I currently live in Vancouver. My roommate is moving out to live with her boyfriend in may and I've decided that I'd like to move out at the same time. I've always wanted to live in Montreal and it seems like this is my opportunity.
I'm 22 years old, I have a cat, and I have some post-secondary that's completely useless in Quebec (my education is in ASL, and the Deaf in Quebec use LSQ.) I don't know anyone in Montreal – no relatives, no friends – but I am dead set on doing this.
I'm trying to figure out how to find a decent apartment (I'd prefer a shared situation) without being able to go look at it (I own a cat and I'd need it to be furnished,) and how to find a job as soon as possible after moving there. also, is there a way to assess my French skills to see if I could work a French-speaking job? My French is good (I used to be fluent, but now I can understand native speakers speaking it, I can read it, I can think in it, I'm just not that comfortable speaking or writing it,) but I'd like to know how much I've lost over the last few years.
I'm looking at taking the train to move, and not bringing any furniture. I'm looking to live in either the Plateau Mont-Royal or Mile-End areas (I know they're gentrified, but rent is still WAY cheaper than anywhere in Vancouver.)
Basically, I want basic tips for moving across the country without knowing anyone on the other end, but any and all related tips are appreciated.
think about this before you move: the winters in Montreal are brutally cold and you can't get a job in Quebec unless you speak French. I had an uncle move from Ottawa to Vancouver just to survive the winters.
try the classifieds site s like
kijiji
craigslist (montreal )
check out apts. with pics and call people.
My boyfriend and I moved from Vancouver to Montreal last may. neither of us speak a word of french, both of us found jobs in one day. (He's a chef, I'm a youth worker). also found a place to live in one day. (we picked westmount area – very english – we pay $850/month for a 3 and a half) westmount is also a very safe neighborhood to live in and easy access to the rest of the city. It takes me 15 minutes by metro (oh so much better than the skytrain!!!) to get downtown to go to school (i'm at mcgill). Check out craigslist and kijiji for apartments, see if you can take over a lease for someone for a few months which will give you enough time to find something you really like and are willing to invest in a 12 month lease for.
Take the plunge! winter is brutal and you'll miss the ocean and the rest of nature more than you will miss anything else, but it's such a cool city to live in.
Also, check out montreal school for the deaf. They don't use signing, only lip reading. your background would be a huge benefit though im sure.
We live in BC and my son, his wife and kids lived here too. due to employment circumstances, they moved to Toronto and worked there for 2 years and last year, he was transferred to Montreal. His wife and kids went ahead of him and rented a hotel room on a Friday and by Monday they were moving into an apartment. the live on the English side of the city, speak no french but no problem there. also to give you an idea, they live on Lincoln avenue so you can google to see what area they are in. its somewhat close to downtown and according to them, its pretty safe.
Their rent is kindof expensive even though it is an old building but they had to accept what they could get on short notice. They plan on moving to a larger accomodation this summer.
It is hard to go somewhere, where you do not know anyone as they did but if you can get a foothold, you will make friends pretty quickly. also, as stated above, the weather is pretty cold in the winter but that is just a matter of dressing appropriately..
Good Luck to ya.
I want to move from Vancouver to Montreal?
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