Living in Stittsville, Ottawa
The small-town community at Ottawa's western edge — bigger than it looks, more connected than people expect, and genuinely good for families.
What Stittsville Is Actually Like
Stittsville has a quality that most Ottawa suburbs struggle to replicate: it genuinely feels like a community rather than a development. The older village core along Main Street has independent shops, local restaurants, and the kind of walkable commercial strip that takes generations to build naturally. The newer residential sections that have grown up around it in the past 20 years are typical new-build Ottawa — but they have a functioning village at their centre, which makes a real difference.
The appeal here is largely lifestyle. People who choose Stittsville are making a deliberate trade — they want more space, quieter streets, and a community where kids can bike to a friend's house, and they're willing to add time to a downtown commute in exchange for that. Many of them work locally in Kanata North (a short drive east), which makes the trade-off considerably less painful.
Housing options run from older character homes in the original village to newer detached builds and townhouses in developments like Jackson Trails, Fairwinds, and Westwood. The range of pricing reflects that range of housing — a renovated older home in the village core versus a new build on the newer streets can look quite different on paper even at similar prices.
The honest limitation is transit. Stittsville is not well-served by OC Transpo in a way that makes car-optional living realistic. Express bus routes exist to Kanata and downtown connections, but they're not frequent enough to replace a vehicle for most daily use. If a car commute is a dealbreaker, Stittsville will be difficult. If it's acceptable or you work in the west end, it becomes a very different calculation.
Stittsville at a Glance
Stittsville Sub-Communities
Stittsville has grown from a small village into a collection of communities, each built at different times with different characters.
Stittsville Village Core
The original heart of Stittsville along Main Street. Older homes with character, walkable to shops and restaurants, and a genuinely distinct feel from the newer developments around it.
Jackson Trails
A large planned community on the south side of Stittsville with detached homes, townhouses, and good access to schools and parks. Popular with families moving from the city.
Fairwinds
Newer development with modern homes and a mix of housing types. Well-maintained, active community association, and close to Hazeldean Road commercial amenities.
Westwood
Established residential area with a mix of older and newer homes. Quieter streets and a more mature feel than some of the newer phases at the edges of Stittsville.
Deer Run / Fernbank
Growing communities on the eastern edge of Stittsville closest to Kanata. Newer builds, convenient access to the Kanata North tech corridor, and good highway connections.
Poole Creek
One of Stittsville's newer phases with modern construction and larger lots in some sections. Appeals to buyers who want new builds with a bit more space around them.
Who Tends to Choose Stittsville
Stittsville has a specific appeal. Here's who finds it works best for their life.
Kanata Tech Workers
A 10-15 minute drive from Kanata North puts Stittsville squarely in the commute zone for many tech employees. The lifestyle trade-up — more space, a village feel, better value — makes it compelling.
Families Who Value Space
Bigger lots, quieter streets, kids who can actually play outside without supervision worries. Stittsville consistently attracts families who are prioritizing that kind of upbringing.
Community-Minded Buyers
Active community associations, a real main street, local events, and a sense that people know each other. If community connection matters, Stittsville has it in a way newer suburbs often don't.
Move-Up Buyers from Kanata
Families who've been in Kanata and want more space or a quieter feel often move west to Stittsville. The commute doesn't change much, but the neighbourhood character does.
Nature-Oriented Buyers
Trail access, conservation areas nearby, and a more natural setting than most Ottawa suburbs. Buyers who want to get outside regularly find Stittsville well-positioned for it.
New Construction Seekers
Active development continues in Stittsville's newer phases. Buyers who want new builds in a community with an established feel — rather than a raw new subdivision — often land here.
Schools in Stittsville
Stittsville's schools are well-regarded and have grown alongside the community. Both public and Catholic options are available at elementary and secondary levels.
- Stittsville Public School — established elementary in the village core
- A.Y. Jackson Secondary — well-resourced Kanata-area high school serving Stittsville
- Sacred Heart Catholic School — Catholic elementary in the community
- All Saints Catholic High School — Catholic secondary option nearby
- French immersion available through OCDSB schools in the area
- École élémentaire catholique Saint-François-d'Assise serves the west end
Parks, Trails & Outdoor Life
- Trans Canada Trail runs through Stittsville — great for cycling and walking
- Poole Creek Urban Park — large green space with trails
- Multiple community parks and sports fields throughout developments
- South March Highlands Conservation Forest — nearby hiking and mountain biking
- Beaver Pond trail system in adjacent Kanata
- Stittsville Main Street — walkable village strip for daily needs
- Several organized sports leagues including hockey, soccer, and baseball
See current homes for sale in Stittsville.
Questions People Ask About Stittsville
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