A French-speaking city of 1.5 million people in the heart of America: No doubt, Montreal has many assets to attract French small we are!
Living in Montreal
Ah, Montreal. This city that dream more of French, as evidenced by the explosion of applications for PVT, these precious sesame 6750 that allow French to go explore Canada for a year, and the majority of the time, Montreal. Proof of this is the popularity of Quebec: This year, 6750 visas have expired ... in 48 hours! It took nearly a half in 2006 ... But before going into any further details of living in Montreal,
CITY OPEN TO THE WORLD
This city so cosmopolitan, so American, so both European. This city so comforting, so soothing. Sure, Montreal has many assets to seduce you. You want to take the plunge and go to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean from our cousins from Quebec? This is so for you! I had the chance to live a few months there, so I hope to give you an interest in this city. I warn you, you may want to leave.
MONTREAL AT A GLANCE
Before I give you the urge to finally banish the sole Francophone metropolis in North America (only that), I have to present it. Here are some figures to introduce Montreal.
City of 1.5 million people to a city of 4 million people
4 metro lines including 68 stations
Temperatures alternating between hot (21 ° on average in July) and ... less hot (10 ° on average in January)
Montreal is the second largest city in North America for the number of students per capita.
189 bus routes, including 20 overnight
This article is an opportunity for me to present life in Montreal, live in Montreal, in short, get to the other side of the Atlantic to rejoin our cousins Quebecois.
COST OF LIVING IN MONTREAL
How not to start with a simple problem, namely about the cost of living in Montreal?
Obviously, the cost of living in France is not the same as in North America. First, the minimum wage is 9.90 Canadian dollars, except for employees paid gratuity for which the pay is 8.55 dollars an hour (tip being "binding" in North America, they make up rather easily by getting on average 15% of the bill!). In Montreal, housing is not so expensive. In Montreal, the "chariots" (read, cars, truestorydealwithit) are cheaper. In Montreal, gasoline is (still) cheaper. But the food is more expensive, as movie releases (minimum $ 11, which does not shock most Parisian of you though) for example. The cost of living is not totally removed from the EU, although we tend to live better with less money in my opinion.
Moreover, one may also wonder how to get to Montreal. For that I recommend the Air Transat. I took it twice to get to Montreal is the most attractive were really other companies price ... I was able to go to Montreal in June for 450 euros from Paris. But it was the same price for provincial cities!
Obviously, the cost of living in France is not the same as in North America. First, the minimum wage is 9.90 Canadian dollars, except for employees paid gratuity for which the pay is 8.55 dollars an hour (tip being "binding" in North America, they make up rather easily by getting on average 15% of the bill!). In Montreal, housing is not so expensive. In Montreal, the "chariots" (read, cars, truestorydealwithit) are cheaper. In Montreal, gasoline is (still) cheaper. But the food is more expensive, as movie releases (minimum $ 11, which does not shock most Parisian of you though) for example. The cost of living is not totally removed from the EU, although we tend to live better with less money in my opinion.
Moreover, one may also wonder how to get to Montreal. For that I recommend the Air Transat. I took it twice to get to Montreal is the most attractive were really other companies price ... I was able to go to Montreal in June for 450 euros from Paris. But it was the same price for provincial cities!
ACTIVITIES IN AMERICAN
With these American activities available in the city: Free Cinema, with free popcorn (and shit, it was salty!) Outdoors on the old port, yes sir. Cirque du Soleil performances throughout Montreal, yes sir. The possibilities for entertainment, many are moving to Montreal, especially if you go there in May-June, at this particular moment or all the festivals keep coming: From festival Francopholies or Grand Corps Malade sings his love for Montreal (see video at end of article) to the International Jazz Festival, with small friendly names on stage, like Ray Charles. Young people who start, but still!
OR LIVE IN MONTREAL
UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM
Montreal is a great city of 365km2. Can not find AC so great? By comparison, Paris does "only" 105 km2! And bim! Let me tell you that there are very many places where you can stay. You're lucky, you come across an article by someone who has already lived five months in Montreal ... Here are my tips!
Our article on "What to see in Montreal" presents many activities to do when you go / if you live in Montreal!
There are many neighborhoods in Montreal that are very nice. Actually to understand Montreal, we must think in terms of East and West over the Saint Lawrence River. You can look at a map (below), and imagine that Saint Laurent draws a north-south line (even if it's not quite the case, but rather North West / South East, but it 'is how Montrealers see Montreal). Everything east of Saint Laurent is called the East, and all that is in the West ... In short, you understand the concept. Roughly, the East is French, while the West is English.
Our article on "What to see in Montreal" presents many activities to do when you go / if you live in Montreal!
There are many neighborhoods in Montreal that are very nice. Actually to understand Montreal, we must think in terms of East and West over the Saint Lawrence River. You can look at a map (below), and imagine that Saint Laurent draws a north-south line (even if it's not quite the case, but rather North West / South East, but it 'is how Montrealers see Montreal). Everything east of Saint Laurent is called the East, and all that is in the West ... In short, you understand the concept. Roughly, the East is French, while the West is English.
MANY AREAS TO ADVISE
First, focus on the orange and green metro lines. The center is located between downtown Mont-Royal and Place des Arts (you know, or there is any festival I've just talk to you!). The French, when in them, mostly live on the "plateau", former favorite neighborhood very friendly artists, and it is located on Mount Royal. You've got it, you want to avoid at all costs your countrymen, do not live over there. Conversely, if you ever do not feel to live totally cut off from your roots, this could be interesting!
I personally lived in Laurier, collocated with a quebecois, and two Australians, who were also all very friendly. I do not regret choosing to achieve total immersion on my home because I was working and I went out with people from all over the world ... Which, I grant you, may make sense since I am on the other side of the Atlantic. However, it is easier friends FrançaisAbout in my opinion, but you'll see it for yourself!
Here is an overview of the Laurier or district is located. As you can see, this is not far from the city center but also the "Plateau" or are good numbers of French ... It's still close to "Downtown, about 20 minutes from subway! I chose Laurier to other neighborhoods for its more residential side, and the quality / price ratio in my opinion (I paid $ 450 for a large room in a large apartment!).
Otherwise, I can also advise you to live in "the Village". The district is moving, close to everything, a central point not too far from many things. Officially, it is the gay district of Montreal have so much reluctance to live there (incorrectly), which explains why there is lower than in many other areas often for newer condos prices.
Finally, the Old Port is also very cute and full of lovely streets, but it remains relatively out-of money ... But do not hesitate to go there to walk there, or listen to these artists sing in the early evening on the magnificent Place Jacques-Cartier.
First, focus on the orange and green metro lines. The center is located between downtown Mont-Royal and Place des Arts (you know, or there is any festival I've just talk to you!). The French, when in them, mostly live on the "plateau", former favorite neighborhood very friendly artists, and it is located on Mount Royal. You've got it, you want to avoid at all costs your countrymen, do not live over there. Conversely, if you ever do not feel to live totally cut off from your roots, this could be interesting!
I personally lived in Laurier, collocated with a quebecois, and two Australians, who were also all very friendly. I do not regret choosing to achieve total immersion on my home because I was working and I went out with people from all over the world ... Which, I grant you, may make sense since I am on the other side of the Atlantic. However, it is easier friends FrançaisAbout in my opinion, but you'll see it for yourself!
Here is an overview of the Laurier or district is located. As you can see, this is not far from the city center but also the "Plateau" or are good numbers of French ... It's still close to "Downtown, about 20 minutes from subway! I chose Laurier to other neighborhoods for its more residential side, and the quality / price ratio in my opinion (I paid $ 450 for a large room in a large apartment!).
Otherwise, I can also advise you to live in "the Village". The district is moving, close to everything, a central point not too far from many things. Officially, it is the gay district of Montreal have so much reluctance to live there (incorrectly), which explains why there is lower than in many other areas often for newer condos prices.
Finally, the Old Port is also very cute and full of lovely streets, but it remains relatively out-of money ... But do not hesitate to go there to walk there, or listen to these artists sing in the early evening on the magnificent Place Jacques-Cartier.
BUDGET
$ 500 all-inclusive roommate, you should be able to find something really good. I suggest you set a budget of $ 400, and go up to $ 500 if you find something that is worth it. In any case, you have two sites at the end of article to find numerous accommodation deals! Often the price includes accommodation only, and all costs are shared equally between all the roommates.
To conclude this article, I would like to tell you something. Perhaps you have realized, I fell in love with Montreal. I would go back for sure. Living there, one year or more. But you can not quite appreciate your country, when you left. Be warned, you will miss the France on certain points (Gourmet, in particular). The main thing is that you will not miss anything on the rest. If you can not live there, for sure, go ahead during a world tour!
To go further:
Our file LIVING will give you probably want to move,
More statistics on Montreal
To find your apartment is your best friend here. Otherwise craigslist.com is another good source.
If you want more information about the cost of living in Quebec and Montreal, please, check this folder "Cost of living in Quebec" directed by quebecois government that is very comprehensive!
A Facebook group featuring many French for many tips and a pied-a-terre
Our article on "What to see in Montreal" that will show you many things to do when you go / if you live in Montreal!
Other articles about Montreal are to discover on our travel blog! Queries to:
live in montreal, life montreal, montreal live, live from montreal, or live in Montreal, or live in montreal, montreal living, living in canada, montreal cost of living.
To conclude this article, I would like to tell you something. Perhaps you have realized, I fell in love with Montreal. I would go back for sure. Living there, one year or more. But you can not quite appreciate your country, when you left. Be warned, you will miss the France on certain points (Gourmet, in particular). The main thing is that you will not miss anything on the rest. If you can not live there, for sure, go ahead during a world tour!
To go further:
Our file LIVING will give you probably want to move,
More statistics on Montreal
To find your apartment is your best friend here. Otherwise craigslist.com is another good source.
If you want more information about the cost of living in Quebec and Montreal, please, check this folder "Cost of living in Quebec" directed by quebecois government that is very comprehensive!
A Facebook group featuring many French for many tips and a pied-a-terre
Our article on "What to see in Montreal" that will show you many things to do when you go / if you live in Montreal!
Other articles about Montreal are to discover on our travel blog! Queries to:
live in montreal, life montreal, montreal live, live from montreal, or live in Montreal, or live in montreal, montreal living, living in canada, montreal cost of living.
