The Willows, Saskatoon: Is Golf Course Living Right For You?

The Willows At A Glance

The Willows is a south Saskatoon neighbourhood known for golf-course living, larger homes, quiet residential pockets, and a more private feel than many suburban areas. It may be a strong fit for buyers who value space, upscale housing, attached or strata-style options, golf access, and quick driving access to Stonebridge shopping. It may be less suitable for buyers who need schools within the neighbourhood, stronger transit access, lower entry prices, or a more walkable daily routine.

The City of Saskatoon’s neighbourhood profile lists The Willows in Municipal Ward 7, with a reported population of 762 and 100% homeownership in the profile’s quick facts.

Quick Facts Box

The City profile shows 366 total dwellings in 2020, with 240 multi-unit dwellings and 126 single-family dwellings. It also shows most homes were built from 2001 to 2016, with the largest share built from 2006 to 2010.

Where Is The Willows In Saskatoon?

The Willows is located on the southern edge of Saskatoon, west of Clarence Avenue and east of Lorne Avenue. A City concept-plan amendment describes the neighbourhood as being south of the CN Industrial area, east of Lorne Avenue, and west of Clarence Avenue, with Stonebridge and its shopping centre to the northeast.

For drivers, the main routes to know are Cartwright Street, Clarence Avenue, Lorne Avenue, Circle Drive, and Highway 219, also known as Chief Whitecap Trail. The City’s approved Willows land-use concept plan shows Cartwright Street, Lorne Avenue, Clarence Avenue, Highway 219, Willows Way, storm-water ponds, municipal reserve, commercial areas, and low-density and medium-density multi-unit dwelling areas.

The neighbourhood is close to Stonebridge, Avalon, Adelaide/Churchill, Nutana Park, and the U of S Lands South Management Area. The location works well for buyers who drive regularly and want south-side access without being directly inside Stonebridge.

What Is The Willows Known For?

The Willows is best known as Saskatoon’s golf-course community. The Willows Golf website describes the course as having three 9-hole layouts for a total of 27 holes, with lakes and mounding along many fairways.

The neighbourhood has a different feel than a typical grid-style Saskatoon area. Streets are shaped around the golf course, water features, and residential pockets. Instead of long rows of similar homes, buyers will often see larger detached homes, attached homes, townhome-style properties, and higher-end strata developments.

The major trade-off is that The Willows is not built around schools, storefronts, and public parks in the same way as neighbourhoods like Stonebridge or Lakeview. It feels more private and residential, but daily errands usually require a vehicle.

Is The Willows A Good Neighbourhood For Families?

The Willows can work well for some families, especially those who want a quieter setting, larger homes, garage space, and easy driving access to south-side amenities. The golf-course setting, low traffic feel in many residential pockets, and newer housing stock can be appealing.

That said, it is not the obvious first choice for every family. The City profile states there are no schools located in the neighbourhood. Families should confirm school options, transportation, before-and-after-school care, and catchment boundaries before making a decision.

The Willows may be a better family fit for households that are comfortable driving to school, activities, groceries, and recreation. It may be a weaker fit for families who want children to walk to school, walk to local shops, or have a traditional park-and-playground network right in the neighbourhood.

Schools Near The Willows

There are no schools listed inside The Willows in the City neighbourhood profile. Buyers should confirm designated schools directly with Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, because boundaries and programs can change.

Nearby school options buyers may research include:

For buyers with school-age children, school planning should be treated as part of the purchase process. Confirm the address, grade level, program availability, transportation, and registration details before relying on any school assumption.

Parks, Recreation, And Daily Amenities

The major recreation feature in The Willows is the golf course. Willows Golf describes the course as a 27-hole championship course with multiple 9-hole layouts, lakes, and fairway mounding.

Daily amenities are mostly nearby rather than inside the neighbourhood. SmartCentres Saskatoon, located at 3035 Clarence Avenue South, is described as a Walmart Supercentre-anchored shopping centre with tenants including Golf Town, Dollarama, HomeSense, Mark’s, and adjacency to Home Depot. This gives The Willows strong access to groceries, household goods, restaurants, banks, home improvement stores, and other daily services by car.

Nearby recreation options may include Stonebridge facilities, south-side gyms and services, Schroh Arena near Lorne Avenue, and Diefenbaker Park farther northwest. The City’s park information lists Diefenbaker Park as a seasonal washroom location, and the Diefenbaker Park map includes picnic sites, parking, Optimist Hill, a disc golf course, and cross-country ski trail.

Types Of Homes In The Willows

The Willows has a higher-end housing profile compared with many Saskatoon neighbourhoods. The City profile shows a 2020 dwelling mix of 66% multi-unit and 34% single-family homes. In this neighbourhood, “multi-unit” often matters because many properties are attached, condominiumized, or strata-style homes rather than basic apartment-style housing.

Buyers can expect to see a mix of:

The City profile’s dwelling-age chart shows the neighbourhood is largely post-2000, with 54% of homes from 2006 to 2010 and 27% from 2011 to 2016.

Buying In The Willows

Buying in The Willows is less about finding the lowest price and more about choosing the right property type, ownership structure, location within the neighbourhood, and long-term fit.

Buyers tend to like:

Buyers should watch for:

Best Fit For Buyers Who Want:

• A quieter south Saskatoon location
• A golf-course or landscaped setting
• Newer housing than many mature Saskatoon areas
• Attached, townhouse, strata, or higher-end single-family options
• Strong access to Stonebridge shopping by vehicle
• A move-up or downsizing property with a more private feel

May Not Be The Best Fit For Buyers Who Need:

• A lower entry price
• A school inside the neighbourhood
• Strong transit service from the front door
• A highly walkable daily routine
• A large selection of starter homes
• A traditional family neighbourhood with central parks and school grounds

Selling In The Willows

Selling in The Willows requires clear positioning. Buyers are usually comparing lifestyle, setting, ownership costs, and finish level, not just bedroom count.

Sellers should focus on:

The Willows is not a one-size-fits-all pricing area. A golf-course-facing home, a villa-style property, a newer build, and an attached strata property may attract different buyers. Strong pricing comes from matching the home to the correct buyer pool.

Investor Notes For The Willows

The Willows is not usually a first-stop neighbourhood for cash-flow-focused investors. The City profile shows 100% owned and 0% rented in the 2016 housing-tenure section, which points to an owner-occupied profile at that time.

That does not mean investors should ignore it. It means the strategy needs to be different.

Potential investor angles include:

Investor risks include higher acquisition cost, a smaller tenant pool, possible condo or strata restrictions, and resale sensitivity if pricing exceeds what similar lifestyle buyers are willing to pay.

Commute And Transportation

The Willows is strongest for drivers. The City concept-plan amendment describes the neighbourhood as being bound by Lorne Avenue to the west, Clarence Avenue to the east, and Canadian National Railway to the north, with access tied to Cartwright Street and other planned access points.

Buyers who drive can usually connect toward Stonebridge, Circle Drive, Clarence Avenue, Lorne Avenue, downtown routes, and south Saskatoon employment areas. Buyers who rely on transit should be more cautious. Saskatoon Transit recommends using its real-time Transit app and service alerts to plan trips and track route changes.

Winter driving should also be considered. Because The Willows has a more separated layout and a smaller number of access routes than some neighbourhoods, road work, snow conditions, or construction can affect day-to-day travel more noticeably.

Pros And Cons Of Living In The Willows

How The Willows Compares To Nearby Saskatoon Neighbourhoods

• Stonebridge: Better fit if you want more everyday services, more school proximity, more housing variety, and a busier suburban setting.
  https://twrealestate.ca/blog/stonebridge-saskatoon-neighbourhood-guide
• Nutana Park: Better fit if you want a mature south-side neighbourhood with older single-family homes, established streets, and a more traditional residential feel.
  https://twrealestate.ca/blog/nutana-park-saskatoon-neighbourhood-guide
• Avalon: Better fit if you want an older south-central location with access to parks, established schools nearby, and a different price and housing mix.
  https://twrealestate.ca/blog/avalon-saskatoon-neighbourhood-guide
• Lakeview: Better fit if you want an established east-side family neighbourhood with parks, schools nearby, and more conventional suburban housing.
  https://twrealestate.ca/blog/lakeview-saskatoon-neighbourhood-guide
• Briarwood: Better fit if you want another higher-end Saskatoon option with larger homes, quiet streets, and east-side access, without the same golf-course identity.
  https://twrealestate.ca/blog/briarwood-saskatoon-neighbourhood-guide

Is The Willows Right For You?

The Willows is worth considering if you want a quieter south Saskatoon setting, newer housing, golf-course surroundings, and a more private residential feel. It may not be the right fit if you need a school in the neighbourhood, a lower price point, strong transit access, or a walkable daily routine.

For many buyers, the decision comes down to lifestyle and ownership structure. If the setting, home style, and monthly costs fit your long-term plan, The Willows can be a strong option. If convenience, schools, and lower carrying costs matter more, nearby neighbourhoods may be a better match.

Thinking About Buying Or Selling In The Willows?

I can help you compare the area, understand what homes are actually selling for, and decide whether this neighbourhood fits your goals.

Contact Tanner Washington with TW Real Estate to start a clear, local plan for your next move in Saskatoon.

Tanner Washington
Boyes Group Realty Inc.
TW Real Estate
Phone: 639-295-4696
Email: tanner@twrealestate.ca
Website: https://twrealestate.ca

https://twrealestate.ca/buyers-guide
https://twrealestate.ca/sellers-guide
https://twrealestate.ca/evaluation

3. FAQ Section

Is The Willows A Good Neighbourhood In Saskatoon?

Yes, The Willows can be a strong neighbourhood for buyers who want a quieter south Saskatoon location, newer homes, golf-course surroundings, and higher-end housing options. It is not the best fit for every buyer, especially those who need lower prices, walkable amenities, or a school inside the neighbourhood.

Is The Willows Good For Families?

The Willows can work for families who are comfortable driving to schools, activities, and amenities. Families should know that the City profile lists no schools located in the neighbourhood, so school planning should be confirmed before buying.

What Types Of Homes Are In The Willows?

The Willows includes single-family homes, attached homes, townhome-style properties, and condo or strata-style housing. The City profile shows 66% multi-unit dwellings and 34% single-family dwellings in 2020.

Are There Schools In Or Near The Willows?

There are no schools listed inside The Willows in the City profile. Nearby schools buyers may research include Chief Whitecap School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School in Stonebridge, but buyers should confirm catchments and transportation with the school divisions.

Is The Willows Good For First-Time Buyers?

The Willows may not be the most common first-time buyer neighbourhood because many homes are higher-end or strata-style properties. A first-time buyer with a larger budget may still consider it, especially if they value newer construction, lower exterior maintenance, or a quieter setting.

Is The Willows Good For Real Estate Investors?

The Willows is usually a better fit for lifestyle, executive-rental, or long-term resale strategies than for basic cash-flow investing. Investors should review condo bylaws, zoning, rental rules, carrying costs, and resale demand before buying.

How Does The Willows Compare To Stonebridge?

The Willows feels quieter, more private, and more golf-course oriented. Stonebridge has more everyday retail, more conventional family amenities, and a broader housing mix. Buyers who want convenience may prefer Stonebridge, while buyers who want setting and privacy may prefer The Willows.

What Should Buyers Watch For In The Willows?

Buyers should review condo or strata documents, fees, reserve funds, exterior maintenance, drainage, golf-course exposure, future development, construction activity, and school options. They should also confirm current transit options if they do not plan to drive daily.

4. Related Saskatoon Neighbourhood Guides