Montreal is divided into 19 boroughs, each with its own unique identity and qualities. This article will help you in finding the borough that suits you best.
Ville-Marie and the South-West: downtown Montreal
Ville-Marie is often referred to as "downtown" in Montreal. It covers various neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Old Montreal, the Old Port, and the Village, Montreal's LGBT district. The borough is also famous for the Quartier des Spectacles, where most of Montreal's festivals take place. Another vibrant area in Ville-Marie is the Quartier Latin, hosting the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), along with the lively bars and restaurants of rue Saint-Denis, whose terraces are bustling in good weather.
Ville-Marie is a borough that focuses on business, culture, commerce, and education. Housing tends to be expensive, particularly in areas like Old Montreal and the Village. However, good deals are still available if you search for them! Similar to many North American cities, downtown is where you'll find the highest concentration of homeless individuals.
The Sud-Ouest borough is situated just south of downtown, and it's a delightful area with the Lachine Canal bordering it to the South. Within this borough, you'll find neighborhoods like Saint-Henri, Griffintown, Pointe-Saint-Charles, and Little Burgundy. These vibrant areas boast numerous small cafés, restaurants, and bars.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
The Plateau-Mont-Royal is a rather upscale neighborhood widely appreciated by Montreal's French community for its European charm. It features a high density of small designer boutiques and artists' studios. The area is predominantly residential, with several parks, including Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Park, offering an outdoor swimming pool in the summer. Accessible via the orange line of the metro, it includes stations like Sherbrooke, Mont-Royal, and Laurier and is conveniently close to downtown.
Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie
Just north of Plateau-Mont-Royal is the borough of Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie. While it includes the Beaubien, Rosemont, Jean-Talon, and Fabre metro stations, its reach extends well to the east of these points. To the North, you'll find Parc, d'Iberville, and Saint-Michel stations, and to the South, it is surrounded by Assomption, Pie-XI, Joliette, and Préfontaine stations. This area is gaining popularity as a residential hub and boasts several shopping streets, including Masson and Beaubien. It's home to attractions like Maisonneuve Park, Jean-Talon Market, the Petite-Italie district, as well as various schools and community gardens. It's an ideal borough for families!
Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension
Another family-friendly borough is Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, accessible via Jarry, Saint-Michel, Crémazie, Jean-Talon, D'Iberville, Fabre, De Castelnau, and Parc stations. The Villeray district is primarily known for its family-oriented and residential character, featuring numerous green alleyways and the expansive Jarry Park. Saint-Michel is a highly diverse neighborhood, with a significant population of Haitians and North Africans. Parc-Extension is equally diverse, particularly around the Parc metro station, where you'll find a variety of Indian and Pakistani restaurants and small boutiques offering products from around the world.
Outremont
Outremont is known as an upscale neighborhood, favored by Montreal's elite and home to opulent Victorian mansions. The primary commercial hubs in the area are Laurier Avenue and Bernard Street. Notably, Bernard Street is noteworthy for housing numerous businesses affiliated with Montreal's Jewish community, serving as its headquarters. Outremont is also celebrated for its numerous parks and boutique stores specializing in designer items. Metro access is available through Outremont, Acadie, and Édouard-Montpetit stations. Situated in the heart of Outremont is Lycée Stanislas, with the University of Montreal located nearby.
Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Côte-des-Neiges is a hub for educational institutions, including the University of Montreal and the renowned Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal. This multicultural neighborhood is well-connected through the Édouard-Montpetit, Université-de-Montréal, Côte-des-Neiges, Snowdon, and Villa-Maria metro stations. Often referred to as "NDG", the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district is rich in cultural and recreational attractions, featuring community parks, gardens, swimming pools, skating rinks, libraries, and two houses of culture. With a diverse real estate market, it's a popular choice for newcomers, particularly families.
Verdun, and Lachine
Verdun, situated in the Southwest of Montreal island along the St. Lawrence River, is a sought-after yet still reasonably affordable borough. Despite growing popularity among families and students, it remains affordable. The area is accessible via the green line of the metro, with stations such as Lasalle, Verdun, and De L'Église. You'll find an abundance of small boutiques, grocery stores, and restaurants, especially along Wellington Avenue, which earned the title of the "coolest street in the world" by Time Out magazine in 2022.
Verdun's undeniable charm comes from being surrounded by water. In summer, there's nothing better than a picnic by the river after a day of work or study. Head South for the ideal living spot along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, where the peaceful surroundings and the pleasure of a water view make it a perfect choice! To the North, Lachine is bordered by Pierre-Éliott-Trudeau International Airport.
Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve includes the Olympic Park, home to the 1976 Summer Games stadium, situated close to the Botanical Gardens and the Biodôme de Montréal. Historically labeled as a working-class borough with a bad reputation, it is undergoing gentrification, and construction sites are proliferating to meet increasing demand. Mercier, specifically, is an industrial district with numerous factories, primarily located near the St. Lawrence River. If you're on a tight budget, focusing your housing search in this district might lead you to discover the cozy little nest you've been dreaming of.
By metro, this borough is accessible via the green line and Honoré-Beaugrand, Radisson, Langelier, Cadillac, Assomption, Viau, Pie-IX, Joliette, and Préfontaine stations.
Montreal's most outlying boroughs
Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Anjou, Lasalle, Sud-Ouest, L'Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève, Montréal-Nord, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles, Saint-Laurent, and Saint-Léonard represent the boroughs furthest from downtown. However, they might still interest you depending on your workplace location and budget considerations. Montréal-Nord is often considered the most dangerous; yet as rents climb in other areas, some individuals are increasingly considering a move there.
The metro serves Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Saint-Laurent. On the other hand, L'île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, and Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles are the most distant and least accessible by public transit from downtown Montreal. Nevertheless, they boast the advantage of being peaceful areas with abundant green spaces.
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