Where you choose to live is a major contributor to who you are as a person. The area in which you live evidently becomes a part of you, shaping or even changing your life view.
In Montreal, the West Island is the best place to be for many great reasons. People that live there have a good life. A I was growing up in Montreal, I had always dreamed of having a home in the West Island. Big house with a front & backyard with an inground swimming pool. Here is the big list you all have been waiting for…The top ten reasons why living in Montreal’s West Island is the best place to be on the island.
1. It is Peaceful and Relaxing
Montreal is a busy City. It is right where the action is, so to speak. It can be loud, congested and even rowdy on occasion, but what else would you expect from the Big City? Rush hour traffic blocks the entire roadways, causing slowdowns everywhere. West Island is the flip side of the City. It is peaceful and relaxing. Sure there is traffic on the way in during the rush hour, but it is worth the wait. Get home, relax and enjoy the perfect surroundings that will induce tranquility in your entire being.
2. The Rent Is Affordable
The rent is actually quite comparable. I certain areas of the West Island, there are places that are cheaper to rent a place. By choosing to live in the West Island, as opposed to the city, families are able to save more money each year. Dorval for example has many affordable apartments that can be rented that will not break the bank. These cheaper housing options still give you the benefits of the area. Best bet is to find a great home that is for sale and get a mortgage. Payments are generally cheaper than the rent.
3. Cleanest Areas in Montreal
Montreal is not that bad in regards to cleanliness, but it is not as clean as the West Island. The people hav emore respect for the community because they feel that they are a part of it. The downtown Montreal area is so populated that it does not give the people the same feeling of community which leads to more littering and the like.
4. It is Good For The English Speaking Community
If you happen to be English speaking while living in Quebec, then you might want to consider the West Island to be your residence. Most of residents in the West Island identify as English as their primary language. It is one of the rare places that you can go to a store and they greet you in English. Very nice to hear English without having to figure out what is being said in French.
5. Many Parks and Greenspaces to Enjoy
The West Island has tons of greenspace compared to the City of Montreal. Centennial Park, Park Dollard-Des Ormeaux,”A very big park in West Island as far as I know.” Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park, Park Pierrefonds, “Another nice park on the West Island .” Dollard-des-Ormeaux Park, Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard Nature Park, L’Île-Bizard, “The most beautiful park in the west island”, Park Pointe-Claire, “Best splash pad in West Island and one of 5 best in Montreal area.” All of the greenspaces are perfect for the entire family to enjoy.
6. Tight Knit Community
The closer the community the safer people feel. This is a family oriented place to live. Moms bringing their kids to sporting practice, Dads playing with their kids with others in the area…it is nice to see everyone getting along. Neighbors stay friendly by greeting each other with a smile.
7. Tons of Outdoor Activities for the Family
There are many outdoor activities and clubs to participate in out in the West Island. Do you like a certain sport? Sporting clubs in the area have everything you can want and more. So many leagues and teams of every sport are always visible on the fields during the summer months. Swimming spots, fishing spots, you name it, it is there!
8. Less Big City Pressures and Stress
The West Island just seems to give you a better life overall. It is much more quiet that the city, it is cleaner and safer. There is less traffic in the residential areas compared to the downtown Montreal action that never seems to stop. Less foot traffic as well as basic respect for the area leads to cleaner streets and front yards. The stress of everyday life is just not the same asn in Montreal. When you get home in the West Island, you feel instant relief and relaxation.
9. Top Rated High Schools
The West Island has a few hidden gems in regards to Schools. We have great High Schools such as St. Thomas High School with their International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, John Rennie’s Sport-Études Program, and Beaconsfield High School’s Embarkation Program for students who take an alternative approach to learning. Of course you have John Abbott College Campus for the next level of learning.
10. Picturesque and Charming
It is true that the area is quite old. This is where the picturesque old style homes get their charm. One huge benefit to the older plots is the size of the land. In the newer developments, you will have the newest home building technologies at work. From huge mansions to your average sized home, but all on slightly smaller plots of land in comparison to the older areas such as Baie-D’Urfé and Beaconsfield.
That is our Top 10 Reasons Why Living In Montreal’s West Island Is The Best!