I've lived in many cities in multiple provinces in Canada and I never want to leave Montreal. My heart will always belong to this city.

I moved to Montreal 5 years ago and love it. I bike everywhere in the summer and take transit the rest of the year. The amount of free, public events really shocked me. There's always something free and spectacular going on in the city. I was especially surprised to see fire pits and winter activities. Montreal is a city for people who love life and understand how to live without having to spend a lot of money.

Montreal people are not weird....they are original! They like being themselves, something to admire.

I've been living in Montreal for 8 years and this is the first time I find someone putting the right word to it : you can be weird in Montreal. Everyone can do their thing and nobody will judge you. As a Quebecois who comes from a small town of 3 500, I was shocked when I saw this. Nobody will judge who I am. I didn't shave myself for 2 weeks, I didn't cut my hair. Nobody cares. It was very different where I'm from.

#6: There's actually a municipal law which limits the height of buildings so as to not hinder the view of/from Mount Royal.

I'm Brazilian. I'll move to Montreal next year. I'm in love with Montreal.

I write mystery novels set in Montreal. In one of my books there is a murder in the gay village. My American editor wrote the comment saying that I should not say Gay Village it was politically incorrect. I had to explain that Montreal is a gay friendly city and we are proud of the area we call the Gay Village.

Apparently our construction doesn't shock him😂

i'm from California (born and raised) with no ties to Montreal, came here for university, best years of my life. This is truly the best city I have ever been and live in

Picnics aren't usually that big of a deal, but since we can't meet inside because of Covid-19, picnics are now the way to go ALL THE TIME.

Dan: "If you live on the Island, you don't need a car" All of West Island: "AM I A JOKE TO YOU?"

I'm never lonely in Montreal. You can go anywhere and talk with anyone and engage in fun and happy conversations.

Je suis Montréalaise. Je suis née sur l'île, et j'ai été très surprise lorsque j'ai déménagé à Québec de voir à quel point c'est différent et fermé d'esprit. Montréal est effectivement unique et chacun peut faire ce qu'il veut, sans être jugé.

The picnic life 😂

there is always something to do in montreal: festivals, museums, shopping, music, walking in the village, fireworks weekly, st jean Baptist. there are even beaches! pick up a newspaper from the metro and you can find something for sure

Montreal has a huge music scene. Any artist who is starting out can actually get a regular gig at a club and build a following .

Living in Montreal you always get invited to a picnic, relaxing,eating, listening to music, watching people dancing, lots of fier works in the summer too, it’s just joying living plan and simple, not complicated!!

Montreal my fave Canadian city

I moved here recently (1 month) from Italy and wow it's really a total new world for me. The 5 things that shocked me: 1. Open spaces and green areas: Here there is SPACE, much more space than I am used to, here there is green literally EVERYWHERE with lots of trees even in normal streets and with lot of parks. And this make a difference. I feel finally really good when walking around, much more relaxed. 2. You can pass literally from CITY life to MOUNTAIN life within minutes. As you walk into Mont-Royal park that is basically made of 3 different hills and it is in the center of Montréal, you are into woods and mountain paths and you feel immersed in nature. As you go to the top there are many view points that are awesome. 3. Every PARK is ALIVE and so enjoyable. All the parks are really well maintained and there are many people around as well as infrastructure for sports: basketball and soccer courts everywhere and sometimes tennis courts. And there are bunch of parks all over the island. 4. Multiculturalism: The city, as said in the video, is a well-integrated mix of different cultures and languages and you can feel it. Basically almost all the city is bilingual and I can speak rather in English or French and it doesn't matter. Everyone accepts other cultures really easily. 5. And for the last the style of buildings that is never boring and depressing as the Italian suburbs and residential areas full of ugly grey and old working-class buildings. Here every house has nice colors and style, which change in the various part of the city

Here's an interesting statistic: the homicide rate in Montreal in 2019 was 1.19 per 100 000, way lower than any other cities in Canada or the U.S. with a population of over one million. Feel safe walking around the city at 3:00am (once the curfew is lifted).

What i like about Montréal . It is the diversity of it's architecture . Old Montréal so European ( a small town in Brittany), Westmount along Maisonneuve boulevard so British with it's lawn, North American downtown with the skyscrapers and Le Plateau ,Hochelaga etc are the quintessantial of Montreal uniqueness .

merci belle publicité sur notre magnifique ville!!

I'm an exe-Montrealer who watches these videos with a feeling of great nostalgia. One thing you may not know that might be shocking is that when they built the Metro in preparation for Expo '67, they used the excavated rock and soil to build an island (Ile Notre Dame). Love the videos. I recommend you check out the Lachine canal and the old but working-class architecture of St. Henri; there are still town-house style homes that have tunnel-like entrances to the backyard which is where the working class would keep the working horses they used to do their jobs (before cars, obviously). I hope you keep enjoying Montreal: I know I enjoyed growing up there.

I’m from Puerto Rico and I did a summer language immersion program in French in 2006 at UQAM and ever since I fell wildly in love with the city. I spent about a month there and it was a wonderful energy. I live in Colorado now, but I’m researching the immigration process because I want to live in Montreal again. It suits me perfectly and after living in Denver, the winters no longer scare me 😆

THIS is what I've been looking for in a travel video. Someone who knows and appreciates the neighborhoods, not just the notable touristy sights.

Alright to be fair, some of these were "Surprising" more than "Shocking"... but the KZfaq algorithm seems to like videos about people being shocked, and so... here we are! 😂Anyway, to those who have been to Montreal, what was it that surprised/shocked you?

Honestly Montreal is the coolest place I know before the pandemic my mom would just drive me and my brother to Montreal, we’d walk around and that was it that was the trip, and it was absolutely awesome! Literally just walking there is fun I find the city really beautiful, I don’t know if it’s like that in every big city but I’ve always also loved the street artists everywhere, I also really like that the st-Lawrence river is there

I am a native Montrealer, but have had the good fortune and luxury of living all over the world and in different provinces too. What shocked me, or at least brought home to me, is that things I took for granted or thought was perfectly normal, just aren't for anywhere else. We are very sophisticated and generally open minded, unlike some other places. Just in my neighbouring province, I was often looked at as snobby (not the case, at all). We are unique. It's a good thing.

I've been in Montréal for 6 months now and everything you said is so accurate ! I feel like everyone is calling sick or is taking a day off to go to the park when it's sunny 🌞

When you've lived in a city all your life, you take a lot for granted. Thank you for helping me appreciate Montreal through your fresh eyes.

I appreciate this video because it looks at a place through a lens that requires a deeper level of interaction than one can get as a tourist. Visiting new places is wonderful, but it often requires a bit more time to really begin understanding a place’s culture. Seems like you’re going deeper with Montreal and that’s really cool.

From Winnipeg lived in Vancouver. Back in Winnipeg. I agree about the Winnipeg thing. What shocked me the most about Montreal was its nightlife. Very vibrant

I'm moving to Montreal soon so I really appreciate your videos showing us around and talking about it! Super helpful, and makes me more excited about the move too :)

Clarification: legally, you can have a beer in a park in Montreal as long as you're also eating. Cops can give you a ticket if you only have a beer.

I can't wait to see your next videos about Montreal diversified neighborhoods! Thanks for sharing Dan.

I landed in Montreal straight from India last year during the pandemic and since then all I have been doing is exploring different neighborhoods every weekend using the weekend unlimited pass in STM (world's best public transport) in the world's best city. I totally agree that every neighborhood is unique in its own way and I am so fortunate to call Montreal home.

The main thing that shocked me was not being able to find a street without construction. I swear, I'm pretty sure some constructions work that were already started when I moved in 5 years ago are still going on now. It's at the point were it would feel weird if they ended...would be like having a monument you're used to walk by suddenly disappear.

I am an ex-Montrealer who now lives on the South shore. I lived on the Island for most of my adult life in a dozen of different buroughs. I enjoy your Montréal videos. I find them interesting and telling of perceptions of the city and of québécois culture. If you need any input or guidance, I would be glad to help.

Awesome content dude! Thanks!

At last, the most insightful and thoughtful review of Montreal by an outsider or tourist. Bravo. Miss you Montreal... (Chomedey native)

Great video! I am living in Montreal (and other parts of Quebec) as I wait to resume my global quest for 100 Countries visited. You nailed what I love about Montreal, my favorite city in Canada! I have lived in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and many other places in Canada and around the world - but there is no city that touches my heart like Montreal! Born in Ottawa and raised in Kingston, my very first memory is going to Expo67 in Montreal. Later, my Dad used to take me to the old Montreal Forum on my birthdays to watch my favorite hockey team (and forever the best team in the world), Les Has, The Montreal Canadiens. He would take me to see Expos games in the summer. Later, as a university student in Ottawa, I would often head to Montreal for wild weekends! Oh la la! What a naughty city! Later still, as a Yuppie, I would take my take my wife to this city and within a few hours, she too, was saying this was her favorite city in Canada. It's got the food! It's got the bars and restaurants - second only to New York City in North America (sorry Toronto). It's got the NIGHTLIFE!! It's got the people (everyone is good looking and interesting).It's got the scenic beauty. It's got the architecture. It's got that, em, er, JE NE SAIS QUOI!! It's got the Joie de Vivre!. It's got the ARTISTS! It's got the festivals!! It's got everything I love. Vive la Montreal!!

Hey Dan, I’ll be moving back to Montreal in a couple of weeks after almost ten years of living in western Canada, I’m so exited and I hope to run into you one day, thanks for your videos.

Thanks for your vlogs. Great job 👍 keep up the good work. Very educational and exciting.

Great video. Can't wait to see more neighborhoods in Montreal!

Born and raised in Mtl and I really enjoyed this video. Well done. I can say your points are valid! haha

The province of Québec is beautiful!! 😍⚜️🍟🧀

Loved your video Dan! I've lived here for 20 years as a transplant and I agree 100% with your observations. Thanks!

Nice Video What I love is all the partying and picnics and so many people but look how clean it is and respectful.

Hi Dan, Montreal is a place that I have always wanted to visit and I would love more content from there. It might not be travel for you, but it's still travel for us. I'm an artist and it's so great to hear about a place where you can be weird!

Amazing i have been in montreal for 2 months, and its beautiful

Very cool. Thanks for this video!

Merci! :) Great video!

I just moved her 2 years ago to from the USA. Such a neat city

I'm also from Southern Manitoba and moved here when I was about your age. that was way back in the 80s and I remember how much I loved living here right from the first day. What a change it was for me :-) I like to visit back home from time to time but I won't lie.. I'll never move away from Montreal!

Montrealer here: People have cabin fever at the end of winter. Add the curfew because of covid 19 and we are HUNGRY for fresh air and socialising!

Your videos are always positive and uplifting, keep it up. Hope you 'll do more videos on Rosemont

My Taiwanese friend was really surprised by the fact that, in Montréal, you can go grocery shopping in your pyjama and no one's gonna judge you. That was interesting to me 😂

I love Montréal so much, I have family there. I've been going every summer since the early 80s (except in 2020) and I CAN'T wait to go back !!!

Look forward to more Montreal videos in November 2022. Keep up the great work 👍

I'm from Brasil and had the opportunity to live there in the 90s. Montréal uniqueness hooked my heart since then. I simply love it and it's people.

I have never traveled to another country, I feel that through your videos I can do it

Totally agree on this 5 things... 8 months already in MTL and I am so happy that I choose this city

Your 5 points are spot on. I've missed not getting to Montreal this past year.

amazing love this video thank you for the tips.

I travelled Italy for four months and visited 1000 churches. When I came back to Montreal, I went inside la Basilique Notre-Dame, and my jaw dropped. It is even more splendid than churches in Italy and now I understand why tourists live it so much.

I've lived on the Island of Montreal my entire life and as a French man it sucks to hear all the hate from English people, especially when I took the effort to become fluent in English and love the language. But seeing all these positive comments about my city feels really good! Everyone is welcome in Montreal, love y'all! :)

Great video! Yes the different neighborhoods please!!!

I love your videos , and your open mind ! Keep doing it !!

Im 30 years in Montreal, and travelled all over - Home is my fav place. What shocks me is how good the food is here ;)

If you go in the west part of the Island, there is a park called 'Cap Saint Jaques' that you will like. It's an hour bus ride from the metro tho. There is also the old 'Saint Anne de Bellevue' that is a small village that is nice to walk by the canals. It's far from down town but people are bilingual there.

Bro this video is awesome thank you !

you describe montreal so well I love it!

Moving to Montreal in July this made me so excited

As another who moved to Montreal, I don't know if this is so much a shock but a pleasant surprise is all the "graffiti". The art on the sides of buildings is amazing - I absolutely love it! I was used to the scribble crap on the sides of buildings (there is still that in Montreal) but there is so many beautiful murals.

Wow!! Beautiful city..

Fun to see your perspective! I've lived in the West Island (Pointe Claire) my whole life, so even going into town seems like an adventure haha! It's beautiful out here by the lakeshore. There's a park called Terra Cotta that's beautiful and easy to get to if you want to get some nature walks in! You can take the 405/211 from Lionel Groulx until Pointe Claire train station and walk a couple min! or take the train from Lucien l'allier! :)

Your videos are amazing!

Been living in Montréal for close to 20 years. It is one of the safest and nicest places to live and compared to other places in Canada you can still (until recently) afford to live here and still have a social life.

Great video, engaging and entertaining, thanks for sharing.

I grew up here and this just made me fall back in love with my city

Hey man, my advice to you is make your way to both Western and Eastern extremities of the island, try to absorb that. There's a lot of biking involved, but the extremities tend to be forgotten in regard to the center, which everyone covers. Go from coast to coast, within the island of Montreal

Montreal various immigration periods, espacially the Irish (industrialization), afro american (jazz era), Italians, you'd be impressed by all the little things you dont know about our city😁 you could possibly see how these events and cultures had an impact on mtl today. Theres so much history here!

I was born in Montreal but grew up in the Greater Toronto Area since infancy. You are making me miss Montreal right now and the feeling of nostalgia when I would visit.

I grew up in Verdun/Lasalle and still reside there! I'd be happy to show you around!

Having moved here in January from the UK I must admit, the Montreal is an island had me too!! 🤯😆

On #2, you also could have mention Communauto. Lots of people have cars for those times they want to go outside of Montreal (yes yes, it happens). By offering hundreds of shared cars, Communauto bridge that final gap and make it totally possible to have a car for that last-minute-unplanned-nature-trip. I personnally found it a big piece in the puzzle of a car-less life.

Hi Dan great video :) I moved to Montreal 3 years ago, and it's definitely one of the nicest place I lived. People are friendly, there are several big parks (Mont Royal, Lafontaine, Maisonneuve, Drapeau). No so good: the roads!!!

Thank you!!!

I love how walkable Montreal is, every restaurant is good, and the eye contact. Plus, it's incredible easy to avoid downtown. (Big fan of St. Henri, NDG, Verdun, and Mile End.) The things I don't like are that a lot of people never leave their neighbourhoods, never seem to want to *do* anything other than hang out, and have a big chip on their shoulder about the ROC. Not everyone, but it's there.

I'm moving back to Montreal from Australia in 2 weeks and can't wait to get back to that weird place. Best city in the world to live imo. Even in winter

It's not a surprise because the base culture is the latin culture. That's why it's really different compared to the rest of Canada which is Anglo/English. Those who are about a balanced life (not just saying it), working to live, and especially those of latin culture and background, are meant for Montréal.

Glad you like Montreal! 😁

I totally confirm the « it’s ok to be weird! ». I have been a communication officer working in a borough hall for nearly 20 years in the island. From time to time I need to show my weird side, especially during the summer. I will show up to work with a zombie or a skull dress or something like that and everybody will just be totally cool with it, even the mayor! I was soooo judged in the small city where I’ve spend my teenage years! I’ve been to most major cities in Europe and America but Montreal will always be my favorite, my home! It’s not the most beautiful, and so parts could use an upgrade but the vibe will always be perfect for part time weirdos like me!

I love my city, its soo unique, different and imperfect :)

My wife and I have been considering moving there for a while now. (We currently live on Vancouver island) and I really enjoy watching your videos. It makes me want to move even more. Id love to see a video on what work is like there.

Super interesting. Merci

I have living in Montréal almost 20 years now. I remember one of the very first things that shock me was how everyone dress over here! Wow...

More from Montreal please.

Totally agree with all of these comments- thank you for putting it so succinctly! I only moved here during the pandemic but I actually think all of these points are why I've still been able to fall in love with the city while it's partially (or mostly!) in lockdown :)

The picnic life ahah we just say chilling at the parc, it’s like a big chunk of our summer life :)