Montreal, Canada Report of what it's like to live there - 08/23/20
Personal Experiences from Montreal, Canada
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
U.S.. if you are bringing a car from the U.S., you have to drive it to Canada then pay for parking at your hotel while you search for a rental home under LQA.
3. How long have you lived here?
About a year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
USG
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We use LQA. Its nice to have control over your housing for once. Downtown has lots of apartment buildings that tend to look alike. If you like open floor plans with limited kitchen storage and small living rooms, with giant windows that may mean you get to know your neighbors a little too well, there are many choices. Westmount and further out have nice places to live, but make sure you are up for the winter commute.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Similar to US. Maybe not every fruit and veg in the winter. You can easily go to Plattsburgh NY, a two-hour trip when COVID hasn’t closed the border, and shop for groceries and fill up your care. Canada seems to have more organic produce, plus the leeks, strawberries and blueberries from Quebec are good. And good maple syrup, of course.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Maybe some cleaning products and drug store items where it’s easier to figure out what you want in English.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Easy take out, wide variety of restaurants.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No screens on the windows and there are bugs in the summer.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
The consulate makes a weekly mail run to NY, so we have a US address.
2. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Gyms in the city, and in apartment buildings. No gym in the consulate. Public pools too. In the winter, the downtown malls are connected by tunnels with stores and you can get some exercise traversing them.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
All are safe.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There’s an Episcopal church downtown and parts of the island near the airport are more Anglophone.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can easily get by with English only downtown, but it’s nice to explore Quebec and you need to speak French when you get further out. The consulate has French classes, also held at the airport for people in that part of town.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Metros don’t seem handicapped accessible but the strrets aren’t bad, except for the road construction which is neverending.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes to all.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
The roads are plowed better than any northern US city I’ve ever lived in. The city’s roads have narrow lanes so bringing a huge SUV could be a mistake.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
There are several choices. Walk around and shop. Unlike other places I’ve lived, the information provided for phone and internet this consulate provides was not helpful.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
If you bring an unlocked phone, the store in Eaton Center mentioned in a previous post can help. I have a plan that allows me to call the US for no added charge, and use the phone when I am in the US without fees. Bell wanted me to have a Canadian credit card and other requirements that were unreachable. I wish I’d seen that Easton Center post report earlier, because when I asked for advice, I didn’t get useful information.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Good vet.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
It can take several months for an EFM to get a work permit. There are a few consulate EFM jobs.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Various NGOs.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Like US.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Pickpockets downtown are pros. Otherwise, this is a safe place to live.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Most people stick with US doctors because we are so close. Medical care here is OK. If you use private clinics the fees are a little less than in the US. If you don’t get the Quebec health insurance and end up in a hospital, you need to pay a lot up front so I carry my bank card everywhere.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Pollen in the summer. Like living in many place in the US.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Ha. Winter is long. Plan for how you’ll handle it if you’re from Arizona.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Gorgeous summer. Pretty leaves in the fall. Autumn starts arriving mid-August.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
They seem okay.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Okay.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Quebec subsizing them so cheaper than US.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not that big. This isn’t the capital. Morale at the US Consulate varies, though it's a nice place to live in.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For all.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, it’s welcoming.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes. No.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Some prejudice against immigrants.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Getting out of Montreal and seeing the country. Swimming on a beach on the river. Beautiful undeveloped stretches up north. Snow tubing in Mount Tremblant. Being a tourist in Quebec City. Going to Ile d’Orleans. Laughing at your navigation system’s pronunciation of French road names.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
See above.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Maple syrup.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It’s an easy posting once you get LQA figured out.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How difficult LQA is, particularly the lack of support by the consulate. It’s like every new arrival has to reinvent the wheel and figure out how to get driver's licenses or taxes reimbursed, which is needless. Alos,how cut off the consulate is from Ottawa’s support and from other consulates.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Dual tire pick-up.
4. But don't forget your:
Good warm boots and long coat.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Read about the residential school system before you arrive, which will make protests make more sense when you are here. I’ve enjoyed having local TV and seeing shows about Canada’s First Nations (indigenous) people and “Still Standing,” which visits small towns.
