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Family-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Montreal: Where to Settle Down With Comfort and Community
What Makes a Montreal Neighbourhood Family-Friendly?
Depending on what you’re looking for while on the lookout for your next home, some key elements that make a great Montreal neighbourhood include:
- Safe, welcoming streets: Families value peace of mind, and Montreal delivers with neighbourhoods known for low crime rates and strong community connections. Many family-focused areas feature quiet, tree-lined streets and traffic-calmed zones, making it easy for kids to walk or bike safely.
- Excellent education options: From public and private schools to French and English programs, Montreal’s education system gives parents flexibility and quality. Access to reputable school boards, such as the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM), ensures strong academic pathways close to home.
- Parks and play spaces throughout: Montreal’s green network includes hundreds of parks, splash pads, and playgrounds, making it ideal for family downtime. Neighbourhoods like Outremont and NDG are primarily known for their accessible parks and community gardens that bring residents together year-round.
- Access to everyday activities: Community centres, libraries, and daycares are core to family life in the city. Whether it’s weekend swimming lessons or after-school programs, Montreal’s local hubs help families stay active, connected, and supported.
- Convenient transit and walkability: With extensive bus routes, metro lines, and walkable neighbourhoods, families can get around without a car. Proximity to shops, schools, and parks makes daily routines easier and more sustainable.
InterRent communities are located in areas that combine essential features that balance comfort, safety, and connection for growing families.
Montreal is one of Canada’s most vibrant and multicultural cities. Families from all walks of life can feel at home in its bilingual schools, leafy parks, walkable streets, and strong community spirit. The city offers a blend of culture and comfort that fosters family life. Whether you’re drawn to lively urban hubs or quiet, residential pockets, there’s a Montreal neighbourhood that fits every stage of family living.
This guide explores some of the city’s most family-friendly neighbourhoods, each offering its own mix of schools, nearby parks and public transit access. Discover where families love to settle in Montreal, and how easy it can be to find your next home in one of these welcoming communities from InterRent’s managed rentals across the city.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Quiet and residential, Ahuntsic-Cartierville offers a peaceful, park-filled setting just north of downtown. Tree-lined streets and spacious green spaces make it a favourite for parents seeking a balance between city living and suburban calm.
The neighbourhood’s strong academic reputation shines through schools like Collège Regina Assumpta and nearby public options, while local libraries and community centres anchor year-round family programs. Weekends often revolve around Parc de l’Île-de-la-Visitation, where riverside trails like the Rivière des Prairies, cycling paths, and picnic spots bring residents outdoors year-round.
Rooted in a proud Francophone community, Ahuntsic-Cartierville blends cultural warmth with practical convenience, from strong public transit to nearby shopping, making daily life flow with ease.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
Centre Communautaire d'Ahuntsic
Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG)
Beloved for its diversity and energy, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) is one of Montreal’s most welcoming areas for families and newcomers. Its streets are lined with cafés, schools, and parks that reflect the city’s multicultural heartbeat, making it easy for families from all backgrounds to feel at home.
Education options are a standout feature, with a wide range of Anglophone and Francophone schools, including Lower Canada College and École Iona, offering strong academic programs in both languages. The area’s family-friendly amenities, from NDG Park and Loyola Park to local community centres and YMCAs, keep kids active and connected year-round.
InterRent apartments in this area are ideal for families who want to stay close to schools, parks, and public transit while enjoying the comfort of professionally managed, family-friendly living.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
NDG Community Council
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
Lively yet laid-back, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie is one of Montreal’s most balanced neighbourhoods for families. Known for its bike-friendly streets and abundance of parks, it’s a place where families can run errands, drop kids off at nearby schools, and plan weekend adventures all close to home.
Families can appreciate the easy access to Parc Jarry, a local favourite for picnics and tennis during the summer, as well as the proximity to top-rated schools and daycares. The Jean-Talon Market adds a fresh, local touch to weekly routines, while cultural venues and neighbourhood events keep the area vibrant year-round.
With its safe, walkable streets and active community spirit, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie offers a welcoming atmosphere where families can put down roots and grow.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
Outremont
Outremont combines old-world charm with modern family comfort. Its quiet, tree-lined avenues and heritage architecture give the neighbourhood a timeless feel for families who value beauty and calm without leaving the heart of Montreal.
Education is a cornerstone of the community, with several prestigious private institutions and top-tier French-language public schools close by. On weekends, families can stroll to Parc Saint-Viateur or Parc Outremont, where shaded gardens and playgrounds create an inviting and serene walking path.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
Centre Communautaire Intergénérationnel
Verdun
Verdun’s recent revitalization brought new parks, cafés, and community spaces. Transforming the once quiet riverside borough into one of Montreal’s most desirable and family-friendly neighbourhoods.
Families are drawn to Verdun’s affordability compared to the Plateau or downtown, as well as its abundance of outdoor amenities. Verdun is home to the scenic Desmarchais-Crawford and L’Île-des-Sœurs trails, which offer easy access to nature and modern playgrounds with splash pads, keeping your kids active year-round. Bike-friendly streets, weekly farmer’s markets, and local cafés welcome families. Verdun has become a go-to for young families searching for community and convenience.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
The Citizen Action Committee of Verdun (CACV
Villeray
Villeray blends small-neighbourhood warmth with urban accessibility. Its compact, walkable layout puts schools, parks, and cafés just steps away. Parc Jarry anchors the neighbourhood with sprawling green space, sports fields, and large public pools, creating memorable summers. Working parents will find a mix of elementary schools and daycare options surrounding the park.
Villeray stands out as a practical, family-focused choice. With quick access to Jean-Talon Market, nearby metro stations, and affordable rental options. Families feel naturally at home with the seamless mix of community and convenience.
Community/Neighbourhood Association(s):
Tips for Choosing the Right Family Neighbourhood in Montreal
- If you rely on public transit, prioritize proximity to schools, daycares, and metro lines to simplify drop-offs and commutes.
- Visiting the neighbourhood on weekends can reveal how active parks are, how walkable the streets feel, and whether cafés and local shops are truly family-friendly.
- Ask about local parent groups, seasonal events, or recreation programs that help kids and neighbours connect.
Final Thoughts
Montreal makes family living feel effortless. From the vibrant, multicultural energy of NDG to the green, riverside calm of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, each neighbourhood offers its own version of home—safe, connected, and full of character. Families can enjoy access to quality schools, sprawling parks, bike paths, and community programs without giving up urban convenience or space to grow. Montreal’s family-friendly communities make it easy to settle in and feel like you belong.
Browse our listings in Montreal now or speak with an InterRent leasing specialist