Advice on moving to Montreal?

Question

Hi everyone. I'm planning on moving to Montreal around July 1 with my boyfriend. We are from Miami, FL and are in our early 20's. I have obtained a temporary Canadian work permit allowing me to work for 6 months in Canada. I also speak fluent French, but my boyfriend doesn't speak French and doesn't have a work permit. That being said, these are the questions I have about moving to Montreal:

1) What are the best neighborhoods to live in in Montreal? I'm looking to pay around $400-600 for a 1 bedroom or a studio.

2) Should I take my car or can we live in Montreal without a car?

3) Is it possible to find a month-to-month apartment contract, as I've heard that most of them are 1-year leases?

4) What jobs hire the most anglophones in Montreal and don't require much French (for my boyfriend)?

Thank you so much! Any advice would be really appreciated!! :)

Answer 1

Gee girl, you didn't get many encouraging replies, did you?

It's funny - I originally come from Montreal but used to live in Fort Lauderdale FL (Edgewood) with my American sweetheart. Which part of Miami FL are you guys from - if you don't mind me asking?

Like your boyfriend, I didn't have work permit either so I had to rely totally on my boyfriend financially (now my husband).

Is your boyfriend planning to enter Canada under false pretenses (illegally)?

I certainly wouldn't recommend it!

And now back to your questions...

1. I love Ghetto McGill (my neighborhood) but Plateau Mont-Royal is nice also as well as young, hip and trendy;

2. If you want to take your car, bring it with you by all means but it's not a dire necessity - in other words, you'll manage fine without one but you'll eventually have to familiarize yourself with the metro/bus system. Don't forget - you'll be in Montreal for parts of the winter so watch out with that Floridian car of yours!

3, Yes you're absolutely right - apartment rentals are usually a year lease (July 1st until June 30th) but if you look hard enough and ask the right folks, you might be able to strike lucky and find a sublet somewhere, who knows?

4. Can your boyfriend really find a job without a valid work permit? If he can, he will probably be clearing tables in a restaurant and being paid minimum wage under the table, so to speak... If he's really lucky, he won't get exploited and will get paid minimum wage! Would he be willing to do that, do you think? As long as he doesn't have to deal with the public, he might be okay, who knows?

Good luck to both of you and have fun in Montreal!

Answer 2

Hey,

Welcome to Montreal, I don't know if I can answer all your question, but I guess some info is better then none.

For the apartment, check on craigslist.com it advertises apartments, and there are plenty of sublets. I Have seen month-to-month renting, but not many. As for the car, with the metro and buses, you really don't need it. You're boyfriend may be able to find work in a warehouse, or maybe telemarketing. That sort of thing, but with no french, working with the public is most likely a no go. Mind you, when my mom started working, she had very limited french, and has picked up the basics as she went.  I'm not to sure about which area is the nicest to move into, but I do know that you should probably try to stay clear of St-Henri, point-saint-charles and verdun.  If you have any other questions, feel free to email me, [e-mail].

Take care and good luck :)

Melanie

here is the link to the metro system map, just so you can get a feel for the areas and locations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mtl-m...

Answer 3

If your bf does not have any kind of temporary work visa of any kind, he won't be able to get a job anywhere, let alone Montreal. The fact you speak French will help you somewhat but won't guarantee you a job either.

If you both manage to find work - finding an apartment in Montreal within $4-600.00 per month shouldn't be too tough but that doesn't mean there is cheap and easy housing because there isn't.

Best neighbourhoods? That depends on where you work. Month to month apartment contract? Good luck; I've never heard of that in Montreal either. What jobs hire predominantly unilingual anglophones? I can't think of any either; retail, the land of minimum wage, demands that employees speak at least some rudimentary French.

You can certainly live in Montreal without a car, just like you can live in any city without a car. In fact, you might want to leave your car at home anyway as the highways in and around Montreal are chaotic at the best of times. Quebec drivers love to speed.

I would advise you to have your bf take some French language courses.

Answer 4

This is not an answer but I didn't know any other way to contact you.

My boyfriend and I are planning on doing the same move within a year or so and I would love to keep in touch with you so you can let me know how it is there and if you find out any more information while you move!

My name is Danica and you are welcome to email me. =)

[e-mail]