Beginning in Dorval and stretching over the western part of the Island of Montreal are a cluster of neighbourhoods that together make up what is known as the West Island. These neighbourhoods include the rather pretty villages of Point-Claire and St-Anne-de-Bellevue, which lie either side of Beaconsfield. Other neighbourhoods include Kirkland, Pierrefonds, and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
Beginning in Dorval and stretching over the western part of the Island of Montreal are a cluster of neighbourhoods that together make up what is known as the West Island. These neighbourhoods include the rather pretty villages of Point-Claire and St-Anne-de-Bellevue, which lie either side of Beaconsfield. Other neighbourhoods include Kirkland, Pierrefonds, and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
The West Island includes neighbourhoods with some of the highest concentrations of English-speaking residents not only in Montreal, but in the whole of Quebec. While in days gone by many West Islanders would have been unilingual, today far more are bilingual.
Two major highways, the 20 and the 40, pass through the West Island and its neighbourhoods. It should be noted, however, that the Montreal metro system does not go near the West Island, and therefore it may be difficult to settle into a work-life balance without access to a vehicle.
The West Island has evolved quite a bit in the last few years and property values have increased more than most due to the fact that it will be accessible by above ground rail which will link its centre core surrounding the Fairview Pointe Claire mall to Pierre Trudeau International Airport and to Montreal Downtown Core.
Two major highways, the 20 and the 40, pass through the West Island and its neighbourhoods. It should be noted, however, that the Montreal metro system does not go near the West Island, and therefore it may be difficult to settle into a work-life balance without access to a vehicle.
