Moving to Montreal, responding to rental ads (a repost of my deleted question, now with another question) (apartment)

[TryingAgain]

I responded to a rental ad in French, admitting that I am in the process of learning the language, and got no response. I sent another response to the ad, this time omitting the details about learning the language, and then got a response. I would like to see this apartment in person, but I would also want to know whether or not the communication barrier may be preventing this from happening. Is it a good idea to have a fluent speaker be with me during my search?

[Acajack]

Sounds like an issue with that particular landlord.

Most landlords in Montreal are used to dealing with people who speak Haitian Creole and French as a second language, Wolof and French as a second language, Urdu with English as a second language, Arabic with French as a second language, Hindi with English as a second language, Spanish with French as a second language, etc., or even a mix of several of the above.

[TryingAgain]

Thanks. I'm definitely treating it as if it were an isolated incident. One thing I learned is that it's probably a better idea to phone and visit the same day than through e-mail, to get more immediacy in the response. As long as the language barrier doesn't prevent that, I'll feel comfortable with this approach.

[silvestres]

Hello,

I am moving to Montreal this summer and was wondering on apartment rentals.

I am 30 years old and work as a Network Engineer, i would like some where urban but not too expensive and preferably in an anglophone neighborhood since as my French is still at the intermediate level. Can anyone give me some pointers??

[Jojowas]

If the landlord did not answer you because you don't speak french well, how will they interact with you once the lease is signed? They can't wait until your french get up to par to tell you they need to inspect your apartment. This being said, I strongly believe it is an isolated case as most people understand english. It does really depend on what part of town you're trying to rent. What are you looking for?

Hi Silvestres, I think you should create a new post for your question. You will get a lot more useful answers =)

[jambo101]

Be aware that in Quebec there is a certain Minority in the French community that just dont like English and even though they understand the language they some times refuse to speak to Anglo's in English even though they know the Anglo cant speak French..Grumpy lot..

[BIMBAM]

Originally Posted by silvestres

Hello,

I am moving to Montreal this summer and was wondering on apartment rentals.

I am 30 years old and work as a Network Engineer, i would like some where urban but not too expensive and preferably in an anglophone neighborhood since as my French is still at the intermediate level. Can anyone give me some pointers??

Urban and Anglo? You'd do well in Cote-des-Neiges, although it can get fairly pricey. St. Laurent is cheaper but a little less urban and a little less Anglo (like maybe 25%). You could also move into the McGill University Ghetto, the area of town by McGill. Right smack dab in the middle of the city, very Anglo, very young. Not a great place for a family, but if you're a young, single guy it's not a bad way to go and it's not that pricey.