It is hard to move to any city, let alone one in another country. However, moving to Quebec (in this case Montreal) has its own challenges. The fact is, as historical, as exciting and as vibrant as Montreal is, living there means you must be able to live in French or atleast know a decent amount of French.
Full Answer
Should you move to Montreal?
As much as there are pros, however, there are some definite cons to moving to the city. Here’s our guide to some of the best and worst that Montreal has to offer. There are quite a few things to love about the second largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris.
Is Montreal a good city to live in?
Realizing which streets run in which direction will be a fun initiation to the city and key for your driving sanity. Compared to Toronto or Vancouver, Montreal is extremely affordable. Rent, public transit, entertainment, and food are all significantly less expensive than you will find in other provinces in Canada.
How much does it cost to live in Montreal?
Montreal is actually a pretty cheap city to live in, whether you opt to rent or buy. For a central apartment, you can expect to pay between $600 and $800 for a two-bedroom, or $250,000 for a quality one-bedroom condo – which, when compared to Vancouver or Toronto, is extremely cheap!
What is moving day in Montreal?
In Montreal, however, July 1st is also known as Moving Day. In a tradition that dates back to 1750, all rental leases in the city are supposed to end on the same day. (That day was May 1 until 1973, when it was moved to July in order to not conflict with the school year).
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Is moving to Montreal a good idea?
Should You Move to Montreal? If you have a job lined up, love culture, and can speak French, Montreal is the place to be. If you hate traffic or waiting on public transit, and don't like paying tax, you might find Montreal to be stressful. Despite the downsides, Montreal certainly has a lot going on.
Is it easy to live in Montreal?
The city rated in the Top 50 Most Livable cities and the Top 50 Eco-Cities according to the 2010 Mercer Quality of Living city ratings. Low rental and housing prices make Montreal an affordable major city. High public transit usage and investment in bicycle infrastructure make the city easy to navigate without a car.
How much money do I need to move to Montreal?
Summary about cost of living in Montreal, Canada: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,350$ (4,244C$) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 909$ (1,152C$) without rent. Montreal is 28.87% less expensive than New York (without rent).
Is Montreal worth living in?
MONTREAL — To an outsider, Montreal might seem like the perfect place to live. It has the lowest rents of all the major cities in Canada, it's the nation's epicentre of art and culture, and there are more restaurants and cafés than you can visit in a year.
Can I live in Montreal without speaking French?
You can live in Montreal without speaking French however your employment options will be very limited. Montreal is a bilingual city (French-English) and most employers require their staff to be either bilingual or French speaking. Very few hire English only speakers.
Do you need a car to live in Montreal?
Getting Around Montreal Without a Car After Moving Here One-third of the households do not own a car. That involves keeping public transport and bicycles a feasible and green alternative to having a personal car, which is in the community's best interest. You really don't need a car to get around the city.
Is rent cheap in Montreal?
Still, even newer, larger buildings in Montreal are staggeringly cheap compared with those in other cities. According to the CMHC, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Montreal built in the past 15 years is about $900, many of them in modern high-rises.
Do people in Montreal know English?
If you move into the Quebec province, you may be surprised to find that it is not a bilingual province. It is a French province, despite being in Canada. Although many people in Montreal speak English, in any other part of the province you will find that English is rarely used.
What is a good salary Montreal?
A single person needs to make an annual income ranging between $24,000 and $32,000 to live comfortably in Montreal. According to a new study by the Institut de Recherche et d'Informations Socioéconomiques (IRIS), the $24,433 to $32,607 range (specifically) is what Montrealers need to make to “live viably.”
Is Toronto or Montreal nicer?
Montreal is a French speaking town with European architecture and more affordable prices for food and entertainment while Toronto has more modern amenities such as malls to shop in, skyscrapers that seem like they are touching the sky, bright lights at night that give it an exciting atmosphere, higher prices for food, ...
Is Montreal friendly to immigrants?
Consequently, individuals and families who want to try something different in a cosmopolitan, multilingual city may consider Montreal as an immigration destination. In addition, Montreal is a popular destination for international students, as many world-renowned universities are located here.
What percentage of Montreal is black?
(9.1%)Montreal Population Demographics The most common visible minorities are black (9.1%), Arab (6.4%), Latin Americans (4.2%), South Asians (3.3%) and Chinese (2.9%).
What are the pros and cons of moving to Montreal?
1. Lower Rents. If you’re going back to school or are single and have a job, you’ll find the city has cheaper apartment rents.
How much taxes are there in Montreal in 2016?
If you make up to $42,390 in taxable income in 2016, you’ll pay 16 percent provincial income tax. Add to that the 15 per cent in federal taxes you’ll pay in roughly the same tax bracket. That’s a lot of cash gone to the taxman, and that’s in the lowest tax bracket. What’s more, sales taxes are quite high in Montreal.
What is the temperature in Montreal in January?
Montreal is host to cruel, long, snowy and hard winters. The daytime temperature averages about -10 degrees Celsius in January, but the wind chills have been known to plunge below -30 degrees Celsius.
How much does a monthly transit pass cost in Toronto?
Cheaper Public Transit. The cost of a monthly transit pass is lower than it is in other places. An adult monthly pass in Toronto currently costs $141.50, but in Montreal that same pass is $83. The Montreal Metro, or subway, also services most of the city, so it’s easy to get to places.
Where can I get beer in Montreal?
If you feel you’re too old for the nightlife, but like beer, Montreal is unique from most other Canadian cities. You can get beer in corner stores called dépanneurs. The Montreal Gazette reports that some dépanneurs have kicked things up a notch by having sushi bars, craft beer rooms and sandwich shops.
Is Montreal a sacred place to live?
If living in a world-renowned urban area appeals to you, then Montreal might be a sacred place to live. There’s a lot to like about living in friendly, progressive and liberal Montreal. As much as there are pros, however, ...
What is the July 1st tradition in Montreal?
This July 1st tradition goes back a long way, and was meant to facilitate the children’s life by not switching schools in the middle of the year.
How long is maternity leave free in Quebec?
In Quebec, public education is free from kinder garden until college, public health care is free of charge, woman can get up to 52 weeks of maternity leave paid at an average of 70% of their annual salary, and so much more.
Is it easier to learn French in Montreal?
Learning French will never be easier. Montreal is a wonderfully bilingual city (some might argue that it’s a bit too anglophone, but that’s a whole other debate). Most people speak both French and English fluently, and will be happy to assist you in both languages.
Is there an agency in Montreal?
Agencies are not very common in Montreal when it comes to renting. Most locals find their apartment on Kijiji, lesPAC or even Craigslist, and the local newspaper ads (think the Globe and Mail and La Presse). On the other hand, if you’re looking to buy a property, agencies are not only common but recommended.
Is Montreal a short drive from Canada?
While Canada isn’t known for its short travel distances, Montreal, on the other hand, is. A mere 8 hour-drive away from New York City, Boston and Toronto, 2 hours away from Ottawa, the capital, and a 3 hour-drive from the magical city of Quebec. Plus, there are tons of things to do in the countryside nearby, whether you opt for the English-looking villages of the Eastern Townships or the remote cabins of the Laurentians Mountains up north. There’s something for everyone!
Is Montreal a good place to learn French?
While there is a law that protects French and makes sure that French is predominant on everything (bill 101), English is never very far, making it easy to understand for all non-French speakers. Montreal IS the perfect place to learn French! 5…. Taxes are high, but benefits are high.
What does it cost to live in Montreal – The Nitty Gritty
While our beautiful table can provide a nice window into Montreal life, it’s not the whole story. Let’s dig a bit deeper.
Hidden Costs of Living in Montreal
If moving to Montreal or anywhere in life was simple, everyone would do it. That’s not said to scare you away, but to bring you back down to earth. There will always be unexpected costs, things you might not even be able to plan for (like a spontaneous pair of ice skates, for example). But that’s just the nature of moving to a foreign country.
Insurance For Living in Montreal
General life in Montreal is not a bad one. There are affluent neighbourhoods that are safe to walk through at night, while some sections of the city, such as St Michel and Montreal North, will need some more discretion.
Moving To Montreal – What You Need To Know
Now that we have the costs out of the way, what are some of the other things to keep in mind when moving to Montreal?
Pros and Cons of Moving To Montreal
Nothing in life is perfect, and despite the tasty food and arts scene that awaits you, this is also the case in Montreal. There certainly are pros and cons to moving to Montreal.
Living as a Digital Nomad in Montreal
When it comes to living as a digital nomad in Montreal, you’ll find it is one of Canada’s better locations. Due to its lower rent and relatively small size, it is both cheap and easy to get around, letting you live a pretty comfortable nomadic lifestyle.
Living in Montreal – FAQ
The average salary in Montreal after taxes is around $2600 USD. This will allow you to live comfortably but without making hardly any savings. Aim for a higher number if possible.
Does the metro run 24/7?
The metro does not run 24/7. This is my first time living in a city with a subway system (called “the metro” in Montreal) and so of course I planned to take it home on my first big night out in a different part of town.
Is Montreal in a state of perpetual repair?
Montreal’s roads are in a state of perpetual repair. Having under-funded roadwork and construction for more than 30 years, the city is now paying the price. Recent reports reveal the intensive roadwork is expected to continue until 2040–and that’s only achievable if the city triples its proposed construction budget.
Is Montreal tough on Jaywalkers?
Despite its reputation as a laid-back city imbued with a European sensibility, Montreal’s police force is tough on jaywalkers. Don’t even take chances on those quiet side-streets, or you might find yourself paying a $50 fine.
Is Montreal hot in summer?
After winters as treacherous as those I’ve just described, a warm summer is more than welcome. Be warned, however: Montreal can get blisteringly hot. After experiencing some dizzy spells and dehydration after biking the 30 minutes from my home in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce to the Plateau during a 40° heatwave, I realized it’s wiser sometimes to take public transit. Thankfully, free public pools are peppered throughout the city, so there’s no shortage of places to beat the heat.
The Cost of Living in Downtown Montreal
Fortunately, Montreal’s cost is very affordable compared to other big cities in the world, like New York City, Vancouver, or Toronto. What’s more, Montreal has several fantastic housing options like BRiX!
Ways to Save on Food
There are many ways to save money on food in Montreal, especially when it comes to fresh produce. Montreal has several public markets that are ideal for fresh eggs, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Among the best are the Jean-Talon Market, Atwater Market, and Marché Maisonneuve.
French is the Official Language
Although French is Montreal’s official language, our city also has the highest rate of bi-lingual residents. Over 56% of residents speak both English and French. Practicing basic French will go a long way in helping you get around the city, but it’s not mandatory to be fluent in French to move here.
Working in Montreal
If you want to work in Montreal, you will need to have either one of two different documents:
Montreal Universities
There are a total of four major universities, seven multi-award degree-certifying academies/colleges, and twelve pre-university institutions within an 8km radius of the city center.
Living at BRiX
So there you have it: a helpful guide to relocating to Montreal! The bottom line? BRiX is here to help! We provide studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments located in the heart of Montreal at incredibly affordable prices.
When apartment hunting, make sure to consider public transport availability
The public transport system in Montreal isn’t exactly the best. If you are going to be relying on public transit to get places, make sure that your new digs is located close to a metro station, or at the very least, close to one of the more popular bus routes.
Cycling is a key part of the city
Montreal is a cyclist’s paradise. Bike lanes are spread across the city, the introduction of Bixi bikes has been hugely successful, and generally speaking, cycling is a major part of the city’s culture. That being said, cyclists tend to be aggressive here so always be aware of your surroundings, especially when opening your car doors.
Navigating the one-way streets will take some time to learn
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The cost of living is extremely low for a major city
Compared to Toronto or Vancouver, Montreal is extremely affordable. Rent, public transit, entertainment, and food are all significantly less expensive than you will find in other provinces in Canada.
Quebec taxes are very high
It may be an affordable city but they get you with the taxes! According to a study conducted by the Fraser Institute, Quebec taxpayers pay some of the highest taxes in North America. For example, if you make a salary of $50,000 per year, you will pay 16.37% in personal income tax in Quebec. Ouch.
5 a 7 is a way of life
Cinq a sept is a way of life in Montreal. Montrealers love leaving work at five to head over to their favourite bar or restaurant and socialize over drinks until seven. Plus, if you’re new to the city, it’s a great way to meet new people. Most bars in the city will offer 5 a 7 specials, so think of it as Montreal’s own personal happy hour.
Montreal is a student city
With McGill, Concordia, UQAM, and U de M located in the city, Montreal is crawling with students. The large student population (over 180,000) keeps the city young and vibrant. Just be sure to avoid the McGill campus during frosh week, things get a little crazy.