Tell me about life in Montréal!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m pondering moving to Montréal after I graduate.

I want to see interesting places, meet interesting people, use my French, etc. But I have questions about life in Montréal. (And possibly the city of Québec.)

What’s the job market like? Any possibilities for a technical writer/artist/ebook creator/cartoonist type? How much French do you need at the beginning to work in Québec? What things are in demand in Montréal?

What’s the cost of living like? Rents? Heating? Transportation? Do people still do that “everyone moves on July 1st” thing? (How does that even work? I’m imagining rental companies shipping in countless extra moving vans, and endlessly-clogged roads…)

I have the strong impression that arts and culture are more vigorously supported in Québec than Ontario. Is this true?

Are there many Anglos who arrive in Québec and stay? Are they accepted? Are there frictions?

Merci for your answers.

2

I grew up there but have not lived there for many years. My entire family still lives there. I’m still very fond of it.

My advice is, live close if you can and visit often, but don’t plan on living there.

3

I can answer only this:

What’s the cost of living like? Rents? Heating? Transportation? Do people still do that “everyone moves on July 1st” thing? (How does that even work? I’m imagining rental companies shipping in countless extra moving vans, and endlessly-clogged roads…)

Cost of living is relatively modest. Rents are cheap. And generally include heating. Transportation is relatively cheap. A monthly pass for the Metro and buses costs $77, which I think is a good deal cheaper than Toronto’s. And, sadly, that “All leases expire on June 30 and everyone moves on July 1” is still the law. It is one of the worst examples of the “Everything not forbidden is required” attitude of the Quebec government. Oh it is possible to specify that a lease end on a different date, but it has to be explicit and in writing. How it works in practice, I am not too sure of, but it is hell. Of course, July 1 is Canada Day (evidently the reason the Quebec government chose it) which helps a lot since there is not a lot of traffic. Of course, that applies only to rentals. Buy a house or condo and you can move whenever you and the owner want.

The government is trying to make it as hard as possible to get Anglos to leave. Under a bill currently under consideration, English versions of the tax forms will no longer be available. Now will Quebec civil servants be permitted to speak English on their jobs. Even to answer questions, assuming it is possible to get through the telephone queues.

4

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