MoveBuddy Guide to moving to Montreal

As the commercial and cultural hub of French Canada, Montreal is a desirable location. Each year thousands of people from across Quebec, Canada, and around the world can be found moving to Montreal.  

Some are moving to Ottawa for work, whereas others are headed to the city to study and more so are arriving to start a new life in Quebec and Canada. Some are just looking to move to Montreal for its vibrant character or its je ne se quoi. Whatever the reason, moving to Montreal is an exciting opportunity to discover all that the city and province has to offer.  

Montreal is a city that truly has something for everyone. It is a city rich in arts, food, music, sports, nightlife, and more. It also serves as a gateway into Quebec and its unique culture and breathtaking nature.

To help those who are moving to Montreal, MoveBuddy is happy to offer this guide of helpful things to know before relocating to Montreal.

Montreal knows how to have fun

There are few cities in Canada that are as well known for their nightlife as Montreal. So, when moving to Montreal make sure you bring your dancing shoes!  

It’s impossible to summarize all the ways to have fun in Montreal. It is, after all, the unofficial party capital of Canada.  

However, you will never go wrong looking towards St-Laurent and St-Denis as a go-to. Certainly, that’s where you’ll find the long-time residents of the city. The more tourist-friendly spots of Crescent Street have their charms too, so don’t avoid them just because there is a crowd there.  

As a city that welcomes all, Saint-Catharine East and The Village are safe spots for 2SLBTQI+partygoers and allies. Finally, Vieux-Montreal is the most popular tourist area of the city for a reason – it’s awesome. It’s also a great place to start to explore the city from when first moving to Montreal.  

A Foodie’s delight

With a delightful mix of both the old world and new, Montreal is truly one of North America’s best cities for restaurants. Obviously, you will find some great French cuisine in the city, but with thriving Haitian, Italian, and Ivorian communities, among many, you will be sure to find a dish that will excite and satisfy you.  

Of course, there are two foods that you must try when moving to Montreal – Poutine and Montreal-style bagels. The city is known for both good reasons!      

Go Habs Go

There is more to Montreal’s sporting culture than hockey. Football, in particular, enjoys a strong following with both the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes and the city’s USports college football teams enjoying strong followings. The other football has its place too, with Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal

Annual events like the Canadian Grand Prix (Formula 1 auto racing), ATP/WTA tennis championships, or the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (WorldTour cycling) are extremely popular as well.  

However, make no mistake, hockey, and the Montreal Canadiens, in particular, are a near religion in the city. Known informally as “The Habs” the Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups as National Hockey League champions than any other team and the heartbeat of the city is often in sync with the success of its beloved hockey heroes.      

A City of Festivals

Celebrations and festivals form an integral part of life in Montréal.  

In addition to the world-famous Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal also serves up a wide variety of events. From avant-garde dance, or the iconic local dish, poutine – regardless of the season, art genre, or culinary delight, Montréal hosts a festival dedicated to it.  

The festivals don’t stop at the end of summer either. Montreal embraces winter, with vibrant winter festivals featuring art, gastronomy, and outdoor sports.

Montreal is truly a festival city and when moving to Montreal you will never lack for things to do.

The Cycling Capital of North America

Over the last decade, Montreal has put significant resources into improving cycling infrastructure and opportunities across the city. One result of those efforts is that it is now easier and safer to get around the city by bike than ever before.  

The other result is that the city has been named the best in all of North America to ride your bike in.  

So, when moving to Montreal, be sure to invest in a bike to get out and explore this wonderful city!

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