COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
A look at CDNNDG
With ample green spaces, over 50 registered non-profit organizations, and pockets of tight-knit neighbourhoods throughout its territory, the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is a truly unique part of Montreal.
Home to more than 165,000 residents, the populous borough has a distinct feel and is well known for its dedicated core of constituents.
“It’s a dynamic neighbourhood, and people are very engaged in creating a fun, accessible, and happening community,” said Marlo Turner Ritchie, consultant with the N.D.G. Community Council. “A great example of that is the strong network of non-profit organizations that are here, like Head & Hands, the NDG Food Depot, and the council; they’re all strong pillars in the community.”
In addition to these organizations, other distinguishing features of N.D.G. are the staggering amount of locally owned businesses, and the abundance of family services.
“We have a strong network of small family-run businesses that make our neighbourhood unique, and we have beautiful parks and recreational services and programs,” Ritchie said. “This is especially important for lower-income families; in N.D.G., roughly 25 per cent of residents live in poverty, and there a lot of single-parent households, so there really can’t be enough free accessible services.”
The demographics of N.D.G. have always been mixed, but during the last decade the area has experienced an influx of new residents from all over the world, making the fabric of the community even richer.
“The diversity here is special — linguistically, culturally, and economically, it makes for a really mixed neighbourhood,” Ritchie said. “There’s a lot of cross-pollination between communities but that said, there are also some really strong hubs that are created by and for certain communities. For example, there’s a Chinese Association that’s very active.”
Aside from having a variety of different ethnicities within its borders, N.D.G. also has a handful of distinct neighbourhoods, such as Benny, Walkley, Monkland, Westhaven, Loyola, and more.
“People associate strongly with their individual neighbourhood,” Ritchie said. “One of the reasons for that is there are great local community centres in those areas, food markets, and other things that really draw people together.”
There are also some Montreal landmarks located within N.D.G., including the Loyola campus of Concordia University.
“I like having Concordia in our neighbourhood because there are a lot of interesting conferences and events, and then there’s Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, too,” Ritchie said. “Having a big institution like that in the neighbourhood really has a positive impact on the entire community. The addition of the super-hospital in our neighbourhood has been amazing, too; the service is incredible.”
In terms of real estate, N.D.G. has many options for buyers, including a healthy stock of affordable properties for both rent and purchase.
“There’s a high demand and low inventory for homes, condos and revenue properties — so when a property has a fair price, we’re selling at full asking price, or even above it,” said Béatrice Baudinet, real-estate broker with Royal LePage Heritage. “Four streets east of Décarie (Blvd.), properties are practically increasing to Westmount prices. In the N.D.G. section west of Décarie, we’re seeing another big boost in the market.
"We’re also finding that west of Cavendish (Blvd.) is becoming more and more sought-after.”
Current listings in N.D.G. include a one-bedroom condo in the new Onyx development on Troie Ave. for $295,000, and a three-bedroom unit in a new project on Patricia Ave. for $333,450.
If you’re looking for more square footage, or seeking a single-family home, a totally renovated bungalow on O’Bryan Ave. is available for $695,000, and a renovated duplex on Earnscliffe Ave. is going for $829,000.
“N.D.G. continues to be a very popular neighbourhood, appealing to young families, professionals and single people,” Baudinet said. “It’s a vast, diverse and multicultural community, and it’s an ideal location because it’s a familyfriendly neighbourhood that allows you to enjoy the pleasures of urban living. Monkland Village, for example, is home to many trendy, unique shops and restaurants. This assures that people living in the area never miss anything.”