Ville-Marie, the beating heart of Montreal
The Ville-Marie borough benefits from an ideal location directly in the heart of Montreal, between the Saint Lawrence River and Mount Royal, surrounded by other notably chic boroughs like Westmount, Outremont, and Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. As a result, it has become one of the most sought-after areas to live in Quebec.
Are you looking for a residence in Montreal? Ville-Marie – at the center of the city – is as exciting as ever. With a lively atmosphere and mix of architecture, the city offers a unique charm. You’ll find shopping malls, skyscrapers holding both office space and luxury apartments, old historical buildings with prestigious apartments, individual houses, lovely churches, restaurants, and cafés. Marrying history and modernity, the old and the new, Ville-Marie serves as both the business and cultural center of Montreal. This borough, stocked with a diverse population, is divided into neighborhoods: Downtown or the business district, Quartier des Spectacles, Le Quartier Chinois, Quartier Latin, Quartier International, not to mention the large garden (129 parks) and museum district, along with the Village. Discover them all by bike or on foot; the choice is yours.
Between the sub-neighborhoods, quiet alleys, lively streets, beautiful Victorian houses and majestic skyscrapers, there’s a lot to consider. Living under the charm of an old apartment with beautiful high ceilings or being the first to call one of the many new residential projects home; the choices are endless. This spirited city center is the most inhabited in all of Canada. Place Ville-Marie boasts its architectural prowess with its famous cruciform tower, office towers, shopping center and grand esplanade. If one thing’s sure, it’s that you’ll always be in the heart of the action in Ville-Marie.
The area serves as a temporary home for young students who are studying at the major international universities in Ville-Marie: McGill University, Concordia, the French-language Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Ecole de Technologie Supérieure (ETS). With a great selection of primary, secondary, and elementary schools, this area also sparks the interest of families. The rental market is very lucrative because after students spend their first year living in dorms on campus, they typically opt to rent – furnished or not – for the remainder of their time at uni. From living solo in studios to roommates in multi-bedroom apartments or spacious houses, you can rent (or rent out) what you need for a very affordable price in Ville-Marie. Investors’ rental return is guaranteed. Families feel secure knowing that their kids are growing up in a good neighborhood in Montreal. Non-Quebecers – but not just them – prefer a short commute between home and school or work. We’re fairly certain it has something to do with the climate’s notorious reputation. If you happen to be recommended an apartment in the ghetto, don’t worry; McGill Ghetto is the students’ favorite area.
People come from all over Montreal – and the world – to shop on Canada’s most significant commercial street: Over 1,200 fashion and ready-to-wear boutiques, and more. Big international brands and trendy independent shops intermingle with showrooms and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Saint Catherine Street extends over 11 km (approx. 6.8 miles), just enough to check shopping and exercising off your to-do list at the same time.
Ville-Marie offers the perfect balance of tranquility and liveliness. The result is a very happy life in the heart of the city.
Photo Credit: Guilhem Vellut