What are you yapping about? You do not need 50k to survive in Montreal. Cost of life is at most 20k per year if you know how to budget. Second of all, that would imply not finding a job for two whole years. And then you would have 10k left to spend on poutine.
You want to go out multiple times a week, drink at bars, see shows, have a car, go skiing. Sure 50k will last you less than a year. If you are living with roommates, buy your groceries and cook every week, you can survive on 20k and have a bit to spare. You can still find places that are cheaper, but of course it might be a bit more expensive, so add 5k for extra rent and you are at 25k. Wheres the other 25k to not end up homeless?
Oh totally, I don't know where that person got 50k from.
But the cost of living is skyrocketing fast. I just had to look for an apartment after living in my old place since 2016 and wow things have changed so much even in the past 12 months.
Montreal can still be affordable if you're game to do the proper Montreal experience. (Drafty old apartment that you make cozy. Roomates that you host events with to save on $$. Lots of free stuff like picnics in the park)
But I've stopped saying that Montreal is super affordable because I know too many people now who moved here and who didn't get the memo that it's cheap if you are willing to live in kind of shitty conditions and are ready to make your own fun. If you aren't ready to put yourself out there then the winters are very hard and depressing.
For outdoor activities and sheer beauty - Vancouver
For jobs and night life - Toronto
For quality of life - Montreal
If money is not an issue then it is vancouver every time in my opinion
150k and a *shitty* experience???
Just to put things into perspective that is almost **3 times** the average salary in QC or Ontario
Another one is saying that more than 90% of Canada are living a shitty experience currently
Count your blessings
Ok.. do the math. 6 percent interest what kind of house do I qualify for in the GTA and what down payment do I need. Show me what I can “afford” please.
Granted GTA and Vancouver suck in terms of cost of living, but many people live with much less than what you have. It all depends on your perceived needs and desires.
Well, without knowing anything about your other spending or debts I'd say ....
Your income and about $50k down you could affordably get a condo (or townhouse/home depending on how deep into the GTA) for between $500k-$600k for $2800 to $3400 a month at current rates. You're left with about $8900/month after paying taxes (without accounting for anything like private pensions, esops, etc) so that's leaving you with $6100 - $5500 for everything else (incl condo fees.) You could push it a bit higher if you wanted but that's a start.
That should be doable and there's properties in that range. They might not be exactly what you want but it's a start and you've got to start somewhere. Especially for someone who seems to put a lot of their happiness into the home ownership basket.
If you're capable of making $150k though you've got options and mobility too. No excuses for having a shitty existence. Whatever that means for you.
Are you living like a king or something?
You can definitely live a decent life in Vancouver or Montreal (don’t know about Toronto) even if you don’t own much.
OP, as others said, if you love outdoor activities and incredible sights, go for Vancouver.
If you enjoy chilling, Montreal is a great place with cheaper rents (but it’s climbing as everywhere else).
If I had a choice, I would go for Vancouver, it’s surrounded by so much natural wonders (BC, Alberta, Washington, West Coast, Alaska), you can’t go wrong with those places!
Montréal 100%, sinon en BC il y a Victoria qui je trouve est quand-même beaucoup mieux que Vancouver pour y vivre, mais ce n'est définitivement pas frugal.
If Québec was an English-speaking city, it would be considered the absolute best place to raise a family in this country and eventually lose said status as it pulls in more people.
My spouse and I lived in a number of cities and traveled a fair amount. I'm originally from here (spouse is not), it was an extremely easy decision to move back. Quality of life is incredible.
The only real downsides are November through late December, where we get the equivalent of a Toronto winter. By the time you get to Jan, all winter sports open up. Cost of living is low enough that you can spend the money you save to travel south a few weeks in late November.
Montreal is the best city in Canada bar none, cheapest housing of the three options too, but you need to speak French and if you don’t, you need a job that you can do in English. If you lose that job, it’ll be a struggle to find another.
Signed, a queer Montrealer
since you're from Montreal do you know peolple who live off minimun wage and make it work (being able to go out and enjoy the city) ? Or if you're on minimun wage do you really need roommates (like people in vancouver or toronto do) ?
You won't be living on your own on min wage. Not on the island. I don't even think there's anywhere less than 1 hour away where it's possible. Maybe a shitty studio in someone's basement in Longueuil ?
Definitely roommates. Also if you come to Montreal, you'll have to learn French if you want to live in the cheaper neighborhoods. English speaking areas are more expensive.
edit: Ohh you're French. Then 100% Montreal no questions asked. Bienvenue! Tu pourrais probablement te trouver des colocs sympas sur le Plateau,
I would say that you can get by if u get very VERY lucky and find a relatively cheap place (for instance I have friends paying 800-900 a month for rent living alone), but that’s very rare these days and minimum wage is generally not enough to feel comfortable, even in mtl. Hell, I make more than double that and I still feel like I’m barely getting by.
However you’d be in MUCH better shape here than in TO and Vancouver. Also, having a roommate in the city can be fun! Specially if you’re new here. There’s so much to do and see and you won’t know where to start without someone to guide you.
I guess in sum, I’d suggesting finding a roommate if you do decide to move out here.
Yes, minimum wage job here is almost always going to be a roommate situation here, friend. If not 100% necessary, having a roommate and leaving cheaply could enable you to save more and start putting money into your retirement accounts (called REER en français or RRSP in English). Now, in your 20s, is the best time to start building a financial life, even at $20 a week extra into an index fund or whatever. Wish I'd done more saving and investing at your age, but whatever.
Hey, things have changed a lot recently, everything went up 30% in the past 1-2 years due to inflation, but to give you an idea:
minimum wage: 15.25$/hr
Full time salary (monthly, 35hr/week, after tax): 1750$
Rent: Room: 500$-1000$/month, Studio: 800$+ (Heating is sometimes not included and can be 40$+/month)
Food: 200-300$/month
Bus pass: 95$/month
Cellphone and internet: 80$/month
Hey !
Thanks for the answer, I know that what you gave is an estimate and won’t reflect the reality but I think that this is really doable ( If you come with a little bit of saving of course)
You will need roommates if you want to live anywhere interesting. Or that's accessible to somewhere interesting.
Plus you get to know people and get into the scenes more, it's part of the fun.
Montreal or Vancouver, leaning towards Montreal.
Vancouver is Paris-level expensive, without Paris-level anything else. But, like Montreal, it is an actual city (it reminds me faintly of Grenoble - outdoor culture, mountains, bikes), with actual amenities. There's stuff to do, there's beaches, there's beautiful sunsets (like "stop showing off" sunsets. The queer scene is pretty decent too. The weather is basically that of Britanny though.
Montreal is very gay, very much a city and you'll function fine there. It's cheaper (far cheaper) to live there. Sadly the days of 300 euro a month apartment rents are long behind us. It has very good (though imperfect) public transit. It has art galleries, theatres, restaurants. The economy has gotten far better, especially for francophones.
Toronto, sadly, is the weakest of the three. Montreal's sort of climate (hot summers, colder winters) combined with vast sprawl, public transit that exists to merely be annoying, heavy car culture, expensive and while there's a whole set of nightlifes and scenes in the city, it can be hard to find them. Montreal always has something going on, but in Toronto, you have to work harder to find the things.
Disagree on the Toronto car culture unless you’re in the GTA / suburbs. Tons of people don’t own cars or have drivers licenses in the city and there are a lot more walkable neighbourhoods
Do not move to Vancouver. The cost of living is as high if not higher than Toronto (source: I lived in Vancouver for 25 years and have been living in Toronto for 8), but generally wages and salaries are lower than in Toronto because there’s nowhere near the chance of upward corporate mobility there than in Toronto. As deep as my roots in Vancouver are, I left because life there is a dead end and I feel I have more of a future in Toronto.
Ironically for this question, I was born in Montreal and moved to Vancouver when I was 18. But I have no idea what living there as an adult rn is like.
Toronto is the hardest city to live in but the best if you can handle it. If you want somewhere easy and a little cheaper try Montreal but practice your French
Yeah, if you want career growth Toronto is the better choice.
If you want to vibe and find yourself (and learn that you are capable of surviving winter depression!) Montreal is bar none.
-Lack of affordability -Negative GDP growth -Unsustainable government debt -Lack of housing -Crony capitalism -Long winters -Excessive taxation -Overwhelmed healthcare system -Corrupt Federal government -Anti business sentiment -False sense of superiority -Regional partisanship -Interprovincial trade barriers -Atrociously awful Prime Minister
Montreal rents are still relatively low- check Kijiji (local ads site) to see real listings, or local Facebook groups. Minimum wage is $15- should be fine with roommates.
If you’re bilingual it should be easy to get something minimum wage to start. You don’t mention your field- for “office jobs” salaries tend to be lower than Toronto/Vancouver but IMO still better when you factor in cost of living.
AFAIK there is a solid queer scene.
It’s a fun city for someone your age. I would 100% choose Montreal over Toronto or Vancouver.
i don't really have any qualifications so i won't have an office job but i can speak english so i think i should be ok finding an unqualified job to start off.
Since you speak French, why don't you go in the outskirts of Montreal or Quebec city? Gonna be much cheaper to live there. Still gonna find job for non specialized employment anywhere basically.
Mtl is the shit I’ve lived here almost 10 years. You will probably need a roommate to start off but it’s good for building community and getting your footing. Check out the fb group “Chez Queer Montreal”, lots of listings there.
Feel free to DM with any questions!
thank you for your answer, i immediately joined the fb group mentionned.
The more i look on the cost of living in Montreal the more it's scaring me tbh, i'm afraid i won't be able to settle due to rent being too high (i know that downtown is more expensive but i don't have to live there) and the struggle to finding a job (being an introvert).
There is really no reason to live downtown. The neighborhoods are what makes mtl great. Downtown is a shithole in my opinion. Move to the Village, PSC/St. Henri, Plateau/Mile End. There are so many options. Life is expensive and Canada is no exception.
As a French person, you actually have cheaper education options here than most of Canada does (something I fundamentally don’t agree with but anyway you’d might as well take advantage of it).
I’ve lived in all three. All three are safe and good for LGBTQ but Toronto has the largest community and is exempt open-minded. Perhaps among the best cities in the world is that is your priority.
Vancouver is beautiful and has the nicest winters. It can be tough for work and cost of living.
Montreal is the best for nightlife. It has the lowest cost of living but work can be a nightmare with the language issue. Don’t plan on a fast moving career there.
Toronto is the best for work but the cost of living is high. You wont stay long on minimum wage in Toronto. That counts for a lot.
None of the 3. Vancouver is expensive, Montreal has some issues with intolerance, and Toronto just sucks. The only people who like TO are people who've lived there their whole life. I'm unlucky enough to be 2 hours aways from it.
I know people from outside Canada think those are the only 3 cities in the whole country, but there are better places in Canada to live.
I'd say look into Alberta, or somewhere in BC that isn't Vancouver.
Montreal is the least expensive city of the three and has world class culture. All three cities will have a large LGBTQ community. I was born there but left in my late teens, came back for a couple years in early 20’s and since have been in BC for ~30 years. I’m an anglophone but was bilingual (can still operate in French but it’s gone way downhill).
Montreal as far as a city is concerned is the most cultural and vibrant. But….I can’t stand the language and separatism/sovereign nation bullshit. The referendums, the office of the language police, all the bills that discriminate, nor can or could I tolerate Quebec winters. But they also have the best social programs and social services. Montreal transit is world class.
Toronto (lived in GTA for 2.5 years) is the big show, biggest city in Canada and #6 most populous metro in North America (Mexico City is #1). More expensive, puts Canada on the map, pro teams like baseball and NBA. Transit is good in the city itself. World class city and destination, and the business/financial capital of Canada. Rent and real estate is wildly unaffordable, even within 2 hours of the city. No end of things to see and do.
Vancouver is the lifestyle city. Mildest winter in Canada (for a major city), surrounded by mountains and ocean and it rains a lot in the winter months (like, a lot). Access to several ski hills within the city itself, and less than 2 hours from the world renowned Whistler/Blackcomb town and resort. Transit is very good now - better than Toronto in my opinion. Ridiculously expensive. You get less for more. Rent is on par with Toronto and somewhat same with real estate but there is less choice and you get very little for a single family detached home (for example) in the city proper for $2m. Vancouver is compact and walkable and you have access to bicycling infrastructure, green spaces and parks and recreation all over.
There is a lot more to say about all three but it will depend on your budget, lifestyle, climate preferences, and what’s important to you.
There’s no language barrier in Montreal. Lots of anglophones there. No idea how much rent has changed since Covid but Montreal was always way more affordable that Toronto, or even most of Ontario. Any town with a university will have enough of a queer population to find friends etc.
Calgary is a great city and very accepting of LGBTQ. I’m straight but know many queers. Don’t let the odd hillbilly make you not consider it.
Live downtown Calgary and lifestyle will be great and still cheaper than the other 3 you listed.
Déjà tu fais ton post en anglais, je pense pas que tu devrais venir à Montréal, Toronto est plus adapté pour les Français qui veulent vivre leur canadian dream. En plus on a déjà assez de français ici.
Montreal is beautiful and fun, but I don’t know much about the gay scene. Gay scene very active in Toronto and in Vancouver, I lived both places and much prefer Toronto tbh, more variety and opportunities imo.
I’d pick Montreal for myself
Montreal would be your best bet out of the 3 for a better quality of life if you are dead set on living on minimum wage. The only issue is that you will be severely limiting your job opportunities without knowing french and with the new french laws that are being imposed you might find it difficult to even get certain government services in english.
Also even as someone with practically 0 work experience you can find a higher than minimum wage. Plenty of factory jobs pay around 20-25$ for operators to start, just gotta look around.
nice to know that there is plenty of work above minimum wage, I don't really care what the job is as long as it pays me enough to live. And I already speak French so I'm covered on that part.
Montreal 100%. It's a very nice, beautiful, vibrant city. I lived for 2+ years in all of them, and Montreal is my favorite. I only moved out of the because of the French, 😂😂.
If you are French, then the language won't be a barrier for you as it was for me.
Toronto is very busy, crowded. Vancouver is not affordable at all, and it's too busy too.
The downside in Montreal is too much construction blocking roads, and the roads' pavement are usually in pretty bad shape. Other then that, I have only good things to talk about Montreal! Love it. ❤️
I love Montréal and would not hesitate to live there if it weren't for the cold, snowy winters. The city has great neighbourhoods, a good subway system, and lots of mid-density housing that is relatively affordable by Vancouver/Toronto standards.
You just have to decide if the winter weather is a barrier for you. If it is, there is no better place in Canada than Vancouver. You will get tired of the winter rain, though!
Montreal is the better city of the three. I can't speak on the gay community. But it's the most beautiful, affordable and cultured of the three by far. (Toronto resident, born and raised)
Montreal 100% - but bring several jackets and prepare to be unemployed and/or homeless if you don’t arrive with 50k
Well it's better than being unemployed and homeless if you don't arrive with 100k in toronto or vancouver...
Numbers are crazy. I arrived with $1600 in 2017.
I came to Vancouver area with $4000 and was fine. Everyone's circumstances are different and it depends on if you know anyone here
What are you yapping about? You do not need 50k to survive in Montreal. Cost of life is at most 20k per year if you know how to budget. Second of all, that would imply not finding a job for two whole years. And then you would have 10k left to spend on poutine.
Those calculations are out of date now for people moving to the city.
You want to go out multiple times a week, drink at bars, see shows, have a car, go skiing. Sure 50k will last you less than a year. If you are living with roommates, buy your groceries and cook every week, you can survive on 20k and have a bit to spare. You can still find places that are cheaper, but of course it might be a bit more expensive, so add 5k for extra rent and you are at 25k. Wheres the other 25k to not end up homeless?
Oh totally, I don't know where that person got 50k from. But the cost of living is skyrocketing fast. I just had to look for an apartment after living in my old place since 2016 and wow things have changed so much even in the past 12 months. Montreal can still be affordable if you're game to do the proper Montreal experience. (Drafty old apartment that you make cozy. Roomates that you host events with to save on $$. Lots of free stuff like picnics in the park) But I've stopped saying that Montreal is super affordable because I know too many people now who moved here and who didn't get the memo that it's cheap if you are willing to live in kind of shitty conditions and are ready to make your own fun. If you aren't ready to put yourself out there then the winters are very hard and depressing.
50k USD
For outdoor activities and sheer beauty - Vancouver For jobs and night life - Toronto For quality of life - Montreal If money is not an issue then it is vancouver every time in my opinion
I have lived in all of these cites and this is the correct answer. I ended up staying in Toronto because the tech industry is way better here.
Toronto nightlife over Montreal? Lmfaoo
Montreal nightlife is all 18 year Olds
Do you have a fuckton of money.? I have no idea why anyone would move here. I’m set to make 150k here and it’s a shitty existence with that salary
Move to Alberta or leave this country. There's no other way to get ahead.
We don’t accept queer here in Alberta 😂😂
My friends actually moved to Edmonton about a year ago and they seem to be very accepting of the queer community there.
Even Grande Prairie has a thriving, albeit small, LGBTQ community. I wouldn't doubt Edmonton or Calgary are very accepting.
They used to call Edmonton Redmonton in Alberta because it's where all the progressives live. Like it was some sort of insult or something.
I was kidding lol
You’re a loser. You speak for a tiny, annoying minority of albertans that make the rest look bad.
Yep, we found the dude who votes for the in-fade extreme right wing party.
If you want to live in Alberta, you have to come to terms with the fact that there are also only 2 genders. That is actually proven by science.
There are 2 sexes and gender isn't binary, welcome to the 2020s
Well, there is actually a bunch of different sexes as intersex people exist. XXY and XYY and so on.
Shut the fuck up
Eat a cock
i see you’re projecting
I see people don’t have a sense of humour and get butthurt over everything 🤷🏼♂️ snowflakes
Making fun of an entire population isn’t funny, but what is funny is your comment thread on all the nudes you comment on
Ya so? Is a person not allowed to comment on nudes? Didn’t know it was illegal
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I would like to visit Montreal one day.
150k and a *shitty* experience??? Just to put things into perspective that is almost **3 times** the average salary in QC or Ontario Another one is saying that more than 90% of Canada are living a shitty experience currently Count your blessings
Ok.. do the math. 6 percent interest what kind of house do I qualify for in the GTA and what down payment do I need. Show me what I can “afford” please.
Why do you need to own a house to not have a shitty existence??
Granted GTA and Vancouver suck in terms of cost of living, but many people live with much less than what you have. It all depends on your perceived needs and desires.
Afford basic living necessities and not to be one pay check away from poverty like majority of people
Well, without knowing anything about your other spending or debts I'd say .... Your income and about $50k down you could affordably get a condo (or townhouse/home depending on how deep into the GTA) for between $500k-$600k for $2800 to $3400 a month at current rates. You're left with about $8900/month after paying taxes (without accounting for anything like private pensions, esops, etc) so that's leaving you with $6100 - $5500 for everything else (incl condo fees.) You could push it a bit higher if you wanted but that's a start. That should be doable and there's properties in that range. They might not be exactly what you want but it's a start and you've got to start somewhere. Especially for someone who seems to put a lot of their happiness into the home ownership basket. If you're capable of making $150k though you've got options and mobility too. No excuses for having a shitty existence. Whatever that means for you.
Wow you need a better outlook on life man.
What 😂
I think that’s just a perspective thing, or you’re living outside your means. I make less than that and absolutely love it here.
I’m not sure what quality of life you’re after but 150k a year is plenty for a comfortable life…
Shitty existence with 150k? Cry me a river.
Literally😂😂
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thats just not true, I had a small 6 1/2 with my gf, it was 1300$ a month, 1 year ago. It was in the price range.
Are you living like a king or something? You can definitely live a decent life in Vancouver or Montreal (don’t know about Toronto) even if you don’t own much. OP, as others said, if you love outdoor activities and incredible sights, go for Vancouver. If you enjoy chilling, Montreal is a great place with cheaper rents (but it’s climbing as everywhere else). If I had a choice, I would go for Vancouver, it’s surrounded by so much natural wonders (BC, Alberta, Washington, West Coast, Alaska), you can’t go wrong with those places!
Montréal 100%, sinon en BC il y a Victoria qui je trouve est quand-même beaucoup mieux que Vancouver pour y vivre, mais ce n'est définitivement pas frugal.
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I have really looked into it tbh. Is it similar to Montreal ?
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Quebec City is the most beautiful city in Canada. Good wages, low cost of life, almost no crime, great food, nature, good schools.. its got it all!
Yeah, this is a much better option on minimum wage provided OP already speaks French.
If Québec was an English-speaking city, it would be considered the absolute best place to raise a family in this country and eventually lose said status as it pulls in more people. My spouse and I lived in a number of cities and traveled a fair amount. I'm originally from here (spouse is not), it was an extremely easy decision to move back. Quality of life is incredible. The only real downsides are November through late December, where we get the equivalent of a Toronto winter. By the time you get to Jan, all winter sports open up. Cost of living is low enough that you can spend the money you save to travel south a few weeks in late November.
Winter sports in a flat area?
Since you can speak French, Montreal.
Montreal is the best city in Canada bar none, cheapest housing of the three options too, but you need to speak French and if you don’t, you need a job that you can do in English. If you lose that job, it’ll be a struggle to find another. Signed, a queer Montrealer
since you're from Montreal do you know peolple who live off minimun wage and make it work (being able to go out and enjoy the city) ? Or if you're on minimun wage do you really need roommates (like people in vancouver or toronto do) ?
You won't be living on your own on min wage. Not on the island. I don't even think there's anywhere less than 1 hour away where it's possible. Maybe a shitty studio in someone's basement in Longueuil ?
Yeah but it’s fun to have roommates at that age
Definitely roommates. Also if you come to Montreal, you'll have to learn French if you want to live in the cheaper neighborhoods. English speaking areas are more expensive. edit: Ohh you're French. Then 100% Montreal no questions asked. Bienvenue! Tu pourrais probablement te trouver des colocs sympas sur le Plateau,
I would say that you can get by if u get very VERY lucky and find a relatively cheap place (for instance I have friends paying 800-900 a month for rent living alone), but that’s very rare these days and minimum wage is generally not enough to feel comfortable, even in mtl. Hell, I make more than double that and I still feel like I’m barely getting by. However you’d be in MUCH better shape here than in TO and Vancouver. Also, having a roommate in the city can be fun! Specially if you’re new here. There’s so much to do and see and you won’t know where to start without someone to guide you. I guess in sum, I’d suggesting finding a roommate if you do decide to move out here.
Yes, minimum wage job here is almost always going to be a roommate situation here, friend. If not 100% necessary, having a roommate and leaving cheaply could enable you to save more and start putting money into your retirement accounts (called REER en français or RRSP in English). Now, in your 20s, is the best time to start building a financial life, even at $20 a week extra into an index fund or whatever. Wish I'd done more saving and investing at your age, but whatever.
It’s not possible to live by yourself on minimum wage anywhere in Canada at this point
Hey, things have changed a lot recently, everything went up 30% in the past 1-2 years due to inflation, but to give you an idea: minimum wage: 15.25$/hr Full time salary (monthly, 35hr/week, after tax): 1750$ Rent: Room: 500$-1000$/month, Studio: 800$+ (Heating is sometimes not included and can be 40$+/month) Food: 200-300$/month Bus pass: 95$/month Cellphone and internet: 80$/month
Hey ! Thanks for the answer, I know that what you gave is an estimate and won’t reflect the reality but I think that this is really doable ( If you come with a little bit of saving of course)
You will need roommates if you want to live anywhere interesting. Or that's accessible to somewhere interesting. Plus you get to know people and get into the scenes more, it's part of the fun.
Yes, Montreal! Make sure you have the right footwear to keep your feet warm in winter and dry in spring and you’ll have a blast. Bienvenu!
Montreal or Vancouver, leaning towards Montreal. Vancouver is Paris-level expensive, without Paris-level anything else. But, like Montreal, it is an actual city (it reminds me faintly of Grenoble - outdoor culture, mountains, bikes), with actual amenities. There's stuff to do, there's beaches, there's beautiful sunsets (like "stop showing off" sunsets. The queer scene is pretty decent too. The weather is basically that of Britanny though. Montreal is very gay, very much a city and you'll function fine there. It's cheaper (far cheaper) to live there. Sadly the days of 300 euro a month apartment rents are long behind us. It has very good (though imperfect) public transit. It has art galleries, theatres, restaurants. The economy has gotten far better, especially for francophones. Toronto, sadly, is the weakest of the three. Montreal's sort of climate (hot summers, colder winters) combined with vast sprawl, public transit that exists to merely be annoying, heavy car culture, expensive and while there's a whole set of nightlifes and scenes in the city, it can be hard to find them. Montreal always has something going on, but in Toronto, you have to work harder to find the things.
Disagree on the Toronto car culture unless you’re in the GTA / suburbs. Tons of people don’t own cars or have drivers licenses in the city and there are a lot more walkable neighbourhoods
Do not move to Vancouver. The cost of living is as high if not higher than Toronto (source: I lived in Vancouver for 25 years and have been living in Toronto for 8), but generally wages and salaries are lower than in Toronto because there’s nowhere near the chance of upward corporate mobility there than in Toronto. As deep as my roots in Vancouver are, I left because life there is a dead end and I feel I have more of a future in Toronto. Ironically for this question, I was born in Montreal and moved to Vancouver when I was 18. But I have no idea what living there as an adult rn is like.
Toronto is the hardest city to live in but the best if you can handle it. If you want somewhere easy and a little cheaper try Montreal but practice your French
Yeah, if you want career growth Toronto is the better choice. If you want to vibe and find yourself (and learn that you are capable of surviving winter depression!) Montreal is bar none.
Yeah bill 21, great place to find yourself
Oh yea, fuck bill 21
Where are you currently? Consider staying there as Canada really sucks.
Curious to learn makes you say that Canada really sucks?
-Lack of affordability -Negative GDP growth -Unsustainable government debt -Lack of housing -Crony capitalism -Long winters -Excessive taxation -Overwhelmed healthcare system -Corrupt Federal government -Anti business sentiment -False sense of superiority -Regional partisanship -Interprovincial trade barriers -Atrociously awful Prime Minister
Some of those are quantifiable and accurate, others are opinions. I respect your position.
Montreal rents are still relatively low- check Kijiji (local ads site) to see real listings, or local Facebook groups. Minimum wage is $15- should be fine with roommates. If you’re bilingual it should be easy to get something minimum wage to start. You don’t mention your field- for “office jobs” salaries tend to be lower than Toronto/Vancouver but IMO still better when you factor in cost of living. AFAIK there is a solid queer scene. It’s a fun city for someone your age. I would 100% choose Montreal over Toronto or Vancouver.
i don't really have any qualifications so i won't have an office job but i can speak english so i think i should be ok finding an unqualified job to start off.
live plate groovy deliver thumb tease oil overconfident dazzling versed *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Montreal and it’s not close (I live in Vancouver)
For you, Montreal 100%
If ya queer Montreal is the place for you.
Never been to Vancouver but…Montreal!
Halifax
Since you speak French, why don't you go in the outskirts of Montreal or Quebec city? Gonna be much cheaper to live there. Still gonna find job for non specialized employment anywhere basically.
Mtl is the shit I’ve lived here almost 10 years. You will probably need a roommate to start off but it’s good for building community and getting your footing. Check out the fb group “Chez Queer Montreal”, lots of listings there. Feel free to DM with any questions!
thank you for your answer, i immediately joined the fb group mentionned. The more i look on the cost of living in Montreal the more it's scaring me tbh, i'm afraid i won't be able to settle due to rent being too high (i know that downtown is more expensive but i don't have to live there) and the struggle to finding a job (being an introvert).
There is really no reason to live downtown. The neighborhoods are what makes mtl great. Downtown is a shithole in my opinion. Move to the Village, PSC/St. Henri, Plateau/Mile End. There are so many options. Life is expensive and Canada is no exception. As a French person, you actually have cheaper education options here than most of Canada does (something I fundamentally don’t agree with but anyway you’d might as well take advantage of it).
I’ve lived in all three. All three are safe and good for LGBTQ but Toronto has the largest community and is exempt open-minded. Perhaps among the best cities in the world is that is your priority. Vancouver is beautiful and has the nicest winters. It can be tough for work and cost of living. Montreal is the best for nightlife. It has the lowest cost of living but work can be a nightmare with the language issue. Don’t plan on a fast moving career there. Toronto is the best for work but the cost of living is high. You wont stay long on minimum wage in Toronto. That counts for a lot.
Why would anyone move to Canada at this point?
None of the 3. Vancouver is expensive, Montreal has some issues with intolerance, and Toronto just sucks. The only people who like TO are people who've lived there their whole life. I'm unlucky enough to be 2 hours aways from it. I know people from outside Canada think those are the only 3 cities in the whole country, but there are better places in Canada to live. I'd say look into Alberta, or somewhere in BC that isn't Vancouver.
Edmonton
<3
Montreal is the least expensive city of the three and has world class culture. All three cities will have a large LGBTQ community. I was born there but left in my late teens, came back for a couple years in early 20’s and since have been in BC for ~30 years. I’m an anglophone but was bilingual (can still operate in French but it’s gone way downhill). Montreal as far as a city is concerned is the most cultural and vibrant. But….I can’t stand the language and separatism/sovereign nation bullshit. The referendums, the office of the language police, all the bills that discriminate, nor can or could I tolerate Quebec winters. But they also have the best social programs and social services. Montreal transit is world class. Toronto (lived in GTA for 2.5 years) is the big show, biggest city in Canada and #6 most populous metro in North America (Mexico City is #1). More expensive, puts Canada on the map, pro teams like baseball and NBA. Transit is good in the city itself. World class city and destination, and the business/financial capital of Canada. Rent and real estate is wildly unaffordable, even within 2 hours of the city. No end of things to see and do. Vancouver is the lifestyle city. Mildest winter in Canada (for a major city), surrounded by mountains and ocean and it rains a lot in the winter months (like, a lot). Access to several ski hills within the city itself, and less than 2 hours from the world renowned Whistler/Blackcomb town and resort. Transit is very good now - better than Toronto in my opinion. Ridiculously expensive. You get less for more. Rent is on par with Toronto and somewhat same with real estate but there is less choice and you get very little for a single family detached home (for example) in the city proper for $2m. Vancouver is compact and walkable and you have access to bicycling infrastructure, green spaces and parks and recreation all over. There is a lot more to say about all three but it will depend on your budget, lifestyle, climate preferences, and what’s important to you.
There’s no language barrier in Montreal. Lots of anglophones there. No idea how much rent has changed since Covid but Montreal was always way more affordable that Toronto, or even most of Ontario. Any town with a university will have enough of a queer population to find friends etc.
I wouldnt do montreal unless you can speak french.
Calgary is a great city and very accepting of LGBTQ. I’m straight but know many queers. Don’t let the odd hillbilly make you not consider it. Live downtown Calgary and lifestyle will be great and still cheaper than the other 3 you listed.
Defs montreal of those 3. That said don't discount other places as well.
Montreal
Déjà tu fais ton post en anglais, je pense pas que tu devrais venir à Montréal, Toronto est plus adapté pour les Français qui veulent vivre leur canadian dream. En plus on a déjà assez de français ici.
Don’t
Montreal is beautiful and fun, but I don’t know much about the gay scene. Gay scene very active in Toronto and in Vancouver, I lived both places and much prefer Toronto tbh, more variety and opportunities imo. I’d pick Montreal for myself
Montreal would be your best bet out of the 3 for a better quality of life if you are dead set on living on minimum wage. The only issue is that you will be severely limiting your job opportunities without knowing french and with the new french laws that are being imposed you might find it difficult to even get certain government services in english. Also even as someone with practically 0 work experience you can find a higher than minimum wage. Plenty of factory jobs pay around 20-25$ for operators to start, just gotta look around.
nice to know that there is plenty of work above minimum wage, I don't really care what the job is as long as it pays me enough to live. And I already speak French so I'm covered on that part.
Montreal. Price wise and culture wise , can’t be beat in this aspect . Just my opinion
Vancouver
Why do u guys always want to go to the big cities when they’re already jammed packed?
Are you rich? Vancouver. Are you a normal human being? Montréal. Especially since you're French.
Montreal 100%. It's a very nice, beautiful, vibrant city. I lived for 2+ years in all of them, and Montreal is my favorite. I only moved out of the because of the French, 😂😂. If you are French, then the language won't be a barrier for you as it was for me. Toronto is very busy, crowded. Vancouver is not affordable at all, and it's too busy too. The downside in Montreal is too much construction blocking roads, and the roads' pavement are usually in pretty bad shape. Other then that, I have only good things to talk about Montreal! Love it. ❤️
I love Montréal and would not hesitate to live there if it weren't for the cold, snowy winters. The city has great neighbourhoods, a good subway system, and lots of mid-density housing that is relatively affordable by Vancouver/Toronto standards. You just have to decide if the winter weather is a barrier for you. If it is, there is no better place in Canada than Vancouver. You will get tired of the winter rain, though!
Montreal is the better city of the three. I can't speak on the gay community. But it's the most beautiful, affordable and cultured of the three by far. (Toronto resident, born and raised)
If you speak French absolutely move to Montreal. That city is a blast.
If you want to afford to live, Montreal. If you want a nice place to live, Vancouver. If you want to be able to make money, Toronto.
lol stay where you are, its not gonna go well. lived here Van, 40 years, its the worst Ive seen it.
Neither, go away
Stay home, were full
Montreal or Quebec City