The Best Neighborhoods to Live in Montreal: A Comprehensive Ranking

By far, choosing the right neighborhood is the most important decision in considering moving to Montreal. The city has several charming neighborhoods with their characteristic features, amenities, and way of life. The problem is that online descriptions or opinions from locals and new immigrants often depend on only one or two aspects of a particular neighborhood, which would leave you pretty much in the dark as regards a clear mental picture of it.

We're trying to make things easier for you, so we've moved on from personal opinions to the digitization of key criteria. We objectively compare all these neighborhoods in Montreal, considering that most Montreal neighborhoods aren't homogeneous, with most areas having their own nice and not-so-nice pockets. Our ranking gives one a general feeling regarding both the strengths and the weaknesses that each neighborhood possesses so one narrows down the best fitting area according to one's needs and way of living.

The comparison table that follows provides comprehensive information. Below, the summaries of each neighborhood offer a different perspective to guide you towards the best choice for your move.

Criteria for Ranking Neighborhoods

To make your decision easier, we’ve analyzed and ranked Montreal neighborhoods based on a range of essential criteria:

To create a clear and objective comparison of Montreal's neighborhoods, we evaluated each area based on the following criteria:

• Rent Prices: Housing affordability is a key factor for many residents. Lower average rents result in higher scores, making neighborhoods with more budget-friendly options stand out.

• Public Transport: Accessibility and efficiency of public transit networks, including metro and bus services, were considered. Neighborhoods with better connectivity and reliability scored higher.

• Amenities: The availability of basic and recreational facilities: grocery stores, parks, restaurants, shopping centers, and healthcare services. For these, neighborhood choice was contingent.

• Crime Rates: Safety is one of the top concerns; therefore, neighborhoods with lower crime rates received higher scores in this category for assurance of peace of mind among its residents.

• Schools: The quality and availability of schools, from elementary to high school, were factored in, especially for families prioritizing education.

• Nightlife: Vibrant entertainment options, including bars, clubs, live music, and cultural events, contribute to a neighborhood's liveliness and scored higher in areas catering to nightlife enthusiasts.

• Family-Friendliness: Quiet streets, playgrounds, daycare centers, and family-focused activities were important indicators of a neighborhood’s suitability for families with children.

• Distance to Downtown: Proximity to Montreal’s city center was a significant consideration, as shorter commutes and easy access to downtown amenities enhance convenience and desirability.

By assigning scores to each neighborhood based on these criteria, we’ve compiled a comprehensive ranking of Montreal’s most popular areas. Below is a detailed comparison table summarizing their strengths, followed by an in-depth review of each neighborhood to help you make the right choice.

Neighborhood Summaries

Rosemont

Rosemont is gentrifying and amenity-friendly, with great public transportation and ease of access downtown. Very family-friendly, with an emerging nightlife—true harmony for families and pros alike.

Plateau Mont-Royal

The whole Plateau Mont-Royal is famous for its hip atmosphere, housing the cultural and artistic heart of Montreal. Its hip cafes, nightlife, and top amenities make it, no doubt, one of the favorites among young professionals. At the same time, this neighborhood will not appeal to everyone: too expensive and not so family-oriented.

Sud-Ouest

Sud-Ouest is one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods, which amalgamates trendy and eclectic, offering affordability and ease of access. A short drive from downtown, boasting excellent public transportation with more amenities on the way, it is now a hot destination for young professionals and families seeking the urban experience without too many sacrifices to balance it.

Westmount

Westmount is an upscale, quiet neighborhood, excellent for families who are seeking great schools and safety. Quieter, with fewer nightlife options, its family-friendly atmosphere and upscale charm make it highly desirable.

Outremont

Outremont is really one of the classier areas in town, oozing with elegance and tranquility. It would be ideal for families and professionals since it has a number of the best schools, plenty of family-friendly amenities, and is quiet. However, for those who look for pulsating nightlife, it misses the mark.

Villeray

Villeray is one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Montreal, with affordable rates mixed with some of the best schools and amenities in town that are very family-oriented. Proximity to downtown and its developing community vibe go well with attracting the more budget-conscious residents.

Ville-Marie

The busy core of Montreal, Ville-Marie,, encompasses all those ingredients that contribute to what one may live for: city life. The amenities a person needs are provided unequally; this place has spectacular nightlife, though, and very active public transportation. It being expensive goes in contrast with your request to provide more family-oriented spaces around the house-renting section, hence offering more accommodations suitable for families.

Verdun

Verdun has become a renewed neighborhood, offering a quiet alternative to living in downtown, with good schools, decent public transportation, and with a great family-friendly feel, this place turns out to be excellent for those who want a quiet, accessible urban area.

Côte-des-Neiges

Diverse and eclectic, Côte-des-Neiges provides the added benefits of affordability, excellent schools, and reliable public transportation to downtown, making this neighborhood a fine choice-all in all, not too over-the-top regarding nightlife but relatively practical for both families and students alike.

West Island

West Island offers suburban charm, excellent schools, and amenities focused on the family. Though further away from downtown, with no vibrant nightlife to speak of, the area is great for anyone looking for space and tranquility with a very strong sense of community.

LaSalle

Affordable and family-friendly, Lasalle balances a good mix of quiet living, good schools, and decent proximity to downtown. It would be excellent for families who want peace and connection at the same time.

St. Laurent

St. Laurent is a rather well-rounded and balanced neighborhood in terms of its great schools and amenities. For anyone looking for variety, the balance between urban convenience and family-friendly appeal will find it an ideal choice.

Lachine

Lachine is best known as an affordable waterfront area that, nonetheless, has decent amenities and schooling. It is a bit farther from downtown, still a great place for scenery and peacefulness.

Longueuil

Longueuil is just across the river, truly suburban, with more 'affordable' housing and very family-friendly amenities. The transportation means are okay, though much nothing compared to some urban neighborhoods in town, so it is best suited for suburban living.

Hochelaga

Hochelaga is a neighborhood in gentrification, offering improved amenities and nightlife, though with some challenges remaining regarding public safety and schools. The neighborhood appeals to a somewhat younger demographic who enjoy its up-and-coming charm and lower-cost housing.

Laval

Laval is a little farther away from the core of Montreal, suburban, family-friendly with decent schools and amenities; however, its distance from the city and lack of nightlife make it more suitable to those who want tranquility rather than urban convenience.

Anjou

Anjou's charms lie in its suburban affordability, decent schools, longer commutes, and limited nightlife, best for families or on-a-budget individuals in search of a quieter life.

Montreal-Nord 

Montreal-Nord is among the cheapest areas in town and, as such, has its major drawbacks in terms of safety and amenities. Great for families on a real tight budget who aren't really concerned about other areas getting in the way of the main factor: affordability.

Conclusion

Every Montreal neighborhood offers advantages such as vibrant nightlife, family-friendly amenities, affordable living, and convenient access to downtown. Be that Plateau Mont-Royale's hipster streets, the peaceful charm in Westmount, or the as-yet-undecided up-and-coming virtues of Sud-Ouest; each has its relative strength and character.

Of course, your decision will come down to your priorities: affordability, ease concerning schools, safety, or the cultural vibe. Take this guide as a starting point for finding those neighbourhoods that will work for you and maximize what Montreal has to offer.