Is Montreal a really nice place to live?

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CEO&LittleLeagueMom

Hi. I don't live permanently in Montreal, but I travel/stay there a great deal (about two weeks a month) from my home in Southern California. Montreal is GREAT. The people are generally friendly, outgoing, enjoy life. In general (exceptions noted below), people are very welcoming to those of us who don't speak French (even those from below the south border). There are always a TON of things going on (particularly in the summer) - because the winters are tough, the summers are one big party - Grand Prix, Jazz festival, Movie festival, Comedy festival etc. Because of the combination of the universities, and the French tradition (I think), the city is vibrant - many wonderful restaurants, lots going on, great health clubs, art venues etc. In the summer, many restaurants open in the front, and extended summer dinners 'spill' out onto the sidewalk. Similar to Europe, there is no hurry to leave - stay and enjoy your espresso while watching the world go by.

Now, for the caveats - I have the impression that it can be a relatively expensive place to live - perhaps you will get feedback from others on this. Students/new working people seem to share apartments, rather than being able to afford their own. Depending on your budget, this may be a problem. Winters are VERY cold - (minus 20 is not uncommon), and they last a large percentage of the year - so you have to be ready to deal with this. And, finally, there are geographic areas of Montreal where the residents are more aggressively Quebequois, meaning that they will not speak English with you (they CAN, they just WON'T). So I would be cautious in moving here to make sure you end up in a section that is more bi-lingual. Very infrequently, I run into this in the downtown area - I got a free breakfast once because nobody in the Cafe Presse woudl admit to speaking enough English to take my money! :)

Explorer

Montreal is a very nice place to live, and there is an english speaking district, however french dominates the city.
I think you will like it but will have to adjust.
You may also wish to look at ottawa if you like the culture but wish for more english, and then you are also close to the quebec border.
Good luck.
Canada is a great place and we welcome you to blend into our society and add to our diversity

Neil M

I live in L.A. now, used to live in Toronto and drive up to Montreal. Montreal ROCKS. Really cool city. If you're a nice looking chap, I'm sure the girls will love your British/American accent. It's a big city so you'll find whatever it is you're looking for and I felt accepted (even though I heard they hate Toronto but even that seems more like a friendly rivalry) speaking only English.

It gets pretty fu$#ing COLD there. In fact, I think I was the coldest I've ever been in my life visiting one January. But it's dry cold and they do get winter sun.

extenso

Montreal is a GREAT city!
Yes, the language problem may be an issue form time to time but you can live your whole life in the west end of Montreal - all in English.
However, learning French will put you in the midst of one of the great cultural city of the world.

Lots of stuff to do in Montreal? Plenty!

Good choice and good luck!

P.S. Skydog70 - For your information, you can live your whole life in Quebec without speaking a word of English. Few Canadians are bilingual. Many Quebecers are. Don't confuse the two.

Remember that Montreal is the SECOND BIGGEST FRENCH CITY of the WORLD after PARIS!!!

marie9

For most jobs you must be bilingual (French and English). I had a friend who spoke French and Spanish and he couldn't find a job because his English wasn't good. Alot of people are bilingual especially now.

Skydog70

Montreal is such a nice city that many tourists cherish even a week there. Nobody has to move anywhere permanently. And if you're accepted to school than go for it, because it is not bad at all there. Plus, you can always hop in the car and visit Vermont and Massachusetts nearby. A very progressive and cultural city, and of course you can get by in English. Most Canadians are bilingual. I can't imagine anyone only speaking French there and knowing no English

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