Essentials
- City
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Population
- 1,780,000 (City), 4,300,000 (Metro)
- Internet Speed
- Avg 150-500 Mbps via Bell Fibe or Videotron
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD. Major banks: RBC, TD, BMO
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Fluoridated)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Telus, Bell, Rogers (Expensive); Budget: Fizz, Public Mobile (~$40 for 20GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Desjardins, National Bank, Wise for low-fee transfers
- Accommodation
- Zumper, PadMapper, and Marketplace are standard for locals
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Interac Debit and Credit cards used everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Sonder, Blueground, Airbnb (Strict CITQ regulations apply)
- Budget Accommodation
- M Montreal Hostel (Starts at $45/night, 1245 Rue Saint-Andre)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) for history and architecture
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Le Plateau-Mont-Royal or Mile End for cafes and walkability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Crew Collective & Cafe (360 Rue Saint-Jacques); Day pass ~$35
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café OSMO (51 Sherbrooke St W) - Tech-centric with fast Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- MTL NewTech meetups and Startupfest (annual in July)
- Social Events for Expats
- Mondo MTL on Facebook and InterNations Montreal
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Eva (Local co-op), and Téo Taxi (Electric fleet)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BIXI Montreal (~$5/trip or $20/month for seasonal membership)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Jean-Doré Beach (Parc Jean-Drapeau) - 15 mins by Metro
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Canada, Porter Airlines
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, Air Transat
- Highway Access
- A-15 (Decarie), A-20, and A-40 (Trans-Canada)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare Centrale (895 Rue de la Gauchetière O)
- Public Transport Passes
- OPUS Card: $97/monthly for unlimited Metro and Bus (Zone A)
- Regional Travel
- VIA Rail to Toronto/Ottawa; Orléans Express bus to Quebec City
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) at Glen Site
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Modo Yoga (Plateau/Griffintown); ~$25 per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Econofitness ($15-25/month), Nautilus Plus
- Laundry Services
- Buanderie l'Eau Vive (Various locations in Plateau)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poutine at La Banquise (Open 24/7, 994 Rue Rachel E)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lola Rosa (545 Milton St near McGill)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Juliette & Chocolat for crepes; Kem CoBa for ice cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Jean-Talon (Little Italy) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ca, Indigo, SSENSE (Montreal-based fashion)
- Grocery Delivery
- Voila par IGA, Lufa Farms (Local baskets)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Saint-Laurent Blvd (The Main) and Crescent Street
- Local Brewery
- Dieu du Ciel! (29 Ave Laurier O) - World-class craft beer
- Wine Bars
- Pullman Wine Bar (3424 Park Ave)
- Street Food Stalls
- Time Out Market (Eaton Centre) - High-end food hall
- Popular International Cuisine
- Damas (1201 Van Horne) for Michelin-standard Syrian food
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mount Royal Park (Belvédère Kondiaronk)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA); PHI Centre
- Historical Sites
- Notre-Dame Basilica (110 Notre-Dame St W)
- Religious Sites
- Saint Joseph's Oratory (3800 Chemin Queen Mary)
- Annual Events
- Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June/July)
- Cultural Districts
- Quartier des Spectacles
- Theater Venues
- Place des Arts, Théâtre Saint-Denis
- Local Markets
- Marché Atwater (Good for cheese and meats)
- Music Scene
- Casa del Popolo, MTELUS
- Street Art
- Saint-Laurent Blvd murals (MURAL Festival held annually)
- Cooking Classes
- Ateliers & Saveurs (444 Saint Francois Xavier St)
- Art Galleries
- Belgo Building (372 Saint-Catherine St W) - Multiple galleries
- Historic Buildings
- Marché Bonsecours
- Local Heritage
- The Fleur-de-lis representing French Québécois identity
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parc de la Mauricie (2.5 hours north)
- National Parks Nearby
- Mont-Tremblant National Park (1.5 hours away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lachine Canal National Historic Site path (13.5km)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kondiaronk Lookout atop Mount Royal
- Birdwatching Locations
- Technoparc Montréal (Marshlands near airport)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Village au Pied-du-Courant (Seasonal summer beach venue)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Canada Post, Purolator, Intelcom
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Depot Montreal (7100 St Hubert St)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ping Pong Club (5788 St Laurent Blvd)
- Language Classes
- ILSC Montreal; YMCA International Language School (French/English)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ) at Berri-UQAM
- Community Centers
- Santropol Roulant (4050 Saint Urbain St)
- Gaming Lounges
- Esports Central Arena (1231 Saint Catherine St W)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Montréal (Jean-Drapeau)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $352,000 CAD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $248,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $492,000 CAD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $348,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $624,000 CAD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $432,000 CAD)
- Corporate Tax
- Combined Federal/Provincial rate approx 26.5% (Small business rates Lower)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% (Often reduced to 5-15% via tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Residency-based; Worldwide income taxed if resident
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 53.31% (Combined Federal and Quebec over $235,675)
- VAT
- 14.975% (Combined 5% GST and 9.975% QST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, FAPI (Foreign Accrual Property Income) rules
- Property Tax
- Annual municipal and school taxes (Approx 0.7-1% of value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Welcome Tax (Land Transfer Tax) ranging from 0.5% to 3.0%
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific DN visa; standard high-tax environment