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Ten Reasons to Move to Montreal

The Pros of Moving to Montreal

There are many reasons why you will love moving to Montreal. This place offers a blend of an old European city with a contemporary North American atmosphere. It’s undoubtedly one of the unique places you can live in.

Few places in the world have this same atmosphere. It feels like you see something new every day. And it’s this freedom of diversity, creativity, bilingualism, and vibrant neighbourhoods that make the city a good choice for anyone. In this guide, we will be looking at just ten reasons you should set your next several years in Montreal. Keep reading.

1. Affordable Rent

If you have lived in any North American city, you should know rent is no joke. But you will be lucky to find a spot in Montreal. It’s known for offering the cheapest housing options in the region. Something as low as $1000 per month can get you a comfortable living space.

2. Year-Long Festivities

Montreal is easily the city of festivals. There are more than 100 festivals that cover the whole year. It’s like every day is another opportunity to enjoy a vibrant culture. These events are fantastic to take part in.

3. Public Transport – Most Affordable

Montreal’s public transit network (STM) is a place you will want to be. If you are a student, use the unlimited pass on public transit around the city for only $40. You may have to spend about $82 if you are unaware of the discounts, but it’s still a bit fair compared to other cities in the region.

4. The Best Place to Travel on Foot

Perhaps you have heard that great things come in small packages. This statement is true about Montreal. It may be relatively smaller than other cities, but it’s quite cosmopolitan and modern. That means you can cover a huge distance by walking.

5. A cycling-friendly City

Are you in a hurry and would like to reach your destination faster? Using your bike is the best way to travel. This city is tailored to help you ride your bike with ease. Walk around the streets, and you will meet the largest group of riders.

6. Amazing cultural food

We all love getting a satisfying meal before or after a long day. Montreal is parked with a wide collection of restaurants that you will not find in many other cities around. You will enjoy the city’s culture with every meal you taste.

7. Be Part of a Great Culture

Montreal is a multicultural city. It’s perhaps one of the most diverse cities globally, holding immigrants from all parts of the world. Many people have called it home, creating a culture like no other.

8. Learn a New Language

People living in Montreal express themselves as “Franglais.” This is because they speak a mixture of Francais (French) and Anglais (English.) French is dominant in many cities across Quebec. Montreal brings out a different taste with its bilingualism. It always feels good to learn a new language that describes a culture.

9. Enjoy Dancing Everywhere

If you love dancing, Montreal is one place you should set your camp. You will find everyone dancing in bars because each offers good music. Aside from that is the variety of salsa, swing, jive, rock ‘n’ roll, and slow dance events. Free outdoor Latin dancing events grace the summer.

10. The Best Nightlife

You may not find another place in Canada with a vibrant nightlife like the one in Montreal. Every area of the town seems to have something for everyone. Sit down for drinks, dance your night away or share a wide variety of meals; it’s all up to you.

Final Thought

Moving to a new city can be quite a lot. But you will feel right at home if that new place has the right atmosphere. Montreal is one such place. A whole new world of excitement is waiting for you.

Feature: Colourful Paintings of Montreal Houses and Neighborhoods

Best Montreal Photography Locations: 20 Spots for Instagram-Worthy Photos (2026 Guide)

Montreal is one of the most photogenic cities in North America — old stone in the Vieux-Port, brutalist architecture at Habitat 67, dramatic river crossings, four wildly different seasons, and a downtown skyline framed by a mountain. Whether you’re a phone photographer chasing Instagram shots, a hobbyist with a mirrorless, or a pro hunting for new angles, this guide lists the 20 best photography locations in Montreal with the best time of day, gear suggestions, and how to get there.

Skyline & Cityscape Locations

1. Belvédère Kondiaronk (Mount Royal Chalet)

The iconic Montreal skyline shot. Faces south-east — golden hour lands directly on the downtown towers. Best at sunset and blue hour. Wide-angle 16–24mm.

2. Parc Jean-Drapeau (Saint Helen’s Island)

Across the river from downtown with the Biosphere in the foreground. Walk west from Jean-Drapeau metro. Sunset on a calm evening gives perfect water reflections.

3. Parc de la Voie Maritime, Longueuil

Underrated South Shore spot for a full skyline silhouette at sunset. Free, accessible by metro + bike. Bring a 24–70mm lens for variety.

4. Sommet Westmount

Quieter alternative to Mount Royal with a west-end perspective. Best at golden hour for the way light hits the residential towers.

Brutalist & Architectural Locations

5. Habitat 67 from Cité-du-Havre

The walkway facing Habitat 67 puts the brutalist housing complex in your foreground with downtown lighting up behind. Tripod recommended for blue hour.

6. Olympic Stadium (Parc Olympique)

The leaning tower is hard to frame from below — use a wide-angle from the plaza. Best in late afternoon for shadow definition.

7. Place Ville-Marie Observation Deck

360-degree views, including the cross on Mount Royal. Best at sunset, but check Au Sommet PVM opening times.

8. Palais des Congrès Rainbow Windows

The famous coloured-glass facade in the international district creates striking light patterns inside on sunny days. Bright midday is actually best for this one.

Old Montreal & Vieux-Port

9. Rue Saint-Paul (cobblestones)

The narrow cobblestone street with horse-drawn carriages. Best in early morning (no tourists) or after a rain when stones reflect light.

10. Notre-Dame Basilica (interior + exterior)

Interior shots allowed for a small fee. Wide lens (14–24mm) for the deep blue ceiling. Outside, shoot from Place d’Armes for the full facade.

11. Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge)

Climb to the top for a 360 of the Old Port and river. The base also works for sunset shots with sailboats.

12. Bonsecours Market dome

The silver dome looks great from the river or framed at the end of Rue Bonsecours.

Bridges & River

13. Jacques-Cartier Bridge

Lights up at night with seasonal colours. Best shot from Cité-du-Havre or from Parc Jean-Drapeau looking north.

14. Samuel-De Champlain Bridge (pedestrian path)

Walk westward on the path for downtown framed by suspension cables. Sturdy phone grip recommended — it can be windy.

15. Pont de la Concorde to Habitat 67

A short pedestrian crossing with the Old Port behind you and Habitat ahead — ideal for symmetrical wide shots.

Nature, Parks & Seasons

16. Mount Royal (the cross & summit forest)

The iron cross at the summit looks dramatic against night sky. In fall, the forest paths around the lookout are peak foliage in mid-October.

17. Botanical Garden (year-round)

Cherry blossoms in May, the Chinese and Japanese gardens in summer, the famous Gardens of Light in fall, and the greenhouses in winter. A full-day photography location.

18. Lachine Canal at Atwater Market

Water reflections of the city, especially in early morning. Walk the canal east toward the Old Port.

19. Square Saint-Louis

The Victorian row houses in the Plateau — best in spring blossoms or first snow.

20. Mile End street art & murals

The Mural Festival murals along Boulevard Saint-Laurent and side streets are constantly refreshed. Always Instagram gold.

Photography Tips for Montreal

Best months overall: September and October (clean air, sharp light, fall colours) and February (snow + cobalt sky).
Golden hour shifts dramatically: 8:45 PM in late June, 4:30 PM in late December. Use PhotoPills or the Sun Surveyor app.
Don’t skip blue hour — the 20 minutes after sunset are when the city looks its best with lights on against the still-blue sky.
Winter gear: bring extra batteries (cold drains them fast), and a microfiber cloth for breath fog.
Drone rules: drone flying is heavily restricted in Montreal — most central areas require Transport Canada authorization. Don’t fly without permits.

Black & White, Night, and Miniature Photo Ideas

Montreal’s mix of stone architecture and high-contrast lighting is ideal for black-and-white photography — especially Old Montreal, the metro stations, and any bridge silhouette. For night photography, the best vantage points are Mount Royal, Cité-du-Havre, and the pedestrian section of the Champlain Bridge. For miniature/tilt-shift effects, shoot the downtown skyline from any elevated lookout (Mount Royal, Sommet Westmount, Olympic Tower) and apply a tilt-shift filter — the dense cluster of towers and the river framing make a perfect “toy city” composition.

Best Routes for a Photo Walk

Half-day Old Montreal walk: Notre-Dame Basilica → Place d’Armes → Rue Saint-Paul → Bonsecours Market → Clock Tower → Jacques-Cartier Pier
Half-day skyline + brutalism: Parc Jean-Drapeau (Biosphere) → Cité-du-Havre walkway → Habitat 67 → Old Port
Full-day photo tour: Mount Royal sunrise → Plateau (Square Saint-Louis, murals) → Lachine Canal → Habitat 67 sunset → Old Port blue hour

Montreal Photography Gallery

A collection of Montreal photographs across seasons and styles — skyline, brutalist, black & white, night, and miniature effects.

More Montreal Photo & Visual Guides

May 19, 2017/by T Riman