Some questions about Montreal (sales, real estate, apartment)

[barneyg]

Originally Posted by joe143

the two schools ive been looking at are Mcgills and HEC both of which teach in english. My mothers from canada so i do have some background there and she speaks fluent french so i do have someone to learn from

Just so you know, HEC does have courses in English but it is primarily a French university (affiliated with Université de Montréal). Chances are that most (not all) of the students in your cohort would be French-speaking Canadians trying to spruce up their English.

(Of course, there's nothing wrong with that.)

[Winterrage]

If you only speak english you will have no problems living in Montréal, especially if you stay on the west side of Montréal. Montréal is the only billingual city in Quebec Province, I used to work on the west side of Montreal (Westmount) and you could do all you want by speaking only English. I have some friends that moved to Montréal four or five years ago and they didn't learn French because they get everything they want in English.

The city itself is fun as long as you stay away from the Hochelaga Maisonneuve district :P

[dwhyte99]

Montreal is a great choice for going to University. We have McGill and Concordia. Both very large and English speaking schools. Most Montrealers speak both English and French, but a large Majority only speak French. Don't worry, it is not a hard language, especially when all the people speak "franglais" (a variation or french and english).

It's best to check out the city. The crime is not that different than many other big cities, maybe a bit safer. Winter can be a bit cold. But we're used to it.

[SouthCoast604]

There is no hostility towards Americans, just to English speaking people in general.

Most people are pretty cool, but there are a lot of french speaking people who have been brainwashed for years and years by the education system, the french media and the government.

They do not like to hear English being spoken and will bluntly tell you so.

It's the chip on their shoulder from 300 years ago.....

I've heard many times "Ici, on parles Francais", meaning "here, we speak french (so you'd better shut up)".

[chaz longue]

I'd move to Montreal in a heartbeat, and I speak about 12 words of French.

[Kabfon]

Actually, if your mother happens to be born in Quebec the provincial tuition fees will also apply to you even though you are not from canada. Also Montreal is very bilingual, I went to Graduate school at McGill and did not have to speak french at all, although I chose to. Montreal is a great city and very diverse. If I had to choose again and do it all over again, I would not hesitate and choose Montreal.... Good Luck to you!

[chaz longue]

I've got 2 stepkids looking at McGill right now, one considering transferring from a smaller school near Boston with a fantastic reputation, which she's a bit frustrated with - and one considering starting there next year. I'm holding my breath with anticipation...

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by SouthCoast604

There is no hostility towards Americans, just to English speaking people in general.

Most people are pretty cool, but there are a lot of french speaking people who have been brainwashed for years and years by the education system, the french media and the government.

They do not like to hear English being spoken and will bluntly tell you so.

It's the chip on their shoulder from 300 years ago.....

I've heard many times "Ici, on parles Francais", meaning "here, we speak french (so you'd better shut up)".

True. I was in Quebec not too long ago. As long as I didn't open my mouth, everyone was very nice and polite. But as soon as I said something in English, I'd feel the cold shoulder. I could just read their mind saying "oh great, another dumb American".

[chaz longue]

I work a couple of my 12 French words into the first sentence, people grin and speak English. I've heard people say for years that Quebecers are rude to non French speakers - but in my experience this is simply not true.

If you think Quebecers aren't friendly to Americans, hang out with people from Toronto some time. They'll tell you Quebecers can be very rude to other Canadians whom they (Quebecers) percieve to be hostile to thier language and culture...

There are unfriendly people everywhere.

David

[Gustave100]

Québecois accents can be hard to decipher, just as they are in parts of the US, but in particular, in the UK.

McGill and Concordia are English schools. HEC is mixed, and it might be harder to get by with no french.

But, really, if you make a small effort, and take classes here, your efforts will be appreciated, and you will get by. Whenever I call Sweden (for a contract I currently have), I always explain to whoever answers the phone, "I am very sorry, I don't speak Swedish". It is, of course, very possible to survive with no french at all. If one is polite, people tend to be understanding.

And it is still a very cheap, safe place.