Moving here, made simple.
If you are arriving from another province or another country, two things matter first: picking the right side of the water for your life, and knowing what works differently here when you buy. Here is both, without the fluff.
Updated July 18, 2026
Most people who call me about a move are not asking about houses yet. They are asking where they should even be looking, and what they are walking into that works differently here. That is a fair question, because several things work their own way here.
This is the short version of the conversation I have with people arriving from Ontario, from out west, or from abroad. Where to look, what changes when you buy here, and what to sort out once you land.
West Island or off-island: which side suits you?
The West Island is the western end of the island of Montreal: established, leafy, strongly anglophone, with the commuter train and the highways right there. Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, Beaconsfield and Dollard-des-Ormeaux each have their own feel, but they share mature neighbourhoods, good schools in both languages, and easy access downtown.
Cross the water and you are in Vaudreuil-Soulanges: Vaudreuil-Dorion, Île-Perrot, Pincourt, Hudson. It is newer, greener, more French-majority, and generally gets you more space for the money. The trade-off is a bridge between you and the island, which matters at rush hour.
What is genuinely different about buying in Quebec
- A notary, not a lawyer, closes your purchase. The notary is a public officer who protects both sides and registers the deed.
- You will pay a welcome tax (droits de mutation) to the municipality after closing. It is normal, it is not a fee anyone can waive, and it arrives as a bill weeks later.
- The seller usually provides a certificate of location, a survey document describing the property. Whether it is current matters.
- Contracts and much of the paperwork are in French by default. You can request English, but the French version often governs.
- The declaration of co-ownership, if you buy a condo, is the rulebook you inherit. Read it before you are committed.
None of this is difficult, it is just unfamiliar. If you are coming from Ontario, the biggest adjustments are the notary and the welcome tax. I walk newcomers through each step in plain language before anything gets signed.
Schools: the English eligibility question
This is the one that surprises families most. Access to English public school here is not automatic. It generally depends on a parent having received their own primary schooling in English in Canada, and it is granted through a certificate of eligibility rather than by choosing a school.
Private schools and post-secondary work differently, and the rules have real nuance depending on your family's history. If school language is a factor in your move, sort out eligibility early with the school board or the ministry, because it can shape which neighbourhoods make sense for you.
Your first month, in order
Settling in
- Open your Hydro-Québec accountElectricity is the utility that matters most here. Set it up before your move date.
- Apply for your Quebec health card (RAMQ)Coming from outside the province usually means a waiting period, so apply as soon as you arrive and keep your previous coverage until it starts.
- Exchange your driver's licence (SAAQ)There are deadlines after you become a resident, and agreements differ by where you are coming from.
- Sort school registration and eligibilityStart before you sign anything if English schooling matters to your family.
- Update your address everywhereBanks, insurance, federal and provincial records, and your employer.
A word on French
You can live comfortably in English in most of the West Island, and Vaudreuil-Dorion is very bilingual day to day. That said, this is a French-speaking province and public services, contracts and signage reflect that. Most newcomers find it far less of an obstacle than they expected, and a little French goes a long way socially.
Frequently asked questions
Is the West Island a good place to move if I do not speak French?
Yes. It has a strong anglophone community and daily life runs comfortably in English, with French always close at hand. Vaudreuil-Soulanges is more French-majority but very bilingual in practice. Neither is a barrier for most newcomers.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a home here?
No. A notary handles the closing here. The notary is a public officer who verifies title, prepares the deed, holds funds and registers the sale, protecting both buyer and seller. You can still hire a lawyer for advice, but the notary is the one who closes it.
How much will the welcome tax be?
It depends on the purchase price and the municipality, and rates change, so I will not quote a figure that goes stale. Use the welcome tax calculator on this site for a real estimate, and budget for it to arrive as a bill some weeks after you take possession.
Can my kids go to English school?
Not automatically. Eligibility generally traces back to a parent having been schooled in English in Canada, and it is granted by certificate. Check with the school board early, because it can influence where you decide to live.
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This guide is general information to help you make sense of things, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and every situation is different, so confirm anything that affects a decision with the right professional, a notary, lawyer, accountant, or mortgage broker, or reach out and I'll point you the right way.
