Like any large city, living here and visiting here are two VERY different things.

Having lived in Montreal while growing up, I can say that living here has changed remarkable over the years.

Fifty years ago, there were still a LOT of English-speaking families in Montreal. Much of the west island of Montreal (the western suburbs) were English (i.e. white English), and many neighborhoods in the City itself were predominantly English. Most of the well-to-do were English, or Jewish.

This changed in the 70s and 80s (for a few reasons, government being part of it) when a lot of the English and Jewish elements moved out. The City quickly became a lot more French, but the English and Jewish families took their wealth (and businesses, and jobs) with them.

Over the next 20 years, regardless of the government's plans, the population backfill did not end up being white, French Quebecois (undoubtedly the intention) - it consisted of French and Arabic speaking people from Haiti, Africa, and the middle East.

Living in Montreal is not as easy as it was. Infrastructure is forever a mess (... not all Montreal's fault, really. The miserably cold winters wreak havoc on things like roads, water mains and sewers), traffic is bad, and generally finding a good neighborhood not rife with gang activity is getting harder (and a lot more expensive).

From a tourist's perspective, however, things will be different.

There are many, many fine museums and galleries to visit; a gorgeous park (Mount Royal) right in the middle of the city); EXCELLENT dining; a beautiful old quarter complete with cobblestone streets and 19th century buildings; good shopping. Recreational activities are very close by, with GREAT skiing (downhill and cross country) an hour to the north and east. For families, the Science Center and Biodome are excellent, and winter activities on Mount Royal (sledding, horse-carriage riding) are a lot of fun.

Those who bash the place usually live there - which is perfectly understandable.

If you're considering visiting the place, it's well worth it.

Was there on vacation once a few years ago. Despite the fact that I speak NO French it was not really a huge problem. Maybe because I could not understand what the locals were saying. ;)
It was a nice city, seemed to have a nice culture to it, and nightlife and I enjoyed the visit.

I just recently returned from a trip to Montreal. I hadn't been in a few years. It's always been a good city plus I have family there as well, which helps. Overall, it has gotten a bit more expensive than say Toronto or Ottawa but it has unique charm w/beautiful women plus a Biodome.

Overall, quite a nice city. The French language/politics stuff is tiresome, but otherwise an interesting city. Has the most personality of the larger Canadian cities. Good food, nice old town, good arts and architecture scene.

Montreal is a 'real' city. It bears all the scars of the turmoil it has suffered against English imperialism, and wears them proudly, and it has accepted its struggles as unique contributors to its identity. It is unapologetically unique and as a result, excluded from the rest of North America, which is just the way it has always wanted to be.
Montreal is a like an obnoxiously proud foreign-born child, adopted into a family to which it refuses to assimilate. The result is a colourful, refreshing dose of culture in a sea of large, capitalist and aesthetically dead civilizations.
I don't envision myself living anywhere else in North America. Except MAYBE Quebec City. And don't even get me started on that....

  I vacation there many times and even lived there when I was 2. Whenever it isn't hellishly cold there, it is a beautiful city with plety to do and I feel that even La Ronde (Subsidary of Six Flags) and the museums and parks around Olympic Stadium make the place livelier. People there have a heart and there is plenty of multiculturality. Can you belive that they now have a Portuguese and Spanish radio channel now? Sure, they do have French as their language, but they are happy also to speak English to a total sranger. The Métro is reliable and has a good set cost to take. It is inredible that I managed to walk all over the stores in the central Underground Stores Area andit was a good time out. The atmosphere is relaxing and peaceful depending on which suburbian city you visit. FabrzioCorona, you haven't been there long, you DON'T need a car to see its aesthetics, and if you would protest, take a look of its great history in welcoming the 1976 Olympics. And the ladies good enough to make a relationship-you must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed. A good sitster city to Paris; something more affordable than going to the other side of the world. I will still visit!

I am sick and tired of people saying that Montreal is a European city, like have these people even been to Europe? Every day i have to listen to Arabic, or creole while taking public transport, oh ya thats really European, if anything this city has a African vibe to it. I find the women to be very dirty and un cultured,i was born here and raised here and the first thing women ask me when i approach them is "where are you from ? " it's because i have dark features and can't pass as one of them , so I'll always be considered a fukin immigrant to these losers.It's cold here like 9 months out of the year, and something else that bothers me is that everybody here including the immigrants are cold and empty like the fukin city they live in. Women here aren't passionate, you don't make love to them you get them drunk and fuck them.I'm not leaving here for my sake but also for the sake of my heritage and my future family, i don't want my future kids to become like these people because they will eventually assimilate. Oh ya last but not least i find that even though you speak well french here, if you don't look like a frenchie you will always be seen as a immigrant outsider, thats why too when i travel and stuff, i always get laid more because the women don't give a fuck about where i come from , but they like me for who i am. Instead here when you tell them your italian or latino they they think they know who you are just by that information. French people in Montreal are racist, and i know i made a racist comment before about arabs and hatians but thats just too show how un european this mother fucker is. I love it how when i meet a Quebecer in Cuba or Europe they will ask me "Where are you from ? " i'll reply Montreal ,and they will ask "no but what are you? " and i will replay "i am an alien " Fuck you Montreal!

Montreal is my hometown but I have been all over USA, Canada and Europe for a long time. Everywhere I have been there has been people so nice and some you wish you had never met and so in Montreal too I imagine looking back.
In Montreal the food is great , hotels very competitive, different areas in Montreal make you feel they are different countries, and most immigrant feel welcome and integrate rapidly thanks too many positive Montrealers.Streets are safe to walk on even late at night.And all this is not only my opinion but on of many people I've met through Boeing and those people travel all over the world and all the time.
To those people who are so negative about Montreal I would suggest go travel all over the world and then compare that is if you can afford it!
If you can not afford it , try to get to know as many as you can Montrealers and just learn 2 words in French bonjour et merci.
Then you'll find that the most stubborn french speaker is ready to help you in your own language and you would be surprised at how many languages the Montrealers can speak which is not aways he case for every tourist in town.
It is so immature , some of the comments I have red here and so uncivilised.If everyone in the world would weight their words and give the complete picture of an experience here or in Paris or in New York , the good as the bad , at all level of public speaking as is the internet, There would be no wars in the world only war mongers rolling their thumbs.
The religious fanatics would not have any room to install their hate in the minds of the youngs and fragile cause athome they would have learned to be accepting of differences and that is one thing that the Montrealers , Quebecors and all Canadians have done for a long time.
Canada is rated one of the best country in the world to live in, where old people live the longer, where every child has access to health care and this despite harsh winter in some part of the country.
You don't hear on TV we are the biggest, the best ,the finest of this or that. No we don't brag about this just like a millionnaire don't scream in a crowd that he has it in his pocket.
Canadians just live it ,quiet, rich or poor, young or old, one day he'll get it that Canada is the best camping in the world and the most welcomer people.
We argue , yes, english and french , first founder or second or third pioneer, and if there was to never reach an agreement one day , I hope never , both side would cry and hurt, but no one on each side would be ready to kill for this or leave the other in misery, not in this world.
When you are born in Canada , you are born in a country of respect for life and the more we grow the more respect Canada is going to give to their citizen young or old. Taxes we re ready to pay for this, for the smallest of ours , french or english speaking has a chance in life to be happy one day.
And that is why anywhere in Canada , the tourist is well treated because we know that in his country life could be harsher.Here and there , you could find a grumpy person but it is not the rule and we can reprimand someone who has bad manners anytime we see it .
So to all travelers I say don't expect the Eiffel in Montreal but the French speaking in Canada are not the same as in Paris cause they don't have the same level of stress or insecurity as in Paris.
All Canadians want to know your story and talk with you as best as he can and appreciates that you came to visit this quiet country but so beautiful and still so new.

Great food if you know where to go. Could be 5 stars but it's alittle run down

Best bang for your buck in North America.

Fun place to visit...lots of attractions. Make sure you see the capybaras and penguins at the Biodome. Good restaurants in Chinatown too.

this city sucks, period. sure its beautiful. but if you are not canadian, as i am, most of you ( americans / europeans ) wouldnt realize that montreal is located in a province that want to separate from canada. wow thatd be stupid. a random country in the middle of canada. being from ontario, my heart lies in toronto.

Great cosmopolitan city which is at its best if you can at least scrape by in even pidgin French.

Extra-ordinarily attractive women.

Very boring city with horribly rude people. It was pretty though.

Montreal's (island) population is approximately 1.8 - 2.0 million. The population of greater Montreal is 3.5-4 million NOT 300,000!!!

Most European city in North America! It's just as multicultural as New York but being smaller, it has way more charm! Clean, safe and full of culture! Why travel to Paris to be among French in a beautiful city?

Just visited for a long weekend and had a blast! Nice easy location for a reasonably priced room and a vibe approaching a European city.

Food - check out Les 3 Brasseurs, schwartz's, and Chez Cora for breakfast.

Nightlife - Go visit Rue St. Laurent (1500s) or Rue Crescent  (1450s).   

Montréal est tout simplement une ville où la vie est fantastique! On y trouve des activités pour tous les goût! Les gens sont accueillants et très ouverts. J'adore y vivre!

I have not spent much time here since the language reign of terror of the PQ governments, but my experiences were always rich and rewarding. This is a good city to visit. I regret I never had time to see the Expos here before relocation.

I've been to virtually every north american city - montreal is by far the most unique and special of all. Architecture, Culture,vibe-energy,creative scenes, restaurants, nightlife, clean, stylish... etc

We have never stayed in Montreal and would like some advice in places to stay (Hotel's), Sections on Montreal that are "happening" (nite Life), Fine Dinning... we love to eat at romantic, unique restaurants. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Perfect combination of Europe and America! And the Food? Out of this world!

Montreal has 3.5million ppl, full of fashion, gastronomy, culture, history and the best night life scene. Summer is the time to go, as its known as the cities of festivals.

Great city in summer. Always a festival or street fair to discover. Great restaurants and bars. Don't miss the Jazz and comedy festivals.

My ship stopped there for a one-night liberty stop. As luck would have it, I had duty and couldn't leave the ship. I did get to go out for a couple of hours he next day. All I recall doing was eating snails at a restaurant.

Montreal is fabulous! It is without a doubt the best city in Canada. It has a great nightlife. Amazing and good-looking people, fantastic food and has so much history and culture to it.

euro + north america all rolled into one

Friendly people with positive attitudes. Lots of places to eat excellent food and much to see if you are a tourist. The women are absolutely sexy at any age and no one makes fun at your lousy French. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to have a second honeymoon or to just get away for a breath of fresh air.

a city full of rude a holes insecure western hating sepratists who want to become their own country but still want to take money from the rest of canada

Nice city, has a very cosmopolitan, European feel to it.

Montreal is a fabulous city. It's very cosmopolitan and international in feeling. It has an A-lister city feel in a more subdued way. There are many good looking people to be found throughout the city and many of them are dressed to the 9's when going out which says a lot about the nightlife here which is very energetic. It seems Montreal has less hang ups about sex than most other North American cities as it is on display all over Ste. Catherines St. The food here is great as is the shopping. The archetecture here is nice with an old world feel in many charming neighborhoods throughout the city. It's a perfect weekend destination. If you are intollerant to being in an environment of french speaking people and you simply can't open your mind and get over that then I wouldn't reccomend coming here, otherwise Montreal is a fantastic city with so much to do.

Lived there most of my life. Beautiful, full of culture, terrific restaurants and cafes, and awesome nitelife. Downside is the constent struggle between francophones and anglophones.

A refuge for America & English hating Francophile loosers, Euro trash and Middle Eastern rejects - in short a dump.

Lived here for three years, growing up. Great city. Great clubs, bars and restaurants. This city is much more Lebanese/Egyptian than many people think. To visit, there is no disappointment. I think that many would disdain the proclomation of a strong American influence here. This kind of cultural distinction could only survive in Canada.

Fabulous city! Unique combination of America and Europe all at the same time! Safe, fun, cultural, and the food second to none!

Beautiful city. Amazing nightlife and a very positive vibe. Cons..Kind of in economic decline tho because of the political situation that has driven many anglos out. Best smoked meat joint is Lesters or Snowdon.

It's a great place! Note to the blurb writer: not 300,000 people - 3 million!

I love Montreal, and would have given it a 5, but you do occasionally run into people like noireyeux and chassler, who are uncouth morons, so I have to give it a 4.

Montreal is a really amazing city - a short plane ride away, and yet you'll feel on some streets like you're in Paris. Everyone speaks English as well as French, so there are no worries as to language barriers. The mountain park just outside town is stunning, the museums are spectacular, and there's great food. The underground city is one of the most fascinating structures around. Montreal is a really well kept secret.

People are super friendly, cultured, tolerant, and love to have fun, dress and eat well. Service, even in small restaurants, is discreet and wonderful. Festivals, shows, nightlife, fashion and shopping are great. It has the american comfort, but delights you with the french flavor and style. Perfect.

For those of you who still have doubts about the Beauty and Uniqueness of Montreal, here's a little link where you'll find the true beauty of the most glamourous city in the continent. http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/Cana da/Central/Quebec/Montreal/ Please Visit!

Great city--the people are friendly, the city is beautiful, and the have so much to do year round--and the smoked meat at Ben's Deli can't be beat.

Montreal is far nicer, friendlier, and vibrant than TO. I'll keep coming back again and again.

hottest people, great weed, party goers, hard workers, friendly people, good shopping, best nightlife and wicked food

Great city in the summer. Great food to be found everywhere. The hotels are clean. There are few streat people, and there is plenty of things to do at night. Cresent Street and St. Denis streat feature entire blocks lined with resturants and bars. Also, Montreal has more than its share of beautiful women.

Montreal is a truly great and unique city. Very diverse, comopolitian and european with great buildings. Oh it's also the 2nd largest french speaking city in the world after paris

This city is second to none as far as I am concerned and I am blown away by the ignorance of some of these reviews. It is NOT just about economy folks. Montreal may be one of the most visually stunning cities in the world and there is truly something for everyone here from culture to shopping to museums to outdoors to nightlife the city has it ALL. If you live there and you hate it you are a boob!

The epitome of dirty.

i live here and im quite happy! all you tourists are just ignorant and stuck up into learning or accepting our customs etc. And for GOD'S sake learn to change your damn money.. americans are so slow and ignorant... and they're only rude if you're and ignorant and stuck up and rude your self..

I'm not sure if the city itself deserves a truly bad rating--but I'm going to register my truly bad experience with some of the bigoted French-only speakers here. Quite ignorant about the tensions between Francophiles and the Anglos when I arrived, I quickly found out how nasty the French only speakers can be. While trying to depart a metro train one day during our visit, my 1 year old baby and I were literally blocked from exiting, because I had asked a French only speaking man to move by saying Excuse me. After several attempts to get him to move by tapping him on the back, he finally stepped aside and yelled, SPEAK FRENCH! to me and my baby as we passed by. If the Quebec separatists are trying to gain international favor in their efforts to secede, they certainly aren't making any progress by alienating and insulting their international visitors.