what to buy in U.S before I relocate to Montreal

[betamanlet]

Originally Posted by BudFields

I have recently accepted a job w/ a company in Montreal, (just east of the airport). I plan to relocate there this summer and rent for a year, then possibly buy. I am looking for advice re what to products to purchase in U.S. , (car, wine, mattress), before I move to Montreal. If it is much cheaper to purchase a car, TV, etc. before I move, I will take money from savings to do so.
Also, what items, (milk, other groceries), are significantly more expensive in Montreal/Quebec and should I drive to the States to shop for?
Thanks for your help, in advance. We have been suggested to look for rental house in NDG or other 'anglo' neighborhood near airport and downtown. If you have suggestions re 'anglo' neighborhoods, subway use or other useful info for immigrating US ex-pat-to-be, please chime in.


Best Regards

One thing I know for sure, is that you cannot bring a mattress into canada.

[BudFields]

Thanks for the info and the web link.

[avironneur]

Originally Posted by betamanlet

One thing I know for sure, is that you cannot bring a mattress into canada.

Yes you can. I have two American mattresses in my house right now. Moved them up when my job relocated me - no fumigation or inspection required.

[ckhthankgod]

What about going to Burlington Vermont for some things? It's a little bit bigger than Plattsburgh too. Maybe Watertown NY too.

For something bigger, maybe the Albany or Syracuse areas on the weekends, perhaps.

[sancty]

Woopsie. Gotta note this.

[kaymcl]

I would not say car insur. rates are insane in Canada. They arent bad in Montreal compared to upstate NY (I pay 1400 /yr). The province of Ont and NS are said to have the highest rates.

Originally Posted by avironneur

I grew up in both DC and Montreal and know a lot about both:

Rent and housing are indeed both cheaper as is transit if you decide to use the services of the STM (Societe des Transports de Montreal -- the equivalent of the WMATA in DC) BUT the following are astronomically more expensive:

Sales tax is 14%

Goods (even though the CAD and USD are almost equal in value) cost 20% more in Montreal

Car insurance is insane compared to US rates

Cigarettes and alcohol are significantly more expensive and selection is very poor unless you like Canadian or Quebecois beers

Clothing is very expensive and if you are very tall like myself (6'3") or heavy you will find trouble finding sizes as most clothes even at international chains (Zara, GAP, H&M) is more suited to the thinner-framed more average height French-Canadian

[avironneur]

In Montreal I still paid far more than I paid in the Washington DC area which is considered expensive by American standards.

[VitaminJ]

I am paying about $75/mo for two-way coverage, theft/fire (La Capitale)
2000 Toyota Tundra V8 SR5 4WD ($8,000 estimated value)
Registration & public injury insurance (SAAQ) is $361/yr, but for any other car under 4.0L engine is about $261/yr.

I was paying $120/mo in southern California 3 years ago, and registration was $260/yr. So for me it's cheaper.