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Greater Montreal

Greater Montreal

4.6M
residents · July 1, 2025
82
municipalities in 5 sectors
24%
of residents are immigrants · 2021
$76k
median household income · 2020

Population, immigration and income: Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA); number of municipalities: Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM). Each city page gives the figures for that city alone.

Greater Montreal is Quebec's largest urban region and the main entry point for newcomers. The Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM) brings together 82 municipalities over 4,374 km², grouped into five sectors: the Montreal agglomeration, Laval, the Longueuil agglomeration (including Brossard), the North Shore crown (including Terrebonne and Repentigny) and the South Shore crown. The metropolitan area had about 4.6 million residents on July 1, 2025, according to Statistics Canada — a little over half of Quebec's population. In the 2021 census, about 2 million people lived on the island of Montreal, 438,000 in Laval and 437,000 in the Longueuil agglomeration. It is also the heart of immigration in Quebec: in 2021, 24% of the region's residents were immigrants, and it was home to 85% of the province's immigrants (2021 census). Median total household income was $76,000 in 2020, compared with $72,500 for Quebec as a whole (2021 census). Housing is mostly apartments — close to 6 households in 10 — and 46% of households rent (2021 census). In 2025 the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%, and a listed two-bedroom apartment rented for around $1,920 a month (CMM, June 2026). To buy, the median price was $645,000 for a single-family home and $430,000 for a condo in the second quarter of 2026 (APCIQ). This section gathers the guides for settling in: signing a lease, getting around with the OPUS card, registering children for school and accessing healthcare, city by city.

Where people live
  • Island of Montreal 2.0M
  • Laval 438,000
  • Longueuil agglomeration 437,000
  • Rest of the metro area 1.4M
Source: 2021 census

50 guides

Sources: Statistics Canada · CMM · 2021 census

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Our recommended guides

21 guides

Montréal

Montreal is Quebec's metropolis and the arrival point for most newcomers.

Free Activities in Montreal: Outings and CultureParks, free museums, festivals, libraries, pools — a practical guide to the best free activities in Montréal for families and newcomers.Montréal has a well-established reputation as a cultural, festive city — and much of what the city offers at its best is entirely free. The parks are magnificent and open to all. Summer festivals attract millions of visitors, and the vast majority of shows cost nothing. Museums open their doors for free on certain days. Outdoor pools and skating rinks are often municipal and low-cost or free. F...Daily life · September 9, 2026 · 4 minFree Help for Newcomers in MontrealPROMIS and the YMCA — two organizations offering free support to newcomers in Montreal.In Montreal, community organizations support newcomers — free of charge: No specific immigration status required · No fees: these services are funded for you · Human guidance, often available in several languages · The right time to contact them: as soon as you arrive This guide presents two solid organizations: PROMIS and the YMCA. PROMIS — Promotion intégration société nouvelle — has supporte...Resources · August 3, 2026 · 5 minFree Job-Search Help in Montreal: Where to GoSpecialized job-search organizations in Montréal by profile — newcomers, anglophones, women, professionals — and who to contact first.In Montreal, several organizations offer professional and entirely free job-search help. The catch is that not all of them serve the same audience. Picking the right one from the start saves you weeks: an internationally trained professional doesn't need the same support as a woman returning to the workforce after an extended break. This guide groups them by specialty: Newcomers and immigrants...Work · August 12, 2026 · 7 minLaundromats in MontréalUsing a laundromat in Montréal: finding the nearest one, prices, how the machines work and your options if your apartment has no washer.Many apartments in Montréal — particularly duplexes and triplexes in older neighbourhoods — have no washer or dryer inside the apartment itself. Coin-operated laundromats (buanderies or laveries automatiques) are very common in Montréal — found in virtually every neighbourhood. Typical hours: 7 am – 10 or 11 pm; some are open 24 hours. Step-by-step laundromat use: Arrive with your laundry and q...Daily life · September 9, 2026 · 3 minSummer Heat and Heat Waves in Montréal: How to PrepareSurviving summer heat waves in Montréal — free cooling sites, financial aid, signs of heat stroke and practical advice for new residents.A heat wave (Alerte level) is officially declared in the Montréal region when the temperature reaches 33°C for at least three consecutive days, with nights above 20°C — or two consecutive nights above 25°C. An apartment without air conditioning can quickly exceed 40°C — dangerous for vulnerable people. In 2010, a heat wave caused more than 280 deaths in Quebec. Since then, free protective resou...Health · October 21, 2026 · 3 minAmateur Sports Clubs and Leisure for Adults in MontrealFinding a sports club, recreational team or physical activity class in Montréal — soccer, badminton, running, yoga, swimming — to stay active and meet people.Playing a sport or physical activity in a group is one of the most effective ways to meet Montrealers and build a social network outside of work. Sport creates a natural structure — regular practices, matches, social events — that facilitates repeated encounters, essential for building real friendships. For a new resident, joining a recreational sports team is often easier than building a socia...Culture & leisure · September 9, 2026 · 4 min
8 guides

Laval

Laval is Quebec's third-largest city, on Île Jésus, just north of Montreal.

Job-Search Help in LavalThe free services that support newcomers in their job search in Laval — Perspective Carrière, the CIL, Services Québec.Finding a job in Laval when you come from elsewhere means relearning local codes: résumé, interview, network, recognition of your experience. Good news: free services support newcomers at every step. In Laval, Perspective Carrière specializes in career transition and job search: understanding the Quebec labour market, job-search clubs, one-on-one meetings with a counsellor, group workshops and...Work · June 12, 2026 · 3 minFree French Classes in LavalWhere to learn French for free in Laval — Francisation Québec, Carrefour d'intercultures, Collège Montmorency — and how to register.In Laval, French opens doors: work, children's school, services, social life. And you don't have to pay to learn it: the state funds free courses for all levels, and Laval organizations offer friendly practice. The starting point is Francisation Québec, the government's single window. It offers free courses at every level, from beginner to advanced, in several formats: full-time in the daytime,...Education · October 21, 2026 · 3 minRegistering Your Child for School in LavalThe Laval school centre, Sir Wilfrid Laurier English board, and how to register your child for the school year.In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16. In Laval, two school networks share the territory. The Centre de services scolaire de Laval (CSS de Laval) runs all the French public schools — it's the default network for the vast majority of families. The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board runs the English public schools, but access is restricted by law. The Charter of the French...Education · October 10, 2026 · 6 minFinding Housing in LavalLaval's neighbourhoods, rental market, and what to know before signing a lease in Quebec's second-largest city.Laval is divided into six main sectors: Chomedey — the densest and most diverse, near the bridge to Montreal · Sainte-Rose — popular for its family homes and historic centre · Vimont and Auteuil — more residential, near highway 440 · Pont-Viau and Laval-des-Rapides — next to Cartier metro · Sainte-Dorothée and Laval-Ouest — quieter and wooded · Duvernay and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul — in the east,...Housing · August 2, 2026 · 6 minNewcomer Support Organizations in Laval, by NeedThe free organizations that welcome and support newcomers in Laval — settlement, French, employment — and where to start.Settling in a new city is heavy: paperwork, housing, French, work, children's school. Good news: in Laval, organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration welcome immigrants for free and support them at every stage. These services are free, confidential, and open regardless of status in many cases. This guide presents Laval's main organizations, by type of need. For general welcome and s...Resources · September 9, 2026 · 3 minParks and Outdoor Activities in LavalCentre de la nature, urban parks, bike paths and winter activities in Laval.The Centre de la nature, in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul sector, is Laval's largest urban park. It spans about 50 hectares with a lake, walking trails, picnic areas, a farm with animals, a greenhouse, and an outdoor climbing wall. In summer, you can rent paddle boats; in winter, the lake freezes into a skating rink. Entry is free, and parking too. Laval has over 200 neighbourhood parks. A few wort...Culture & leisure · October 21, 2026 · 6 min
6 guides

Longueuil

Longueuil is the major city of Montreal's South Shore, linked to the metropolis by the yellow metro line and the RTL bus network.

Registering Your Child for School in LongueuilThe CSS Marie-Victorin, the Riverside School Board, and how to register your child for the school year.In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from 6 to 16. In Longueuil, two school networks share the territory. The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin runs the French public schools. The Riverside School Board runs the English public schools, several of which are in Greenfield Park. The Charter of the French Language — often called Bill 101 — restricts access to English public schoo...Education · August 2, 2026 · 5 minFinding Housing in LongueuilLongueuil's boroughs, the rental market, and what to know before signing a lease.Longueuil has three boroughs with distinct characters: Vieux-Longueuil — historic centre, densely populated, near the metro · Saint-Hubert — more suburban and residential, home to the regional airport · Greenfield Park — quieter, predominantly English-speaking Budget roughly $1,100 to $1,400 per month for a 4½. The Vieux-Longueuil, near the metro, is the priciest. Saint-Hubert and Greenfield Pa...Housing · August 2, 2026 · 6 minNewcomer Support Organizations in Longueuil, by NeedThe free organizations welcoming newcomers in Longueuil and the South Shore — settlement, French, integration — and how to start.Longueuil and the South Shore welcome many newcomers, and organizations funded by the Ministère de l'Immigration are there to support them for free: paperwork, housing, French, social and professional integration. No need to figure it all out alone or pay for everything. Carrefour le Moutier has supported immigrants in their settlement and integration steps for decades. On the settlement side,...Resources · September 9, 2026 · 3 minFirst Steps in LongueuilCity services, essential errands and neighbourhood landmarks for starting life in Longueuil.Longueuil is one of Quebec's largest cities, with about 250,000 residents. Located on the South Shore of Montreal, directly across from downtown, it's connected to Montreal by the Jacques-Cartier bridge and the yellow metro line. Longueuil includes several historic boroughs: Vieux-Longueuil, Saint-Hubert, and Greenfield Park, each with its own character. Longueuil City Hall handles municipal se...Daily life · August 2, 2026 · 6 minPublic Transit in LongueuilThe RTL, the metro yellow line, and the OPUS card — everything for getting around Longueuil.The RTL, or Réseau de transport de Longueuil, is the bus operator for the Longueuil agglomeration. It serves Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Boucherville and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. More than 80 routes cover the territory, with high frequency at rush hour. Montreal's metro yellow line crosses the river and ends at Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke station. It is the only direct metro a...Daily life · October 10, 2026 · 6 minVieux-Longueuil, Parks and LeisureVieux-Longueuil, Parc Michel-Chartrand, the riverfront promenade, and leisure activities.Vieux-Longueuil is the city's historic centre, organized around Saint-Charles Street. You'll find restaurants, cafés, summer terraces, art galleries and independent shops. The Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue, from the 19th century, marks the heart of the area. This is where Longueuil residents go out on Saturday night, and it is also the most accessible neighbourhood by transit from the...Culture & leisure · October 19, 2026 · 6 min
5 guides

Terrebonne

Terrebonne is a fast-growing city in Montreal's northern crown, formed from the Vieux-Terrebonne, Lachenaie and La Plaine sectors.

Registering Your Child for School in TerrebonneThe Centre de services scolaire des Affluents and how to register your child for the school year.In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from 6 to 16. The Centre de services scolaire des Affluents runs the French public schools. English schools fall under the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, but access is limited by law. The Charter of the French Language — Bill 101 — restricts access to English school. Generally, one of the parents must have received their elementary education in...Education · August 2, 2026 · 5 minÎle-des-Moulins, Parks and Leisure in TerrebonneThe Île-des-Moulins historic site, urban parks and outdoor activities in Terrebonne.The Île-des-Moulins is a national historic site at the heart of Terrebonne. Built on an island in the Rivière des Mille Îles, it groups five 18th- and 19th-century buildings, including a flour mill, a sawmill, a bakery and a seigneurial office. Access is free; exhibitions and events run during summer. Vieux-Terrebonne is the heritage district surrounding the Île-des-Moulins. You'll find ancestr...Culture & leisure · October 18, 2026 · 5 minFinding Housing in TerrebonneTerrebonne's sectors, the rental market, and the standard Quebec lease.Terrebonne has three main sectors with distinct profiles. The table compares vibe, exo Mascouche train access and family profile. The choice depends on your lifestyle and your proximity to the train or highway. Central Terrebonne is ideal for car-free commuters. Lachenaie suits two-car families. La Plaine attracts those wanting calm and space. Budget on average $1,000 to $1,300 per month for a...Housing · August 3, 2026 · 4 minFirst Steps in TerrebonneSettling in Terrebonne: city services, housing, transit to Montreal, schools and the essentials for your first weeks.Terrebonne is a city in the Lanaudière region, north of Montreal, with over 120,000 residents. It includes several sectors: Terrebonne (including Vieux-Terrebonne), Lachenaie, and La Plaine. The city offers a suburban lifestyle, with a lively historic centre and quick access to highways 40 and 640. Before getting into municipal-service details, here's an overview of the three main sectors to or...Daily life · September 9, 2026 · 5 minTransit in Terrebonne: exo Mascouche and OPUSHow to use the exo Mascouche train line and local buses to get around Terrebonne and into Montreal.Terrebonne is served by exo, Greater Montreal's regional train and bus network. The Mascouche train line connects Terrebonne to downtown Montreal in about one hour, with a stop at Central Station. exo also runs several bus routes covering Terrebonne and the north shore. The Mascouche line serves several stations in the area: Terrebonne, Mascouche and Sainte-Thérèse. Each station has free park-a...Daily life · August 3, 2026 · 6 min
5 guides

Brossard

Brossard is a city on Montreal's South Shore, known for its family character and diverse community.

BCITI Brossard Card: How to Get Your Free Resident CardLearn how to get your resident card to access libraries, leisure activities, and city digital services.The BCITI card is a digital or physical resident card. The bciti+ membership is free, but the bciti+ loisir subscription, mandatory for most leisure activities, costs $5 ($10 for a family); the library subscription is free for residents. You can create your profile online on the bciti+ portal or via the BCITI+ app. If you prefer, you can go in person to City Hall or the Georgette-Lepage library...Services · October 19, 2026 · 5 minLibrary and Leisure Activities in BrossardEverything you can do with your BCITI card: borrow books, sign up for workshops, access free city activities.The Georgette-Lepage library is one of the best entry points to discover Brossard. All services are free for residents: book and film loans, internet access, French-language workshops, computer stations, study rooms. You'll also meet your first neighbours there. The Georgette-Lepage library is located at 7855 avenue San-Francisco, next to City Hall. It is usually open Monday to Saturday, and cl...Culture & leisure · May 15, 2026 · 6 minRegistering Your Child for School in BrossardThe school system in Brossard, how to register your child, and what you need to know about welcome classes for newcomer students.In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16. In Brossard, two school networks share the territory. The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin runs the French public schools — it's the default network for the vast majority of families. The Riverside School Board runs the English public schools, but access is restricted by law. The Charter of the French Language — often ca...Education · August 2, 2026 · 5 minParks and Outdoor Activities in BrossardParc de la Cité, bike paths, skating and sports — how to enjoy Brossard's green spaces year-round.The Grand parc urbain is a park of over 4 million square feet that the City of Brossard began creating in 2018, unique in its size and natural environment. It has walking and cycling paths, a play area and water games, ponds, a disc-golf course, a sledding hill and a parking lot. Like all Brossard parks, it is open daily, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.. In winter, cross-country ski trails are groomed there;...Culture & leisure · October 19, 2026 · 4 minGetting Around Brossard: REM, RTL and OPUSHow to use the REM light metro, RTL buses and the OPUS card to get around Brossard and into Montreal.In Brossard, three transit networks work together. The REM is the light metro linking Brossard to downtown Montreal in under 18 minutes. The RTL runs the local buses in Brossard and Longueuil. The OPUS card lets you pay on both networks and across the entire metropolitan system. The REM opened in 2023. In Brossard, three stations connect you to the network: Brossard, Du Quartier and Panama. Tra...Daily life · October 19, 2026 · 5 min
5 guides

Repentigny

Repentigny is a city in Montreal's north-eastern crown, where the St. Lawrence River meets the L'Assomption River.

Registering Your Child for School in RepentignyEnrolling your child in school in Repentigny: the Centre de services scolaire des Affluents, documents, the welcome class, enriched programs and transport.In Quebec, public school is free and mandatory from age 6 to 16. The Centre de services scolaire des Affluents runs the French public schools, serving both the Repentigny and Le Gardeur sectors. English schools fall under the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. The Charter of the French Language — Bill 101 — restricts access to English school. Generally, one parent must have received the majority...Education · October 18, 2026 · 6 minFinding Housing in RepentignyRepentigny's sectors, the rental market, and the standard Quebec lease.Repentigny has two main sectors: Repentigny — historic and denser sector, near the river · Le Gardeur — more suburban, large family homes Budget on average $950 to $1,250 per month for a 4½. Single-family rental homes are rare — most residents are homeowners. In Quebec, every lease uses the official form from the Tribunal administratif du logement. The standard rental period runs July 1 to June...Housing · October 18, 2026 · 4 minParks, Leisure and Culture in RepentignyThe Centre d'art Diane-Dufresne, Centre aquatique Jacques-Dupuis, Bibliothèque Robert-Lussier, parks and activities in Repentigny.Repentigny has about 86,000 residents (2021 census) — projected 90,000+. A city with a remarkable cultural life for its size. The Centre d'art Diane-Dufresne (opened November 2015) is the main hall for exhibitions and cultural programming: 1,365 m² · Exhibition hall for contemporary art · Multifunctional hall for shows · Cultural mediation room · Teaching area Annual programming: exhibitions, c...Culture & leisure · October 18, 2026 · 4 minFirst Steps in RepentignySettling in Repentigny: city hall procedures, libraries and citizen services, waste collection, first administrative steps and Repentigny vs Le Gardeur.Repentigny is a city in the Lanaudière region, east of Montreal, with about 86,000 residents (2021 census) and a projection around 90,000. It comprises two main sectors: Repentigny, the historic sector near the river, and Le Gardeur, more suburban with large family homes. Located at the confluence of the Saint-Laurent river and the L'Assomption river, it offers a family-friendly setting with ac...Daily life · October 18, 2026 · 5 minPublic Transit in Repentigny: exo and OPUSGetting around Repentigny: the exo bus network, fares and passes, and the best options for commuting to Montreal every day.Repentigny is served by exo, Greater Montreal's regional train and bus network. In Repentigny, service is mainly provided by bus lines connecting the city to the Radisson metro terminus in east-end Montreal; at rush hour the 200 Express line takes 30 to 35 minutes. Several express and local bus routes serve Repentigny. The Montreal-bound lines 200, 300 and 400 leave from the Repentigny bus term...Daily life · October 19, 2026 · 5 min