We prepare this guide to help you answer some basic questions about Montreal. Where is it? How's the cost of living? What's the weather like? How's the public transportation?
Overview of Montreal
Province: Quebec
Population: City -> 1,7 million / Metropolitan area -> 4,1 million (2016)
Climate: Humid Continental, with cold winters and warm summers
Demonym: Montrealer
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time EST (GMT -5 hours)
Area phone code: beginning with 514 and 438
Postal code: beginning with H
Population: City -> 1,7 million / Metropolitan area -> 4,1 million (2016)
Climate: Humid Continental, with cold winters and warm summers
Demonym: Montrealer
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time EST (GMT -5 hours)
Area phone code: beginning with 514 and 438
Postal code: beginning with H
Location of Montreal
Montreal is located in the southwest of the Quebec province, just 70 Km from the U.S. border, 600 Km from New York, and 500 Km from Toronto.
Cost of Living in Montreal
Moving to Montreal has its perks: you can enjoy an awesome big city with property and rent prices that are typically more affordable than many other major Canadian cities. A decent room in a shared apartment can be rented for as little as $400 per month, with some one-bedroom apartments starting at $550-600.
Household utilities, such as gas and electricity, are reasonably priced and generally charged per month. Groceries and eating out, however, are at or above the national average. You can always find a neighbourhood where prices are cheaper than the more central and touristy areas.
Overall, living costs in Montreal are affordable and below national average, but this can be offset by slightly lower wages and higher taxes.
Check here for detailed prices of the cost of living in Montreal. You can choose your currency for more ease of comparison.
Household utilities, such as gas and electricity, are reasonably priced and generally charged per month. Groceries and eating out, however, are at or above the national average. You can always find a neighbourhood where prices are cheaper than the more central and touristy areas.
Overall, living costs in Montreal are affordable and below national average, but this can be offset by slightly lower wages and higher taxes.
Check here for detailed prices of the cost of living in Montreal. You can choose your currency for more ease of comparison.
Weather in Montreal
Summers in Montréal are characterized by humidity and hotness. Maximum temperatures easily exceed 25°C during the summer months, and even surpass 30°C quite often.
Montréal winter is rather difficult for newcomers, with its cold, windy and snowy weather. The average temperature during January is approx. −10°C in January. Generally, the December snow does not melt until the end of March. Beware that with the wind, a temperature of -10°C could feel like -20°C on exposed skin. This is what is called "apparent" or "perceived" temperature. |
Fall and spring seasons in Montréal are moderate and cool, but snowstorms could happen during the months March and November. Autumn explodes in colour, with multicolour leaves on tree branches.
Transportation in Montreal
Commuting in Montreal without a vehicle is quite easy. Montréal has a strong transportation system of more than 200 bus routes and 4 subway lines. Most buses have a frequency of 15min, and the subway each 6min. The subway runs until approximately 12.30 AM on weekdays and 1.30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. The subways and buses are operated by the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM).
The public transportation cost is relatively cheap when compared to other big metropolitan areas such as Montreal. You can find the fares here.
If you are a foreigner planning on buying/renting a car in Montreal, you should take some classes and learn traffic signs beforehand. Driving during winter is especially dangerous if not accustomed to it, so verify that your car has the appropriate tires (you can be arrested in winter if you don't have winter tires on). For more on driving in Canada (how to get a Canadian driver's licence), see here.
Montreal's metropolitan area has more than 350km of bicycle paths. BIXI, a public bike sharing non-profit organization, is available from April to November, with more than 6,000 bikes and 500 bike stations. For a few bucks a year, you can bike in Montréal without making a bike investment or ever thinking of loosing it.
The public transportation cost is relatively cheap when compared to other big metropolitan areas such as Montreal. You can find the fares here.
If you are a foreigner planning on buying/renting a car in Montreal, you should take some classes and learn traffic signs beforehand. Driving during winter is especially dangerous if not accustomed to it, so verify that your car has the appropriate tires (you can be arrested in winter if you don't have winter tires on). For more on driving in Canada (how to get a Canadian driver's licence), see here.
Montreal's metropolitan area has more than 350km of bicycle paths. BIXI, a public bike sharing non-profit organization, is available from April to November, with more than 6,000 bikes and 500 bike stations. For a few bucks a year, you can bike in Montréal without making a bike investment or ever thinking of loosing it.
Pros and Cons of Montreal
Negatives :
Positives :
- There are many laws governing who can attend English schools. If you don't have a parent that attended an English school in Canada, you will have to attend a French school.
- It can be difficult for those without a good base in French to find employment.
- There are 1.8 cars for every resident, which makes commuting by car, and parking, difficult.
- Winters in the city are colder than the Canadian average.
- Wait times to receive healthcare are above the Canadian average.
Positives :
- Low rental and housing prices make Montreal an affordable major city.
- High public transit usage and investment in bicycle infrastructure make the city easy to navigate without a car.
- Quebec offers free French classes for immigrants.
- Montreal is a hub of cultural and social engagement: lots of festivals and cultural happenings.
- Crime rate is very low.
For more information on how to get a Quebec Healthcare Card, click here.
To learn more about driving and getting a driver's licence in Quebec, click here.
For the Top 10 Free Things to do in Montreal, check out this link.
To learn more about driving and getting a driver's licence in Quebec, click here.
For the Top 10 Free Things to do in Montreal, check out this link.