Areas and suburbs in Montreal

The best places to live in Montreal

Montreal is home to many areas and suburbs, each with its unique culture and atmosphere. Some have large English-speaking and multicultural populations, while others are almost entirely French.

Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, you can choose to live on or off the Island of Montreal. The commute from off the Island of Montreal tends to be quite long and congested, so if you are moving into the neighbourhoods off the Island, you should consider this.

Below are some of the most popular areas and suburbs in and around Montreal.

Island of Montreal

City centre

If you want to live in the city centre of Montreal, you will find a wide range of accommodation available. Most of the housing in the city centre is in the form of apartments and lofts. The market has seen some stability recently, with condominium prices remaining relatively consistent. Prices vary widely, from affordable apartments to luxurious, high-end lofts.

Plateau Mont-Royal

Plateau Mont-Royal is a predominantly French-speaking neighbourhood, and if you want to learn the language quickly, you would do well to find an apartment here. The area is popular among students and young working professionals thanks to its proximity to some of the city's best restaurants and cafés. Recent initiatives, such as the creation of green alleyways and wider pavements, have enhanced the area’s community feel, making it an even more attractive choice.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal is an exciting cultural hub, with beautiful architectural buildings dating back to the early colonial days of New France. You can find exquisite upmarket lofts in this area, while Notre-Dame Basilica and the Montreal City Hall contribute to its sense of grandeur. The area hosts numerous cultural events year-round, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs Festival, adding to the neighbourhood’s colourful charm.

Westmount

Westmount is an affluent suburb with grand, pricey homes and access to highly sought-after amenities. Many wealthy individuals live in this enclave and enjoy the area’s exceptional schools, which provide excellent academic programmes and extracurricular activities. Westmount Park and the public library are additional highlights that add to the neighbourhood’s appeal.

Ahuntsic

Due to the variety of property types and sizes, Ahuntsic is the perfect suburb for families. This area has beautiful parks and good schools, and the commute to the city centre is also fairly reasonable. Recent improvements, such as expanded bike paths and enhanced public transport options, have made it even easier for residents to enjoy what Ahuntsic offers.

West Island

The West Island is the unofficial name for the area that includes the suburbs of St-Anne-de-Bellevue, Beaconsfield, Lakeshore, Pointe-Claire, Dorval, Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux. These are all family-friendly neighbourhoods, and accommodation is usually in the form of detached single-family homes and townhouses.

Most houses in this area have spacious gardens, and the neighbourhoods boast plenty of parks and playgrounds. With the Ecomuseum Zoo and Bois-de-la-Roche Agricultural Park around the corner, your family will never run out of exciting things to do.

The West Island is also home to one of Quebec’s largest English-speaking populations. The commute to the city centre is about 40 minutes by train, and with the upcoming Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) light rail system, commuting times are expected to decrease significantly. This makes the tranquil, suburban lifestyle of the West Island even more appealing.

Notre-Dame-de-Grace

Located 15 minutes from the city centre, Notre-Dame-de-Grace (NDG) is a multicultural, family-friendly neighbourhood chock-full of indie shops, playgrounds, and long-running restaurants. The area is known for its diverse community, with a mix of cultural groups that make NDG’s extent so varied and dynamic. However, housing in the area tends to be quite expensive, so if you are looking to settle here, you need to budget well for this cost.

Off the Island of Montreal

There are two main cities off the Island of Montreal: Laval sits to the west and Longueuil to the east. These neighbourhoods are perfect if you value tranquillity but still want to be within a cosmopolitan area. The only downside to living off the Island of Montreal is the long and stressful daily commute across the bridge and into the city, which is inevitable as most people work in Montreal’s centre. The introduction of three new metro stations in Laval has significantly improved transit accessibility, making commuting easier and more convenient.

North Shore

Situated in the Laval area, North Shore offers many accommodation options. Laval also has good schools and plenty of green spaces for children to enjoy, making it a desirable choice for families. The city has also proactively expanded its green spaces, recently acquiring land for future park projects and surpassing its green space preservation targets.

South Shore

Known for its good schools, security, and outdoor lifestyle, the South Shore is a haven for families. The area has several suburbs, including Longueuil, St Hubert, and Brossard. Amenities such as walking trails, playgrounds, and splash pads contribute to the area’s reputation as a family-oriented destination that promotes an active lifestyle.

The only downside to living in the South Shore area is the long commute into the city. On a bad day, it can take over two hours, so you should carefully consider your chosen suburb's proximity to your workplace. However, the area’s excellent amenities and focus on family-friendly living make it a popular choice despite the commute.