Hello, I am from Italy and I am planning to go to Canada
next summer. I'll start by touring the West: Vancouver,
Victoria, the Rockies for 2 weeks. Afterwards I would like
to settle in either Toronto OR Montreal for a month to take
piano lessons and do some shopping, as I prefer city life.
All I need to know is which city to choose? Some people
told me that Toronto is great, with lots of things to see
and do, while others told me that it is an unclean and
unsafe city with high crime rates. On the other hand, I
read that Montreal is very interesting in the summer with
lots of festivals and more security. So can somebody please
help me make up my mind? And this in terms of security,
transportation, lodging, shopping, things to see,...etc,
and taking into consideration that I can speak both English
and French. So Which city would better be my Canadian home
for this summer, Montreal or Toronto??? Thank you.
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Montreal gives you the chance to see the two major cultures
of Canada interacting, and if you can speak English and
French, this would be a great opportunity. I have found
Montreal residents to be more friendly and outgoing, and
there is a better nightlife.
Toronto actually has lots of festivals as well in the
summer: Du Maurier Jazz Festival (June), Caribana (a West
Indian and South American celebration, in July or August),
and the Toronto International Film Festival, with hundreds
of premieres and lots of Hollywood stars (early September).
Both cities have good shopping and lots of access to good
recreational activities.
Finally, whoever told you Toronto was unclean and unsafe was
a little loopy. It must be the safest and cleanest major
city of its size in the world. I lived there for several
years and never once felt threatened.
...for saying it first ! As a resident and native I'm
shamelessly pro-MontrΘal, but I agree with everything you
wrote. Marco, I think both cities are comparable in terms
of cleanliness (sp?) and safety. I tend to find Montrealers
more lively and forward (though that depends a lot on the
neighborhood, just like in Toronto) and I think MontrΘal is
a better cultural experience to live in, as well as perhaps
a slightly lower cost of living (especially for lodging).
I'd be glad to send you a long post of suggestions on things
to see and do here (just email me), and if I'm in town when
you make it here we can have a beer or something.
Dear Marco:
I'm a US citizen and frequent visitor to both Toronto and
Montreal for both business and pleasure. Montreal is the
way to go. I consider it one of the most delightful cities
in the world. Very safe, infinitely interesting and not
nearly as "Americanized" as Toronto. By the way, Toronto
is a very safe city by any standard. This summer, as with
every summer, both cities will be festival central,
something every weekend (by late October, all festivities
move indoors). Last thing, the joke in Montreal for years
has been that Toronto is Indian for "where the mind
narrows". Bon voyage!
I agree with Mike when it comes to Toronto that city rocks!
Montreal is in fact a cool city but Toronto has a lot of
variety and a different mix of culture! It's livley and fun
and there is never a boring minute here! honest!
Go MIke Go!
Nathan Wind
Altho I enjoy visiting both cities, I would vote for
Toronto...Montreal is fun, but unfortunately I have had some
rather rude treatment by the locals...Toronto was friendlier
for me...and I thought Toronto has a greater cultural
diversity that Montreal...go check out all the ethnic
neighborhoods!!
But hey, it's all a matter of subjective opinion
anyhow...and comes from personal experiences!!
My advice...stay in Toronto, but hop on the train and go
spend some time in Montreal...and even go a bit farther east
and check out Quebec City...QC was the nicest place and
everyone there was as friendly and helpful!!
Either way you go...have a great time and enjoy your
Canadian experience...the Canadians have much to be proud of
in their cities!!
Note that there is a budget bus service between Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. It is called
The Moose Bus and you can hop-on in one city and hop-off at another as you tour all four.
The Ottawa turnaround point is Sentiers Carman Trails
an International Hostel in the Gatineau Hills North of Ottawa. Get a bunk for $19 and meet friendly people,
listen to folk music, speak French or English.
Contact Carman Trails by e-mail : carman@magma.ca
or by phone 819 459 3180.
Don't miss Montreal if you can speak both languages. It
would be a great cultural experience. In my opinion
Montreal is a unique city, with a delicious Anglo-French
flavor, while Toronto is only a copy (and a smaller one) of
any American large city. In addition, Montreal gives you
better access to both Ottawa, the capital, and Quebec City,
the loveliest city in Canada. Bon Voyage.
Choosing between Montreal and Toronto is tough. They are
both such great cities albeit in somewhat different ways.
Montreal has the edge in terms of being more historic and
having the English/French mix etc... Toronto is more
multi-cultural, more prosperous and has a lot more going on
in terms of culture and activities. Toronto is also clearly
the capital (in all but name) of Canada in the same way that
New York is the true capital of the US, so from a European
perspective it is more representative of what makes Canada
tick. One thing for sure Toronto is EXTREMELY safe - in
fact the crime rate is lower than in montreal - though both
are very, very safe cities by world standards.
I think Toronto may seem more "American" than Montreal
because people speak English, but most US cities are
sterile, sprawling suburbia - Toronto is not like that at
all.
Remember everyone, the person posing this question is from
Europe to begin with - many Europeans want to see the North
American side of North America because it is different from
what they experience at home. If i was from Austria i think
I would hop on the train to Paris if what I really wanted
was a francophone, quaint, historic city with lots of joie
de vivre. If i was travelling to North America in the first
place, i would want to see the things that make this
continent distinct!
Quebec is undeniably Canada's most historic province, and
for so many years Montreal has been Canada's greatest city.
In the last 2 or 3 decades however, Toronto grew
economically stronger and became the modern bustling city
it actually is. Nevertheless, the charm of Montreal remains
unparalleled. As a resident of Ottawa, I frequently visit
both cities in weekends and I have to say that I personally
prefer Montreal. It has got a unique lifestyle among all
North American cities, and remains very cozy in spite of
being a big city. People there tend to be more friendly
and "relaxed" than the people of Toronto. As for safety,
cleanliness, shopping...etc, both cities are basically the
same. They are both very safe and clean in comparison to
NYC or LA. Montreal has many historic buildings, a
beautiful mountain in the heart of the city, excellent
restaurants and nightlife. During the summer, many great
events take place there such as the Canadian Grand Prix
Formula 1 racing, the international jazz festival, the
francopholies festival, the film festival and so many other
events. On the other hand, Toronto is the most American of
the Canadian cities. So if you really want to sample the
American lifestyle,it would be a better place for you
(though New York or Chicago would no doubt be more
representative of the North American pattern). Wherever you
go , enjoy your visit to Canada's two greatest cities and
don't forget to check Ottawa and Quebec City.
I've lived in Toronto for the past three years and whoever
told you that Toronto is unsafe is wacky! Toronto is
extremely safe - there is very little crime here. Remember
Canada is not the States - we have very restrictive gun
laws. I have never felt unsafe here!
.
Toronto is a happening place. There is so much to do
here. It is multi-cultural in a way no other North
American city is. There's a Little Italy if you're
hankering for some Italian to be spoken or to eat some
real Italian food.
.
There are tons of festivals here too. In addition to
festivals #1 mentioned, there is also the International
Fireworks competition. Definitely do not miss it! There is
also nothing like CARIBANA!!! If you can imagine about 2
million people from all over NOrth America and the Carribean
dropping into Toronto to dance with the steel bands in the
amazing parade and to eat some of that fantastic Caribbean
food (like jerk chicken). Caribana is quite the experience!
.
Toronto is about 1 hr. east of Stratford Ontario where the
highly esteemed Stratford Festival is held - lots of very
high quality Shakespearean theatre with internationally
reknowned actors. Lovely small town too.
.
South east of Toronto is Niagara on the Lake where the Shaw
Festival is held - again theatre from the turn of the
century by contemporaries of George Bernard Shaw.
.
You'd be about 1 ╜ hrs away from Niagara Falls - which is a
can't miss. Also, 2╜ hrs. north is Algonquin Park - if you
really want to see Canadian Wilderness.
.
Don't miss a trip to Ottawa and Montreal either. But, for a
really happening place, Toronto is where it's at. Check us
out at www.toronto.com ...
This branch seems to have turned into that GREAT CANADIAN
debate: Toronto vs. Montreal. You probably have realized
that there is quite a rivalry between these 2 great cities.
As I am a die-hard Montrealer, I just have to think that
Montreal takes the cake. You have great food, tons of
cafes, awesome festivals like the Jazz fest, Gourmet
festival, Beer festival, 2 or 3 film festivals, comedy
fest... You also have really friendly people. but best of
all... you have the best BAGELS in the globe. Whatever you
choose, have a great summer and enjoy canada.
If you're starting in the west, why not stay there?
Vancouver is an incredible city, as is Victoria. i don't
know if you realize how far Toronto and Montreal are from
the start of your journey, but if you in Canada for 6
weeks, you could spend it all simply exploring B.C., not to
mention Alberta (where I'm from).
It all depends on what you like. I visit Toronto more often
than Montreal simply because I live nearer. As an American I
am not ashamed to say that I love Canada in a way I've never
loved the US- all the posts are correct, the crime rate is
extremely low, especially compared to my upstate city just
across the lake. Nearly every ethnic group, cuisine and
culture that I can think of is represented there. The
nightlife is great, with a really great local R&B music
scene. I've had some of the greatest meals of my life at
North 44 and Avalon. Just walking along Queen West or Yonge
streets is stimulating and decompresses me from my life in
upstate NY. Chinatown, near Queen and Spadina, closely
resembles the real thing- I say that as an expat currently
living in southern China!
I'm not knocking Montreal, far from it. I also have had
great times there, but I just have a natural affection for
T.O.
Well...to say the truth, the only MAJOR difference between
Montreal and Toronto is the langauge spoken. Otherwise both
cities are more or less the same in all aspects. They are
Canada's 2 largest cities,with each one having its own
charm, festivals, nightlife and so on. So don't worry much
about your choice. Both cities will never disappoint you.
It is a shame to have to choose. Try both. Not hard to see
the natural rivalry between 2 great Cdn. cities but believe
me I can speak (as a former police employee) Toronto is safe
as any big city can possibly be. I am female and have
walked around it at night without fear (in most areas).
Toronto is much more multi-cultural and friendly than
Montreal. Montreal is very French oriented and has a point
to make about that. Have been treated very rudely there.
Ideally go to both. In North American the distance between
them is considered negligible. Toronto has a HUGE Italian
population. ENJOY CANADA - ITS BEAUTIFUL
I've been to both, spent more time in toronto, and prefer
Montreal. Enough said.