This community was initially just Beaverbrook in the north and Glen Cairn to the south, beginning in the 1960s. These mature neighbourhoods are dotted with attractive rock outcroppings and located close to Kanata's shopping and recreation centres. There are also an number of luxury 2 and 3 bedroom apartments along Teron Rd. The recent growth of Ottawa and the Kanata-centred tech boom has caused Kanata to fill in much of undeveloped open spaces. To the north of the Queensway are the communities of Marchwood and Lakeside, which includes Kanata Lakes and Heritage Hills where homes start at about $183,000, and Walden Ridge Estates with luxurious estate homes in a wooded setting starting at $312,000, and condos around the golf course at $169,000. Further north, but within walking distance of the high-tech offices, are the communities of South March and Morgan's Grant, with single-family homes beginning at $163,000.
To the south of the Queensway is Katimavik-Hazeldean, which is close to shopping, Walter Baker Park, and the Scotiabank Place. This area has a number of condominium townhomes and single family houses available from $145,000. Bridlewood is further south, and has ready access to the Kanata South Business Park and the airport (via West Hunt Club Rd), and has recently added three schools including a public school, and English Catholic and a French Catholic school.
Just a bit to the west of Kanata is the community of Stittsville, probably best known for its weekend flea market. This community has a number of newer neighbourhoods including Amberwood Village, Bryanston Gate and Fringewood on its eastern edge, and Woodside Acres, Stanley's Corners and Healey's Heath to its south.
The area has 9 public and 6 Catholic elementary schools (including a French Catholic one), two public high schools and a Catholic high schools, and three libraries. Ottawa's major colleges and universities are accessible by public transit, though ½ to a full hour away.
The Kanata area has a number of excellent shopping centres, with The Centrum Shopping Centre just north of the Queensway being the largest, and home to many "big box" retailers. Nearby are several others, on Teron Rd, Katimavik Rd, and along with clusters along Hazeldean Rd and Eagleson Rd. And of course, there is the famous Stittsville Flea Market, held every Sunday morning.
Kanata is nestled between extensive Greenbelt lands to its east, and rural countryside to the west It is connected to he rest of the city by recreational and bike pathways, and is accessible to a number of beaches and sailing clubs on Lac des Chênes on the Ottawa River. The community has 5 swimming pools, an arena, a wave pool, several running tracks, tennis courts and 3 golf courses and a driving range. For the more passively inclined, there is the Scotiabank Place, home of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team, two large cinemas, and a community performing arts centre.