The neighborhood is very, very safe; I had no qualms whatsoever walking alone or with my kiddo. Free parking is an added bonus! Reserve some energy for coming back from the Villa Maria metro station-- the walk back to the apartment can feel like a long time after walking to visit tourist sites all day. Monkland Village itself is a bustling community with many cafes (I enjoyed Second Cup), restaurants (my husband enjoyed the Dumpling Shop), and my child's favorite: ice cream (la Diperie) and a candy shop (Sprinkles)! Everywhere we went on Monkland Avenue readily offered information in both French and English.