The upside to its hard times in the 1980s and 1990s was Montreal approached the millennium Montreal as one of the cheaper large North American cities. And even today, against the exploding rents of Toronto or Vancouver property remains affordable.

These relatively low rents made the city a national favorite with artists and bohemians, creating a vibrant artistic culture that continues to this day. It has even spilled over into a budding tech industry based on animation, special effects and video games.

This is just one of several new industries (including aerospace, telecom and pharma) which have now replaced the city's rust-belt staples as the threat of separatism has all but disappeared (young Quebecers have little interest in the issue) and created a more stable and welcoming investment environment.

This gradual economic resurgence has meant greater affluence and ongoing gentrification grip various parts of the city which had been in the doldrums. The Plateau is the perfect example, while HoMa appears to be the new frontier.

Even so, many Montreal roads and highways are still shocking by first-world standards, and there’s no better way to start bonding with a Montrealer than to complain about potholes, or interminable construction projects and the relentless traffic problems they cause.