RAY NAZARZAI, REALTOR®
eXp Realty, Brokerage
A Realtor®-led relocation roadmap for families and professionals moving to Kanata, Stittsville, and Ottawa's west end. Rental options, school catchment maps, commute breakdowns, and a long-term plan to ownership.
Trusted by families relocating from Toronto, Vancouver, and across Canada
You can't see Kanata-Stittsville from Google Street View. You can see houses, sure, but you can't see which side of Hazeldean Road has the best school catchment. You can't tell which streets in Bridlewood have mature trees and which are wind-tunnels in February. You can't feel the difference between Stittsville Village's main-street walkability and Fernbank's new-construction sprawl. That's local knowledge, and it takes years to build.
Most people relocating to Ottawa for the first time make one of two mistakes. They sign a lease in the wrong neighbourhood and spend twelve months commuting an hour each way. Or they buy too quickly, before they've actually lived in the city, and end up moving again in two years. Both are expensive.
Here's what I do: I help you choose the right renting neighbourhood first, learn the city for 6-18 months, and then buy the right house when you actually know what you want. No pressure to transact today. Just guidance, data, and someone local who picks up the phone.
The three west-end pockets most newcomers consider, side by side, with the trade-offs nobody tells you.
| Factor | Kanata | Stittsville | Barrhaven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Established, tech-corridor | Growing, family-driven | Suburban, family-focused |
| Avg. Detached Price | $620K | $580K | $550K |
| Avg. 3-Bed Rent | $2,400/mo | $2,300/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Schools | Strong, mature catchments | Newer schools, growing | Strong, established |
| Commute to Downtown |
25-40 min LRT coming |
30-45 min | 25-35 min |
| Best For | Tech professionals, families | Young families, value seekers | Established families, French immersion |
"This is a starting point — not a verdict. Every family weighs schools, commute, walkability, and lifestyle differently."
No pressure to transact today. Just guidance, data, and someone local who picks up the phone.
We talk about your timeline, family, work location, lifestyle priorities, and budget — for both renting and eventually buying.
Free, no pressure
If you can't visit yet, I do a video walkthrough of your top neighbourhoods. Streets, parks, schools, commute — you see it all.
Before you arrive
I help you find a quality rental in your target neighbourhood. Six-to-twelve-month leases recommended.
If you're renting first
When you're ready to buy — usually 12-18 months after landing — we already know what you want. The process is faster and more confident.
Your timeline, your pace
A 16-page neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide for families and professionals moving to Ottawa's west end. School catchments, commute maps, rental ranges, ownership benchmarks, and the local intel Google can't give you.
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Everything you need to know about settling in Ottawa's west end.
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Learn moreWhat to expect if you're moving for a federal job
Learn more"We moved from Toronto in 2024 not knowing anything about Ottawa. Ray helped us choose a rental in Bridlewood, then 14 months later helped us buy two streets over. He never once pushed us to buy faster than we were ready."
Sarah M.
Relocated from Toronto, Bridlewood
Whether you're moving in three months or a year from now, the right time to start planning is today. Book a free 30-minute Relocation Consultation — by phone or video — and let's map out your move together.
Prefer email or text? [email protected] · 613-858-9570