Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second largest city in Canada with a population of nearly 2 million. To tell the truth, it is not that it could be called a very beautiful city from the aesthetic point of view, we have seen better ones. And of course, that does not mean that living in Montreal is bad. In any case, there are some nice neighborhoods and a lot of public greenery.
Public transportation in the city is generally good. The underground and overground bus network covers the entire city, and even at rush hour, transit is often not even crowded. If you live in a central/semi-central area, you can easily do without a car.
Montreal offers good value for money. It is one of the most affordable cities in all of Canada. You can find a studio near the city center for $8,00 – 900 a month, unthinkable prices for Vancouver or Toronto. Even without earning astronomical sums, you can live well here.
As for the climate, unlike what many think, Montreal has 4 seasons, and it goes from +30°C in Summer to -30°C in Winter. In winter, people mainly stay indoors, except for some trips for skiing or skating, while in spring and summer people wake up after a long winter sleep and fully enjoy the outdoors with walks, picnics, excursions, concerts, etc.
Montrealers have long been accustomed to dealing with large numbers of immigrants and are therefore friendly and benevolent toward newcomers. However, to interact with people and integrate into society, it is essential that you learn French. The city is tremendously multicultural; you will meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds and from countries that sometimes you have never even heard of. Montreal is a large student city, with many young people studying at the five famous universities, makes it a hectic and always lively city.
Montreal is always full of life, there are bars, cafes and discos everywhere, offering an intense nightlife where French, Anglo-Saxon and the endless ethnic cultures blend together, giving the city that charm that makes it so special and so different from any other Canadian city. It is a city that surrounds you with its energy and has something for everyone: Art, music, shows, dance and much more. Montreal is famous for its nightlife and music scene with numerous festivals, including the world-famous Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Montreal is a safe city. The crime rate is one of the lowest in Canada. Sure, there are some more dangerous neighborhoods, but you can walk alone at night without any particular problems.
Speaking of work, if you want to work in Canada, you need a work visa, which is not easy to get. However, the Québec government organizes recruitment days every year in Paris and in Latin America for people who want to work in Québec. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to work in Montreal and the Quebec region in general. However, you should know that in addition to your skills, your knowledge of French is essential. Expecting to be able to work in Quebec without knowing French is illusory, both because the law requires that the language of the workplace be French and because you will be dealing with French speakers at work.
Let us assume that you need to enter the job market in Montreal:
- A degree in a profession that is in high demand
- A good work experience
- An excellent knowledge of the French language
- A good knowledge of the English language
Average salaries in Montreal are lower than in other major Canadian cities, but the cost of living is also among the lowest in Canada. In Montreal, people generally work to live rather than live to work, ensuring a good work-life balance.
Living and working in Montreal – pros and cons
Living and working in Montreal, pros
- Multicultural city, very welcoming and accessible to foreigners
- Many parks and green spaces
- Good public transportation
- Excellent music, art, culture and entertainment scene
- Low cost of living
- Very low crime rate
Living and working in Montreal, cons
- Not a particularly nice town
- Not the best place in Canada to find a job
- Salary level is not high
- Long cold winter
- You have to be bilingual (French/English) to find a job
Living and working in Montreal, conclusion
Montreal is perhaps the most multicultural and diverse city in Canada with an atmosphere that is a mixture of American and French. It is important to remember that Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris and is considered by many to be a European city transplanted to North America.
If you want all the information about moving to Canada, read the article: How to move to Canada
If you want all the information about working in Canada, read the article: How to work in Canada
