Hi all, moving to Canada! (QC)

[T84]

Hi guys,

I'm moving to Montreal from the UK in April for a job, so luckily I'm getting help with my relocation, I was just wondering if anyone here has moved to Canada (there's no Canada specific forum!) and could give me some general advice? I hear getting a bank account that you can move money into from the UK can be difficult, and there doesn't seem to be any SIM only phone contracts?

[RDMcG]

You can get a prepaid phone no problem and there are contract free phones if you look around. No problem with bank accounts if you are immigrating. When I arrived I had a bank account in a couple of days. Ant of the big banks are good. I use RBC ( Royal Bank of Canada) and they are helpful.

[T84]

Thanks, that's reassuring!

[so called]

And Montreal is a great town

[T84]

I know! I've been! I flew over for my interview

[SplatSpeed]

i found bmo better than rbc as they wanted less deposit on a house purchase

rbc wanted 65% deposit!

[T84]

Christ! Well I want to rent at the moment!

Does anyone know about housing types in Mtl?

I saw some when I was over there which had pools and gyms inside! Even the ones that looked quite tatty from the outside looked amazing inside!

[SplatSpeed]

www.kijiji.ca

[T84]

What's a good budget for an apartment out there? I think my budget would be under $1200 if possible!

[SplatSpeed]

T84 said:

What's a good budget for an apartment out there? I think my budget would be under $1200 if possible!

look on kijiji they have lots of appartments normally, usually included is heating

[T84]

And there's no council tax/etc is there?

[RDMcG]

T84 said:

And there's no council tax/etc is there?

You need to ensure that the rent quoted includes the HST ( sales tax), but that's about it. Some places include electricity; Cable or Satellite TV is normally your own, and there is no TV licence. Make sure you get indoor parking if you have a car; parking outside in a Montreal winter is a challenge. Its a brilliant city...I have lived there.

[SplatSpeed]

there is a council tax for the owner but it is small, and usually added to the mortgage

[T84]

Thanks! I've been told it's not worth having a car in Montreal so might not bother, although I fancy a massive v8

[SplatSpeed]

T84 said:

Thanks! I've been told it's not worth having a car in Montreal so might not bother, although I fancy a massive v8

usefull for the weekly shop!

[RDMcG]

SplatSpeed said:

usefull for the weekly shop!

Well,,there are car sharing companies where you can get a car by the hour

[SplatSpeed]

RDMcG said:

SplatSpeed said:

usefull for the weekly shop!

Well,,there are car sharing companies where you can get a car by the hour

ford focus 2.4 estate is dirt cheap

[T84]

2.4? LOL!

I'm not looking at a car yet, anyone in the Montreal area know what a good salary would be to support yourself? IE How much would you need in CAD minimum to live?

[SplatSpeed]

if yoiu have kids

they HAVE to go to a french school in quebec!

salary depends on housing costs!

[T84]

No kids and I'm budgeting up to $1200 a month rent as a lot of bills are included for that amount...