Experience in Montreal, Canada by Alexandra

What is it like to live in Montreal? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I love Montreal, it is one of my favourite cities! It is of a decent size, so your living experience can depend on the neighbourhood you live in. Even the language is different, depending on the part of town! It's extremely diverse, and every neighbourhood offers its gems, whether it be restaurants, cultural activities, shops, etc. Montrealers are generally very friendly, but not in a too overt type of way. There are also always things to do, outside or inside, and many of them are free. And this holds true for both winter and summer. While you can get by with only English, I would recommend learning some French. For those planning a stay or even a visit, I would recommend to check the weather. Know that it can get quite cold in the winter and quite hot in the summer!

What is the student lifestyle like in Montreal?

Montreal has great student life simply from being a city hosting four big universities. Each of these are placed at different areas around the city, creating hubs that surround them and become almost typical of the type of student that goes to each. Each university offers its own expertise, as well as just a general slew of programs, so it is almost impossible to not find something to study to your liking. The universities themselves are filled with a large variety of facilities, and a number are home to beautiful campuses.

How much does it cost to live in Montreal?

Montreal is not the cheapest city, but there are ways of finding more inexpensive places to live. It usually depends of the neighbourhood and the proximity to a metro station or campus. It is definitely on the lower end though of the big cities in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver both being much more expensive to live in. It is possible to find affordable places in Montreal that are in town.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Montreal is so diverse that there are foods from all over the world. My favourite would be all things Eastern Asian. While some of these meals cannot be compared to what is served in Toronto or Vancouver, there are still quite a few good choices for Eastern Asian food, from places that specialize in dumplings to pho. There are also a good selection of higher-end restaurants. And then there are city specific dishes, such as our bagels, our smoked meat, and let's not forget poutine (which is not actually from Montreal, but which is highly present). If you are in Montreal during the summer, take the time to relax on a terrasse, whether it be behind a bar on by the street, in a quiet neighbourhood or near a music festival. Everyone can find something they like in this city! And I could really go on about food for a long time.

What places would you recommend visiting in Montreal?

Montreal is great for culture. It's got two very large art museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts (fine arts) and the Musée d'art contemporain (contemporary art), which both offer a wide variety of exhibitions during the year. There are also many smaller events and places for art, and many that are actually free, and quite a number are worthwhile. Summer is also the host of a large variety of festivals, from music to circus, so that there is never a dull moment in the city. There are also a few history museums about the city itself. I would also recommend visiting the Saint-Joseph Oratory (which offers a great view of the city) and the Notre-Dame basilica, which is just beautiful inside. The city offers a number of older buildings of different architectural periods and styles, spread out in its various neighbourhoods. If you happen to be in Montreal around March or April, make sure to reserve as spot in a cabane à sucre, or sugar shack, for a homemade taste of traditional quebecois food (and don't eat before!).

Is it good to eat out in Montreal? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes. Yes it is good to eat out in Montreal. There are so many different types of food. For Italian homemade pasta, I would recommend Pasta Casareccia in NDG, though there are a number of excellent places in, but not exclusively, Little Italy. While there are many Indian restaurants spread around town, my favourite is by far Gange, also in NDG. Brunch is also a fantastic meal to be had, but I prefer more low-key places that serve traditional eggs and bacon, though many like the new brunch styles that offer more unusual menus. Bagels are to be had at Saint-Viateur's or Fairmount. As for Eastern Asian food, I have too many recommendations to properly list. My favourite pho place is Pho Bang New York, but there are dozens of other wonderful places that have equally good food. But my favourite Vietnamese beef is in this little place called Pho Bowl on Sherbrooke, near Decarie. There are many good places for bibimbap and kimchi, but the best seafood pancakes are at Hwang Kum, again in NDG. Right in front of Pho Bang New York is also a place which have incredible Chinese noodle soups, the noodles being homemade through a process that includes slamming. And the best won ton soup is in a restaurant on Saint-Laurent, right in Chinatown, called Fung Shing.