When it comes to moving to a different city, people are generally scared of the rumored harsh winters of Montreal. Although the winters are chilly, The City of Saints has so many awesome things to offer its residents that you’ll barely have any time to think about the cold. The Montreal real estate market, for instance, is especially kind to those in search of affordable housing options. If you want to find out more, you’re in luck! After doing a bit of research we’ve come up with a list of 5 key things you need to know before moving to Montreal. Check them out here.
Multiculturalism and Bilingualism
With around 31% of the population being part of a visible minority, The City of Saints is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada. This multiculturalism is widely celebrated throughout the city and manifests itself in all aspects of daily Montreal life, from varied culinary treats to colorful events.
Although bilingualism is not an absolute requirement, it does help immensely in settling in to the everyday life. French is the official language of the city, and there is also a large English-speaking community. A whopping 56% of Montreal residents speak both languages, making it one of the most bilingual cities not only in Quebec but in all of Canada.
Getting around Montreal
If you don’t like traffic jams and permanently occupied parking stalls, you might want to skip on the car ownership deal and opt for getting around the city in other ways. You might be surprised to find that Montreal is the third most walkable city in Canada, taking into consideration factors such as access to public transport, distance to amenities and pedestrian friendliness. STM Montreal ensures that public transportation in the city (in the form of buses and the metro) is reliable and easy to navigate.
Another popular way of getting around in the city is by bike. The local cycling infrastructure, the easy-to-use public bike sharing system known as BIXI and the future plans to build a smart network have all contributed to making Montreal one of the top cycling cities in the world—the only North American city on the list!
Fair-Priced Housing
Compared to other large cities in Canada, the real estate market of Montreal offers surprisingly affordable housing options. Single-family homes in the city have a median asking price of $314,900, while the median price for a condo in Montreal is currently $240,000.
You’ll be happy to find that The City of Saints is generous to those looking to rent as well. Last year the vacancy rate fell to 2.8%, which is understandable considering the average rental property cost just $766.
July the 1st is the city’s unofficial moving day, so if you can, avoid relocating on this day to steer clear of all the chaos. People in search of apartments to lease should be aware of the fact that units are referred to by their number of rooms in total (so 3 ½ usually means a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom–which stands for the ½). In order to actually get a rental deal by moving day, make sure you start looking in time (by March), because the competition is fierce and apartments go off the market quite quickly.
Vibrant Nightlife
When in search of things to do in Montreal, you’ll quickly learn by checking the event calendar that the city never actually sleeps. The City of Saints is home to hundreds of restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, coffee shops and clubs. In fact, there are whole neighbourhoods, like La Petite-Patrie, Mile-Ex and The Plateau, dedicated to offering locals a wide array of entertainment. The daily 5-to-7 offers (Montreal’s version of Happy Hour) target locals ending a long workday and enjoying a few drinks with their colleagues.
There’s no shortage of festivals and special events either, since The City of Saints hosts a myriad of them year-round. You can laugh your head off at the world-renowned Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, get your groove on at the Montreal International Jazz Festival or dance the night away at the outdoor Igloofest held at the Old Port, not to mention the countless smaller events promoting various cultures, exhibiting some fine food and showing the newest films.
Student Capital
Boasting the highest number of university students per capita in all of North America, it’s safe to say that Montreal is the Student Capital of Canada. The city is home to over 180,000 scholars, and offers top quality education in 11 universities and post-secondary institutions in both French and English.
Last year Montreal was voted the top student city in the World, offering its peers not only excellent education, but also a lively community atmosphere, seasoned with quite a diverse entertainment scene.
All in all, Montreal is quite an exciting place to settle down in. It’s the city where you’ll never feel bored, thanks to the year-round events, colorful festivals, impressive culture scene and active nightlife. The affordable cost of living and budget-friendly housing options also rule in favour of moving to The City of Saints. Anybody who is thinking of moving here should do a bit of research beforehand to familiarize themselves with details of the day-to-day life of the city, and then Montreal will undoubtedly greet them with arms wide open!
