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Montreal, the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Canada, is known for its multiculturalism throughout the world. The city is host to many international festivals, known for well-renowned universities, arts, history and food. The name of the city is inspired by the adjacent three-peaked hill called Mount Royal. After Paris, Montreal is the second-largest predominantly French-speaking city in the western world. Despite being a bustling city with lively nightlife, Montreal has an affordable cost of living when compared to other large Canadian cities and this is the major reason the city attracts international students from all across.
The extensive bus network of Montreal provides easy access to the entire city. The bus network is also straightforward to understand and simple to navigate through. The bus fares are low-cost. Various services like local, all-night, express, shuttle and taxi services are offered by the buses.
Montreal is the most bicycle-friendly city in North America. The city is covered with 700 kilometres of bike pathways. The affordability and convenience of bicycles make it the most preferred choice for international students. Although, due to dumps of snow, riding can be dangerous during winters.
Montreal has a Metro System that is 68 Metro Stations large, making it the busiest Metro System in Canada. The Metro begins early in the morning and runs till 12:30 AM. Metro fares are also economical with trip costs starting at $2 to $4. Day pass costs around $10 whereas a weekend pass is priced at $13. Monthly and quarter yearly passes are also available for Montreal’s students and residents.
The city is well-connected with an effective public transportation system including the metro and bus. The city transport in Montreal is reliable, clean and safe, making it the perfect option for international students and immigrants.
The city undergoes four different seasonal shifts throughout the year. Winters peak at -20℃ or below and summers at 20℃ or above. While winter is bitterly cold, hotness and humidity welcome you in summer. It takes some time for outsiders to get used to Montreal’s weather and start enjoying it. There are many things to do in the city each season. From igloo fests in winters to cycling and fireworks in spring and summer, the city has plenty to offer.
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | December to February | March to May | June to August | September to November |
| High | -1℃ | 20℃ | 30℃ | 20℃ |
| Low | -15℃ | 3℃ | 15℃ | -3℃ |
| Things To Do and See | Igloo Fest, Ice Skating, Winter Lights Walk, Montreal en Lumiere Festival | Bird’s Eye View of Montreal, Cycling, Montreal Festival, St Lawrence River | Plaza Cafes, Festive Entertainment, City Recreation and Fireworks after dark | Canadian Thanksgiving, La Grande Degustation, Gardens of Light, Culture Days |
| Clothing Essentials | Winter coat, thermals, shoes/boots and socks, gloves, thick knit scarf, hat | Shirts, shorts, jeans, pants, light rain jacket, shoes and socks, sandals or flip flops | ||
Dining out is a favourite activity of the students and residents in Montreal. The city falls into the top four North American cities with the best dining experiences. It is also said that Montreal has the most restaurants per capita in the whole continent. Montreal Cuisine represents a blend of many different countries’ food. The food scene in Montreal has many varieties and includes Italian, Asian and American cuisines. A famous local delicacy is the Poutine. A Poutine dish is complete with the ingredients of french fries, cheese curds, brown and meaty gravy.
The nightlife in Montreal is very exciting and attractive. It is world-famous and welcomes people from all over the globe. If you are running on a tight budget or have money to spare, it doesn’t matter because Montreal at night has a vast range of options for all kinds of audiences. From small joints to luxurious nightclubs, Montreal is, without doubt, the entertainment capital of Canada. It caters to people with all kinds of tastes in music, food and lifestyle. The local parties are engaging and delightful in the Village around Beaudry Métro station, Mont-Royal Avenue in the Plateau, Monkland Avenue in NDG, and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. And the three main areas for bar-hopping are:
Being the second-largest city in Canada, Montreal is extensively developed with excellent infrastructure, facilities of convenience and employment opportunities. This may make it sound like living in Montreal is a costly affair. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Montreal is a budget-friendly city when compared to other large Canadian cities of the same scale. This is a huge financial gain for international students studying in universities and colleges in Montreal. The average living costs of Montreal are:
| Classification | Monthly Average Cost |
|---|---|
| House Rent | $250 |
| Phone | $50 |
| Wi-Fi and Electricity | $100 |
| Groceries & Food | $300 |
| Miscellaneous | $100 |