Moving to Quebec City: What It’s Like to Live There

Key takeaways

• Quebec City is the capital of Quebec, with about 850,000 people in the metro area. It’s big enough for city life but much quieter than Montreal.
• French is the everyday language. You can get by in English in tourist areas, but learning French makes life much easier.
• Housing in Quebec City generally costs less than in Montreal, and far less than in Vancouver or Toronto.
• Winters are long and snowy, with around 3 metres of snow in a typical year.
• Limoilou, Montcalm and Sainte-Foy are popular first neighbourhoods for newcomers.

Quebec City is one of the places people ask us about most when they’re thinking of moving east. It has a historic old town, a relaxed pace and housing that costs a lot less than most big Canadian cities. It also has long winters and a lot less English than you might expect. Here’s an honest look at what living in Quebec City is like, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Is Quebec City a good place to live?

Quebec City is a good place to live if you want a calmer city with a strong sense of community and a lower cost of living. It’s the provincial capital, so the government is a major employer, along with health care, insurance, tourism and a growing tech sector.

Old Quebec, the walled historic district, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It’s the only city north of Mexico that still has its original fortified walls. Most people don’t live inside the walls, but it’s never far away, and neither is the St. Lawrence River or the ski hills just outside town.

The trade-offs are the winter, the language and the smaller job market. If those work for you, most people find Quebec City an easy place to settle into.

Cost of living in Quebec City

The cost of living in Quebec City is lower than in Montreal and much lower than in Vancouver or Toronto. Housing is where you’ll notice it most. Many people moving from BC find they can afford more space here, whether they’re renting or buying.

A few things work a little differently:

• Rent. Most Quebec leases run for 12 months and end on June 30. Landlords can’t raise the rent as freely as in some provinces, because rent increases are overseen by a provincial tribunal, the Tribunal administratif du logement.
• Electricity. Hydro-Québec rates are among the lowest in North America, which helps with heating costs in winter.
• Child care. Quebec has a subsidized daycare system with low daily fees, though spots can be hard to get. Put your name on waitlists early.
• Taxes. Quebec income tax rates are higher than BC’s, so compare your take-home pay, not just your salary, if you’re changing jobs.

Best neighbourhoods in Quebec City

The best neighbourhood in Quebec City depends on how you like to live. Here are the areas newcomers ask about most:

If you want a house with a yard, look at Charlesbourg, Sainte-Foy or the suburbs just outside the city. If you want to walk to cafés and shops, Limoilou, Saint-Roch and Montcalm are good places to start. Lévis, across the river, is a separate city, but many people live there and take the ferry or drive into Quebec City for work.

Can you live in Quebec City without speaking French?

You can live in Quebec City without speaking French, but it’s harder than in Montreal. French is the language of everyday life here: at the grocery store, the doctor’s office, your kids’ school and most workplaces. People in tourist areas often speak English, but outside of them, many don’t.

The good news is that learning French is very doable, and Quebec offers free French courses for adults through the province’s Francisation Québec program. Even basic French will make your first year a lot smoother, and people really appreciate the effort.

Quebec City vs Montreal

Quebec City and Montreal are about 250 km apart, and they feel very different to live in. Montreal is a big, bilingual city with a métro and a busy nightlife. Quebec City is smaller, more French-speaking and quieter. Here’s how they compare:

If you want a big-city job market and can’t live without English, Montreal is usually the easier landing spot. If you want more space, a slower pace and don’t mind learning French, Quebec City is worth a close look.

What winter is like in Quebec City

Winter in Quebec City is long, cold and snowy. Snow usually arrives in November and stays until April, and the city gets around 3 metres of it in a typical year. Temperatures often drop below minus 20°C in January.

That said, the city is very good at winter. Snow removal is fast, and people get outside rather than hiding from it. The Quebec Winter Carnival runs every year in late January and February, and there’s skiing, skating and snowshoeing within half an hour of downtown. Good boots and a real winter coat are the first things to buy.

Moving to Quebec City: tips from our team

Great Canadian Van Lines moves people to Quebec City from across the country. A few things we always tell customers before a move here:

• Avoid July 1 if you can. It’s Quebec’s unofficial Moving Day, when most leases end, and moving trucks book up months ahead.
• Tell us about stairs. Many older homes in Limoilou and Saint-Jean-Baptiste have outdoor staircases and narrow streets. Knowing ahead of time helps us bring the right crew and plan parking.
• Plan around winter. Winter moves are fine, but snow can slow down the drive and the unloading. Leave a little extra time in your schedule.
• Don’t forget the paperwork. Quebec has its own health card, driver’s licence rules and tax return. Our guide to moving from BC to Quebec walks you through all of it.

Related reading

• Moving from BC to Quebec: What to Know Before You Go
• 5 Reasons Canadians Love Living in Montreal
• 4 Best Places to Retire in Quebec

Thinking about moving to Quebec City?

Great Canadian Van Lines moves families across Canada every week. Get a free estimate and we’ll help you plan the timing, the cost and everything in between.Call 1-800-665-0055 or request a free estimate online.