more civically engaged, and even experience better mental health. That’s not a coincidence—it’s a reflection of the power of proximity.
Many parts of Convent Glen–Orléans Wood are perfectly positioned to live this out (and others are ripe for active transportation improvements to make this easier). We’ve got a great park system, access to natural beauty, local organizations, and a rich mix of longtime residents and new arrivals. When we show up for local events—like park cleanups, family movie nights, or the spring community yard sale—we’re doing more than having fun. We’re stitching ourselves into the fabric of something bigger.
So this spring and summer, I invite you to live a little more local. Say hello to a neighbor you haven’t met yet. Drop by a community event. Explore a new part of the neighborhood on foot or bike. Volunteer your time or your talents. Because every small act of local engagement builds the kind of community we all want to live in.
Let’s make Convent Glen–Orléans Wood not just a place we live—but a place we truly belong.
