I live in Montreal (Qc, Canada)
I don't live directly downtown, but its about 15 min by car.
Where I am, you could compare it to the Village in New York.
It's very quiet, a view on the buildings downtown, lots of trees, mostly duplex and triplex, lots of families and old people.
Everything can be done by walk, or using bus and subway. No car needed. People usually describe this part of the city as a great blend of europe and united states. You usually find corner shops, fine groceries, small restaurants and such.
Winter is cold, sometimes very humid, gets to the bones!
It can be 2 celcius on one day, and the next day -40 with the wind factor. I personnaly hate winter
and summer is very hummid. You just NEED an air conditionner.
Lots of festivals, tourists (mostly downtown). You can find any store you want, we probably have 4 or 5 MAC stores only in the Montreal's area. I think it's a safe city, but don't tempt the devil by going in dark spots at night... duhhh... hahaha but saddly, lately many gangs surfaced. Red and blue there, mauve and yellow there... But every big city has it's problems.
Rent isnt really expensive, but you need to find the right place. For about 600$/month you have a 700 sq/ft place, usually heated.
I woudnt raise my kids here, probably will go back to the suburbs where my parent's still live, I don't think it's good to raise kids in a big city, but you do what you can hey?
This is what it looks like
http://www.pourlouer.ca/itemImage.as...300&maxW=4 00