Advice on Outremont area (apartment, established neighborhood, college)

[JLB74]

Hello,
Me and my wife are moving to Montreal, I'm going to study a PhD at McGill starting Sept. 1st. I am being offered an apartment close to Jarry metro station and I am wondering if anybody could provide some insight into what the area is like. What we would like is an established neighborhood (bakeries, grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, etc.), French-speaking if possible, we both speak English but would like to learn as much French as we can, (immerse in the culture of Quebec/Montreal), and would very much like to be in a quiet, peaceful area, we are both in our early 30s and are not into the night/bar scene.
I'd appreaciate any advice/comments you might have on this.

[JLB74]

I forgot to ask whether it is an easy bike ride to McGill, Old Montreal, Quartier Latin, etc.

[jambo101]

Excellent neighborhood ,buses and subway are close at hand,jarry Parc is an actual parc where our now defunct Montreal Expos played at one time ,McGill college is 6km straight south and may have a designated bike path most of the way.. The colossal Jean Talon Market is just around the corner from the park and will supply all your food needs.
French?? dont worry as you'll get all the French you can handle and then some.

There are several down loadable Montreal Bike path maps heres one = http://www.velo.qc.ca/documents/reseau_mtl_mai08.pdf

[West Island]

Yes, very good urban neighborhood. Its called "Villeray", btw. Outremont is a few kms south from there.

[JLB74]

Hi guys, thanks a lot jambo101, sounds like Jarry park is quite enjoyable, and to you too West Island, I did not know the area was called Villeray, I had been told it was Outremont, but sounds like a good area. Many regards!