Living in Montreal with no French

pizzaghetti

New Member
Oct 1, 2010
1
0
1
Montreal, quite simply is a sh!t hole, especially when compared to other North American cities of similar size.

Taxes are outrageous, people are ignorant (as the example from Liberalman points out), the weather is awful (it rains for 7 months a year, snows for the other 5 , the summers are unbearably humid), freeways are crumbling, public transit is not air conditioned, product selection is limited (if it's not in French, it aint here) the list goes on ...

I spend more money driving to Ontario, New York state or Vermont every weekend to buy things that have been banned in "la belle province" than Montreal's low cost of living will ever save me. "Joie de vivre" is apparently a trip to Plattsburgh to buy cheese that wasn't **** out of a goat last Wednesday. They don't mention this in the brochures.

The Quebecois (English- and French-speakers alike) have no clue how the outside world works. Indifferent service in restaurants, terrible pizza (plastic cheese, wagon-wheel pepperoni placed under said cheese with no sauce) and "expresso" are a way of life and everyone tells you "c'est normale". It is a very frustrating place for anyone who is used to the rest of the world. It's fun to think of all this as distinct society or a novelty for a while, but it gets tired after the first few months. It doesn't take long before you that this place seriously screwed up.

The one upside might be that because so few people want to live here, real estate is actually quite affordable. Your money, however, could get a better rate of return elsewhere.

I notice from the date of your post, you've probably either decided to stay put or accept the position with IATA in Montreal. Whatever your decision, I hope it has worked out for you. Some might notice that IATA is a quasi-governmental organization (UN). Most free enterprise has move elsewhere in Canada. Most of what remains in Quebec are government bodies (VIA Rail) or Quebecois banks such as National and Desjardins. This is certainly a place on the decline.

For anyone else considering a move to Montreal: stay away, stay far away.
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
26,321
9,640
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
Google translation is pretty good too

Learn French or go elsewhere
Quebec language and culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, no matter what the Conservative Party believes.


Hmmm....interesting double standard. Why? Why must Quebec remain French,
and the rest of Canada be Bilingual?
 

no color

Electoral Member
May 20, 2007
349
98
28
1967 World's Fair
Google translation is pretty good too

Learn French or go elsewhere
Quebec language and culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, no matter what the Conservative Party believes.

Quebec must remain French? Since when was it entirely French? Has France taken over?

I was born, bred and schooled in Montreal and don't speak French. My inner circle of friends that I grew up with include a cook, mechanic, school teacher and software developer neither of whom speak any French. So how can anyone say that Quebec must remain French if it never was? That's nonsense.
 

s_lone

Council Member
Feb 16, 2005
2,233
30
48
43
Montreal
Montreal, quite simply is a sh!t hole, especially when compared to other North American cities of similar size.

Taxes are outrageous, people are ignorant (as the example from Liberalman points out), the weather is awful (it rains for 7 months a year, snows for the other 5 , the summers are unbearably humid), freeways are crumbling, public transit is not air conditioned, product selection is limited (if it's not in French, it aint here) the list goes on ...

I spend more money driving to Ontario, New York state or Vermont every weekend to buy things that have been banned in "la belle province" than Montreal's low cost of living will ever save me. "Joie de vivre" is apparently a trip to Plattsburgh to buy cheese that wasn't **** out of a goat last Wednesday. They don't mention this in the brochures.

The Quebecois (English- and French-speakers alike) have no clue how the outside world works. Indifferent service in restaurants, terrible pizza (plastic cheese, wagon-wheel pepperoni placed under said cheese with no sauce) and "expresso" are a way of life and everyone tells you "c'est normale". It is a very frustrating place for anyone who is used to the rest of the world. It's fun to think of all this as distinct society or a novelty for a while, but it gets tired after the first few months. It doesn't take long before you that this place seriously screwed up.

The one upside might be that because so few people want to live here, real estate is actually quite affordable. Your money, however, could get a better rate of return elsewhere.

I notice from the date of your post, you've probably either decided to stay put or accept the position with IATA in Montreal. Whatever your decision, I hope it has worked out for you. Some might notice that IATA is a quasi-governmental organization (UN). Most free enterprise has move elsewhere in Canada. Most of what remains in Quebec are government bodies (VIA Rail) or Quebecois banks such as National and Desjardins. This is certainly a place on the decline.

For anyone else considering a move to Montreal: stay away, stay far away.

Do you live here? If you do why don't you leave if it's that bad?
 

barbara30

New Member
Mar 26, 2010
19
0
1
Just a quick update

We made the move to Montreal and are now living in a nice big house out south shore. We are very happy and have found most people to be friendly and polite despite my lack of french. We are very happy and loving our new life. It does seem a little odd that so many rules exist concerning the language as if everyone wants to speak French i don't understand why It's necessary to have so many enforced rules and regulations about it, and if people don't really want to speak it then who has the right to force it on people.

Anyway so far it's no problem if ever we feel unwelcome or it is a big issue for us then we will pack up and move on to experience another new country and all it has to offer. Life is too short to worry about such stuff and perhaps those that enjoy giving other a hard time over such trivial things have too much time on there hands.

Happy new year to you all
 

CurioToo

Electoral Member
Nov 22, 2010
147
0
16
I'm surprised nobody mentioned.......

....how terrific to have a great opportunity to learn a second language - whether of necessity or preference or more acceptance by the new friendships. It may sound like an "order or enforcement"
of language rules - but some people like to preserve their heritage and maintain a population with whom
they can converse.

Little children learn to speak dual languages even before they start school and it can get harder as we get older, but don't let fear of failure make your decision - admit you are a beginner and find some people willing to become your "mentors".

Learning a new language from the people who are proud to speak it is a great way to make new friendships. I love your idea that moving to a new nation is an adventure you are willing to take on - and with a positive attitude, you will prosper if your life and your husband's work take you on international visits around the globe - with IATA it is entirely possible. and I believe they are familiar with people wishing to learn new local languages - it assists their employees and families as well.

Go on your new adventures with curiosity and interest and willingness to question everything you can
about places where you live - people puff with pride when speaking of their homeland or nation to a
newcomer.
 
Last edited: