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Comment by sonnyblarney | Hacker News Reader

I'm a Montreal, this is pure spin.

The 'low unemployment' bit is funny considering how many underemployed, homeless and in betweens there are. I don't remotely buy it. The economy in Montreal is reasonable but soft. I guess compared to itself in 2001?

The AI hub is correct for now, that might change.

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Can you quote any hard references, like the post you're replying to? Using your anecdotal method, I can say Montreal has a culture that doesn't expect everyone to simply be job focused, which you may interpret in your own way, but there is a lot of support for low key lifestyles (low cost childcare, co-op ateliers in every neighbourhood, etc) and the cost of living is quite low. Regardless, the economy is doing well, unemployment is low and the homeless population is average for Canada. Large parts of Montreal may be inscrutable to people who don't speak french well (like me) but it's still a great place to live, IMO.

I think if you can get a decent tech job and if you speak French. Montreal is definitely a better pick than Toronto.

You can easily get a job without French. I know 2 shops that can’t fill positions even with competitive (for Montreal) salaries. One is all English (Wordpress, magneto shop) and the other is large international org. The international org couldn’t even fill the secretary role for 6 month. They ended up getting a student fresh of the school without experience.

I’m constantly getting bombarded with recruiters with good offers.

If by 'better pick' you mean almost 1/2 salary.

I've lived here for quite some time and grew up in Toronto. I've lived in the Valley and around the world, I'm acquainted with most issues.

1/2 salary of Toronto? No way! Montréal salaries are lower, but by 15-20% max. Yet you can buy a condo with a parking spot, in a central location for $220. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto.

I’ve lived in Ottawa, Toronto and now Montreal. Montreal is by far more affordable than the other 2.

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