When a family wants space, good schools and a neighbourhood that lasts, they usually end up in the west and north of the city. Here are the three safe bets.

Westmount: the historic anglophone address

Perched on the mountainside, Westmount is a city within the city: century-old stone houses, immaculate parks and some of the best private schools in Quebec. It’s one of the priciest neighbourhoods, historically anglophone, and the choice of established families who want prestige and stability.

Outremont: the leafy francophone counterpart

Outremont is to francophone Montreal what Westmount is to anglophone: moneyed, leafy, family-oriented, with elegant avenues, cafés and the Université de Montréal next door. You’ll find a well-rooted Hasidic community and a quiet neighbourhood life. Houses here are rare and coveted.

NDG: family space, more affordable

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, or NDG, offers the best compromise: duplexes and houses with yards, Monkland Village and its shops, strong public and private schools, and an anglophone, international population. More affordable than Westmount, it’s the neighbourhood for families who want space without breaking the bank.

These neighbourhoods come down to the school and the street. We know the catchment areas and the good blocks, and we find the house before it hits the listings.