On foot, by bike, on a skateboard or skates, in Montréal, nothing is ever very far! Take the Peters, for example: Jonathan’s school is just three blocks away, Sarah bikes to soccer ractice in just a few minutes, and for Mom, it’s just a ten-minute walk to drop off little Thomas at daycare. Jonathan goes to his judo class after school and is home in time to do his homework before supper. And instead of playing ‘taxi’, Dad has time to drop by the corner bakery and even pick up a few books at the neighbourhood library.

With a public transportation network among the best in North America, for the Peters, getting around Montréal is a breeze. And for cycling, Montréal offers its 450 km of bicycle paths. Bixi, the self-service bicycle rental system, makes it easier than ever to get where they want to go.

In Montréal, the Peters put the “green” values that they take to heart, and want to transmit to their children, into practice every day.

More time to enjoy life

An incredible 118 hours per year: that’s how much time is saved on commuting when we live close to where we work. This is precious time that can be spent with family and enjoying recreational activities. It adds up to almost three weeks of vacation time. At the Peters’ house, parents and children can sleep a little later in the morning, get to work or school feeling relaxed and rested, and come home less stressed at the end of the day. And, if an emergency ever comes up at the school or daycare, there are no bridges to cross to pick up the little ones.

It takes a community to raise a child

At school, the library, on the soccer field, at the community center, the Peters participate fully in their community. They share similar interests and similar concerns with other families. Shared resources, mutual aid and reciprocity: these concepts are alive and well in the neighbourhoods of Montréal. Here, the Peters have forged valuable ties, which enable them to contribute to their community and receive many benefits in return. Life is good for parents and for children — and what a great life lesson for the kids!

Infinite possibilities… to discover the world

Next Saturday, after a short stop at the public market to load up on fresh products, the Peters will be off to the museum as a family to see the latest exhibition that everyone is talking about. Sunday, a dilemma; Mom and Dad would like to do some outdoor activities in the nature park, but the kids feel like eating dim sum in Chinatown. Solution: they’ll do both! For the Peters, living in Montréal means offering their children a stimulating living environment that is open to the world, where each day brings new possibilities for discovery.

Properties designed with families in mind

Montréal offers an impressive choice of properties adapted to the lifestyles of urban families. The Peters found the property of the dreams… within the reality of their budget.

What really convinced them? Learning that, by applying the costs of buying and using a second car — often essential in the suburbs — to a 25-year mortgage, they would have the equivalent of an amount ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 to invest in a property in Montréal. That turns an expense into a profitable and smart investment!

Montréal: I’m here, I’m home!

Urban families are formed by parents who are passionate about their city and who want to pass on their values and way of life to their children. And Montréal welcomes them with open arms, with its friendly neighbourhood life, local shops, green spaces and its many services — not to mention its cultural venues, major festivals and the vitality its ever-changing streets.

Living in Montreal means choosing a lifestyle that’s compatible with today's needs, and with those of tomorrow as well. Choosing Montréal means moving closer to the very heart of things. Living and growing up in Montreal is just so much simpler.