- Jose Carreira
When I first came to Montréal, the InterNations Events helped me to get in touch with new clients and business partners.
New to Montréal? Connect with American expats!
Are you living in Montréal as an American? This city has a lot to offer, and we’ve got a community of fellow Americans ready to help you settle in. It’s always nice to have folks who get where you’re coming from, right?
Below, we’ve put together everything you need to know about life in Montréal - the good, the bad, and the quirky. Got questions? We’ve probably heard them before (and we’ve got answers). Plus, we’ve got tips on making friends from the US (and all over the world).
So, whether you're already here or just thinking about making the move, we’ve got all the info you need to make Montréal feel like home.
Why you'll love InterNations in Montréal
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pro's and cons of living as an American in Montréal
Pro's:
Cultural experience: Montréal has a unique blend of European and North American cultures, which makes living here a rich experience. It’s kind of like living in two worlds at once! With a bilingual environment and a vibrant arts scene, Americans love to immerse themselves in a different culture while still finding many things feel, well, familiar.
High quality of life: Montréal is known for its affordable cost of living compared to other major North American cities, high-quality healthcare, and a great public transportation system. All this makes for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for expats.
Proximity to the US: Since Montréal is so close, folks from the States can easily travel back and forth - whether for business, family visits, or leisure. The short distance helps you keep strong ties with home.
Cons:
Language barrier: While many Montrealers are bilingual, French is the dominant language — especially in professional settings. This can be a challenge for Americans who do not speak French, affecting job opportunities and day-to-day interactions.
Harsh winters: Ready for some cold temps? Montreal’s winters are long and can be severe, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. If you’re from parts of the US with milder climates, adapting to the harsh winters can be difficult.
Different healthcare system: There’s no doubt Montreal offers high-quality healthcare. But the public system can be slow, with long wait times for certain treatments. And navigating a different healthcare system can be challenging for those unfamiliar with Canada’s approach to medical services.
Meet American expats at fun events in Montreal
Making friends and building a network in a new city like Montreal can be challenging, but our events make it easier and more enjoyable. At our gatherings, everyone is on a similar journey, whether they’re new to the city or seasoned expats. So it’s perfectly normal to introduce yourself and share your experiences. You’ll quickly meet a diverse group of international people, including fellow Americans, and gather valuable insights about life in Montreal.
Check out our upcoming events — and look out for Newcomers’ Events if you want to mingle with fellow newbies! Our friendly Ambassadors are ready to welcome you and introduce you to the community. Join our growing community and make Montreal feel like home in no time!
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
All your questions about living in Montreal, answered
First, check out the InterNations Montreal Community. It’s a great resource for expats from all over the world, including Americans. You’ll find cool events like get-togethers, dinners, and group activities based on different interests. The events are the perfect way for newbies and long-time expats to connect. You’ll strike up new friendships with other Americans and internationals in no time!
If you’re in the mood for something more laid-back, hit up some bars and pubs in Montreal. There are a bunch that are super popular with American expats, especially the ones that show big American sports events. (You know Americans can’t miss those!). Places like Hurley’s Irish Pub and McKibbin’s Irish Pub are just the ticket. They’ve got a fun vibe and are always packed with expats, especially when there’s a big game on.
In Montreal, Americans often settle in areas that mix cultural buzz, easy access to stuff, and a real sense of belonging. Here’s the scoop on some top spots:
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is where it’s at for many newcomers, including folks from the States. It’s artsy and hip, with cool eateries and those famous outdoor stairs. Plus, there’s plenty of green space for urban nature lovers.
Westmount is the fancy neighborhood. American families LOVE it here. The schools are top-notch (public and private) and you’ll find gorgeous Victorian homes. It’s close to downtown, too.
Downtown is of course where the young professionals and students hang out. It’s a no-brainer if you want to be near universities, work, and nightlife. Everything’s right there — transport, shops, culture ... you name it.
Outremont's got a different vibe. It’s more chill, kinda suburban-ish, but still close to the action. Families like it for the great schools and parks. It’s like a little oasis in the big city.
NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) is another fave for Americans looking for that neighborhood feel. It’s super diverse, has awesome local schools, and always something going on community-wise.
Here’s an estimate of what you want to earn in Montreal on a monthly basis, depending on your lifestyle:
Modest: 2,500 CAD to 3,500 CAD per month.
Comfortable: 3,500 CAD to 5,000 CAD per month.
Affluent: 5,000 CAD and above per month.
On annual basis, incomes of 45,000 to 70,000 CAD are often sufficient for a modest to comfortable lifestyle.
These estimates can vary significantly based on individual preferences and economic changes, of course, so it’s a good idea to adjust these figures according to your specific needs.
Obviously the usual suspects like LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Indeed work in Canada as well but there are some unique platforms to check as well:
jobboom.com: Jobboom is a popular local site where you can find job postings in Montreal. Look for jobs tagged as “bilingual” or “English required”.
Talent Montreal: This platform is designed to help attract talent to Montreal, particularly in industries like tech, AI, and finance. Many listings are for English-speaking roles or are bilingual. You can also create a profile to let potential employers find you.
Yes, you can live in Montreal without speaking French, especially in English-friendly neighborhoods like Downtown and Westmount. Many services, usually in larger businesses and healthcare, are available in English.
Keep in mind though: not speaking French can limit your job opportunities, as many positions require at least basic French proficiency. That’s especially true in customer-facing roles or the public sector. Socially, you might find it harder to fully integrate without French, as it’s the dominant language for most local interactions and cultural events. Learning some French, even just a basic level, will make your experience much better overall.
To make your time in Montreal smoother, we collected some services (not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations) that cater to English speakers:
General practitioner (GP) | Brunswick Medical Centre A full-service clinic with lots of different practitioners. All the staff speak English and French. |
Dentist | Dr. Allan Coopersmith |
Urgent care | Montreal General Hospital (McGill University Health Center) |
Immigration assistance | LMRT Immigration Services Offers full-service relocation and visa services. |
Tax advisor | Elan Accounting Services Inc. A tax advisory firm with great reviews, specialty in Tax advising matters, with English staff. |
Instant interpreting service | Dayinterpreting Connect to a native French speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet other Americans in Montréal
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to keep up with your favorite hobbies — or try something new — while living in Montreal? There are many InterNations Groups you can join, covering everything from hiking in the Laurentians to wine tasting in Old Montreal. Each group is led by passionate Consuls who organize at least one activity each month. Whether it’s a gourmet dinner at one of Montreal’s top restaurants, a guided tour through the historic streets of Old Montreal, or a casual meet-up to enjoy local music, there’s something for everyone. These groups offer the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded expats and locals, explore the city’s vibrant culture, and make the most of your time in Montreal.
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the International Experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Montreal! InterNations offers lively communities in most major Canadian cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Canada, check out our American communities in
Toronto Vancouver Calgary Edmonton London, Ontario Québec City Victoria
But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 510 cities worldwide. You can find the list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Jose Carreira
When I first came to Montréal, the InterNations Events helped me to get in touch with new clients and business partners.
- Anna Maria Osario
As an expat from Argentina, I absolutely love wine, and I found some nice wine bars and wine tasting events here in Montréal.
