Moving to Quebec City
 

Well, I'm not moving yet, but I have a job interview there next week. I would be interested in hearing what people think who have moved there from elsewhere.

I am an anglophone though used to be fluent in French and will pick it up fairly quickly, and my wife used to speak fairly well. How easy is it to integrate? We tend to meet our friends through things like running/tri/outdoors clubs, but we are getting old now :).

We are very much outdoors people (triathlon, hiking, paddling, skiing, etc), and don't want to have to drive far (or at all). How easy is it to access these things? The average rainfall at over 40"/year seems huge to me - more than 50% more than here in England! Does this get depressing?

One thing that I would like to do is have a real estate agent give me a quick couple of hour tour of neighbourhoods/properties available. We had this at another interview and it was incredibly valuable. Can anyone suggest a good agent?

Any comments about living there are welcome.

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

Quebec City is very french, very old (except for the suburbs) and very condusive to all the things you indicate you like do. In fact, without outdoors interests and/or activities, you probably wouldn't survive a winter.

You really won't notice "rain" - it will be "snow".

In my humble opionion, you'll really need to do your homework. My guess is you'd be in for a massive cultural shock. Good luck!

Cheers,

I don't think a Brit moving to Quebec will be in that much of a cultural shock. Lots of old buildings, old traditions etc in both places.

I grew up in Montreal (a bit different than Quebec city but akin) and I have traveled extensively in the UK. I've never found the UK to be particularly difficult to travel in.

Generally speaking, Brits (and other foreigners) are better accepted than English-Canadians from, say, Toronto. (yes I'm putting my asbestos underwear on for that one;) )

JP

Thanks for the quick replies. I am starting to do my homework now, but I have quite a bit of prep to do if I even want a chance at an offer :).

I have noticed the same thing before, but thought that maybe I was being over-sensitive - I am a Canadian from Toronto who just happened to go to a french school :). We have been living in the UK for a few years and can't wait to get back to Canada!

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

On adifferent note - you wouldn't happen to be a member of britishexpats.com ?

A couple of comments.

First, although it sounds like you have a pretty comprehensive background in French and will pick it up again very easily, be forewarned that Quebecois is much more difficult to understand that traditional French.

Secondly, Quebec City is a great city if you like the outdoors. There is amazing sking only 30-45 minutes from downtown. Mont Saint Anne is the most popular ski resort with both alpine and XC trails (250 kilometers). For even better alpine skiing, keep driving another 20 minutes past MSA to Le Massif. Absolutely stunning! Another well-kept ski resort is Le Massif de Sud and also check out Lac Beauport

For canoeing/kayaking, Jacque Cartier Provincial Park is within 30 minutes of town. Lots of white-water kayaking, hiking and canoeing. Mountains, rivers, lakes...it has it all.

Be forewarned that it is very cold in the winter and they get significant snowfall, much more even than Montreal. As mentioned, this accounts for much of the precip that you are observing.

All in all, QC is the closest you will get to a European city without actually living there. QC is much smaller and close-knit than Montreal. Much less cosmopolitan, but also a much more relaxing lifestyle. Great food, great activities, great quality of life and incredibly safe. Last reported homocide was in October, 2006, which is absolutely nuts for a city it's size (~1 million)

Normally I'd warn you of high taxes but coming from the UK, you'll probably find that even the taxes aren't that bad. I think real-estate prices are still relatively reasonable. As for neighbourhoods, I can't elaborate too much other than to recommend that you not live across the river in Levis unless you want to battle traffic crossing the bridge on a daily basis or are able to catch the ferry. Nice suburbs are Lac Beauport, Isle d'Orleans, although you can get nice places much closer to downtown.

One negative. For a city it's size (~1 million), it has very poor flight connections. If you fly alot, be prepared to connect in YUL on a frequent basis.

Also note that this is QCs 400th anniversary. Lots of cultural activities, although after this is over, you may find that it doesn't have the fesitivals and concerts that you might be accustomed to in the UK and that you would find in Montreal.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the details reply. I've done more homework :). I still think that it may be too big for us (200k would be better :)), and even after the UK the taxes are crazy! I may be eligible for a 5 yr. 'holiday' on the provincial taxes, which may help :). Overall it looks interesting.

I have emailed a couple of estate agents without luck. I'm not sure what to do for that extra day that I've booked to get a good feel for living there. I just don't have the clothes (that aren't in storage) for wandering around in -19 :).

Thanks again

Dr. PITUK

YLU FF said most of the things that I was going to say. I've never actually lived in Quebec City, but I've passed through it a number of times, especially for judo tournaments.

If you're flying into YQB you'll see how small an airport it actually is. I was surprised; I didn't think that Quebec was that small. I think that Delta flies a connector out of YQB or something, but apart from that it'll be going through YUL, which is also not that far, even by road. That's probably why people don't fly from YQB that much.

There used to be more indoors wandering possible, but they uncovered the Mail St Roch in an urban revitalization attempt. I'm not sure what to suggest for dealing with the weather...

A bit more specifically about the outdoors, Quebec is quite good for hiking, I believe. It's definitely good for climbing, too.

If you're thinking about Université Laval, I know smart people who come from there and who work there, in general.

Make sure to ask about black fly season if you intend on hiking/climbing/etc. Black flies are nasty creatures! :D

JP

I know blackflies well :). I spent LOTS of time in the backcountry in Ontario and learned to hate both blackflies and mosquitos!

Does anyone know a good real estate agent in Quebec City? I emailed a couple who had interesting looking properties but didn't get a reply.

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

Is remax available in QC? They seem to be all over the place in Toronto.

Also, check www.mls.ca It's nationwide and it seems to be the place all realtors post their stuff (and even private sellers). It is possible to find property to rent which would get you started before you find what you want to buy.

ReMax is indeed available in Qc. www.remax.ca

mls.ca is very handy for a very good list of properties.

JP

Funny. I've noticed your posts quite frequently in Quebec related topics and just noticed you're based out of CAE.

I have a sister in Irmo who I drop by and visit on occassion. Whenever the weather gets cold here in YUL :)

There is a frequent poster based in YQB. Suggest you send PM to NordsFan. He may be able to help with the real estate agent, etc.
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