Ep. 070 - Quebec City

Quebec City, the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec, exudes antiquity, culture and irresistible charisma. James and Denise of the lively travel podcast “Skiptown All-Stars” recently spent a few days there and shared their experiences in a fun and candid episode. Even with its undeniable old world charm, is Quebec City a potential “skiptown” for them? Let’s unpack their adventures in this historic yet progressive city.

Steeped in Over 400 Years of History

Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City oozes history and is one of the oldest cities in North America. Its fortified walls and fortresses harken back to its strategic military past, while the iconic Chateau Frontenac hotel evokes the luxury and romance of a bygone era. James compares meandering the cobblestone streets and stone buildings of Upper Town to being swept away to a quaint French village. Yet modern flourishes like street art and lively restaurants also flourish here. The juxtaposition intrigues James and Denise as they explore this “living history” city.

An Iconic Hotel Stay

No visit to Quebec City is complete without viewing the photogenic Chateau Frontenac, called the most photographed hotel in the world. Denise secures them a memorable stay here based on the recommendation of their cruise-savvy relative. The ornate hotel did not disappoint, providing top-notch accommodations and cuisine. James adores the Fairmont hotel brand, noting their consistent excellence. Historic hotels like Chateau Frontenac offer a window into the glamor of past eras while providing totally modern comforts. It becomes a highlight of their Quebec City adventures.

Navigating the Neighborhoods

Denise and James stay in the trendy yet gritty St. Roch neighborhood, known for its art galleries, shops and restaurants. However, they also observe numerous homeless people with sleeping bags stentorian the streets. James investigates and learns that homelessness has spiked sharply in the province recently due to housing shortages and increased cost of living. While safer than average, economic struggles palpably impact sections of Quebec City. Despite this, James and Denise feel comfortable exploring on long walks after dark.

Comparing Quebecois Experiences

James and Denise compare Quebec City’s vibe to the more polished, Parisian atmosphere of Montreal. Quebec City felt more blue collar and laidback to them, with locals sporting tattoos and hoodies. Denise found the French language more challenging there than Montreal, relying on Google Translate to interact. James does note that most servers and shop owners graciously switched to English when they heard Americans fumbling in French. Regarding cuisine, the mouth-watering French fare enthralled Denise while poutine eluded them. While a charming city, Quebec City underwhelmed them a bit after the sophistication of Montreal.

Taxes and Socialized Medicine

To understand daily life there, James and Denise inquire about Quebec’s taxes and socialized medicine system. They learn that taxes are quite high, with locals paying a 5% federal tax plus additional provincial taxes nearing 15% on purchases. Locals explain these taxes fund their universal healthcare system. However, some out-of-pocket payments may still be required for procedures, specialists or prescriptions to avoid delays. Quebec residents view this as a fair trade-off for quality, affordable care. Though very different systems, James and Denise gain insight into the reasoning behind Canada’s approach.

The Verdict

So what was James and Denise’s final verdict on Quebec City as a potential “skiptown”? Its old world beauty and friendly people charmed them, especially in contrast to modern cities. However, the high taxes, economic struggles, language barriers and lack of public transit made Montreal seem more attractive long-term. Still, they highly recommend visiting Quebec City to immerse yourself in the history, culture and joie de vivre of this little slice of Europe in North America. With an open mind, you too may fall under Quebec City’s spell.

Fun Facts About Quebec City:

1. Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico and still has its surrounding stone walls intact.

2. The Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City is the most photographed hotel in the world.

3. Quebec City hosted the first Winter Carnival in the world starting in 1894. It still holds a massive winter carnival each year.

4. The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church in Quebec City has over 6,000 miniature ships hanging from its ceilings.

5. Quebec City is the oldest French-speaking city in the Americas, founded in 1608.

6. The Citadelle of Quebec is the largest British fortress built in North America.

7. Quebec City has the only remaining civilization fortified city walls in North America north of Mexico.

8. The city has a popular toboggan slide called the Dufferin Terrace with over 300 steps next to the Château Frontenac.

9. Quebec City has one of the most European-styled old city centers and skylines in North America.

10. There is just one stoplight in all of Old Quebec.

Facts About Real Estate, Income, Crime, etc:

1. The average price of a single-family home in Quebec City is around $315,000 CAD.

2. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $800 CAD.

3. The median total household income is $59,822 CAD per year.

4. Quebec City's crime rate is generally low, with under 3000 crimes per 100,000 people.

5. The overall crime rate has dropped over 30% in the past decade.

6. Violent crime makes up only about 12% of total crimes.

7. Property crime like thefts and burglaries make up most criminal offenses.

8. There are approximately 1500 homeless people in Quebec City.

9. Indigenous people are over-represented in the homeless population at nearly 40%.

10. The city has shelters, transitional housing, and social services to assist the homeless.