As I was gathering my excitement after agreeing to write for this website, I started thinking about the different subjects I could address. The one subject that I had to start with was Montreal city itself: what is Montreal? Why do we love Montreal? What makes Montreal so great? I started messaging friends and asking them their opinions and interests about Montreal. Here is a gathering of all the answers I received.
First and foremost, the best answer I got was: “Montreal is great simply because we have you living here…” Ok, ok, so it wasn’t the best answer!
Our Diversity
Some said they loved Montreal because it’s the home of the infamous HABS! Others said they love it because of the poutine and the beautiful women. One thing almost everyone mentioned was that Montreal was great because of its multiculturalism and diversity. One said: “Montreal is a cultural melting pot where different cultures coexist together to give it its uniqueness”. Sure, it’s officially a bilingual city, but it is most probable that when you go to the bank, the teller will be able to answer you in Greek. When you go to the garage, the mechanic will probably be Armenian. If you need a taxi, the driver will probably be Arab. When you call to get some construction done around the house, the person who answers will probably be Italian.
The Food & Culture
Someone commented: “Wherever I’ve been in the world, I always wanted to get back to Montreal to finally EAT! You can eat your way around the world just by staying in Montreal.” Whatever type of food you are craving for, you will definitely find it here! Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, Italian, Armenian, Haitian, Afghan, Indian, Greek…something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. We all come from different places and backgrounds and we have different beliefs and cultures. One striking importance is that we are tolerant of each other and are open to new ideas, and to our advantage, we learn about different cultures without having to travel.
Our Lifestyle and Nightlife
Now how about the night life we have? HELLOOOOO! Do they not come from abroad to enjoy the night life of Montreal? Do we not hear it all the time that our night life rocks? People partying until 3 AM, running around on the streets, rain or shine, winter or summer. And how about the dozen or so restaurants that are open late so we can go fill up our breadbaskets after all that drinking? Montrealers do not sleep before 5-6 AM on weekends. In the mood for jazz? We have relaxing jazz bars. You want to sing? How about a karaoke bar? You just want to hang out with friends? How about a shisha lounge or a bar to frequent?
It is also important to mention the numerous events and festivals that we have. Just to name a few: Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Francofolies, Vues d’Afriques and Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The Beauty
Onto the beauty of Montreal, one of my favorite places is the Old Port. I can go there for hours every day and not get bored of just walking around and sitting near the water. So many different activities and terraces to enjoy. It is always full of people and music. Also, how wonderful is the view from the top of Mount Royal and how relaxing is it to lie down on the hill after a barbeque at Beaver Lake? Just picture it; long romantic walks, watching the sun rise from the top of the mountain, taking a break from a busy life, reminiscing with friends…
Social and Political Aspects
An important point that was brought up is our freedom. Our voices can be echoed throughout the world, not just Montreal, with the amount of power we have here as individuals.
Other important facts that we can not forget are our free healthcare system and our amazing education system. We can all agree that both are cheaper than in the States and it is very easy for students to get financial help from the government. As a matter of fact, you can get financial help for any type of personal or professional project. In Montreal, where there’s a will, there is always a way!
One person said: “sure we pay a lot of taxes, sure people screw with our tax money and yes people who shouldn’t be on welfare keep getting it, but on the other hand we can all agree that those who really need help also get it.” We have shelters and many different wonderful organizations that help the ones in need, making sure that people are not starving or sleeping on the streets.
International Recognition
Finally, as someone mentioned: “Give these few words to anyone on the planet with a half brain and they will say hey that’s Montreal! St-Catherine street, Crescent, Peel pub, the Old Port, hot sesame bagels 24 hours a day, poutine, smoked meat, the Jazz fest, and last but not least… hockey!”
So yes we have a ton of pot holes on the streets and sure we pay a lot of taxes, but for all the amazing points brought up here…Montreal is great nonetheless and it’s our home!
You forgot to mention one thing: strip clubs. Americans flock to our facilities every weekend, no matter the weather, to feast on poutine and check out beautiful girls.
Take no shame Montrealers, we have the BEST (strip) clubs out there. :P
(It’s true; I’ve got this American friend who comes up here for poutine and girls… no lie).
ya…someone mentioned it but i didn’t want to write it hahahahah
Good job cle de sol!! Very nice article ! What also makes it great is us being here ;) we’re the funnest and craziest people in town !!!
thank you Sam! Glad you enjoyed it!
Is this publicitary propaganda of some sort?
Cle del sol, i like your name! and your article. A note about the cultural melting pot, I was in Amsterdam Schipol airport waiting at the gate to board the plane back to Montreal. My colleague mentioned something pretty funny, if someone passed by that gate and noticed the types of people waiting, they wouldn’t be able to tell where that plane was heading…is it India? Middle-East? China? some African country? you could of probably pin pointed the “white” people in there. And I was actually craving to come back and EAT!
no propaganda…just a gathering of comments and opinions!
Sari thank you for sharing that with us! that is true!
Akhhhh Taaaa…..ohh..Cle de Sol :)) ….I really enjoyed your article on Montreal and i would like to thank you for making my move to the middle east HARDER than it already was!! Yes …I am dropping all of this Montreal Greatnessssss…and moving abroad…but i would just like to Agree on every point you made about our city and WHO better than you to give us a taste of your own life that represents Montreal at its BEST!!! Bravo for your detailed points that shows that in actualities we are Canada’s “city that never sleeps” !!! AND WE AIN’T TIRED!!!!
Love this piece! It’s light & delicious!
Hello T…. :)
Just a few comments that I thought were important to share from an “outsider” (which I am less and less considering myself as- but nonetheless was when I came to Canada 5 years ago).
Our Lifestyle and Nightlife = Clubs are ready to kick you out at 2:45am, when in other countries, we can stay and dance the night away until 4-5am..
We don’t have that many “great” clubs. You can count them
on your fingers.
The Beauty = You didn’t mention anything about the winter that we get in Montreal :) which, I would say, is the primary season that represents our city. Out of 12 months, 6 of it at least require us to wear some sort of thick layered clothing to go out. Not that it’s unpleasant, winter has its beauty too (all of the outdoor activities truly show what Montreal is about, vs. winter season in any other country).
Social and Political Aspects = You mention that “we have shelters and many different wonderful organizations that help the ones in need, making sure that people are not starving or sleeping on the streets.”, but why is it that I still see [downtown] people begging for change, or other unfortunate people sleeping in the winter at the entrance of metros that we have? Also, how are we not getting good medical service when we are paying so much tax? Yes it’s free…but I have never before heard of ligning up at a hospital for over 14hrs to get SOME sort of medical attention. Do we have to be breathing our last breath to be even looked at?
Yes Montreal is a very exciting city, and it has a lot of advantages versus disadvantages, but we need to recognize the negative points as much as the positive ones so that someone someday can wake up and create a change.
Thank you for your very positive view of our wonderful city, it truly does have many of the aspects that you covered, but just thought I would drop a few comments on a few of the crucial points that you brought up that may not be as perfect as we think.
And this is exactly what montrealing.com is all about!!! We want people to react, to agree, to disagree, to comment… So thank YOU for taking the time and leaving your comments… So starting with your nightlife comment, yes there are other cities where the night life is better (boo!) I was stating the facts and not comparing it to any other city ;)
About our winter, you are absolutely right! Each season in Montreal has a different beauty… As for the organizations and the shelters, I had seen a video in one of my sociology classes and I hope I can find it on youtube to post it… shelters and organizations exist but can only help the ones who want to be helped. They are not prisons and people can not be forced to stay there; some people choose to stay on the streets (as twisted as that sounds…) Now about our medical system, yup you have to be dying in order not to wait in the waiting rooms…the government keeps cutting down on medical staff for whatever reasons… Just like any other city, Montreal has its flaws… and don’t get me wrong I could probably write a page or two about its flaws BUT my article was about What Makes Montreal GREAT ;) I definitely appreciate the time you put in commenting T! This website is created specially for that! Everyone’s opinions matter and we want your feedback!