Montreal is a beautiful city teeming with culture, European architecture, and natural beauty. Its freezing winters are nothing compared to its hot and sizzling summers where the local joie-de-vivre really shines. From the moment the snow melts to the start of the school year, Montreal is bursting with activities that makes it a truly global city.
Moving to Montreal, however, is a different story. If you decide to move to Montreal, here are four things you should know before you go:
#1: A Different Way to Celebrate Canada Day
If you live anywhere outside of Quebec, July 1st is a day to proudly celebrate the birthday of our nation. In Quebec, however, July 1st is a day many of us come to dread. That’s because Canada Day is the official day that leases start and end. If you’re moving into a rental unit in Montreal, the weekend of Canada Day will be your moving day. You may be asking yourself why Quebec would want to transform such an auspicious occasion into the worst day of the year. The answer lies in Quebec’s complicated history with the commonwealth. But don’t worry: the week before moving day you’ll be able to celebrate St. Jean-Baptiste like a true Québécois!
#2: Pets Aren’t Always Allowed
If you’re moving from Toronto to Montreal, you may be surprised by how difficult it is to find a place to live that accepts dogs. In other parts of Canada, it’s relatively easy to find an apartment or condo building that allows dogs with or without a deposit. In Montreal, however, most buildings have a strict no-dog policy (except for service dogs, of course). You can still find some pet-friendly places to live, especially in new condo developments. It’s not impossible to bring your four-legged friend with you, but it will be more difficult. Fortunately, attitudes are quickly changing in this city as more and more people are demanding pet-friendly accommodations.
#3: Award-Winning Public Transportation
Did you know that Montreal is consistently voted as having one of the best public transportations systems in North America? The underground metro takes you all over the city and stretches out to the South Shore and to Laval. There is plenty of room for expansion of the Montreal metro system, and there are even current plans to add a whole new line. Not close to a metro station? The Société de transport de Montréal has a very comprehensive network of buses and trains to help you get where you need to go.
#4: A Very Unwelcome “Welcome” Tax
Despite its name, Quebec Welcome Tax is ironically named after the Liberal minister who recommended it in 1976, M. Jean Bienvenue. Welcome Tax is a fee charged to homeowners based on the market value of your home, the amount you paid on the property, and the amount displayed on the deed of sale. For first time home buyers, this fee can come as quite a surprise, so do your homework before you sign on the dotted line.
#5: Where the Rent is Cheap
One of the best surprises out-of-towners find when looking for a home or apartment is how inexpensive Montreal living can actually be. Despite it being one of the best cities in North America, Montreal is also one of the cheapest places to live. You can find generous-sized family homes in and around Montreal for a fraction of what you’d pay in Ottawa, Toronto, or Vancouver.
Moving to Montreal soon? Contact Focus Moving Services for a free quote.
