Why Chippawa is a Great Place to Call Home
As a local who grew up in Chippawa, the most beautiful small town located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I have fallen in love with the welcoming community, events, natural scenery, and variety of outdoor activities. Hopefully, this post will open your eyes to give you insight on my point of view on Chippawa and why it stands out as an exceptional place to call home!
Convenient Location
Chippawa is along the Niagara River, making it just a quick 5-minute drive from the famous Niagara Falls and all of its downtown attractions. You may take the Niagara Parkway from the falls straight into Chippawa's town center. The location being along the Niagara River is the best part about this location. All within Chippawa, you have access to essential amenities, including both public and catholic schools, public libraries, golf courses, shopping centers, and healthcare facilities.
Nearby, there is also a new Hospital opening, and the Niagara Square Shopping Centre which includes Costco, World Gym, Winners, Sephora, Cineplex Movie Theatre, and so much more all just within a 10-minute drive! However, the best part about the location is being along the Niagara River, this town is always so bright and colorful with water views from the river but also from the Chippawa Creek which is a waterway coming from the Niagara River and going straight through Chippawa, allowing for many waterside parks, walking/bike paths, restaurants, and even boating docks that are a great spot to soak in the sun on sunny days.
Natural Landscapes and Outdoor Activities
The great natural scenery also brings about peaceful outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and doing water-based activities such as enjoying a boat or jet-ski ride or even "floating" which is an activity many locals do in the Chippawa Creek that involves grabbing a floaty to relax on in the creek (with caution of course). The good thing is that there are usually lifeguards on duty that go up and down the creek on their boat to ensure people are keeping safe in the water.
The location of Chippawa gives it the most picturesque scenery including the Niagara River, lush parks, and scenic trails. I love going for bike rides along the Niagara Parkway, as the Parkway can take you from Chippawa to Niagara Falls, and past the many outdoor attractions such as the Hornblower, down to the gorge, the butterfly conservatory, and botanical gardens, to Queenston Heights, and even to Niagara-on-the lake. You could also bike in the opposite direction from Chippawa which will take you into Fort Erie which is a very peaceful and quiet path surrounded by not only the water but also historical battlefields and museums, beautiful homes, farms, many trees, fishing areas, boat docks, and even small beaches.
Click here to see more Niagara Falls Attractions.
Small-Town Charm
The thing I love most about Chippawa is the community. Living in a small town brings such a special bond with neighbors, which can include not only the people who live on the same street as you, but also the restaurant owners, the school workers, the people you meet at the parks, or the hockey arena, or the boat docks, no matter where you are in Chippawa, everyone seems to be so friendly. There are many clubs, activities, and events, that bring locals together such as the annual Chippawa Lyons Club fair, the annual polar bear dip at the Chippawa docks, or even local concerts or theatre productions. After spending quite some time in a small town, you realize that many people are connected which brings about new connections, relationships, and especially friendships.
I realize how special this is when I look back to when I was still in elementary school. As a kid, I would rush with excitement to the local grocery store just to see that they had my name up on the birthday board, I would go on bike rides and run into friends from school at the parks, I'd go to the local library and pick out books and movies to rent for the weekend, or go to my favorite local restaurant and know that our usual server would make me an amazing milkshake if I finished all my dinner. I never realized how fortunate I was to be a part of such a warm community, but now I see that buying a house is extra special here, as you are also acquiring a home and a family that you truly cannot put a price on.
CreekSides Ice Cream Parlour and Cafe
B-Jays Kitchen and Bar (front) and Riverside Tavern (back)
Historical Significance
This place that I call home has the most beautiful old town scenery that you cannot find anywhere else, the village center, Cummington Square has a small pergola where live bands often play in the summers with the Chippawa bridge, the town hall, the riverside tavern, and boutique shops surrounding. Chippawa is a charming small town taken right out of a movie. In fact, there have been movies filmed here and celebrities that grew up here, such as James Cameron, a filmmaker of very famous movies such as The Titanic. I know this because my grandfather's mother accidentally walked through a movie scene being filmed right here in Cummington Square, which movie it was is unknown but there were many famous movies filmed in Niagara Falls during that same time such as Superman II, and Niagara with Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. This isn't shocking as the town has been a famous destination, especially for summer vacations dating back to the 20th century. There is even a church here in Chippawa, Holy Trinity Church, that was made in the year 1820.
However, Chippawa has a significant role in history dating even before the 20th century, for instance, the Battle of Chippawa in 1812 marked a significant moment in history, as it signified an American victory over the British. Notably, the Chippawa battlefield stands out as the most pristine War of 1812 battle site along with the Battle of Chippawa Monument. Its preservation allows visitors to experience the terrain much as the combatants did. I had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable reenactment of this historic event on the Chippawa battlefield a few years ago, underscoring its enduring appeal. As mentioned earlier, this site is among the must-visit stops along the scenic Niagara Parkway.
You can learn about the history of this battle here.
Affordable Living
Lastly, Chippawa is like a hidden gem as you have so many of the Niagara Falls perks, yet it is somehow more affordable than many other cities within the Niagara Region. However, the average market price is rising along with the average days on the market getting shorter due to increased demand. The market is flexible for suiting your needs, as there are a variety of different housing options to suit your needs including cozy apartments, spacious family homes, and waterfront properties, for lease or sale.
Chippawa is more than just a place to live – it's a vibrant community brimming with opportunities for adventure, connection, and a fulfilling lifestyle. With its perfect blend of natural beauty, convenient amenities, and rich heritage. Whether you're drawn to the town's scenic landscapes, rich history, or tight-knit community atmosphere, there's no shortage of reasons to consider Chippawa as your next place to call home. So why not embark on your own exploration of Chippawa and see for yourself why this hidden gem is truly worth discovering? If you are interested in learning more about this market, please reach out to me as I would love to offer you my knowledge and support!
Click here to see current listings in Chippawa.
Vanessa Whalen, Realtor
📷 Vanessa Whalen
✉️ [email protected]
