Dangerous areas of Montreal?

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SteveN

Lived in and around Montreal all my life and can tell you that just about every area is safe. If you are going by yourself, there are areas that are "less safe", but they are not really areas that tourists would frequent anyway.

The areas you will want to visit are all very busy and safe, such as the bar scene along Bishop, Crescent, de la Montagne, and Peel streets. There are the museums on Sherbrooke Street. You should also check out the Old Port of Montreal as well. (It's too bad you aren't coming here in summer....loads of festivals and things to do).

There are various erotic (full nudity) dancing establishments along St. Catherine Street (actually in the downtown core) so if you are a conservative or you are religiously opposed to that, you just have to turn away - nothing is shown outside except some suggestive poses on their posters anyway.

The subway system (known as the Metro) is very clean and closely monitored. There are four subway lines (green, orange, yellow, blue) and you should not feel nervous using it.

There is certainly crime in Montreal, but you usually have to go looking for it or leave yourself open for it. My only suggestions would be travel with a friend (makes you less of a mark), stay in the main areas (no alleys), and keep your wallet in a vest pocket or money belt (avoid wallets in back pockets or open purses). Lately there has been also a bit of gang activity, and the main colors for these gangs are red and blue, so if you are in the St. Laurent or St. Denis Street area, avoid those colors so they don't think you are part of a rival gang.

The weather is varying from quite cold and windy to mild and melting. As of today, we are in the middle of that snowstorm that came through.

Check out the links provided below for a few ideas of what is happening in Montreal.

Mel

Montreal is a very safe city, provided that you take the same simple precautions that you would take anywhere else in the world. You can walk around alone at night and take the subway without any problems. While some areas of the city are a little dodgier than others, there are no places where you will need to worry about your personal safety. Just be smart and follow your instincts.

Travel_Fan

I agree with most of what Marie said. However not really sure what the whole " Montrealers hate americans" thing comes from...

The less safe areas are located in the north-east part of Montreal. I would not worry about it too much because these areas are not really for tourists anyways. I have been living in Montreal for 22 years and I've been there once! It is mostly residential with some small business here and there.

I guess the only safety tips I can give you are the same ones I would give you if you were traveling to any big city (i.e: do not carry too much money on you, watch where you leave your stuff, be aware of your surroundings).

As for the metro is concerned, I think that Montreal's metro is one of the safest and cleanest one around. Again, the only part I would be not recommend you going alone are the ones in the north east part of the city. If you are planning on using the metro often, try to purchase one of those week passes. 2.75$ per trip can be somewhat expensive (go to www.stcum.qc.ca for information about the prices).

Enjoy Montreal!

Marie

I do not know what ayyoub is talking about! First of all Laval and Longueuil are different cities; one across the river (River des Prairies, which becomes the Ottawa) to the north and the other across the St. Lawrence to the south. And they are both essentially suburbs, except for the old historic part of Longueuil - an area of some great restaurants, by the way. Laval actually looks like suburban Los Angeles, with similar ugly sprawl. Neither is high crime. Nor is the Cotes des Neiges, an area of great urban vitality and highly mixed demographics - you might compare it to a miniature facsimile of Queens, NY - squeezed in between two of metro MontrÃ©al's wealthiest communities (Westmount and Town of Mount Royal). In fact there really is no
neighborhood in MontrÃ©al that is notably high crime compared to others the way cities have in the States, nor is there any slums - even in the poorest places properties are maintained and architecture is attractive and there are stores and people are not afraid to be on the streets. This does not mean to say that there is no crime at all, only that it is low and - other than residences of
organized crime members, perhaps - not concentrated. Frankly,
if I were worried about getting accosted, the area I would avoid
would be the near west side of downtown, a bit south of McGill, mostly English speaking on weekend nights because that is the area invaded by American 18-21 year olds to get drunk, get laid and raise hell. It is also the district full of hotels where most Americans stay and it is unfortunately true that we have our share of natives that are attracted by American license plates for occasional vandalism practise and thievery.

jason h

ok, i agree with every ones answere, but don't be scared to go past the so called big sex place. there's a lot to see down there, it might seem a bit sketchy but isn't. you have st-Denis street which is one of the best in Montreal which has all the boutiques and nice restaurants, there's st-Laurent street which is more for bars and fun.don't forget to climb mount royal and walk down all of st-Catherine's, right down to the gay village, which is where the last poster said not to go. the places where there is more crime aren't worth seeing ex: Montreal north, ville st-Laurent, Verdun, ndg. don't be scared of bums, there are a few in Montreal, their harmless.
have a good trip.
i live here.

ayyoub

Montreal is a very big city and there's a lot of neighborhoods. Laval and Longueuil are considered areas to have more crimes than other places. Inside the city, Cote des Neiges is considered more dangerous. Better to stay in the city centre, less crimes there. The metro in general is safe, but take care around metro Vendome.
In general, Montreal is more safe than other cities in Canada

DORY

Montreal is beautiful, safe and good subways! It is in, Canada,so no need to fear! Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Inquirer

Avoid laval and north part of montreal. Montreal use to be a very safe city in the past but we live presently a full development of street gang activity. US street gang clut are recruting in mass number here and many young people, black or white are attracted to this lifestyle because of hip pop music culture.

It seem cool nowadays to be a gangstah and many French Canadian are attracted very young to this because of today fashion.

gymbo1022

One year when my husband and I traveled there, we ended up in a part of the city we didn't see before and don't care to see again.
We were walking down hill, St Catherines street (toward Place De Arts metro stop) and kept walking. We past the big sex store on the right, and went up a couple of blocks.
I would suggest you not go past that sex shoppe. It wasn't what I would call "danerous" but it definatly wasn't a place I would want to be after dark.
Enjoy your stay

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