Canada's Most Vibrant City

Located in the south west region of the province of Quebec, the Island of Montreal stands amongst the metropolis' of Canada. It's an Urban Jungle in the literal sense. Most view it as a multifaceted city that has much to offer, both to its citizens and temporary visitors.

The People

Montreal is a fully bilingual city. The main languages are French and English, but strolling down one of its popular streets you are bound to get an ear full of everything from Chinese to Russian. The fact that the population of this city is so multicultural makes it an amazing place to learn about different cultures, their food, music and activities. Unlike many North American cities where people from different backgrounds stick with their own and mainly reside in their cultural enclaves, Montreal has no imaginary borders and is common for its blend in population. It's also a city of over 2 million souls.

The Neighbourhoods

There are many residential neighbourhoods in Montreal which are easily accessible by car, bus, train or metro system. If you were to drive nonstop from east to west you could cross the whole island in less than 2h. Most Montreal neighbourhoods don't resemble suburbs and have many amenities at walking distance as well as tons of little charms. There is an array of parks all over the city which make it greener than most and definitely family friendly. The abundant bike trails turn biking into a legitimate means of transportation all the while providing fun in terms of excursions and family escapades.

The commercial areas offer exclusive shopping benefits and you can mostly find these alongside highways. It's basically a conglomeration of huge department stores and smaller specialty or brand name boutiques. These commercial neighbourhoods compliment the already state of the art shopping malls situated both in Downtown and in key locations around the city.

Some of the most popular neighbourhoods include the Downtown Area, The Plateau (Art Community), Westmount, Outremont, The Old Montreal (Most expensive properties).

The Attractions

From the city's natural wonder The Mont Royal to the man made Olympic Stadium there is something to attract every taste.

The core of the city is probably where you can find most attractions and events.

The Mont Royal is a mountain situated right above downtown sky scrapers. It offers beautiful views of the whole city through its many observatories. It's also part of the many natural parks in town. From forest excursions to sunbathing on its planes, or picnics and activities around the manmade lake in both summer and winter, this mountain is guaranteed to quench your thirst for the great outdoors.

The downtown area is the place to shop and party. It has over ten huge shopping malls and hundreds of night clubs, pubs, coffee shops, restaurants and hotels. You can even find exclusive clubs and afterhours all at walking distance. Many of the city's finest museums are also located in that area. What's more, the city has its own internationally acclaimed casino and a six flags amusement park.

And then there is the Old Montreal! It's a marvel on its own. Picture an old European city on a smaller scale. Walking down the streets paved with stones you can admire the beauty of the early settlers' architecture that has been left unchanged through the centuries. The old port has its own marina, a science centre & IMAX, many fine restaurants and art galleries and hosts cultural and artistic events year round. Just like in New York's Central Park, you can benefit from a horse drawn carriage tour of this area.

The city also has a Planetarium, a Biodome, an Insectarium, a Botanical Garden, many Concert Halls and Cultural Centers.

The Activities and Events

Summer in Montreal offers unsurpassed entertainment. The International Jazz festival and Formula 1 Grand Prix attract the most tourists and light up the whole city. Still, both tourists and locals flock to the streets for festivals such as the International Film Fest, The Francofolies, The Just for Laughs Fest, The Fireworks Fest, The Beer Fest and the list goes on and on.

Education

Montreal has four main Universities. Universite de Montreal and UQAM offer French curriculums, while Concordia and world renowned McGill University, offer English ones. All universities offer accommodations for local and international students.

For a city that never sleeps and has so much to offer, these are only a few mentioned benefits. If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy all your senses in the company of warm and interesting individuals, then I strongly urge you to visit Montreal yourself and explore all of its charms.