Best Neighborhood to Stay in Montreal? Where Best Areas & Hotels
Montreal is a beautiful city with so much to offer. From the old cobblestone streets in Old Montreal, to the skyscrapers of Downtown, one can find something for everyone in this diverse and multicultural city.
But what about where you should stay? The neighborhoods vary from hipster-friendly Plateau Mont-Royal to family-oriented West Island. We have narrowed it down to 12 best neighborhoods that we think will suit your needs and wants!
Montreal offers many different types of neighbourhoods: some are lively and full of life while others are quiet and peaceful.
Some offer big shopping centres while others boast excellent schools; there’s everything from suburban homes on tree lined avenues, to vibrant downtown condos with outdoor patios overlooking Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets.
Start gazing at the fascinating world of Montreal with 12 best neighborhoods for an amazing life!
Note: There is no specific order associated with these neighborhood lists!
Downtown Montreal
Downtown Montreal, also known as The City Centre, is located on the Island of Montreal.
This area integrates many qualities of other city neighbourhoods such as bustling streets and shopping centres but it also reflects aspects of more suburban life with quiet streets lined with single-family homes.
Although Downtown has an urban feel, there are plenty of green spaces found throughout this neighborhood to escape from the concrete jungle.
Some notable attractions in this neighbourhood include the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Eaton Centre (a popular shopping mall), and Place Jacques-Cartier (a square with a European feel to it).
There are also many festivals that take place Downtown throughout the year, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs, and the Nuit Blanche.
Downtown in Montreal is considered to be one of the most well-planned, modern, and functional neighbourhoods.
Downtown’s access to transportation is excellent with many bus lines that connect it to other parts of the city and subway stations.
There are also bike paths throughout the neighborhood which make it possible for residents who live close to work without using their cars.
The cost of living in Downtown Montreal is also relatively high with many luxury apartments and overpriced stores.
As well, there are plenty of art galleries, restaurants, shopping malls and bars to explore! Whether you live in this Montreal neighbourhood or visit, you will not be disappointed.
Plateau Mont-Royal
The Plateau is known for its vibrant atmosphere and hipster image.
With many bistros and restaurants to visit, as well as a number of coffee shops and boutiques selling unique goods, this area offers visitors something that they can’t find elsewhere in Montreal.
The Plateau is a pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood with narrow streets and a lot of staircases, so it’s definitely not for those who are looking for a quiet neighbourhood to live in.
Some of the popular attractions in the Plateau include Mount Royal Park (which offers excellent views of the city).
Also Saint Laurent Boulevard (a lively street with lots of trendy shops and restaurants), and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
The cost of living in the Plateau is relatively high when compared to other neighbourhoods in Montreal.
However, the cost of owning a home is relatively low compared to other places in Canada. For those who don’t mind the hustle and bustle of city life, this Montreal neighbourhood would be a great option for you!
Griffintown
Griffintown is a newly-developed neighbourhood that is quickly becoming one of the most popular places to live in Montreal.
This area was once an industrial district, but it has now been turned into a trendy neighbourhood with young professionals and artists moving in.
The buildings in Griffintown are all historic warehouses that have been converted into lofts and condos.
One of the best things about Griffintown is that it’s located right next to Downtown Montreal, so residents have easy access to all of the amenities that the city has to offer.
There are also a lot of trendy restaurants and bars in this neighbourhood, as well as art galleries and music venues.
The cost of living in Griffintown is very high and the cost of owning a property is even higher. If you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood to live in, this area might not be right for you!
Mile End
Just like the Plateau, Mile End is known for its great atmosphere and vibrant energy. Hipsters looking for a unique Montreal neighbourhood would definitely feel at home in this area!
Some of the main attractions in this part of the city include Monkland Village (a popular street of cafes, book stores, shopping malls, boutiques, etc), the Jean-Talon Market (a huge open-air market), and the Parc du Mont-Royal.
Mile End is also known for its large concentration of artists, and there are a number of art galleries and studios in the area. The cost of living in Mile End is relatively high, but it’s still cheaper than Downtown or Griffintown.
If you’re looking for a trendy and artsy neighbourhood to live in, Mile End would be a great choice!
Mile-Ex
Mile-Ex is a neighbourhood that is located in the east end of Montreal. This area is known for its large industrial buildings, warehouses, and factories.
Recently, this neighbourhood has been undergoing a transformation with many new businesses and restaurants moving in.
Mile-Ex is a great place to live if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood. There’s not much in the way of nightlife or entertainment, but there are plenty of parks and green spaces in this area.
The cost of living in Mile-Ex is relatively low when compared to other places in Montreal. However, since this neighbourhood is still in development, the cost of owning a property is relatively high.
Old Montreal
If you’re looking for a charming and historic neighbourhood to stay in Montreal, Old Montreal would be a great choice!
This area is located in the heart of the city and is home to some of the oldest buildings in Montreal. There are also a lot of trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars in this area.
One of the main attractions in Old Montreal is Notre-Dame Basilica, which is a beautiful church with ornate architecture.
There are also a number of museums and art galleries in this area, including the McCord Museum and Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
The cost of living in Old Montreal is high compared to other places in Montreal, but it’s still cheaper than other areas like Griffintown. The cost of owning a property is also relatively low in this part of the city.
If history and old-fashioned charm are what you’re looking for when it comes to your new home, Old Montreal would be a great choice!
Saint-Henri
Saint-Henri is a historic working-class neighbourhood in Montreal, located south of Downtown.
It was once known for its vast industrial district, but has since been transformed into a residential area with art galleries, hip cafes, trendy restaurants, etc.
One of the best things about Saint-Henri is that it’s close to everything else – Downtown, Little Italy, Griffintown, and Mile Ex – so you’ll have no trouble getting around.
This part of Montreal is a great place to live if you want to be close to all the action!
Saint-Henri has a small school for young children located in this neighbourhood called Saint-Henri Elementary School.
The cost of living in Saint-Henri is relatively low, and the cost of owning a property is also cheap when compared to other areas in Montreal.
If you’re looking for a vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood to live in, Saint-Henri would be a great choice!
The Village
The Village is a neighbourhood in Montreal that is located in the west end of the city. This area is known for its large gay population, as well as its many bars, clubs, and restaurants.
The Village is a great place to live if you’re looking for a lively and happening neighbourhood.
There’s always something going on in this area, whether it’s a festival, event, or concert. The cost of living in this neighbourhood is relatively high when compared to other parts of the city.
However, the cost of owning a property is very low. If you want to live in an area with lots of gay residents and visitors, as well as plenty of nightlife and entertainment opportunities, The Village would be a great choice!
Villeray
Villeray is a neighbourhood in Montreal that is located in the north-east end of the city. This area is known for its trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars. Villeray also has a large artist population, which is evident in the many art galleries and studios that can be found here.
One of the best things about Villeray is that it’s close to other popular neighbourhoods in Montreal, such as Mile-Ex and the Plateau.
This makes it easy to get around the city. The cost of living in Villeray is relatively high when compared to other places in Montreal, but it’s still cheaper than some of the more expensive areas like the Plateau.
The cost of owning a property is also relatively high in this part of the city.
If you’re looking for a trendy and artsy neighbourhood to live in, Villeray would be a great choice!
Verdun
Verdun is a neighbourhood in Montreal that is located in the south-west end of the city. This area is known for its large green spaces, as well as its many parks and squares. Verdun also has a very diverse population, which is evident in the many cultures that can be found here.
One of the best things about Verdun is that it’s close to other popular neighbourhoods in Montreal, such as Downtown, the Plateau, and Mile-Ex.
This makes it easy to get around the city. The cost of living in Verdun is relatively low when compared to other places in Montreal, and the cost of owning a property is also cheap when compared to other areas in Montreal.
If you’re looking for a neighbourhood that is full of green spaces and has a diverse population, Verdun would be a great choice!
Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is a neighbourhood in Montreal that is located in the east end of the city. This area is known for its many colleges and universities, as well as its lively nightlife.
The Latin Quarter is a great place to live if you want to be close to all the action. There are always lots of things going on in this neighbourhood, whether it’s a concert, festival, or event.
The cost of living in the Latin Quarter is relatively high when compared to other parts of the city. However, the cost of owning a property is very low.
If you want to live in an area with lots of students and nightlife, the Latin Quarter would be a great choice!
Rosemont / Petite Patrie
Rosemont / Petite Patrie is a neighbourhood in Montreal that is located in the east end of the city. This area is known for its large immigrant population, as well as its many cultural festivals and events.
One of the best things about Rosemont / Petite Patrie is that it’s close to other popular neighbourhoods in Montreal, such as the Latin Quarter and Mile-Ex. This makes it easy to get around the city.
The cost of living in Rosemont / Petite Patrie is relatively low when compared to other parts of the city, and the cost of owning a property is also cheap when compared to other areas in Montreal.
If you’re looking for a neighbourhood that is full of culture and has a large immigrant population, Rosemont / Petite Patrie would be a great choice!
Conclusion
Montreal is a beautiful city, but it can be overwhelming to find the best neighborhood for you. Here are some things to think about before deciding on which one might suit your needs best.
First, figure out whether or not you want to live in an urban setting with lots of hustle and bustle around you or if suburbia would work better for you.
Then consider how much time do you spend outside? Do you like being close to nature?Is keeping up appearances important to you?
With this information in mind, we hope that our list will help narrow down what areas may be perfect for you!