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Also regarding the OP, if you tell us where you're from or where you have lived in the past, we can give you an idea if Montreal will feel "sufficiently" European to you...
(I'd also add that I don't believe anyone has talked about climate yet.)
The taxes will feel european, that and the weird language but thats it.
Narrow streets, heavy focus on public transit, bikes, etc.
I agree with an above post that it’s a blend of Europe and Brooklyn. The only American cities that I think are somewhat comparable in feel are Brooklyn and Philly.
Montreal living is more like American than it is Europe.
Goodness me! How and why did you come to that conclusion? My opinion would be Montreal is the absolute opposite of your typical "American" city, if of course you meant "American" as a synonym for United States of America.
Were I, as an anglophile to choose to live in a city on the N. American continent, it would be Montreal precisely because, of all cities offering English language as an available option, it fulfills that requirement while most closely mirroring European cities.
Were I to wish to go full emersion, in the 'as close to a European experience' on this continent, it would then be Quebec City for me.
Goodness me! How and why did you come to that conclusion? My opinion would be Montreal is the absolute opposite of your typical "American" city, if of course you meant "American" as a synonym for United States of America.
Were I, as an anglophile to choose to live in a city on the N. American continent, it would be Montreal precisely because, of all cities offering English language as an available option, it fulfills that requirement while most closely mirroring European cities.
Were I to wish to go full emersion, in the 'as close to a European experience' on this continent, it would then be Quebec City for me.
JMHO.
People are just talking past each other, it's just because Montreal has things in common with places in the US like Boston/Philly/Brooklyn and is well rooted in this continent culturally and historically. That doesn't mean it wouldn't still feel pretty foreign to an American, and it doesn't mean it's anything like Wichita.
Goodness me! How and why did you come to that conclusion? My opinion would be Montreal is the absolute opposite of your typical "American" city, if of course you meant "American" as a synonym for United States of America.
Were I, as an anglophile to choose to live in a city on the N. American continent, it would be Montreal precisely because, of all cities offering English language as an available option, it fulfills that requirement while most closely mirroring European cities.
Were I to wish to go full emersion, in the 'as close to a European experience' on this continent, it would then be Quebec City for me.
JMHO.
I think dismissive comments à la "there ain't nothing European about Montreal" are kind of an over-correction, in reaction to the equally exaggerated statements you often hear à la "it's sooooo European!", "it's just like being in France!" or "it feels like Paris!".
People are just talking past each other, it's just because Montreal has things in common with places in the US like Boston/Philly/Brooklyn and is well rooted in this continent culturally and historically. That doesn't mean it wouldn't still feel pretty foreign to an American, and it doesn't mean it's anything like Wichita.
I can see the new tourism ads directed at Americans.
Also regarding the OP, if you tell us where you're from or where you have lived in the past, we can give you an idea if Montreal will feel "sufficiently" European to you...
(I'd also add that I don't believe anyone has talked about climate yet.)
Hey,
I've never been to Europe. Only America and visited some Latin American countries as well. I'm from a mid-size city in the west coast. However, it's mostly cars, Walmarts and not a lot going on. I still like it but I feel its more for relaxing for a month.
However, I did live in NYC for a few years and I really liked it. I really like walking everywhere and having lots of entertainment like going to the park, concerts and small theaters. I told some friends and they told me life in NYC is similar to London and maybe Berlin.
However, I did live in NYC for a few years and I really liked it. I really like walking everywhere and having lots of entertainment like going to the park, concerts and small theaters. I told some friends and they told me life in NYC is similar to London and maybe Berlin.
Hence, when I say European that's what I meant.
This, you can definitely have in Montreal, in many of the central neighbourhoods, like Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont, Villeray, Verdun, the city centre, Westmount, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Hochelga and a few others. You can walk everywhere or use frequent transit or cycling (we have bicycle paths everywhere).
If you go in the suburbs the way of life is definitely more comparable to what you’re probably used to in the US.
I lived in New Jersey, been to Montreal numerous times and now live in Europe. Montreal is an amazing city that has a lot to offer. However, besides old town it does feel more North American the way streets are laid out, houses, the suburbs and stores. Quebec City feels like a French town however. It’s French speaking and uses the metric system so it has distinct feel, but it’s not Europe.
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