Making Aliyah from Montreal and Finding a Home in Israel
Making Aliyah from Montreal and Finding a Home in Israel
Montreal olim come from very different backgrounds. French-speaking Sephardic families from Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead, English-speaking families from Westmount and the Town of Mount Royal, and Hassidic families from Outremont all make aliyah, and each group tends to settle in different places. Finding the right home is central to a successful move. It affects schooling, community, commute and how quickly the family feels at home. This guide explains where Montreal olim tend to live, whether to rent or buy first, and what to prepare with Canadian and Israeli professionals before and after the move.
Preparing in Montreal
Aliyah files are usually opened through the Jewish Agency, and organisations supporting French-speaking and English-speaking olim can guide you on employment and schools. Start your housing research early, and use visits to Israel to see neighbourhoods at different times of the day.
Think about the language your children will be most comfortable in at first and which community will support that.
French-Speaking Communities
Netanya has a large French-speaking population with shops, synagogues and services that feel familiar to Montreal Sephardic families. Ashdod and Raanana also have French-speaking communities, and Jerusalem neighbourhoods such as Kiryat Yovel and Har Homa have attracted French-speaking olim.
Choosing a French-speaking area can ease the transition, especially for parents.
English-Speaking Communities
Raanana, Modiin, Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem neighbourhoods such as Baka, Katamon and Arnona are home to many North American olim. Zichron Yaakov and Hashmonaim appeal to families who want a smaller community.
Some bilingual Montreal families choose areas where both French and English are heard.
Netanya and Ashdod for French-speaking families
Raanana for a mix of French and English speakers
Jerusalem for diverse religious and cultural communities
Modiin and Beit Shemesh for North American families
Renting or Buying at First
Renting for the first year helps you learn the city and confirm your choice of schools and synagogue. Families who already know the area from years of visiting may buy right away.
New immigrants may be eligible for certain purchase tax and mortgage benefits, which your Israeli lawyer and mortgage adviser can confirm.
Leaving Canada the Right Way
Emigrating from Canada can trigger tax rules on certain assets and raises questions about RRSPs, TFSAs, Quebec pension entitlements and property you keep in Montreal. Filing obligations for the year you leave can be complex.
Meet a Canadian accountant experienced with emigration before departure, and an Israeli tax advisor on arrival.
Staying Close to Montreal
Israel is usually seven hours ahead of Montreal, making evening calls with family in Canada easy to arrange. Flights between Montreal and Tel Aviv have been offered nonstop at times, with connections through Paris and other European hubs as a common alternative.
Living near a train station helps when family visits.
Schools and Daily Life
For families with children, the school often decides the neighbourhood. Israeli schools are organised into state, state-religious and independent streams, and some cities have programmes that help French-speaking or English-speaking children adapt to Hebrew.
Visit schools during your pilot trip and speak with other Montreal families who have made the move. Their experience with ulpan, first jobs and neighbourhood life is often the most practical guidance you will find.
Consider the commute to likely workplaces too, since many olim work in the centre of the country and daily travel shapes family life.
Frequently asked questions
Where do French-speaking Montreal olim settle
Netanya, Ashdod, Raanana and parts of Jerusalem are common choices for French-speaking families.
Should I rent before buying
Many olim rent first to confirm the area and schools, though those who know a city well may buy immediately.
Are there benefits for new immigrants
There may be purchase tax and mortgage benefits. An Israeli lawyer should confirm what applies to you.
What should I do about Canadian taxes
Consult a Canadian accountant familiar with emigration before you leave, as leaving can have tax consequences.
Elkayam Group
Elkayam Group, Kobi Elkayam Real Estate Ltd, is a family company on Rival Street in Tel Aviv with roots across three generations. It works in development, urban renewal and complex deals, and because its team speaks French, English and Hebrew, olim from Montreal can discuss their housing plans in a familiar language.
Talk to us in French or English about finding a home after aliyah.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv