What do you think about moving from Florida to Montreal?

Question

My husband might have a job offer there. I'm excited! I want to hear all your thoughts from every aspect: getting there, jobs, what I have to do to be ready, and anything else I didn't think of. Tell me everything! Thank you so much!

Answer 1

Actually, Nikki is partly right about the school situation.

Your child would have the right to attend a public English school here if they have done their schooling in English elsewhere in Canada OR if either of the parents had been schooled in English in Canada. It does NOT apply to immigrants from USA, as far as I can tell from the official "Charter of the French Language" enacted in 1977.

However, you would be allowed to send your child to private school, and you can choose the language for that schooling.

As for what to expect, I would learn basic French if you are coming here, and get ready for cold winters and high taxes. Many Canadians are nicknamed "snowbirds" here in Quebec, because they fly down to Florida for the wintre months...lol...you are going the opposite way.

Answer 2

Well, there is a lot of french in montreal and very few of english, its mostly apartments and no houses too. Youll also be very cold in the winter, lol !!!!

Either than that, its great ! A little dangerous ! but great ! There are a lot of good restaurants and good clubs.

Hope he gets the job, and good luck !

Answer 3

Depending if it is a permanent move or temporary posting but if you have children in school, you better check out your options. Usually parents that emigrate to the province of Quebec have no option but to send their children to french schools.

Montreal however does have a fantastic nightlife, it is close to the Laurentians so there is a lot of winter recreation options (such as skiing) and there are plenty of golf courses in the area. It is also only about a 4 hour drive to Toronto, 2 hours to Ottawa and a short drive to Upstate New York and Vermont.

Answer 4

I think you'll be cold in the winter. hahah okay so weather aside, montreal is a gorgeous city, I've been there a few times.  The language might be an issue at first, especially if looking for a job.  You may want to start french classes ASAP.  It'll be great for you though!!!

Good luck!

Answer 5

Im from FL, and I use to go to Montreal almost once a year to visit family there.  I love Montreal, its such a beautiful city!!!

So much to do, and a lot of history is there, plus the food is pretty good there and I liked the people.  It is mostly french speaking though, so might have to brush up on your frech, granted they do speak english there.  I know my family speaks mostly english but french is also spoken in the home as well.  

The winters out there are freaking COLD! Me being born and raised in FL, and then going to Montreal in the winter, OMG, I was literally covered up in clothes. I was like Doug E. Doug in Cool Runnings, wearing everything I brought with me all at the sametime and still being cold!   But even in the winter there was a lot to do and I had a wonderful time!

I thought about moving up there b/c I loved it so much.

Lucky you, minus the freezing winters!

In Montreal they say this... there are two seasons.... Constrution season and winter season... during the summers thats when the construction of the roads begin and during the winter roads get really slippery.

I know there was a lot of traffic when Iw as there due to all the construction they had all the time.