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I spent a year in Montreal in the Quebec region of Canada. My first expat experience was rich in life lessons and a total success. If you plan to settle there, here are the tips I can give you for living, working, and enjoying.
Since I was little, I always told myself that what I wanted in life was to travel and live abroad. I traveled whenever possible, alone, with friends, to meet friends, for work, and for events. But it took me some time before my first expatriation.
I hadn't necessarily thought of Quebec at first, because I didn't want to be in a French-speaking environment. I wanted to be in a country that moves away from my culture, to be immersed, and to improve my English. But one evening, I made my WHV (Working Holiday Visa) request. I was accepted within days. My destination was therefore chosen, it was going to be Canada. After a one-year sabbatical accepted by my former company, I landed in the middle of January in Montreal.
I arrived at my reserved accommodation for three days, which brings me to the first piece of advice I can give about finding accommodation.
✅ Step 1. Book accommodation
When I told a friend who has been living in Quebec for over 10 years that I had only booked accommodation for three days, she thought I was crazy! I should have measured the speed of finding accommodation there. I would advise you to book accommodation for at least one week.
✅Step 2. Check & Answer ads
Before leaving, I had already sent messages in response to ads published on the Kijiji website to let them know that I wanted to visit the apartment, when I would be arriving, and what I would need to rent it.
✅Step 3. Credit Ratings are Important
I had answers, and it was the first time that I had heard of credit scores. Unknown to me in France, I concluded that it's a system used in North America whereas a bank shows that you can pay your bills and pay them on time. A lot of Canadians and Americans use credit cards. In some cases, you can't rent an apartment, or buy a car or a house without first showing your credit score. As I had just arrived from France and had not yet created my Canadian bank account, I didn't have this. But the owners are generally accommodating.
✅Step 4. Apartment Rental Requirements
It's important to know that when renting a place, you are usually required to pay a 2-month security deposit for furnished accommodation, and you have to give 1 month's notice to leave the accommodation. Also, don't be surprised if the apartment you are moving into is not perfectly clean, as outgoing tenants are not obliged to leave the place clean. However, I was lucky that my apartment was clean when I moved in. Once you've secured your apartment, opening an account for water and electricity bills is quite simple.
During my first apartment visit, I discussed with the owners about bank statements, bank details, and specimen cheques. This leads me to my second tip for opening a bank account.
✅ Step 1. Choosing a bank
For the choice of bank, I relied on the advice of my apartment owners. Some banks have offers for newcomers to Canada, which you can check on their websites or forums.
✅ Step 2. Opening Your Account
You can visit a branch to open your account in just a few minutes. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to take out home insurance, which your owners may require.
✅ Step 3. Supporting Documents to Provide
You must present an original identity document and a document indicating your name and address. This can be a bill or letter that you can ask from your water or electricity supplier/company.
And yes, you can probably guess my next step in Montreal: finding a job.
✅ Step 1. Get Your Social Insurance Number
I had no idea about this because I had missed this information on the forums and blogs, but you have to apply for a SIN (Social Insurance Number). You need it to be allowed to work and only share this number with your employer. I should specify that you have to know your address because when the person from the administration asked me for it, I no longer remembered the name of the street where I was staying for a few days. This number is precious and will help you in finding a job.
✅ Step 2. Visit a temporary employment agency
You can visit a temporary employment agency and have an interview. Even if you don't get a job right away, you can get an idea of how much you can expect to earn with your experience. You will also receive tips for your resume. For your information, in Canada, a CV can be very long because you have to include all of your experiences.
✅ Step 3. Make business contacts
The majority of job offers are hidden. So you need to start responding to job postings on LinkedIn, and Facebook and start making contacts to eventually find the job of your dreams.
✅Step 4. Work Environment in Montreal
Montreal's work culture is known for its welcoming and trusting atmosphere. You'll find that you are quickly integrated into the team and that colleagues are friendly and talkative, often sharing stories about their families and personal lives. Additionally, Montreal workplaces offer flexibility in terms of work hours and remote work arrangements.
Moreover, companies in Montreal often organize various events, providing opportunities to get to know your colleagues and explore new places. These events can range from social gatherings to team-building activities, making for a vibrant and connected work community.
Here are some of the places I've visited and loved. If you're planning a trip to Montreal, these will serve as a great travel guide for you. You can also find tips through the NomadHer app.
✅ Art galleries
✅ Bars
✅ Bookstores
✅ Cafes
✅ Camping
✅Concert halls
✅Festivals
✅ Restaurants
I would say that what characterizes the city of Montreal is its cultural and artistic richness, its open-mindedness, and its human warmth. I have learned so much from my friends and my colleagues. Maybe one day I will come back, either for a visit or when I settle down. And maybe I will meet you, and you will tell me about your experience, which I hope will be as positive and enriching as mine.
Do you want to go on a solo trip this year? You can read more travel tips and find travel buddies through the NomadHer. Download the NomadHer app now!
👩 Aurelie Verger, NomadHer article contributor, is a female traveler from France. She works as a consultant who has lived in many countries, including Canada. Living abroad was her childhood dream, and working in Montreal for a year with a Working Holiday Visa was a great chance to make that dream come true. Currently, She lives in South Korea to travel and work together.
More about NomadHer :
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To join the community of female globetrotters, you can download NomadHer App on IOS & Android. Follow NomadHer on Instagram: @nomad_her.
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