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Well, Canada is in North America. The cities of Canada have development histories and conditions a lot more similar to that of the US than that of Europe. I don't reckon it'd be much of a surprise in that sense. That being said, not sharing a common language with the United States does make Quebec a bit more distinctive though I don't find Montreal that similar to Minneapolis. Perhaps some of the slightly older cities further east in the US. Minneapolis doesn't have the kind of structural density that Montreal and other older NA cities have. If you're going to pick a major US city, Philadelphia is maybe a bit closer.
There is no way Montreal feels like Minneapolis in any way. I actually thought that was a joke when I read it. Except maybe the climate and kids playing road or pond hockey.
In terms of style, feel and form Montreal's American peers are clearly Philadelphia and Boston, and even NYC to some degree.
In any event even if you were a deaf illiterate I don't think Montreal comes across as a U.S.-style city that much. Though it's true the U.S. has a lot of diversity among its cities. But Montreal would still be an outlier among them.
I'd also say that if some people feel that Montreal is similar to a U.S. city, then every other major city in Canada (except Quebec City) must feel *indistinguishable" from American ones to them.
In terms of linguistic demographics, it was probably fairly similar believe it or not.
But what changed was the linguistic dynamic and the place of French within the very broadest affairs of the city (especially all sectors of employment) and as a lingua franca.
Why do you not care for Montreal (you've mentioned this on some other threads) and choose to live in Gatineau? Just asking.
I have to disagree with you about Phila., NYC and Montreal. I know these cities well, and besides their closer links to Europe, they don't feel much like Montreal at all. True, Minneapolis is the US Midwest. But it has a casual progressive, efficient atmosphere that reminds me of Montreal. I thought Montreal felt much like a well-run American city outside the Northeast. I felt immediately at home.
Last edited by masonbauknight; 04-16-2020 at 01:32 PM..
Philadelphia, where I have lived and studied, has the density of Montreal (and throughout most of the city) and an old historic quarter, but from there the comparison is imperfect. Philadelphia's quality of life, uneven cleanliness, insecurity, and social inequality are just some of that. Minneapolis has the "wholesome," accessible, comfortable feel that much of Montreal has, though its suburbs are far less dense. The city center is walkable, very livable, and pretty progressive and sophisticated. It also has large parks (like Mont Royal) that are safe, an efficient city government, and a relaxed atmosphere (crime rate again) that reminds me of Montreal. I was never expecting Montreal to be like Lyon. Still, it was shockingly American in feel.
Yea, there’s no perfect fit, but Minneapolis is a pretty bad fit for a Montreal comparison. Canadian cities have some differences from US cities of similar size due to different land use policies and a far less pervasive inner city freeway construction and urban renewal efforts in the 20th century. At least Philadelphia was able to retain a significant amount of its dense pre-auto urban core which is what makes it a more fitting comparison to Montreal even though Montreal is obviously not going to be the same as it’s in Quebec. If we’re to prioritize the attributes you’ve mentioned for Minneapolis, then US cities in general would not make for the best comparisons.
Why do you not care for Montreal (you've mentioned this on some other threads) and choose to live in Gatineau? Just asking.
When did I ever say I don't care for/like Montreal? I love Montreal! (Some people see me as a shameless Montreal homer, especially when it's compared to Toronto.)
[quote=masonbauknight;57862820] It might be from the late 1960s -- a time when a French friend in Montreal was answered in English every single time she asked a question in French at Hudson's Bay/La Baie department store. [quote]
Back then they would probably have answered a native-born multi-generational francophone Montrealer in English too.
In terms of linguistic demographics, it was probably fairly similar believe it or not.
But what changed was the linguistic dynamic and the place of French within the very broadest affairs of the city (especially all sectors of employment) and as a lingua franca.
Ah, I see. I slightly misunderstood that at first.
That was one of the main rationales for Bill 101 (the language laws).
Quote:
Originally Posted by masonbauknight
Still, it was the "Americana" that surprised me there. As I said: "unfiltered."
I do know what you mean by "unfiltered". It's a decent way to describe it. Though it's not (quasi) totally dominant to the exclusion of most anything esle like it is in other places... like Toronto.
Yea, there’s no perfect fit, but Minneapolis is a pretty bad fit for a Montreal comparison. Canadian cities have some differences from US cities of similar size due to different land use policies and a far less pervasive inner city freeway construction and urban renewal efforts in the 20th century. At least Philadelphia was able to retain a significant amount of its dense pre-auto urban core which is what makes it a more fitting comparison to Montreal even though Montreal is obviously not going to be the same as it’s in Quebec. If we’re to prioritize the attributes you’ve mentioned for Minneapolis, then US cities in general would not make for the best comparisons.
There is a far greater number of dense American cities, both large and mid-sized, than Canadian ones, so...no
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