Experience in Gatineau, Canada by Emmanuel

What is Gatineau like in terms of living? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

First of all, Gatineau is a city mainly founded on the business sector. Therefore you'll find a variety of small businesses. The majority of jobs in the city are for the Canadian federal government. However, as Gatineau hasn't diversified its economy enough, most economic sectors remain in the neighbouring city Ottawa.

Since Gatineau is next to the Canadian capital, the Quebecois population is still highly influenced by anglophone and federal ideologies. That's why it voted for the liberal party during the provincial elections. Of course this affects federalism, the rights of external customs as well as principles regarding freedom.

That said, the party have made loads of budget cuts, such as education and health. The money from Quebec income tax and other taxes will therefore mainly go towards using natural resources and the party won't hold back on dispossessing the homes of hundreds to reach these objectives. But most of the residents, as well as the Outaouais region, still support this party relentlessly in spite of everything.

I wouldn't recommend Gatineau in the slightest, unless you're a businessperson or a right-wing politician.

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What is the atmosphere like in Gatineau?

A lot of people in Gatineau are in higher education - mostly in the administrative and business fields. It's also the best city in Quebec for these subjects.

What are the living costs in Gatineau?

Like the majority of Quebec, Gatineau is prone to three waves of cold, snow and ice each winter, which last between 4 and 6 months. You therefore have to spend hundreds of dollars each winter for warm clothes, winter tyres made of material to remove snow (such as shovels or snow blowers). What's more, during extremely cold weather, the entire Hydro-Quebec province must raise electricity prices to battle the cold. This makes heating an extremely expensive luxury.

Apart from expensive winters, Gatineau has expensive accommodation. The cheapest you can find are to the north of Ile de Hull, including Ile de Hull itself.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Gatineau? Do you have any tips?

Accommodation is very easy to find. However, they aren't terribly cheap. There are affordable apartments, though.

What is the food like in Gatineau?

Gatineau doesn't have a typical dish.

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Which places in Gatineau would you recommend?

The Civilisation Museum as well as the whole of Gatineau Park. Outaouis is known for its 200km ski pistes.

How about eating out? What are your favourite spots?

Les Fougères and Moca Loca. Moca Loca is Outaouais' equivalent of Starbucks.

Which places would you recommend for going out?

The Lac Leamy Casion, the Civilisations Museum and Altitude Gym. There's a climbing centre in the Gatineau-Ottawa region.

What advice would you give to future Erasmus students in Gatineau?

Gatineau is the worst place to move to in Quebec. That's also the case for Montreal. These two cities were established as a result of mass emigration solely to find work. However, the east of Quebec, with cities such as St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Drummondville, Sherbrooke as well as Quebec City, has ideal places to live. Sherbrooke has 2 universities nearby and a new university is planned to be built in Drummondville, making these great cities for students. However, anglophone and federalist ideologies are largely rejected by these populations in Quebec as opposed to those in Gatineau and Montreal.