Moving to Quebec: Relocation Guide & Moving Tips
Quebec is a great place to live, thanks to its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse population. This province in Eastern Canada offers a unique combination of French-Canadian heritage, beautiful scenery, and a distinctive way of life.
Are you planning on moving to Quebec from another province? Before you move, it's important to understand factors like housing, the cost of living, Quebec’s culture, and the logistics of planning an interprovincial move.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planning a move to Quebec.
Why Move to Quebec?
Quebec attracts individuals and families with its relatively affordable housing, rich cultural heritage, and wealth of outdoor activities. Some benefits of moving to Quebec include:
Affordability
Quebec is known as an affordable place to live compared to other provinces. While Quebec has major cities like Montreal, renting or owning a home, along with everyday expenses like groceries and electricity, is generally cheaper than in Toronto or Vancouver.
Culture
Quebec is a cultural center because of its unique blend of French and Canadian heritage. The province takes pride in its unique identity, from the French language and traditional festivals to the thriving arts and food scene. Montreal and Quebec City offer cultural events year-round.
Activities
Quebec offers a wide range of activities, whether you like outdoor activities like biking, skiing, and hiking or want to explore the urban life and award-winning restaurants of cities like Montreal and Quebec City.
Nature
Quebec has stunning landscapes that make it a popular destination for nature lovers. From picturesque parks to scenic lakes and mountains, you won’t be far from the wonders of nature.
Safety
Quebec has a low crime rate compared to the rest of Canada and North America as a whole. It consistently records crime rates around 54 per 1,000 and offers some of the lowest Crime Severity Index scores in Canada.
Quebec Moving Services
Allied Van Lines is a Quebec moving company offering customizable moving services, such as household relocation, packing, transportation, storage, and more. Our experienced Quebec movers coordinate relocations across the province and throughout Canada.
Long-Distance Moving
As an established long-distance moving company in Quebec, Allied handles packing, loading, transportation, and delivery to make your move simple. Since 1933, we’ve been Canada’s trusted movers for relocations between cities, provinces, and beyond.
Interprovincial Moving
Moving from Ontario, Alberta, or another province? Let our cross-country movers handle the heavy lifting and the logistics. We’ll help coordinate every stage of your interprovincial move with transparent pricing, clear delivery windows, and 24/7 customer support.
Packing and Storage Services
Need help along the way? Allied Van Lines offers the services you need. Add professional packing, quality moving supplies, and short- or long-term storage services to your moving plan and let our relocation experts handle the rest.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Quebec?
Allied builds each moving plan around your needs, budget, and timeline, so the cost of moving to Quebec is different for every customer. Your quote will depend on the shipment weight, total distance, moving dates, accessibility, and any additional services you choose.
Here are some average linehaul costs for a Quebec moving company:
Ontario to Quebec: $2,950
British Columbia to Quebec: $5,942
These represent approximate costs for a single-family home, not definite costs across Quebec moving companies. Use our moving cost calculator to get a working estimate based on your needs.
For the most accurate pricing, request a free personalized quote from Allied Van Lines.
Popular Cities to Move to in Quebec
Montreal
Montreal offers a wide range of housing options, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. Plateau-Mont-Royal, Outremont, and Westmount are well-known neighbourhoods with distinct character and housing options.
Quebec City
Quebec City offers a mixture of historic and modern neighborhoods. Old Quebec is known for its European flair, while the newer areas of the city have more affordable housing. Popular neighborhoods include Montcalm and Lebourgneuf.
Laval
Located north of Montreal, Laval offers suburban neighbourhoods, parks, shopping centres, and access to Montreal's employment market. The city is known for the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, a protected wildlife and recreation reserve, and the 50-acre Centre de la Nature.
Gatineau
Across the Ottawa River from Canada's capital, Gatineau features Canada’s most visited museum, a massive conservation park, and proximity to opportunities for federal government employment and Ottawa-area amenities.
Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke is situated at the meeting of the Magog and Saint-François rivers in the Estrie (Eastern Townships) region. It features historic neighbourhoods, proximity to lakes and mountains, and five colleges and universities, which may attract those interested in educational work.
Quebec Moving Day Tips
Quebec Moving Day is an annual tradition on July 1. A vast majority of residential leases across the province expire and renew on the same day, which creates particularly high demand for local movers in Quebec. Prepare early with these Quebec moving tips:
Start packing as early as possible.
Book Quebec movers well ahead of July 1.
Invest in quality moving boxes and packing supplies.
Declutter by deciding what you want to keep, donate, or throw away.
Keep important documents and medications with you.
Change your address and switch your utilities in the last two weeks leading up to your move.
Prepare for icy conditions if moving in winter.
Whether you’re relocating on Moving Day or not, getting ready can be stressful if you do it alone. Explore Allied’s free moving resources to make the process simpler. We offer checklists, guides, and other tools to help you get started.
Cost of Living, Jobs, and Housing in Quebec
Cost of Living in Quebec
The average cost of living in Quebec is generally lower than in other provinces, and its progressive income tax system includes both federal and provincial rates. Statistics Canada’s Survey of Household Spending reported average annual spending of $65,344 in Quebec, compared with $81,975 in Ontario and $82,657 in British Columbia.
Housing in Quebec
The average home price in Quebec is $565,212. Here are some average monthly rents for a two-bedroom apartment around Quebec:
Montreal: $1,346
Quebec City: $1,277
Gatineau: $1,460
Check local listings in your target area for the most up-to-date information.
Job Opportunities in Quebec
Major industries in Quebec include aerospace, manufacturing, tech, construction, healthcare, and professional services. Montreal has established aerospace and technology sectors, while Quebec City and Gatineau can offer more opportunities in the public sector.
Language, Documentation, and Settlement Tips
When moving to Quebec, use the Service québécois de changement d’adresse to update your address with multiple provincial agencies at once. Apply for a new Quebec health card through RAMQ.
You must apply for a Quebec driver’s license within 6 months of establishing residency, and your vehicle must be registered with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) within 90 days of your move.
Language Considerations When Moving to Quebec
French is Quebec's sole official language and the usual language of government services. Although English is widely spoken in parts of Montreal, learning conversational French can make work, daily errands, and community life easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moving Day in Quebec, and why does it matter?
Quebec Moving Day is a tradition in which many rental leases end on June 30th and start on July 1st. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the busiest days of the year for moving companies in Quebec. If your moving date is around this time, plan ahead to find reliable movers.
How much does it cost to move to Quebec?
Every move is different. An average linehaul cost for an Ontario-to-Quebec move falls around $2,950. Moving from British Columbia to Quebec might cost around $5,942. Your final quote depends on distance, shipment size, and services.
How far in advance should I book movers for a Quebec relocation?
Book approximately 8 weeks ahead for long-distance moves. For July 1 relocations, start planning 3 to 6 months in advance and book a Quebec moving company as early as possible.
What is the difference between long-distance and interprovincial moving in Quebec?
Long-distance moving refers to relocating over a substantial distance, including within Quebec. Interprovincial moving specifically involves crossing a provincial boundary.