The province of Quebec is not only Canada’s largest province by area, but it’s also one of the country’s most alluring, offering everything from arts and culture to a thriving economy and iconic sports teams. It’s that combination of endless entertainment options, affordable and subsidized child care, reasonably short health care wait times, and various housing options that makes Quebec such an attractive place to live—especially for those raising a family. If you’re researching a move for your family and considering packing up and taking the plunge in Quebec, you’ll want to keep reading as we run through five of the top cities in Quebec for families.
Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
This off-island suburb of Montreal on the south bank of the Saint Lawrence River is a gem for families. Given that the city is home to Mont-Saint-Bruno, it supplies plenty of stunning scenery and landscape that’s ripe for outdoor fun throughout the year. According to MoneySense, the city has an average housing price of about $450,000 and a low unemployment rate. Nearly half of all families in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville have children living at home, which means neighbourhood playdates are plentiful.
Saint-Constant
Located in southwestern Quebec on the south shore of Montreal, Saint-Constant has abundant opportunities for outdoor play with parks that line the riverbank. Half of its families have children at home, and the population continues to grow rapidly. There are a variety of public schools right in town, along with early childhood centers, where parents can take advantage of Quebec’s child care subsidy. Public transport is also readily available in Saint-Constant, a convenient benefit for parents with children in tow.
Westmount
Few things make a place feel more like home than a sense of community, and you won’t find many towns in Quebec more invested in its people than Westmount. This suburb on the Island of Montreal has its own arena, pool, public library and an assortment of parks with ample green space. One of the other perks that draws families to Westmount is that it’s largely residential, a detail that helps to reinforce its community-first feel. In fact, Maclean’s reports that Westmount has the highest level of community engagement in all of Canada, according to Environics Analytics.
Deux-Montagnes
Our next stop is back in southwestern Quebec, on the north shore of the Rivière des Mille Îles, and about 40 kilometres from Montreal. Living just a short jaunt from the big city means families can easily explore everything Montreal has to offer while returning home to a quiet and comfortable hamlet. Deux-Montagnes is also unique in that it has both English- and French-language schools for students of all ages, though about three-quarters of the town’s mother tongue is French. Additionally, Maclean’s writes that the average home price in Deux-Montagnes is a very affordable $286,000.
Town of Mont-Royal
This family-friendly city and on-island suburb is uniquely positioned in the center of the island. The town is also rich with history, having been dubbed a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008. The actual Mount Royal is a small mountain that serves as the perfect backdrop for an exhilarating bike ride for older kids and adults. Known as a garden city, Mont-Royal has lush green spaces throughout the town. Plus, more than 50% of families in Mont-Royal have children living at home.
With so many charming choices in Quebec, families can’t go wrong with any of these spots. After all, they don’t call it “The Beautiful Province” for nothing.
