The older parts of the community are those closest to the Gatineau River, best symbolized by the St-Francois-de-Sales church. Newer developments are to the east, between Lac Beachamp and the Executive Airport inlcude Templeton, with single family and row housing running $125,000 to $200,000. Similar homes in the north end of Gatineau, near the hospital and to Chelsea, are running $85,000 to $155,000.
The community has 15 Catholic and 6 public elementary schools, with 2 Catholic high schools, and two public libraries. The College St-Alexandre de la Gatineau provides local post-secondary education, and the CEGEP in Hull is readily accessible. The other institutions, including Université du Quebec à Hull and those in Ottawa are relatively remote.
Gatineau has a number of shopping malls, all clustered along Boulevard Maloney.
The community has an ice arena, two golf courses, two marinas along the Gatineau River, a beach at Lac Beauchemin and nearby at Leamy Lake, and in the winter there is outdoor ice skating on the frozen Lac Beauchemin.