Adrian Stoica

Hi all,

I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate advice
as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.

TIA,

Adrian

ngoodlad

Hi,
It's been a while since I lived in Montreal so can't remember the places so well so this is quite vague...

I lived between downtown/Cote des Neiges which was nice, mainly English.
NDG is a nice area
Westmount is English but more expensive
St Leonard is less expensive - I think a larger Italian population
The West Island is very nice, but a bit further out - Kirkland, Beaconsfield, Pointe Claire.

The places with French names tend to be mainly Francophone - Outremont, Verdun, Cote St Luc etc. To generalise, the downtown area east of St Laurent St is predominantyly French while the West is English.

Hope that helps a little bit! Sorry I have no idea what prices are like now. Check out www.canada.com classifieds for Montreal

John D

Avoid Montreal at all costs, if you want and anglophone area you will have
to deal with racist and discriminatory language laws, I'm in the process of
moving to Toronto, besides there is no jobs in Quebec.


John


"Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi all,
    > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate advice
    > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > TIA,
    > Adrian

Kate McDonnell

    > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate advice
    > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.

There are basically no "bad neighbourhoods" here except in an aesthetic
sense. It would help to know if the 800/month is for your rent, or for
everything, and whether that's Canadian dollars or what. It would also
help to know why you're coming here - where you'll be working or
studying, etc., because that makes a difference to most people when
they choose a neighbourhood to live in. It also makes a big difference
whether you'll have a car. Without a car there would be bad choices
from the perspective of too long a transit commute.

It would also depend on your expectations. It's quite possible to find
a flat in Verdun for $500 or even less, but it isn't trendy. You could
spend the whole $800 and get a place in Mile End or even the Plateau and
it would be more convenient for things generally, and quite possibly
more fun, but more expensive.


k

Adrian Stoica

Hi Kate,

800 $ is for rent - sorry I wasn't clear - and I won't have a car for at
least 1 year.
Even if there are no "no go" areas in Montreal, some are clearly better than
others - I've come across an SQ statistic which shows a large number of drug
and prostitution offences in certain arrondissements. Also, I would like to
avoid the gay village, sorry.

Adrian

"Kate McDonnell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:080820031246487846%[email protected]...
    > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate
advice
    > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > There are basically no "bad neighbourhoods" here except in an aesthetic
    > sense. It would help to know if the 800/month is for your rent, or for
    > everything, and whether that's Canadian dollars or what. It would also
    > help to know why you're coming here - where you'll be working or
    > studying, etc., because that makes a difference to most people when
    > they choose a neighbourhood to live in. It also makes a big difference
    > whether you'll have a car. Without a car there would be bad choices
    > from the perspective of too long a transit commute.
    > It would also depend on your expectations. It's quite possible to find
    > a flat in Verdun for $500 or even less, but it isn't trendy. You could
    > spend the whole $800 and get a place in Mile End or even the Plateau and
    > it would be more convenient for things generally, and quite possibly
    > more fun, but more expensive.
    > k

Sally

I am from Montreal and i am sorry to say but most of the information
you were given is very inacurate from my standpoint. Cost of living
in Montreal is cheap compared to Vancouver and Toronto, rent is
cheaper by far and general expenses are comparable to other Canadian
cities. All neighborhoods contain english speaking residents and most
francophone speaking residents speak english as best they can. You
will always come accross a few that will not cooperate but Montreal is
a multi-cultural hub so you will be able to find compassionate people
willing to help you if needed. People are friendly in a european sens
of the way, meaning if you need help and ask for it we will be there
just dont expect anyone to go out of their way. In the downtown core
and surrounding city most people employed in restaurants and retails
establishments are required to speak english in order to respond to
all consumers and tourists, so do not be mislead by other people
telling you that no one will understand you. As to where you should
live, well Montreal currently is in the midst of a rental shortage
meaning you will have a hard time finding apartments that are
conveniently located near subway lines and amenities, so for now get
what you can and search for something more suittable when you becaome
more confortable with your surroundings.

Anyways hope you enjoy your stay in Montreal,

Thanks Sally









"Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]> ...
    > Hi all,
    >
    > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate advice
    > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    >
    > TIA,
    >
    > Adrian

Adrian Stoica

Thanks a lot Sally! One more question if you happen to know: are there any
nice places within commutable distance of Montreal. My prospective job is
very near Gare Centrale, and I prefer living in a small town/village if I
can help it.

Regards,

Adrian

"Sally" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I am from Montreal and i am sorry to say but most of the information
    > you were given is very inacurate from my standpoint. Cost of living
    > in Montreal is cheap compared to Vancouver and Toronto, rent is
    > cheaper by far and general expenses are comparable to other Canadian
    > cities. All neighborhoods contain english speaking residents and most
    > francophone speaking residents speak english as best they can. You
    > will always come accross a few that will not cooperate but Montreal is
    > a multi-cultural hub so you will be able to find compassionate people
    > willing to help you if needed. People are friendly in a european sens
    > of the way, meaning if you need help and ask for it we will be there
    > just dont expect anyone to go out of their way. In the downtown core
    > and surrounding city most people employed in restaurants and retails
    > establishments are required to speak english in order to respond to
    > all consumers and tourists, so do not be mislead by other people
    > telling you that no one will understand you. As to where you should
    > live, well Montreal currently is in the midst of a rental shortage
    > meaning you will have a hard time finding apartments that are
    > conveniently located near subway lines and amenities, so for now get
    > what you can and search for something more suittable when you becaome
    > more confortable with your surroundings.
    > Anyways hope you enjoy your stay in Montreal,
    > Thanks Sally
    > "Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]> ...
    > > Hi all,
    > >
    > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate
advice
    > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > >
    > > TIA,
    > >
    > > Adrian

John D

one more thing... rent in Montreal is cheaper but... Montreal is the HIGHEST
taxated city in North America, so that is not a good option, you will do
better in Calgary or Toronto.


"Sally" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I am from Montreal and i am sorry to say but most of the information
    > you were given is very inacurate from my standpoint. Cost of living
    > in Montreal is cheap compared to Vancouver and Toronto, rent is
    > cheaper by far and general expenses are comparable to other Canadian
    > cities. All neighborhoods contain english speaking residents and most
    > francophone speaking residents speak english as best they can. You
    > will always come accross a few that will not cooperate but Montreal is
    > a multi-cultural hub so you will be able to find compassionate people
    > willing to help you if needed. People are friendly in a european sens
    > of the way, meaning if you need help and ask for it we will be there
    > just dont expect anyone to go out of their way. In the downtown core
    > and surrounding city most people employed in restaurants and retails
    > establishments are required to speak english in order to respond to
    > all consumers and tourists, so do not be mislead by other people
    > telling you that no one will understand you. As to where you should
    > live, well Montreal currently is in the midst of a rental shortage
    > meaning you will have a hard time finding apartments that are
    > conveniently located near subway lines and amenities, so for now get
    > what you can and search for something more suittable when you becaome
    > more confortable with your surroundings.
    > Anyways hope you enjoy your stay in Montreal,
    > Thanks Sally
    > "Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]> ...
    > > Hi all,
    > >
    > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate
advice
    > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > >
    > > TIA,
    > >
    > > Adrian

John D

please read this before you move to Quebec, or then you will regret it.


http://www.ey.com/global/Content.nsf...-_Personal_Tax





"Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi all,
    > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate advice
    > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > TIA,
    > Adrian

Adrian Stoica

Thanks for your reply. It certainly helps, hopefully when I collate all the
information available I'll get the bigger picture.

"ngoodlad" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > It's been a while since I lived in Montreal so can't remember the places
    > so well so this is quite vague...
    > I lived between downtown/Cote des Neiges which was nice, mainly English.
    > NDG is a nice area
    > Westmount is English but more expensive
    > St Leonard is less expensive - I think a larger Italian population
    > The West Island is very nice, but a bit further out - Kirkland,
    > Beaconsfield, Pointe Claire.
    > The places with French names tend to be mainly Francophone - Outremont,
    > Verdun, Cote St Luc etc. To generalise, the downtown area east of St
    > Laurent St is predominantyly French while the West is English.
    > Hope that helps a little bit! Sorry I have no idea what prices are like
    > now. Check out www.canada.com classifieds for Montreal
    > Originally posted by Adrian Stoica
    > > Hi all,
    > >
    > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would
    > > appreciate advice
    > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of
    > > view etc.,
    > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > >
    > > TIA,
    > >
    > Adrian
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Adrian Stoica

Useful link, thanks. One hopes now that the mismanagement of the PQ is over
the taxes might come down, although not to the Alberta level.

"John D" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > please read this before you move to Quebec, or then you will regret it.
http://www.ey.com/global/Content.nsf...-_Personal_Tax
    > "Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hi all,
    > >
    > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate
advice
    > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view etc.,
    > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > >
    > > TIA,
    > >
    > > Adrian
    > >
    > >

Adrian Stoica

I must say, high as they are, these rates seem very generous compared to the
UK, where it's 40% on any income over 31K GBP.

"Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Useful link, thanks. One hopes now that the mismanagement of the PQ is
over
    > the taxes might come down, although not to the Alberta level.
    > "John D" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > please read this before you move to Quebec, or then you will regret it.
    > >
    > >
    > >
http://www.ey.com/global/Content.nsf...-_Personal_Tax
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > "Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > > > Hi all,
    > > >
    > > > I am in the process of relocating to Montreal, and would appreciate
    > advice
    > > > as to which areas are best to live in from a safety point of view
etc.,
    > > > conversely which areas are to be avoided. I would prefer living in an
    > > > anglophone area, and I am on a budget of about 800/month.
    > > >
    > > > TIA,
    > > >
    > > > Adrian
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >

Kate McDonnell

In article <[email protected]>, Adrian
Stoica <[email protected]> wrote:

    > One more question if you happen to know: are there any
    > nice places within commutable distance of Montreal. My prospective job is
    > very near Gare Centrale, and I prefer living in a small town/village if I
    > can help it.

You could look for a place in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (the westernmost
town on the Island of Montreal, which has a significant anglo
population and a village ambiance) and commute downtown by train (not
to Gare Centrale but to Windsor Station, which is close by), or take
the 211 bus. The train system site: http://www.amt.qc.ca/ and the bus
system site: http://www.stm.info .

I think if you tried living off the west end of the island and
commuting downtown every day without a car it would tend to wear you
down.

You might look in south shore Saint-Lambert (where you
will also find some anglos) and commute in via the South Shore transit
system ( http://www.rtl-longueuil.qc.ca/ ) and/or the metro.


k

Ashley Watson

"Adrian Stoica" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] >...
    > Useful link, thanks. One hopes now that the mismanagement of the PQ is over
    > the taxes might come down, although not to the Alberta level.
    >


Before you go making wild accusations about the PQ, you should bone up
on the real facts. I think you forgot to add an L between the P and Q
for the party who has a recorded history of mismanagement. I could
name you 10 well documented abismal decisions and mangement cock ups
by the PLQ for every accusation of wrong doing by the PQ.

Just a couple of facts to start with. The PQ have lowered personal
income taxes more often than the PLQ. The last tax cut being in 2001.
The last balenced budget the PLQ had was 60 years ago. The last
budget of Pauline Marois aside because of the debate about whether it
was balcenced or not, the PQ has had a balenced budget since 1995.

Since the PLQ has come to power they have put a hold on all spending
and cut budgets including money for their much vaunted promise to
spend more on health and education.

Quebecers voted for a change of government in April, not for a change
in the style of government. Opinion polls have indicated this.

The sovereignty issue aside, the PQ has a much better track record
than the PLQ of running the province.

Quebecers have different values than the rest of Canada and this is
important to note if you consider moving here, especially if you are
an anglophone. Anglophones in Montreal have far more rights and
priviliges than they ought to have, especially compared to other
ethnic minorities in Quebec.

Ashley Watson

Adrian Stoica

Thanks for your suggestions, Kate. Interesting that people seem to feel very
strong about the place, they either love it or absolutely loathe it.
One tip given to me is that you bash Toronto convincigly enough, you will be
received with open arms. Not that I needed an excuse to do that :-)

Adrian

"Kate McDonnell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:080820032212196007%[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>, Adrian
    > Stoica <[email protected]> wrote:
    > > One more question if you happen to know: are there any
    > > nice places within commutable distance of Montreal. My prospective job
is
    > > very near Gare Centrale, and I prefer living in a small town/village if
I
    > > can help it.
    > You could look for a place in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (the westernmost
    > town on the Island of Montreal, which has a significant anglo
    > population and a village ambiance) and commute downtown by train (not
    > to Gare Centrale but to Windsor Station, which is close by), or take
    > the 211 bus. The train system site: http://www.amt.qc.ca/ and the bus
    > system site: http://www.stm.info .
    > I think if you tried living off the west end of the island and
    > commuting downtown every day without a car it would tend to wear you
    > down.
    > You might look in south shore Saint-Lambert (where you
    > will also find some anglos) and commute in via the South Shore transit
    > system ( http://www.rtl-longueuil.qc.ca/ ) and/or the metro.
    > k