Moving from NYC to Montreal and vice versa – Let’s answer all your questions

Some people call it “The City of a Hundred Steeples,” others “Quebec’s Metropolis” or “The City of Saints,” but whatever you want to call it, Montreal is a safe and tranquil Canadian city that sees thousands of people relocating there every year.

If you happen to be one of those thousands of people, this post is just for you. We’re going to uncover what makes Montreal so different, especially for people moving from NYC to Montreal. But let’s not forget that NYC is also a desirable proposition for people looking to make a life change. Every year, just over 150,000 Americans move to one of the five NYC boroughs, many of which move from Montreal to NYC.

Let’s start by quickly considering the pros and cons of each location, and then we can move on to discover why people are moving from NYC to Montreal or, indeed, moving to Canada from NYC. 

Your moving to Montreal guide

Montreal is in the Canadian province of Quebec and is the second-largest city in the world, where French is the primary language. As a result, French culture is very strong in Montreal, and for many, this is one of the main appeals.

Canada’s second-largest city has lots to offer someone moving from NYC to Canada. It’s a cosmopolitan city with a unique flair for a European lifestyle. However, if you’re moving from NYC to Montreal, you need to be prepared for some challenges. The weather, for example, is ice-cold in the winter due to its geographical location.   

Why people are moving to Montreal

Montreal is a mix of an old European city and a modern North American one. As a result, it’s unique in many ways. There are few cities that offer an environment where it’s OK to be yourself, and you can experience something new every day.

There are many reasons why visitors fall in love with the city and vow never to leave. It has a certain creative flair, offers the freedom of diversity, has some vibrant neighborhoods with a “joie de vivre” atmosphere, and is bilingual. 

If you’re still a little unsure whether Montreal is the right city for you, let’s look closely at some of the top reasons to move to Montreal.

1. Quality of life

One of the main reasons people move to Montreal is the quality of life. Compared to other cities around the world, it’s one of the highest-ranked. 

According to a yearly study by Mercer, Montreal was voted the fourth best city in North America. Factors that were considered in the study included social, socio-cultural, economic, and political environment. Education, housing, education, and more were also considered.

In comparison to the hundreds of cities worldwide, Montreal came in at #21, which is quite an achievement. 

2. Cultural diversity

Speak to anyone who already lives in Montreal, and they’ll likely tell you that they moved there because of the city’s multiculturalism. 

Globally, it’s one of the most culturally diverse cities, and you’ve only got to look at the food that’s on offer to understand why. Montreal is well-known for its variety of high-quality restaurants that span a multitude of ethnicities.

A recent study gave Montreal fifth place as the best city for expatriates. Factors that helped InterNations make this decision included job satisfaction, adapting to the local culture, safety, and work-life balance.    

3. Education and job opportunities

Montreal is ranked North America’s top city for students, and it’s now been the fourth year in a row it’s earned the title. If you’re wondering, “Should I move to Montreal for study?” some of the factors considered were safety, quality of universities, accessibility for foreign students, affordability, and expenses. 

If you’ve finished your education and are looking for a job, Quebec is a Canadian province that, at the beginning of 2020, held the record of being the province that has created the highest number of jobs.

Even during the pandemic, Montreal has continued to be a job haven for anyone searching, with some of the top Canadian employers hiring. Another good reason for moving from NYC to Montreal is that it’s a city with a great sense of community for entrepreneurs. Local events and meetups are commonplace, which is excellent for anyone with a startup company. 

4. Festivals and events

Many large-scale events were put on hold because of the pandemic. However, if you’re moving to Montreal from NYC long-term, you’ve got to consider all the festivals and celebrations that take place in the city. Annually, you can expect there to be more than 380 festivals. 

Whatever the time of year, Montreal finds a way to help you celebrate life. The Food Truck Festival and The Montreal World Film Festival are just two events to put on your calendar when you move there.  

5. Charming neighborhoods

If you’re worried about finding a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle in Montreal, you’ve got 18 boroughs to choose from. Each of these boroughs is further divided into smaller communities that are each as unique as the residents who live in them. 

The Montreal communities are just as diverse as the city itself, and they are surrounded by beautiful landmarks and world-class restaurants. We’ll look at some of the top places to live in the next section. 

Great places to move to in Montreal

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada and is well-known for its party scenes and nightlife. It’s also an important center for economic activity with major industries that include film, tourism, fashion, gaming, and art industries. 

Montreal also has a plethora of neighborhoods where you can choose to live, each of which has its charms. Unfortunately, there’s not enough space in this post to list the virtues of them all, so let’s narrow it down to our top five.

Rosemont

• Affordable place to live
• It has an abundance of fantastic restaurants 
• Shopping in the area is incredible
• A stunning bike path takes you through forests
• Easy access to anywhere in the city thanks to public transportation
• Outdoor facilities include 55 parks, ten community gardens, and 11 outdoor skating rinks

The Plateau

• One of the most popular neighborhoods for artists, students, and anyone who likes being in the middle of all the action
• Also, a family orientated upper-middle-class neighborhood
• An array of eateries, bars, and shops are all within walking distance
• Public transportation options include the Mont-Royal metro and a good selection of buses
• Easy access to The Mountain and Mount Royal Park  

Le Sud-Ouest

• Known as the walker’s paradise
• Filled with lush parks, including Julia Drummond Park, Saint Anne Park, and Parc Prudence-Heward
• Also known for its impressive eateries and trendy bars
• Metro stations and buses will take you anywhere you want to go

Lachine

• Home to Montreal’s famous Lachine Canal
• Every street is filled with unique architecture
• Ranked as the 16th most walkable area in Montreal
• Home to some amazing restaurants

Ville-Marie

• A neighborhood that’s at the heart of Montreal’s action
• Great public transportation
• Showcases excellent Victorian houses alongside a central business district
• Considered to be the hub of corporate headquarters
• It contains an impressive 23 museums and six water parks
• Home to several world-renowned universities

Pros and cons of living in Montreal

As with many cities around the world, not just in Canada, there are many things to like and even love about living in Montreal. In addition, there are also some reasons why you might be considering moving from Canada to NYC instead.

Pros

• Cheap rent
• Great parks and cycling lanes
• A world-class cultural scene and laid-back attitude
• Affordable public transport
• University tuition rates are the lowest in the country
• Electricity prices are the cheapest in Canada
• The operational costs for running a business are the lowest in North America
• The city has 2,000 hectares of public parks spread across 17 large parks and 1,160 smaller neighborhood parks

Cons

• Taxes are higher
• Cold and snowy winters
• Language barriers
• Traffic and infrastructure problems
• Montreal has some of the worst traffic congestion in the country
• If you’re not bilingual, you’ll find it hard

Pros and cons of living in NYC

The experience you get when living in New York City depends entirely on you. Every year, the city tempts people in hoards, and millions of residents overlook the inevitable cons of life in NYC because it has so many things going for it that are hard to ignore.

Pros

• The opportunities and networking opportunities make New York City the perfect location for entrepreneurs
• The biggest names in marketing, apparel, sports, journalism, tech, and much more call NYC their home
• It is considered one of the top 5 safest large cities in America
• Often described as the cultural capital of the world
• New York City is the most diverse city in the country
• You’re in the heart of everything, and it’s a city where trends are born and million-dollar ideas take root
• You’ll never be short of something to do, any time of the day or night
• The food scene is incredible, and there are 69 Michelin-starred restaurants
• A big perk of living in the city is the number of public parks
• Public transportation in the city is efficient and affordable
• You can get anything you want any time of the night or day, whether you need a slice of pizza, live music, a plate of cookies, or someone to talk to

Cons

• Competition for apartments and jobs is fierce
• Rents are astronomical
• It’s humid in the summer and chilly in the winter
• New York City is the 7th most expensive city in the world
• You’ll find yourself standing in line for everything
• Expect to put in long hours when it comes to work
• The city is dirty

Making the move from NYC – How are you going to do it?

Whether you’re moving from NYC to Montreal or are wondering how to move to New York from Canada, you have two options. 

A brave thing to do would be to hire a moving truck and do it yourself. But, on the other hand, there is the option of hiring someone to do everything for you. 

Each option has its pros and cons, so let’s look at whether hiring movers or moving yourself is the best option if you’re thinking about relocating to Montreal or you’re moving to NYC from Canada.

Move yourself

Many people choose to hire a moving truck and move themselves, whether they’re moving from Montreal to New York or moving from NYC to Montreal. Often, the main reason is that they think it’ll save money. At first, it might appear cheaper, but when you add everything up and consider other things, it’s not always the better option. 

To highlight this point, let’s look first at the pros and cons of moving yourself before going into more detail about the actual process.

Pros

• You’re in control of the whole process, from start to finish
• You’re in charge of how your belongings are packed
• DIY moving from Montreal to New York may save you money

Cons

• There’s a lot of heavy lifting involved
• You’ll need to have a handle on the planning and coordination
• You’ll find packing, loading, and unloading your belongings time consuming and tiring
• There may be issues that your inexperience won’t know how to handle
• You’re running the risk of injuring yourself, for example, pulling a muscle or straining your back
• You might break or damage some of your more delicate items

The cost of moving yourself from NYC to Canada

A DIY move is often chosen when moving to NYC from Canada because the initial cost tends to be much lower, and there’s the opportunity to save a few bucks. However, it’s not as cheap as you think. The cost of hiring the moving truck is much lower, but there are other factors you’ve got to take into account. Along the way, for example, you’ll have to buy gas, food, refreshments, and pay for accommodation. You’ll also have to buy packing materials and possibly equipment. 

Timeframe

Try to picture how the process of moving will go. How long do you imagine it will take? First, you’ve got to pack your belongings very carefully to avoid any breakages. Then you’ve got to load it all into the truck. The drive to your new home may take a couple of days, and then you’ve got to unpack everything when you arrive.

On the other hand, professional moving companies are experienced, which means they work much quicker and more efficiently. They know how to pack, lift, and transport people’s belongings carefully. As a result, the damage is minimized, and they know how to negotiate narrow doorways and stairs safely. In addition, they’ll make the best use of the space in the moving truck. 

Hire movers

Full-service long distance movers NYC, such as Roadway Moving, will take all the stress from the moving experience. Every stage of the moving process is taken care of, from disassembling your furniture and packing your possessions to unpacking them in your new home. All your items will be moved with the utmost care and attention.

Once packed, your belongings will be transported from New York to Montreal or vice versa safely and securely.

Pros

• The entire process is in the hands of professionals
• Full-service moving companies provide an efficient service
• It’s a stress and hassle-free option
• With the moving taken care of, you can concentrate on other things and travel to your new home in comfort

Cons

• Moving companies have to keep to a schedule which can mean the service is not so flexible
• Full-service movers tend to cost more

The cost of moving from Montreal to New York

If you’re moving from Montreal to New York or vice versa, a full-service move isn’t going to be the cheapest option. However, don’t forget that rates vary from company to company. In addition, several things can affect the cost, such as distance, location, and how many items you want moving.

Hire full-service movers when you’re moving from Montreal to New York, and you’re going to get a lot for your money. First, there’s the peace of mind you get knowing your belongings are being transported by a professional team that will do it carefully, safely, and securely. Hiring a NYC moving company is also a convenient option.

Timeframe 

Professional NYC movers, such as Roadway Moving, use their experience to provide you with an efficient service. The moving team will arrive at the prearranged time and have all the packing materials and equipment to perform an efficient moving service. In addition, should anything unexpected occur, they have the knowledge and skills to deal with it efficiently.

Add all these things together, and you’re sure to get a timely moving service. 

Top moving tips for moving from Montreal to New York and Vice Versa

If you’re planning to move from Montreal to New York or anywhere else in the US, here are some tips to help make your moving experience the best one yet.

1. Take some time to declutter first: you will have collected a house or apartment full of stuff over the years, much of which you don’t use or need. Now’s the time to declutter and leave some of those things behind. Why not hold a garage sale, and any money you make will help pay for your move?
2. Draw up a moving schedule: events always happen more smoothly when you take the time to make a plan. Then, you’ll stay on track and shouldn’t forget anything.
3. There’s no rush but don’t leave everything until the last minute because you’ve got many things to do.
4. Change your address: you need to inform all the companies that use your address for billing that you’re moving.
5. Spruce up your new home before your belongings arrive: Montreal is only a few hundred miles away from New York City, so if you get the chance, paint and make some home improvements before adding the furniture.
6. Be there on moving day: the moving process will be easier and more efficient if you’re there in person when your movers are working.

Useful resources for anyone moving to Montreal from NYC

• Montreal City Health Department
• The official website for the City of Montreal
• Ministère de l’Éducation et Ministère de l’Enseignement
• Public transportation in Montreal
• Vehicle registration centers

Useful resources for anyone moving from Canada to NYC

• New York City Department of Education
• New York City Department of Labor
• New York City Department of Transportation
• New York City Department of Health
• New York City Department of Finance

Finding the best movers

If you want your move to be as stress-free, smooth, and safe as possible, you want to make sure you choose the right movers NYC. Take some time to do the research, vet potential moving companies, and you’ll save a lot of time, money, and hassle in the long run. 

When you’re moving to Canada from NYC, remember the following:

• Ask around for recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues
• Ask three moving companies for quotes and make a comparison
• If you’re asked for a cash deposit, the movers arrive late, can’t answer your questions, or don’t seem to know what they’re doing, consider this a red flag and be suspicious
• The movers you hire should be licensed and insured
• Check the mover’s credentials with the Better Business Bureau
• Ask for Professional Accreditation 

Final thoughts

Whether you’re moving from Montreal to New York or moving from NYC to Montreal, knowing what to look for means the process will be less stressful and simpler. Your move will be a personal choice as both Montreal and New York have many positive features. 

When you’ve checked out your options and are ready to make the move, remember to include Roadway Moving as part of your plan. We can organize a full-service move and even put your belongings in storage if necessary. 

Give us a call, and we’ll make your moving day one of the best experiences yet. There’s no better way to start your new life than with Roadway Moving in your corner.