Montreal - info

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: Montreal - info
Could somebody tell me anything about Montreal? I mean how expensive life is there, housing, how much money is enough for a living (is 40K ok???). Thanks a lot!
[15-09-2005,17:45]
[***.239.73.230]
Olek
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
Montreal is lot cheaper than Toronto.

If you are a non-French speaker, you won´t find much of English speakers in the outskirts. I am staying in Montreal for the alst 3 years and even though I don´t know French, I haven´t had any problems with the language because downtown Montreal and also outskirt (West Island) has lot of immigrants and English speakers.

If you go too far away from Montreal, say other places of Quebec, they speak only french.

I would advise Montreal, best place to settle, real-estate is less, Cost of living is very less, very friendly people.

If you have any questions let me know.

[15-09-2005,20:35]
[**.149.79.164]
Jo
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
Thank you, Jo! So what about those 40K for a family of two, would it be enough? I am going to work at Univ. of Montreal so what are the prices there let´s say for 1BR apartment? Public transportation -> do I need a car?
[15-09-2005,21:55]
[***.239.73.230]
Olek
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
Hi Olek,

http://www.stm.info/English/metro/a-mapmet.htm

The above link shows the metro (underground trains) map. If you are working in the UOM campus, I think it is the metro station "Universite de Montreal" (see the blue line from the left). Metro it covers full of Montreal.

http://www.stm.info/English/info/a-tarif.htm

The above link gives the fares of the metro pass. The maximum (if you are not a student under 25) is going to be 61 dollars for one month. The same pass can be used for buses in Montreal. Almost all the buses lead you to at least one metro. So even if you are staying away from metro, you have buses which take you to metro. I don´t think it is absolutely necessary. I always admired the transportation system in Montreal.

You get 3 and a half apartments (1 bedroom apartment) in Montreal for 450 dollars as far as I know. You do the calculations. Anything else, do not hesitate to message me.


[16-09-2005,02:36]
[**.149.79.164]
Jo
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
Really appreciate your help. Thanks a lot, Jo! That should be enough information for now. So Montreal sounds like a nice place to me. I only hope that I will not freeze there to death after San Diego:-)
[16-09-2005,03:04]
[**.75.240.52]
olek
Montreal and Friendly People... (in reply to: Montreal - info)
Jo:

I don´t mean to come rudely on your comment. However, I was in Montreal this summer. I visited Quebec as part of my trip. I very much enjoyed the hospitality of Quebec City, however Montreal was a disappointment. People are far from being friendly there, mostly immigrants themselves I´d say. I was going to stay there for 2 nights, but decided not to and left the same day on my trip ahead.

City is so congested, driving around 4:30-5:00 is completely insane, and one feels as if the city is coming off (shabby) in a lot of places. I drove from the airport to the downtown and walked around the lanes there and was not at all impressed.

However, that is a tourist version.. I´m sure if you come as an immigrant you donot come as a tourist.. you want a job..which I believe you have a shot at in Montreal..

Montreal seems to be a happening city and I felt if one wanted could find a job there. Plus it is a great melting bowl.. I came across faces from practically everywhere.. stand 10 mins downtown and you will hear fimiliar language.. I had not heard some since I left India..

Behold I even saw several Indian restaurants there. So I guess it is a nice city.. but no it is not a smiling city.. I felt people in Quebe city were more friendly.. even in Ottawa..

but then who ´am I.. I was just a tourist there. I may be wrong..

[16-09-2005,05:07]
[**.151.170.40]
starwars
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
I had a similar experience as starwars, though this was some 13 years ago. I found the people incredibly rude; my husband´s (Parisian) French was ridiculed and even though we tried very hard to speak in French (which he is proficient in, though not Canadian French which is apparently somewhat different), we were made to feel very badly. Montreal is, unfortunately, perhaps the only place I´ve visited in Canada which I am not eager to return to. Of course, like starwars, I´m speaking only as a tourist, and again, this was many years ago. Quebec in general I am totally impressed with, and find to be beautiful and hospitable. Perhaps we were just there on a bad (few) days.
[16-09-2005,13:50]
[***.188.116.10]
wannabecanadian
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
hey guys,

Thanks for the comments.

I am there for 3 years now. I haven´t had much of an experience of the so called unfriendly people. Come on guys, you are talking about stay in Montreal for 2 days and want to comment on whether friendly or unfriendly. Be realistic guys,(I mean no offence against you) See the crime-rate Montreal and other cities in Canada/US. Thats all matters as far as I am concerned.

Yes, I agree with the next one, parking/driving a car is very tough downtown and also lot of places. But I was a student till now, I didn´t have a car, but look at the public transportation in Montreal. I absolutely accept with your comment on this.

Let me tell you guys, I haven´t been to lot-lot places in North America, compared to Michigan, Ontario, Illinois, I PERSONALLY feel Quebec is amazing. Only problem is, language, but thats okay, I haven´t had much problems.

Just my view. Plz do not take I am trying to offend you. I may be wrong too, because my life was student/part time job/school.


[16-09-2005,16:03]
[**.149.79.164]
Jo
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
...........Olek has a job in University of Montreal and he has to go to Montreal at any cost. Even if your comments were correct, I personally advise it is not a bad bet to go to Montreal. You will definitely enjoy your stay in the long run.
[16-09-2005,16:05]
[**.149.79.164]
Jo
(in reply to: Montreal - info)
I agree with Jo ? tourists experience means nothing or not too much. I had the same impression about Vancouver when I visited that town for only two days. I could not understand what was so nice about that place that so many people like it because it was not MY town, I was only a tourist there.
[16-09-2005,17:45]
[***.239.73.230]
Olek

Reply to the Montreal - info posting
Submission Code (SX6790) Copy The Code From The Left found in the brackets
Name
Email
Reply Subject
Reply Message


Canadian Immigration Forum at Canada City | Work From Home in Canada