Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dev]

Montreal for me is a mixed bag. In ways, it's very appealing and in other ways very unappealing. I started my life here and certain circumstances beyond my control pulled me back here.

Montreal 101 - For those who are not familiar with the geography and politics of Montreal. well, Montreal is in Quebec, "French Canada" territory ( I actually cringe when I hear the words "French Canada" because there's very little Canadian about Quebec.) The French speaking population of Quebec are the Quebecois, often incorrectly called French Canadians. French Canadians are really those people who live in other parts of Canada and speak French as their mother tongue ( as in New Brunswick).

Pros of living in Montreal:

Reasonable Rents & Housing Prices - Montreal has some of the cheapest apartments and housing among the major Canadian cities.

A Decent Arts Scene - Good festivals like the film festivals, Jazz fest, and the comedy festivals will give you plenty of choice, but as much as the scene is praised in Montreal, Toronto has more nowadays. That said, there's enough to satisfy here.

Great Restaurants - Montreal is the undisputed leader in Canada. You simply can't find better food except in Asian cuisines where Toronto & Vancouver are better. Montreal bagels are to die for.

Bicycle Routes - If you like to get around on two wheels to save money and work off those extra pounds, Montreal wins there being the most connected city by bike paths. National Geographic recently had an article praising it.

Friendly People - People here are generally friendly, sometimes a bit too friendly like the Quebecois, who stare everybody down as you get on a city bus. They have no problem staring you down - but at least the stares are warm and say "Hey, who are you?" as opposed to the stares some Koreans give you that say "Who are you and why are you here?"

Beautiful Women - I have to agree that somehow Montreal has more than its share here. I don't know what it is. This topic alone could have its own thread.


Cons of living in Montreal

Finding a Decent Job - Very hard. Seems that there are fewer opportunities here than in the rest of Canada. To get a high salary job, that often means that you must speak, read and write French fluently. I notice that there are a lot of English speakers in low wage service jobs like fast food restaurants.

High Taxes and Energy Bills: Quebec has some of the highest taxes in the country.

Language Laws: No English signs allowed on shops and restaurants (although other foreign languages are allowed). Immigrants (and even Quebecois parents) must send their children to French elementary and high schools. One of the Quebec government's favorite pastimes is to do things to irritate the English. The latest one I've heard involves equipping the French public schools with the latest textbooks while not providing the English schools with the latest English language textbooks.

Quebec Exclusions - Quebec seems to often miss out on things like contests, concerts, foreign products and restaurants. Many contests to win big prizes exclude Quebec. Famous bands tout North America, but pass on Montreal. Some companies don't bother selling their products or setting up restaurants in Quebec because that will require them to translate all their documents into French.

A Dislike of Canada: If you're a proud Canadian, it's hard to live in Quebec. July 1st, Canada Day is not celebrated here, yet almost all Quebecois take the day off. Many choose to move house on this day. All things Canadian are uncool in Quebec. Molson Canadian beer, one of the biggest sellers in the rest of Canada, is a poor seller here.

I still keep reading these days how the English population is continuing to leave Quebec. However, my ears don't agree with this claim. I seem to hear more English than I ever remember hearing in this city. What makes them stay here? You would think that the lack of good jobs and being the incessant target of disrespect by the Quebec government would be enough to send them running to elsewhere.

Could you ever see yourself settling down in Montreal? Why or why not?

[Dev]

Any Canadians out there have any opinions on Montreal?

[uberscheisse]

it's the most beautiful city in canada. i loved it there. i think it could grate on me in a korea way if i lived there though.

pretty much every artfag idiot from vancouver wants to move to montreal. they usually last 2 years and come back fat.

[blaseblasphemener]

Heard you can teach in the English system, as a sub, without a teaching degree. Definitely not the case in Alberta, which is dying for teachers (and all other jobs)

Never been there, but have friends and family there. Would love to visit and possibly live there and try it out. Seems like Europe in Canada, which I'd love to see for myself.

[mindmetoo]

Quebec has a very tightly controlled lottery industry. Store promotions like roll up the rim have to be registered as lotteries with the government. Lots of companies just don't want to go through the hoops.

I always noticed the Quebec staff, when they came for meetings at our Toronto office, were always very well dressed. We were slobs. I asked one of the women why they're such spiffy dressers, despite it being the software industry. She said "in Toronto you live to work. In Montreal, we work to live."

That explained not only why they dressed so well but why every job done by one worker in Toronto needed three bodies to do in Montreal. Snort.

I thought Bill 101 was softened to allow english signs inside. Technically it's french only, not a law that says "no english". Hence, foreign languages should likewise also be banned. They may have added an exception for distinctive cultures. I know the Montreal Jews were pretty upset they couldn't have Hebrew signage. And the Montreal Greeks. Bagels and good souvlaki carry a lot of political sway in Montreal.

[Dev]

[renzobenzo1]

I never knew Canada had a French influence before....damn those French got around the world early on!

[uberscheisse]

[ciccone_youth]

I'm French Canadian, born and raised in Montreal.

Of course I'll tell you it's the most amazing place in the world. All the points you brought up were good.

I love: the culture, the music scene, the art scene, the fashion, the European flair, the French, the beautiful and stylish people, the friendly people, the food, the diversity, the parks, the cheap rent, the beautiful apartments, the nightlife, the shopping, the small-town feeling... the bagels... schwartz's... the caf�s...

I don't like: the French vs. English. Yes it's ongoing, it sucks. it depends who you hang around with, though. and quebec exclusions like you said. but quebec has a very distinct culture (yes, i used the word 'distinct') so it makes up for the lack of other things.

I had a beautiful victorian apartment overlooking Mont Royal, next to St.Laurent street where all the action takes place.

and it's small. after living in seoul, it will feel suffocating.

if you have any questions ask away.

[Mr.Mulder2]

Montreal has slowly been turning into Toronto over the past 10 years. Rents are going up. You'd be hard pressed to find an Anglo Montrealer who was actually born there, and isn't from out West. I enjoy the Plateau, but I've never liked the militant attitude of the hipsters up there - 'my shirt is older and dirtiter, and I've heard of this seminal band that only existed for 3 weeks in 1973, and that only had 2 fans, and I own the only 45 they ever made, blah blah'. Good music venues are always being shut down by whingy carpet-bagging condo-yuppies, who are spreading everywhere, erasing Montreal's character. I also don't really enjoy the attitude that has been taking over where everyone thinks they're a little gangster from South Central - you're a 14-year old rich kid from Westmount, quit walking like that, put the big marker away, and straighten your damn cap, kid! And my rant ends. I do love Montreal.

[IncognitoHFX]

[Hanson]

[ciccone_youth]

Hanson.

Your post rocks!!


All those things are so true. Good things to look forward to.

[Doogie]

Montreal Pool Room Steamies............Best Cheesecake on the Planet (I miss Ben's, though).......The Land of the 3 Hour "Happy Hour" (it used to be cinq a sept, but now it seems to be quatre a sept everywhere).

[yingwenlaoshi]

I lost my baby...