Canada may be just next door to the USA, from where Kirsten hails, but living in Montreal in the province of Quebec is an entirely different experience. Here she describes things like the importance of knowing how to communicate in French, the variety of entertainment options, and some medical care access woes.	Kirsten

November 10 2006

-Where were you born?
Madison, Wisconsin, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

-Are you living alone or with your family?
With my boyfriend

-How long have you been living in Canada?
Since 1996

-What is your age?
39

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Canada?
I first thought of living in Quebec when I took French in high school. Then, in 1993 following a serious car accident, I decided I wanted something different - to try living in another country, speaking a different language.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Moderately difficult, I would say. If you have a trade or special expertise that is in demand, it can be fairly easy.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No, Canada is known for its social medicine program.

-How do you make your living in Canada? Do you have any type of income generated?
I work for an English university in public relations. I worked my way up (started with this university in 1996). The language was a barrier initially, a lot of businesses and institutions in Quebec want employees that are fully bilingual (written and spoken, French and English).

When initial attempts to “canvas” my CV around the city failed, I tried applying to an English institution and was hired right away. I’m old-school: hand-delivering the resume, following up with a phone call, etc.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
Yes and yes. I majored in French at university and took courses here to complete my advanced proficiency certificate. Language is of social and political importance in Quebec, a sensitive issue. I think it’s important to be able to communicate here, BOTH in French and English.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do miss my family, we are very close. I visit twice a year and they usually come to visit me annually. There are things I miss about the United States, but I am happy to be on the periphery given its current political situation.

Montreal is a great city for entertainment and museums. I enjoy heading down to the Old Port for a stroll or walking Mont-Royal. Excursions to the Maritimes – places like the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – are great, too.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I am working towards my translation studies diploma now. Eventually, I would like to work as an independent translator.

For travel, my boyfriend is from Colombia, and I am looking forward to meeting his family and visiting his country this summer.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I rent, as do many to most Montrealers. Rental costs have gone up in recent years. We had a serious housing shortage about four years ago, but it has leveled off. The housing market is still up, so buying is not appealing to me for now. I pay $560 for a one-bedroom, but the average is more like $700.

-What is the cost of living in Canada?
Montreal is moderately expensive. Not as bad as Ottawa or Toronto. Food and restaurants are not cheap. You have to be careful about purchasing things like appliances, electronics and clothes, because prices vary GREATLY from store to store. Definitely shop around before purchasing.

-What do you think about the Canadians?
I think they are quite friendly, but I have heard negative comments from others. Montreal is like any big city in North America. People don’t have a lot of time for questions or slow people (i.e., paying at the cashier in stores). They are passionate, funny and vastly different, due to a great variety of old and new cultures.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Canada?
There is a saying, “Canada has great healthcare, just don’t get sick!” And I think it’s true. You can wait a LONG time for simple things like consultations, procedures or surgeries. And urgent care is a mess. You WILL wait from two to five hours to get medical attention in a walk-in clinic or emergency room. On the upside, it’s not deflating your wallet like it does in the States.

The consumer in me laments the lack of variety and deals on purchases. And the ongoing language “battles” and calls for separating from Canada can be frustrating at times.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Canada?
Wow, that’s hard because Canada is such a big country and so different from one place to the next. British Columbia and Quebec are like two different countries. To live in Quebec, I would say it’s important to speak French, at least for basic communication and comprehension. And to set the consumer bar lower when it comes to deals, purchases and variety. Also, don’t expect to get superior, customer service.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Canada?
YULblog and Metroblogging Montreal