Is it worth it to move to Montreal?

[jalimon]

Those factors seriously constrain my retirement choices, but a big factor in my mind is weather. I am not crazy about the weather in Montreal, or where I live, for that matter. If I had to pick and choose the place of my retirement and I was not constrained by some of the factors mentioned above, where I would like to move is Key West. The lifestyle there suits me well. I would have to become a citizen of the Conch Republic, but I understand that the application process is very easy.:smile:

The weather is also what will get me out of Montreal and Quebec. Key West would be great place indeed. The rest of the east coast of Florida is way to crowded for me. North West of Florida from Panama city to Pensacola could be great for retirement.

That said where I feel much more comfortable is Mexico. Hopefully the Riviera maya or west coast like Mazatlan will stay safe by then.

Cheers,

 

[jalimon]

It’s true, in an emergency situation in Metro, you only get French instructions. In late night situations where there’s only you inside, it makes a huge impact.

And in Toronto you get them in French?

Guys this is part of who we are. An english only Quebec would be boring. It's important to have some measure in place to keep Quebec french. This is what makes us unique.

 

[raquelina0909]

And in Toronto you get them in French?

Guys this is part of who we are. An english only Quebec would be boring. It's important to have some measure in place to keep Quebec french. This is what makes us unique.

There you go OP, you got your answer.

 

[Fradi]

I think this whole French vs English is not as bad as people make it out to be.

First I don’t think French Canadians want things that are all that different, they want a decent life for themselves and for their children, a good job, education and health care. The only big difference is that they would like to have it in their own country, now if I was born into a French Canadian family especially outside of Montreal I would probably understand this.

I spent the first 10 years of my working life with people of my own ethnic background where I didn’t really need French or English and then moved on to a large international company predominantly staffed by French Canadians where I was treated far better than by my so called own kind.
To this day half my friends are staunch separatists with whom I have many heated arguments over political matters but that never jeopardizes our friendship.

I understand them wanting to preserve their language and culture, I taught my children my mother tongue, my oldest speaks 7 languages, the other only 3, I wish my French was a lot better than it is.

I love living in Montreal, it is not like the thousands of North American cities like Toronto, Chicago etc.. it is unique, it has a European flavour, the cost of living is favourable and the women are totally amazing and gorgeous, what more could you want.

 

[EagerBeaver]

There was one time I ran into a language issue in Montreal and it had to do with street signage. I was at the time staying at a friend’s condo in Le Plateau and he had explained the parking rules. I could understand some of the French signage - basics like Stationment meaning exit I know- but apart from the days of the week there was some language that confused me. I asked one of the natives and got an explanation and she laughed and said, “they are confusing even if you speak French.” But reading menus I learned over time and there were very few things on a French menu I didn’t know the words for. You can suck at speaking conversational French and still be somewhat functional on signage and menus.

 

[C.B. Brown]

What's up with this rant CB?? What you depict is not at all what I live and see here in Quebec.

i dont know who you are but you seemd to be joined to teh hip with 1 other person with the same view
i cant believe not 1 otehr quebecer takes the time to call this guy /girl out on obvil=ous bs
this is the msot raceist place in teh world the french separatists have ruined montreal

 

[Numerati]

Not knowing French was an issue for me when I lived here but the work I was doing and the company I was affiliated with didn’t require me to know it but it was a huge plus if I did. The person running the Montreal operations didn’t know French either and he is from England. I lived in the very English speaking part of Montreal so that lessen the impact a bit. My only gripe about Montreal is the brutal winters. My first Montreal winter experience was pretty brutal but during that time I was new to the city but had a couple of Montreal ladies to keep me warm lol. Navigating the Montreal metro was a breeze even when there were some issues at times. Only annoying thing was that there was no air conditioning during the summer.

Put it simply though visiting Montreal and actually living here full time are two different expriences. Maybe good maybe bad or some where in between.