Notre-Dame-de-Grâce — NDG to everyone who lives here — is one of those rare Montreal neighbourhoods that manages to be genuinely beloved by multiple generations and demographic groups simultaneously. Long-time residents who’ve lived here for 40 years, young families who moved from the Plateau and discovered something better, McGill and Concordia professors, immigrants who built lives and businesses, and a steady stream of buyers who found NDG by accident and never left.
The neighbourhood’s hold on its residents is partly Monkland Avenue — the village commercial strip that’s become one of the most pleasant and walkable streets in Montreal. It’s partly the housing stock — substantial Victorian and Edwardian duplexes and triplexes with the architectural quality you don’t find in post-war suburbs. It’s partly the parks, the mature trees, the bike paths. But mostly, it’s the character: NDG feels like a real neighbourhood in a way that many Montreal addresses don’t.
For buyers, NDG offers something increasingly scarce: genuine neighbourhood identity, walkability, transit access, and a mix of housing types and price points that serve a real range of buyers — from first-time condo purchases to multi-million dollar family homes on the western end of the borough.
The NDG Character
NDG’s reputation as an anglophone neighbourhood is partially deserved historically — it has a long English-speaking tradition rooted in its Irish and British settlers, and still has a significant anglophone, bilingual, and allophone population. But the modern neighbourhood is genuinely diverse: the eastern part of NDG (near Côte-Saint-Luc and the Décarie corridor) has a significant Jewish and francophone presence; the commercial strips attract businesses from dozens of communities; and the university proximity brings international students and academics from everywhere.
The streets have the architecture of an early 20th century Montreal residential neighbourhood: large duplexes and triplexes on generous lots, brick and stone facades, generous front porches, back lanes, and a streetscape built at human scale. The best streets in NDG — Queen Mary Road, Girouard Avenue, Vendôme Avenue, Brock Avenue — have architectural quality and tree cover that genuinely impress.
Monkland Village is the neighbourhood heart. The stretch of Monkland Avenue between Girouard and Hampton has the density of good cafés, restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and shops to function as a genuine village — everything you need within a 10-minute walk. It’s the rare Montreal commercial strip that feels both local and polished, without the pretension of Mile End or the density of the Plateau.
NDG Housing Stock
Plexes — The Classic NDG Product
Duplexes, triplexes, and occasionally larger multi-unit buildings define NDG’s residential character. The standard Montreal plex model — owner-occupied upper or lower unit with additional rental units — has produced an ownership culture in NDG that balances community stability with income generation. Many of the best homes on NDG’s residential streets are plexes with significant architectural character: original woodwork, bay windows, tiled vestibules, and the kind of craftsmanship that commands ongoing appreciation.
Large Single-Family Homes (Western NDG)
The western sections of NDG — particularly the streets near the former Town of Côte-Saint-Luc boundary and the areas around Loyola Campus — include large detached and semi-detached single-family homes. These represent the upper end of the NDG market and attract buyers who want the neighbourhood’s character with the privacy and space of a detached home.
Condominiums
A substantial condo market exists throughout NDG, concentrated near metro stations and commercial corridors. Older condo buildings from the 1970s–90s dominate, with some newer infill and conversion projects adding to the stock. Prices are lower than equivalent Westmount or downtown product, making NDG condos popular with buyers who want central island living at relative value.
New Development
Limited infill development adds some new product periodically. Not a major feature of the market, but purpose-built projects near the Vendôme metro station and other transit nodes do appear.
NDG Real Estate Market
Current Market Snapshot
| Property Type |
Approximate Price Range |
Notes |
| Duplex (owner-occupied) |
$750,000 – $1,200,000 |
Core market; strong income offset |
| Triplex |
$900,000 – $1,500,000 |
Investor and owner-occupant demand |
| Large detached single-family |
$1,100,000 – $2,500,000+ |
Western NDG; premium |
| Condos (standard) |
$350,000 – $650,000 |
Wide range by building and location |
| Semi-detached family home |
$700,000 – $1,100,000 |
Good value mid-market |
NDG has appreciated substantially over the past decade — the Monkland Village premium has widened as the area’s reputation has grown. But prices remain meaningfully below Westmount for comparable physical space, and below the Plateau for smaller format units. The value case is relative, not absolute.
Market Trends
- Plex demand is durable. NDG plexes have a reliable buyer base: professionals, academics, and families who want the income offset and the neighbourhood quality simultaneously. Supply is limited and turnover is low.
- Western NDG is attracting Westmount-adjacent buyers. The streets closest to the Westmount boundary have seen significant price appreciation as buyers look for Westmount-quality homes at NDG prices.
- Monkland Village premium has stabilized at a high level. Properties within walking distance of Monkland carry a premium that’s now well-understood by the market.
Schools in NDG
NDG has excellent school options, both public and private, for English and French families.
English Public (EMSB): NDG is well-served by the English Montreal School Board. West Hill High School serves the western NDG area. Elementary options include FACE School (specialized arts-focused), NDG Community School, and several others in the network.
French Public: Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys serves the French-language population with multiple elementary and secondary options.
Private Schools: NDG’s proximity to some of Montreal’s best private institutions is a significant draw. Loyola High School (Jesuit boys’ school on Sherbrooke Street West) is one of the most respected English private secondary schools in Quebec and is physically located in NDG. École Villa-Maria (French girls’ school) is nearby. The West Island private school corridor is also accessible.
Concordia’s Loyola Campus is located on Sherbrooke Street West in NDG, offering post-secondary options steps from the residential neighbourhood.
Lifestyle and Things to Do
Monkland Village — coffee shops, wine bars, bakeries, bookstores, specialty food shops. The Monkland strip is genuinely excellent and functions as a village green for the neighbourhood’s social life.
Parc Girouard and Neighbourhood Parks — NDG has a network of smaller parks throughout the residential streets. Parc Girouard, near Monkland, is a focal point for families and dog owners.
Loyola Campus Green Space — the Concordia Loyola campus has sports fields, an athletic complex, and green open space that’s accessible to the broader community. The campus gym is open to Concordia alumni and community members.
Cycling — the bike path network through NDG connects to the Lachine Canal path, the Maisonneuve cycling corridor, and the broader Montreal cycling network. NDG is bicycle-friendly in a functional, not just promotional, sense.
Dining — beyond Monkland, NDG’s Sherbrooke and Côte-Saint-Luc Road corridors have strong dining options. The neighbourhood’s diversity is reflected in genuine variety: Ethiopian, Thai, Jewish deli culture, Italian, and the new wave of contemporary Quebec cuisine.
Cultural Life — proximity to Concordia and McGill, combined with the neighbourhood’s intellectual tradition, creates a well-attended calendar of lectures, gallery openings, and community events.
Getting Around
By Metro: The Green Line’s Vendôme and Villa-Maria stations serve NDG, providing direct connections to downtown Montreal and onward to the East Island. Côte-Saint-Luc station (on the Orange Line) serves the northeastern portion of the borough. Downtown is 15–20 minutes by metro.
By Bus: STM operates extensive routes through NDG, including the popular 90 and 105 bus lines.
By Car: Highways 20 and the Décarie Expressway (Highway 15) are accessible from NDG, providing efficient auto access to the rest of the island. Downtown is 15–25 minutes by car.
By Bike: Actively bikeable neighbourhood with growing cycling infrastructure.
Why Buy in NDG with Elite Real Estate Group
NDG’s plex market requires a buyer’s agent who understands income property mechanics — lease situations, rental income analysis, building condition for buildings often 60–100+ years old, and what constitutes fair market value in a market where the unit mix significantly affects price. Similarly, navigating the variety of property types (plexes, condos, detached homes) and sub-neighborhoods within NDG benefits from an agent with real coverage of the area.
Elite Real Estate Group works across Montreal Island and has the team and data coverage to advise on NDG specifically. We can help you cut through the noise and find the right property — whether you’re a first-time buyer eyeing a condo near Vendôme or an investor building an NDG plex portfolio.
Let’s talk about NDG.
FAQ: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Real Estate
What makes NDG different from the Plateau or Mile End?
NDG has more physical space, lower prices, and a more family-oriented residential character. The Plateau and Mile End are denser, trendier, and more expensive for comparable square footage. NDG trades the edge of trend for genuine neighbourhood warmth and better value. For buyers who want a well-established community rather than a cutting-edge scene, NDG wins. For buyers who want immediate proximity to St-Denis and the main nightlife corridors, the Plateau may suit better.
What is the average home price in NDG?
Duplexes — the most common product — range from $750,000 to $1.2 million. Larger family plexes reach $1.5 million+. Detached single-family homes in western NDG start around $1.1 million and go well above $2 million for larger properties. Condos offer an entry point from approximately $350,000. Prices have risen significantly over the past decade and remain elevated.
Is NDG a safe neighbourhood?
Yes — NDG is consistently one of the safer Montreal boroughs for families and individuals. Crime rates in the residential streets and around Monkland Village are low by urban Canadian standards. As always, specific blocks vary, and any purchase merits neighbourhood-level due diligence, but NDG’s overall safety profile is excellent.
Is NDG predominantly English or French?
It’s genuinely mixed but has a historically anglophone character in many of its streets. Today the neighbourhood is bilingual in practice — you’ll hear French and English equally on Monkland Avenue. The school network includes both languages. English-speaking buyers feel at home here; French-speaking buyers are equally well-served. It’s one of Montreal’s most comfortably bilingual neighbourhoods.
What kind of buyer does NDG attract?
A wide range: academics and professionals who want central island living at relative value; young families who’ve outgrown downtown condos and want a real yard and neighbourhood school; investors who want Montreal plex income properties in established locations; and long-time residents who simply never found a reason to leave. The range of price points accommodates a range of buyers, which is one reason the neighbourhood has such a healthy demographic mix.
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Last updated: March 2026 | Elite Real Estate Group — eliterealestategroup.com
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