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Laval is predominantly Francophone but has a marked ethnic mosaic. About 25% of residents were born outside Canada. The Chomedey neighborhood is home to one of Quebec's largest Italian communities, as well as Greeks and Armenians. A growing Lebanese, Syrian, and Maghrebi community (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) is also present in Sainte-Rose and Vimont.

French is dominant, but Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Armenian can be heard at home and in ethnic shops. The Brazilian community is small, concentrated mainly in Chomedey, with some families drawn by lower rents than in Montreal. The Hispanic population is growing, with Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican communities.

The age profile skews older than Montreal's, with many established middle-class families living there for decades. The homeownership rate is higher than in Montreal: most families own their homes, and the housing stock is dominated by semi-detached houses, bungalows, and split-levels from the 1970s.

Laval was built as a postwar suburb, and its housing stock reflects that. Most properties are single-family or semi-detached homes from the 1960s to 1990s, with yards, garages, and two or three bedrooms. Bungalows and split-levels dominate Duvernay, Vimont, Saint-François, and Auteuil. Sainte-Rose has more charming homes close to the des Mille Îles River.

Chomedey is the most urban neighborhood, with the largest rental apartment stock, especially near Carrefour Laval. Sainte-Dorothée is receiving new condos and luxury homes. Around the Cartier, De la Concorde, and Montmorency metro stations, residential towers have risen offering direct access to the Montreal metro.

For renting, landlords ask for proof of income, references, and a credit check. As in the rest of Quebec, leases typically begin on July 1. Buying requires a down payment of 5 to 20%, with financing up to 30 years. Platforms such as Centris, DuProprio, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace are the main search resources.

French-language public schools in Laval are administered by the Centre de services scolaire de Laval and serve more than 50,000 students. As throughout Quebec, Loi 101 requires children of immigrants to attend school in French through the end of secondary education. English-language public schooling is available through the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, with limited spaces.

Cégep Montmorency, located next to the metro station of the same name, is the city's main public post-secondary institution, enrolling around 8,000 students. It offers technical programs and pre-university tracks. The Université de Montréal maintains a satellite campus in Laval, particularly in health sciences, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. Collège Letendre is a leading private school option.

For elementary education, schools in Sainte-Dorothée, Sainte-Rose, and Auteuil tend to receive strong reviews. Families seeking private alternatives pay between CAD 4,000 and CAD 12,000 per year. Ethnic schools also operate: the Armenian Holy Cross School serves the Armenian community, and Collège Hellénique serves the Greek community.

Laval is peaceful for the most part. Walking at night in Sainte-Rose, Sainte-Dorothée, Vimont, or Duvernay is safe. Families allow children to walk to school and parks on their own. The Laval Police Service (SPL) is large and maintains active patrols.

The city had difficult periods in the 2000s and 2010s involving organized crime and municipal corruption, but the daily life of ordinary residents was rarely affected. Neighborhoods such as Saint-François, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, and parts of Chomedey have slightly higher rates of petty theft and drug activity, but the impact on passersby is minimal.

The most common crimes are home burglary while residents are away, bicycle theft in summer, and car break-ins targeting visible valuables. Vehicle theft also occurs, particularly of popular models such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, with some vehicles shipped abroad through the port of Montreal. A locked garage and a tracking device are recommended.

Summer in Laval runs from June through September, with highs between 25 C and 28 C (77 F to 82 F) and elevated humidity. As throughout the greater Montreal region, festivals and outdoor life dominate the season. Air conditioning is essential in homes and apartments.

Winters are long and cold. From December through March, highs range between -5 C and -2 C (23 F to 28 F), with lows reaching -22 C (-8 F) in January. The city receives around 210 cm (83 in) of snow per year. The expressways crossing the island can close during severe storms.

Homes in Laval are mostly modern suburban properties, heated by electricity (favored in Quebec) or natural gas. Winter tires are legally required from December through March. Heated garages are common. Full winter clothing is part of daily life from November through April.

Laval occupies an island between the Rivieres des Mille Iles and des Prairies, offering a blend of garden-city character and robust commercial activity. The Cosmodome features astronautics exhibits and houses the Space Camp, popular with families, while Centre de la Nature in Saint-Vincent-de-Paul serves as the main urban park, complete with a lake, skating rink, and educational farm.

Centropolis brings together restaurants, cinemas, and the Colossus complex, and Carrefour Laval ranks among Quebec's largest shopping centers. For outdoor recreation, Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles offers kayak, canoe, and rabaska rentals in summer, along with snowshoeing in winter. Vieux-Sainte-Rose retains the charm of a small village, with galleries, brunch spots, and the Maison des Arts.

Laval hosts events including the Mondial Choral choral festival and the Petit Festival de Theatre. The Orange Line metro connects Cartier, De la Concorde, and Montmorency stations directly to Montreal, making metropolitan cultural life accessible without living in the city center.