Ahuntsic-Cartierville: 15km of River, 80 Parks and Montreal's Lowest Rents — Without Leaving the Island

If Verdun has the river, the Plateau has the terraces and Rosemont has the Jean-Talon Market — Ahuntsic-Cartierville has all of that at once, at prices the others won't be able to match in a few years.

Located in northern Montreal Island, between Boulevard Henri-Bourassa to the south and the Des Prairies River to the north, the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville is one of the city's largest and greenest. With 15 kilometres of developed riverbanks, 80 parks and green spaces, three nature parks (Bois-de-Saraguay, Bois-de-Liesse and Île-de-la-Visitation), dynamic commercial arteries (Fleury Est, Sauriol, Chabanel), rich historical heritage — and rents that regularly rank among Montreal's lowest — Ahuntsic-Cartierville is one of the best places to live on Montreal Island in 2025-2026.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville is regularly ranked among Montreal's most affordable boroughs for renting. According to liv.rent's monthly reports, Ahuntsic-Cartierville held the position of Montreal's cheapest neighbourhood for unfurnished one-bedroom units on multiple occasions in 2025, with an average of $1,498 per month in March 2025 — up to $546 less than the city's most expensive neighbourhood (Westmount or Verdun depending on the month).

Studio / bachelor (2½): $750 to $1,050 per month (some as low as $597 according to RentCafe)

1 bedroom (3½): $950 to $1,350 per month (average ~$1,304 in 2024)

2 bedrooms (4½): $1,200 to $1,700 per month (average ~$1,497 according to Vistoo)

3+ bedrooms (5½+): $1,450 to $2,000 per month

REALTOR.ca lists apartments available from $900 per month in the borough. The rental stock is dominated by plexes (duplexes, triplexes) built between 1946 and 1980 — meaning units that are often spacious, well-built and full of character, at still very reasonable prices.

A notable +8.46% increase for unfurnished one-bedrooms was recorded in August 2025, signalling that the neighbourhood is beginning to attract new demand. But compared to the city as a whole, Ahuntsic remains one of Montreal's best rental value propositions.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville's most distinctive asset is unquestionably its 15 kilometres of developed riverbanks along the Des Prairies River. These riverside spaces — walking paths, cycling routes, rest areas, picnic zones and parks — are accessible from many residential streets in the borough. A morning stroll by the river before work, an evening bike ride along the bank — this is daily life for Ahuntsic residents, at prices their Plateau or Rosemont neighbours simply cannot afford.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville has three nature parks directly accessible from the borough.

Bois-de-Saraguay nature park is one of the last primary forests on Montreal Island, classified as a site of ecological interest. An oasis of absolute calm in the heart of the city.

Bois-de-Liesse nature park covers 159 hectares of forest and wetlands at the border with Pierrefonds-Roxboro, with trails, a tree house and nature programs for families.

Île-de-la-Visitation nature park, located directly within the borough on an island in the Des Prairies River, is one of Ahuntsic's gems. It features the Visitation Church (1749), one of the oldest still standing in Montreal, along with walking paths and breathtaking river views.

Beyond the nature parks, the borough counts over 80 neighbourhood and community parks.

Promenade Fleury Est is Ahuntsic's main commercial artery and one of Montreal's most dynamic. In recent years, it has transformed into a recognized gastronomic destination, with a concentration of restaurants, cafés, artisan bakeries, butchers, cheese shops and local businesses that rivals some of Rosemont's or the Plateau's most celebrated streets — at commercial and residential rents well below those neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood events, seasonal markets and regular pedestrian animation make it one of the city's most pleasant commercial living environments.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville is served by three metro stations on the Orange Line: Crémazie, Sauvé and Henri-Bourassa. This triple metro coverage provides access to downtown in 15 to 20 minutes from most parts of the borough. For an area this affordable, direct metro access is a considerable advantage that distinguishes it from many other cheaper peripheral Montreal neighbourhoods.

Ahuntsic is one of Montreal's founding neighbourhoods. The village of Sault-au-Récollet, one of the first permanent settlements on the island after the founding of Ville-Marie, is Montreal's second most important heritage site after Old Montreal. The Visitation Church (1749), Fort-Lorette and several 18th- and 19th-century buildings are preserved in their original context. For those seeking a neighbourhood with a soul — history palpable in its streets and buildings — Ahuntsic is hard to match.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville stands out as the heart of urban agriculture in Montreal. The borough is home to some of the city's most active community gardens, short supply chain food projects and an environmental sustainability culture that shapes borough policy. Projet Montréal has committed to accelerating urban agriculture and food sovereignty in the borough. Micro-forests, green laneways and collective composting projects contribute to making Ahuntsic an increasingly resilient and green neighbourhood.

Projet Montréal has committed to improving pedestrian access to the waterfront by creating a continuous, safe path between Parc Louis-Hébert and the Île-de-la-Visitation nature park. This project includes creating a historical mediation and relaxation space with river views at the Fort-Lorette site. It is one of the most anticipated urban improvement projects in the eastern part of the borough.

A north-south cycling axis is under development to connect the REM station in the area (Deux-Montagnes branch, opened November 2025) to Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur, one of the borough's main employers. Strategic intersections are also being secured (Acadie/Henri-Bourassa, Du Ruisseau REM access).

The REM's Deux-Montagnes branch, which opened in November 2025, introduced new stations in and near Ahuntsic-Cartierville, including Du Ruisseau station in Cartierville. This REM connection transforms mobility in the western part of the borough, linking residents directly to Gare Centrale and other REM branches.

The borough has committed to planting over 1,000 trees per year, developing micro-forests to foster biodiversity and creating cool islands by reducing impermeable surfaces in parks and laneways. Revitalization projects are planned for numerous neighbourhood parks.

The City of Montreal, in collaboration with the three business improvement associations (SDC FLO, Promenade Fleury and Fleury Est), actively supports local businesses with grants and animation programs. The goal is to keep Fleury as a lively, diverse and accessible commercial artery for all budgets.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville is one of Montreal's most populous boroughs, with approximately 140,000 residents across 24.3 km². The borough has a highly diverse population spread across six distinct neighbourhoods with very different characters: Ahuntsic, Bordeaux-Cartierville, Sault-au-Récollet, Nouveau Saint-Laurent, Saint-Simon-Apôtre and Du Ruisseau.

The housing stock is dominated by plexes (approximately 47% of units), with a notable proportion of single-family homes (13.5%) and condos. The vast majority of buildings were built between 1946 and 1980, resulting in units that are well-built, often spacious and full of character.

The neighbourhood appeals primarily to:

- Established families seeking peace, greenery and metro proximity

- Young professionals looking for an affordable rent with strong downtown connectivity

- Workers at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur and other healthcare institutions

- Food and neighbourhood life enthusiasts drawn to Promenade Fleury

- History and heritage lovers fascinated by Sault-au-Récollet

- Eco-conscious residents who appreciate the green initiatives and urban agriculture

Three stations serve the borough on the Orange Line: Crémazie (southern borough, fast connection to downtown), Sauvé (heart of Ahuntsic) and Henri-Bourassa (Orange Line northern terminus, with bus connections toward Laval). From Henri-Bourassa, downtown (Berri-UQAM) is accessible in under 20 minutes.

Du Ruisseau REM station, in the Cartierville sector, has been operational since November 2025. It connects the borough to Montreal's Gare Centrale via the REM, and to McGill and Édouard-Montpetit stations via correspondences (opened January 2026).

- Highway 19 (Boulevard Papineau): connection toward Laval (bridge) and central Montreal

- Highway 40: east-west access

- Downtown Montreal: 15 to 25 minutes depending on the sector

- Laval: 15 to 20 minutes via the Papineau-Leblanc or Viau bridges

The borough has several cycling paths along the Des Prairies River, connecting Ahuntsic to neighbouring areas. Connections to Laval via cycling bridges are also available.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville is one of Montreal's most unjustly overlooked neighbourhoods. Some of the island's lowest rents, three nature parks, 15 kilometres of developed riverbanks, three metro stations, a REM station now operational, a first-rate gastronomic artery and rich historical heritage — all in a quiet, green and family-oriented borough. If you're looking to live well in Montreal without breaking your budget, Ahuntsic-Cartierville may be the best answer available on the island right now.

Sources: liv.rent Montreal Rent Report 2025, Centris, REALTOR.ca, Zumper, RentCafe, Projet Montréal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, REALTA, Ville de Montréal, STM, REM, Statistics Canada (2021)

Last updated: May 2026