Moving to Montreal – Where should I live? – 2025

Canada
Québec
Montreal

Home to a population of more than 4 million people, Montreal is known for its top-rated schools, low property crime, its European style, music festivals, hiking trails and diverse food culture. With over 19 boroughs, Montreal has something for everyone. 

Before moving, it is suggested to research the cost of living in Montreal so you have a better understanding of your potential new home. It is best to ask yourself certain questions regarding the area and to explore to make the right decision. Here is the list of the Top 7 Best Neighborhoods in Montreal with the Best Quality of Life this year.

Methodology

Based on “Best” being a subjective word, below is our methodology to compile the best places.

Using our existing ranking of the safest and cheapest places to live in Montreal, we based our ranking on 3 criteria: safety, affordability and quality of life. 

Our safety ranking methodology is based on a detailed analysis of the total number of crimes, taken from the official website of the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal, using data from each neighbourhood station for the first quarter of 2025. The crime rate is calculated per 1,000 people. Crimes against persons and property were taken into account for this ranking.

Our affordability criteria takes into account the average cost of purchasing a property (condos and single-family homes) and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, sourced from trusted local real estate websites.

The “Best quality of life” aspect is measured based on feedback from real people who have moved to this area in our database or real people from trusted online forums. More specifically, we look for positive feedback on job opportunities, quality of education, quality of healthcare, feeling of safety, public transportation, environment (cleanliness), as well as availability of recreational facilities and parks.

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Moving to Montreal – Best Neighborhoods in Montreal with the Best Quality of Life

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1. Verdun

  • Crime Rate: 5.41 crimes per 1,000 people (PDQ 16)
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,495
  • Average cost of buying a property: $876,944

Verdun has an impressively low crime rate of 5.41 crimes per 1000 people. This area offers a mix of residential and commercial spaces, making it an ideal place to live and work. Located in the southeastern part of the island, Verdun has something for everyone.

It even has a beach known as Plage Urbaine de Verdun – which is very rare in Montreal. If you have a furry friend, Verdun has over 39 km of paths and cycle paths, with over 10 km of pedestrian walk paths located near the local river. As for driving, Verdun is connected to the rest of Montreal through access to highways 15 and 20.

Also, Wellington Street becomes pedestrian only in the summer and is very vibrant with a lot of shops. This is one of the reasons why we consider it in the first position on the list.

SPVM (2025) Centris (2025), Zumper (Oct 2025)Statistics Canada (2021)

Verdun, QC

2. Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie

  • Crime Rate: 7.35 crimes per 1,000 people (PDQ 44)
  • Average apartment rent: $1,647
  • Average home price: $809,188

Rosemont, which has a crime rate of 7.35 crimes per 1000 people, is located in the centre east of the city with a population of 112 909 residents. This area includes two different public schools along with three public libraries that are operated by the Montreal Public Library’s Network. 

Getting around the city is not a hassle in Rosemont, thanks to the STM. Rosemont is surrounded by the orange and blue lines including Metro Rosemont, Beaubien, Pie-IX, L’Assomption and Jean Talon, to name a few. Alternatively, if you will be driving in Rosemont, be sure to read parking signs and pay your parking meter on time as parking tickets can range from $60 and up!

Rosemont is the perfect blend of businesses, residence and green space. You will find the iconic Montreal Botanical Garden, near the Olympic Park, filled with flowers, plants and insects where people are often seen walking or running on their down time. 

If you are not interested in flowers, it is worth visiting Montreal’s Little Italy where you can expect to find authentic Italian gelato, pizza, coffee shops, boutiques and small businesses. Just a few blocks away is located the Jean Talon Market where fresh produce and baked goods can be bought. 

SPVM (2025), Statistics Canada (2021)Centris (2025) & Zumper (Nov 2025)

Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie, QC

3. LaSalle

  • Crime rate: 8.04 crimes per 1000 people (PDQ 13)
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,449
  • Average cost of buying a property: $583,528

LaSalle offers a mix of small-town charm, modern amenities, and exceptional schools, making it an ideal choice for families with children. The neighborhood motto appears on the coat of arms, “He pushes away obstacles, he casts aside difficulties”. 

With a population of 82 064, LaSalle promotes a strong sense of community. You can expect to find 1 library, 1 large park known as Parc des Rapides and more than 40 neighborhood parks, 2 arenas, 5 outdoor ice rinks, 10 tennis courts, 1 hospital centre, to name a few. It is worth noting LaSalle is also known for its higher education institution known as Cégep Angré-Laurendeau. LaSalle is also an affordable neighborhood amongst our list of 7 neighborhoods. As for safety, it has a low reported crime rate of 8.04 crimes per 1000 people. 

SPVM (2025), Centris (2025), & Zumper (Oct 2025)

Lasalle, QC

4. Kirkland

  • Crime Rate: 10.81 crimes per 1,000 people (PDQ 01)
  • Average 1-bedroom apartment: $2,225
  • Average home price: $983,625

From the green parks and single family homes, Kirkland is an ideal spot for young couples looking to start a family. The neighborhood is filled with natural surroundings like the Kirkland Park and Meades Park where young ones can play any sport of their choosing. 

Locals not only love how peaceful the neighborhood is but also how close it is to the Montreal International Airport (YUL) — by car it is a 15 minute drive and by public transport, 48 minutes. Residents over 65 years old represent the largest age group of Kirkland with many senior homes available like the Chartwell Manoir. 

For safety, it is indeed a safe neighborhood, with a crime rate of 10.81 crimes per 1,000 people.

With a population of 19 413, it is to be noted that Kirkland is one of the neighborhoods of Montreal where English is spoken more commonly over French. Despite its small population, this neighborhood offers a secure and inviting place to call home, making it an excellent choice for those seeking safety and peace.

SPVM (2025), Royal LePage® (Nov 2025) & Centris (2024)

Kirkland, QC

5. Anjou

  • Crime rate: 9.46 crimes per 1,000 people (PDQ 46)
  • Average 1-bedroom apartment: $1,183
  • Average home price: $501,688

Anjou is located to the east of Montreal near two major highways known as the 40 and 25. In this neighborhood, you will find 18 parks and green spaces, 7 outdoor ice rinks, 14 tennis courts, 2 libraries, 5 outdoor swimming pools, 2 arenas, 3 community centers and 6 baseball and softball fields, to name a few. You can also enjoy the neighborhood’s local market where fresh produce can be purchased at the Marché Les Halles D’Anjou

Anjou is an enormous school sector with 10 schools ranging from kindergarten through college. The largest park in Anjou is known as the Haut-Anjou district near rue Jarry Est, west of Boulevard Métropolitain. Here you will find a mix of shops, residential streets and senior homes. 

You can expect to find a mix of residential buildings ranging from apartments, condominiums, town houses, senior homes and family homes making it one of the best neighborhoods to live in Montreal. 

SPVM (2025), Centris (2025) & Centris (2025)

 

Anjou, QC

6. Lachine

  • Crime rate: 10 crimes per 1000 people (PDQ 08)
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,538
  • Average cost of buying a property: $547,656

Lachine offers its residents a range of heritage sites due to its long standing history, as well as, peaceful parks, sports facilities and education institutions. Lachine benefits from its location and accessibility to two major train stations and three highways known as the 20, 13 and the 138.

If you are looking for a neighborhood of close proximity to all of Montreal, Lachine is perfect for you. It is a 5 minute drive to Montreal International Airport (YUL), a 19 minute drive to downtown Montreal and extremely close proximity to l’échangeur turcot, which joins all the major highways of Montreal. 

Most of the residents in Lachine are growing families with children, with a growing population of 45 743. Residents love spending time by the water at Vieux-Lachine or Old Lachine with its historical buildings and performance halls. You can find all the commercial shops on Notre-Dame street where the Lachine Market is located. 

SPVM (2025), Centris (2025) & Zumper (Oct 2025)

Lachine, QC

7. Outremont

  • Crime rate: 13.10 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bedroom apartment: $1,641
  • Average home price: $1,453,969

Outremont is known to be a crowd pleaser due to its reputation as a European sophistication. It is considered a major tourist attraction due to its buildings that date back to the 17th century. The town’s riverbank has been converted into a port which offers maritime facilities.

This neighborhood ranks as one of the best neighborhoods in Montreal, with a total crime rate of 13.10 per 1,000 people. This makes it an inviting choice for those seeking both urban vibrancy and a secure environment. Locals have said that Outremont is a quieter neighbourhood among all of the Montreal boroughs but that is what adds to its charm. 

If you are looking for some down time over the weekend, Outremont is located next to the Mile-End and the Plateau Mont Royal, where you can find amazing brunch spots like Fabergé, support small businesses or go to Bar Waverly for a cocktail. Due to all its history and exquisite architecture, rent and housing can be rather expensive. 

SPVM (2025), Centris (Nov 2025) & Zumper (Nov 2025)

Outremont, QC

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Conclusion

All things considered, Montreal is a vibrant city that offers an enjoyable living experience, walkable neighborhoods, amazing food and work opportunities. Montreal is a perfect choice for an urban lifestyle with its culture and contemporary way of life. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

Moving to Montreal and deciding where to settle can be a tough decision. It is just as important to take into account the safety as well as costs when choosing a neighborhood. MovingWaldo’s list of the top 7 best neighborhoods in Montreal with the best quality of life this year can help you choose your ultimate neighborhood! 

Are you planning to move soon? Learn about the best Montreal movers!

 

Last year’s ranking (2025)

  1. Verdun
  2. Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie
  3. LaSalle
  4. Kirkland
  5. Anjou 
  6. Lachine
  7. Outremont

 

Our rankings are meticulously curated with a focus on safety, affordability, and quality of life. Please note that some locations from last year’s rankings may have been excluded from this year’s list due to deviations from our methodology. This could include areas with insufficient rental/safety data or those with higher/lower averages compared to the previous year. We encourage readers to consider these rankings in conjunction with their individual needs and preferences to make well-informed decisions.

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Selina Cifelli

The author

Selina is a motivated marketing intern with a passion for creating engaging content about moving experiences and urban living. With a strong interest in fashion and travel, she brings a fresh perspective to our readers. Her talent for writing innovative content effectively positions MovingWaldo as a trusted resource for simple and efficient moves.
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