Laval is an island just north of the island of Montreal. It is connected to Montreal by seven bridges including four highways.
It is now served by three metro stations: Cartier and de la Concorde located in Pont-Viau neighbourhood and Montmorency located in Laval-des-Rapides, see Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) for details.
Two commuter train stations on the Deux-Montagnes line are found in the western tip of the island and three stations on the Saint-Jerome line that go through the center of the island, see Agence metropolitaine de transport (AMT) for details and schedules.
The transit company that manages bus routes on the island is the Societe de transport de Laval (STL).
Laval's neighborhoods are mostly residential with industrial areas in the center of the island and some disappearing agricultural areas. The shops are concentrated on a few main streets and boulevards and in the many shopping center. It can be difficult to get around without an automobile except in some neighbourhoods that are better served by public transit.
The type of homes on the island are mostly detached houses but you can find several apartment buildings in the neighborhoods located in the south-center part of the island. These neighborhoods are closer to Montreal and best served by public transport. There are few duplexex or triplexex except in older neighborhoods like St-Vincent-de-Paul or Pont-Viau.
The districts of Laval closest Montreal are, from east to west, St-Vincent-de-Paul, Duvernay, Pont-Viau, Laval-des-Rapides and Chomedey. Neighborhoods that are farther away, in the north of the island, are: Saint-Francois, Auteuil, St. Rose, Chomedey, etc.
The main advantage of Laval is its lower rents, on average.
