Montreal often dominates the conversation when Latino families think about settling in Quebec, but life outside the big city can offer unexpected rewards. Ale Cabrera, creator of the YouTube channel Yotexplico Canada, shares her story of moving from Montreal to Victoriaville with her husband and two young children nearly a decade ago.
Ale first arrived in NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce), an anglophone neighborhood in Montreal, before moving to Brossard. In 2017, her husband received a job offer in Victoriaville, in the heart of Quebec. At first, she was skeptical about adapting to what she jokingly called her “little town,” but within months she realized it was exactly what her family was looking for.
Ideal location. Victoriaville is 1h30 from Montreal, 1 hour from Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, 50 minutes from Drummondville, and 1h10 from Quebec City. Day trips are completely manageable without the Montreal traffic headaches.
Excellent schools. The region has one of the best school boards in Quebec, with daycares, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and CÉGEP options all available. There are even subsidized trilingual schools offering English, Spanish, and French.
Affordable lifestyle. Sports and arts activities cost less than in Montreal, parking is often free or just 25 cents, and housing is dramatically more affordable. Ale’s family went from renting an apartment in Brossard to paying less than half the price for a two-story apartment with a garden in Victoriaville.
Quality of life and work. Many jobs end early on Fridays, giving families more personal time and less time stuck in traffic. There is work available across many industries, and the city has all the essentials: shopping centers, supermarkets, pharmacies, and services.
For Latino families considering a move outside Montreal, Victoriaville is a genuine option worth exploring.