Your Ultimate Guide: What It’s Like in Kanata
In the picturesque landscape just west of Ottawa lies Kanata, a vibrant community that seamlessly blends modernity with a touch of nature’s tranquility.
From its roots as a hub for Canada’s technological advancements to the serene green spaces, Kanata is a place that dances between the modern and the historical.
And if you’re not familiar with Kanata, you don’t have to worry because we’ll take you by the hand and give you a quick rundown of what you need to know about it!
So, let’s move on and unravel the treasure trove of sights and experiences that is the suburbs of Kanata!
Why is it called Kanata?
The suburban community of Kanata likely got its name from the Huron-Iroquois word for Canada, which is ‘Kanata.’
Kanata means village or settlement, which is essentially what it was when it was first settled by Europeans in the early 19th century.
What is the area of Kanata?
Kanata, situated in the Ottawa Valley, is a former city that is now a suburban community located west of downtown Ottawa. Currently, it’s a geographic area of Ottawa, so it’s considered a part of the city.
It’s located along Highway 417 with an area of 139 km2 (54 sq mi), with the northern end of Kanata located just west of the Ottawa River. East of Kanata is the Greenbelt, which is handled by the National Capital Commission.
This separates it from the former city of Nepean, which is now also a geographic area of Ottawa.
Is Kanata a suburb of Ottawa?
Kanata is a suburb of Ottawa that was formerly a city of its own before being amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001. It’s also one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing suburbs.
Originally, Kanata was part of the March Township, a geographic township and former municipality that was part of the Carleton County in eastern Ontario.
Is Kanata urban or suburban?
Kanata is a suburban community in Ottawa, making it a perfect blend of modernity and serenity for its residents and visitors.
You can visit a modern technology park or take some time off at the many surrounding green spaces, all within or near Kanata.
Unlike other suburban communities, Kanata was actually purposely designed to have a mix of residential and commercial properties. Coupled with the surrounding greenbelt, it’s like having the best of both worlds!
Population of Kanata
Kanata has a population of 98,938 residents as of the latest census in 2021. Meanwhile, the population center or urban area as it was formerly known, which includes Stittsville, is around 137,118 in total.
As was previously mentioned, Kanata was formerly a city, and before it became a part of Ottawa in 2001, it was one of the fastest-growing communities in Eastern Ontario. It was also one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada at the time!
Climate in Kanata
Kanata experiences a humid continental climate, which means hot summers and cold winters. It has an average temperature of 7.42ºC (45.36ºF), with an annual high temperature of 10.17ºC (50.31ºF) and a low temperature of 2.19ºC (35.94ºF).
Summer here starts at the end of June until September, but you also should expect significant rainfall even during the driest months of the year. It experiences approximately 44.64 rainy days annually.
What is Kanata known for?
Kanata is known for its thriving high-tech sector, which is mainly concentrated at Kanata’s Research Park, the largest technology park in all of Canada.
The area of Kanata is what made Ottawa known as the Silicon Valley of the North (Why Ottawa is dubbed as one of Silicon Valley North).
Even now, it remains home to a large number of the many major hi-tech employers of Ottawa. Some examples are Mitel, March Networks, Ubiquity Software, Alcatel-Lucent, Dell Canada, HP, Smart Technologies, Norpak, Nortel, MDS Nordion, Breconridge, etc.
Is Kanata expensive?
According to the national rent report by Rentals.ca, Kanata had a median cost of $2,561 for rent as of November 2023. This makes it one of the most expensive places to rent an apartment in Ontario.
However, Kanata is still a popular choice for many people due to being so close to downtown Ottawa and being a tech hub.
Cost of Living in Kanata
According to livingcost.org, the average cost of living in Kanata is $2032. This puts Kanata within the top 18% of the most expensive cities in the world, with a rank of 1634 place out of 9294 cities globally.
In Canada, it’s on the 28th spot out of 153 and 14th out of 43 in Ontario.
You may refer to the table below for a more comprehensive breakdown of the cost of living in Kanata:
Healthcare in Kanata
Because Kanata is a part of the province of Ontario, it’s covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This means that people living in Kanata can receive free healthcare through the OHIP.
However, those who aren’t covered by the OHIP, such as visitors who aren’t from any part of Ontario, can expect a regular doctor’s visit to cost approximately $63.8.
Education in Kanata
If you’re someone with children looking to move to Kanata, you don’t have to worry about having limited choices when it comes to your kids’ schooling!
There are many English/French public elementary schools, English/French Catholic elementary/high schools, and Montessori schools to choose from!
Take a look at the list of Kanata’s amazing educational institutions below:
English public elementary schools
- Bridlewood Community Elementary School
- Castlefrank Elementary School
- Glen Cairn Public School
- J. Donohue Public School
- John Young Elementary School
- Kanata Highlands Public School
- Katimavik Elementary School
- Roch Carrier Elementary School
- Roland Michener Public School
- South March Public School
- Stephen Leacock Public School
- W. Erskine Johnston Public School
- W. O. Mitchell Elementary School
English Catholic elementary schools
- Georges Vanier Catholic School
- St. Anne School
- St Gabriel Catholic School
- St Isidore Catholic School
- St James Catholic School
- St Martin de Porres Catholic School
French Catholic elementary schools
- École élémentaire catholique Élisabeth-Bruyère
- École élémentaire catholique Roger-Saint-Denis
- École élémentaire catholique Saint-Remi
French public elementary schools
- Ecole Elementaire Publique Julie-Payette
- École élémentaire publique Maurice-Lapointe
Montessori schools
- Becca’s Home Montessori
- Kanata Montessori School
- March Montessori School and Childcare Centre Kanata (Ottawa)
Public high schools
- A.Y. Jackson Secondary School
- Earl of March Secondary School
Catholic high schools
- All Saints Catholic High School
- Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Industry in Kanata
Home of Kanata North, Canada’s largest technology park with around 540 tech companies, the tech industry in Kanata is booming!
It’s a global high-tech hub and the research home for advanced telecommunications, next-gen networking, and tomorrow’s autonomous vehicle technology for the country.
Transportation in Kanata
As a part of Ottawa, residents in Kanata can easily get to and fro their daily commute with the available public transportation, such as the OC Transpo bus.
However, if you prefer a more eco-friendly ride that’ll also have you working up a sweat, going around by bike is also viable! The well-maintained roads and clear bike lanes ensure that you’ll have an easy time as you make your way to your destination.
Pros and Cons of Living in Kanata
Like any place you’re planning on moving to, there are several pros and cons that you should be aware of to be able to make the decision. So, based on what we’ve covered so far, here are the pros and cons of living in Kanata:
Pros
- Abundant green spaces
- Thriving tech sector
- Free healthcare (OHIP)
- Various educational options
- Near Ottawa
Cons
- Smaller population
- More expensive cost of living
- Higher housing prices
Neighborhoods in Kanata
Kanata has 11 neighborhoods within its area, with populations in each neighborhood ranging from around 3,700 to 16,000 people.
You can take a look at the table below for each of Kanata’s neighborhoods and their respective populations:
What to Do in Kanata
Like any place, Kanata isn’t without its things to do or places to see or visit, and luckily, you don’t have to guess what they are because we’ll tell you exactly where to go!
1. Book a suite at the Homewood Suites.
Address: 900 Great Lakes Ave, Kanata, ON K2K 0L4, Canada
Whether you’re just in Kanata for a visit or a resident, why not book a room at the Homewood Suites and enjoy its amenities?
Enjoy a carefree break from travel, work, or just staying in your own house, and take advantage of the piping hot daily breakfast and evening social. And even if you can’t fully get away from work, there’s complimentary WiFi during your stay!
This hotel is located near Kanata North, making the technology park easily accessible. What’s more, there are several shopping options, golf, and restaurants nearby for you to try out!
2. Go vegan at Pure Kitchen.
Address: 499 Terry Fox Dr #55, Kanata, ON K2T 1H7, Canada
At Pure Kitchen, you can get a taste of internationally inspired comfort food or healthy menu items that are all vegan/vegetarian and 100% cruelty-free!
You can dine in, take out, deliver, or get some of its grab-and-go items if you’re in a hurry and aching for some delish vegan grub. Aside from a fresh juice bar, it also has Ontario beer & wine and a cocktail menu for you to peruse and try out!
3. Unwind at the Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata.
Address: 101 Kanata Ave., Kanata, ON K2T 1E6, Canada
When it comes to the best place to stay in Kanata, the Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata is one of the first spots that come to mind.
Aside from being conveniently close to the Canadian Tire Centre, it’s so easy to relax here thanks to the exquisite rooms and overall jolly ambiance. Make sure to enjoy breakfast or dinner at least once at Graffiti’s Italian Eatery!
The best part about this hotel is that it’s just across the road from Kanata Centrum, which has 50 shops and restaurants, plus a cinema available! Even the Tanger Outlet Mall is a short drive away.
4. Have a staycation at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ottawa Kanata.
Address: 1251 Maritime Way, Kanata, ON K2K 0J6, Canada
At the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ottawa Kanata, you can enjoy a comfortable yet affordable stay, regardless if you’re visiting or just want a staycation from home.
Be sure to take advantage of amenities like the indoor pool, free WiFi, breakfast, a fitness center, and even a 24-hour convenience shop.
You can also cook your own meals in the fully-equipped kitchen or eat out at one of the many nearby restaurants. After your meal, you can lie down on the queen-sized bed and catch up on your favorite shows!
5. Go back in time at Zak’s Diner.
Address: 499 Terry Fox Dr, Kanata, ON K2T 1H7, Canada
Zak’s Diner is locally world famous for serving classic Canadian comfort food since 1986 and is open 24/7!
So, while you’re chowing down on the best burgers and milkshakes, let the restaurant take you back in time to the good old days!
Is Kanata a nice place to live in?
Kanata is a nice place to live in, with a quality of life score of 73/100 and ranking at 1786th in the list of best places to live in the world, according to livingcost.org.
It’s within the top 19% worldwide and ranks as the 85th best city to live in Canada, while it’s the 24th in Ontario.
However, this also means that you should expect housing prices to be a bit more expensive at around $5,676 to buy a house in the suburbs. You can also rent an apartment for around $1,286 if your budget is a bit too tight to get a house.
Despite the costs of living in Kanata, many still find it a very tempting place to live in because it combines the advantages of living in a small city with all the amenities.
It also helps that it’s literally just beside Ottawa, so you’ll pretty much have everything you need!