The yeshivish community in the deVimy area is a small, but influential one (Rav Hirschprung was the rosh yeshiva for many years). Real estate is cheaper, but not that much cheaper, than in US cities, but the price of kosher food is very high. Very reliable, non-profit local kashrus – considered mehadrin outside Montreal.
Some problems with French extremists and Muslims, but still much safer than many other places. The French problem is one nut and one city legislator in the Chassidishe area, and Muslims who start up are dealt with very severely by law enforcement.
Cold winters, snow starts melting around Pesach if you’re lucky.
You CAN survive in the Yiddishe velt without French, but only if you stay exclusively within the community. To work outside it, you need French.
Isn’t Rabbi Emanuel’s first name Shaul?