Montreal? Very cheap to live, probably the most cultured city in Canada. I'll admit the job situation isn't great there but that's why it's cheap. Calgary and Edmonton both have top notch symphonies, the world class Alberta Ballet, and burgeoning music scenes. Much cheaper than Vancouver or Toronto.

There are huge, huge affordability problems with Vancouver and Toronto, but they're hardly your only choices.

Exactly. Canada is very diverse and there are plenty of music scenes, symphonies, and other culture centers outside of Vancouver and Toronto. It's like saying the only good places to enjoy culture in the US are New York and LA.

The only time I imagine myself living in a big city again (I'm originally from Queens, NYC) is when I visit Montreal. Beautiful city, efficient immaculately clean subways compared to any city I've been in. If I weren't comfortable in the relatively rural part of the Hudson Valley I'm in, I'd seriously consider it.

Ottawa? More of a town with lots of suburbs than a real city but dirt cheap compared to Toronto or Vancouver. I would say that it is even cheaper than Montreal.

I'm not sure about the music scene but there are a wide variety of both English and French language theatre companies. NAC, GCTC, La Nouvelle Scene, etc. I'm sure the situation is similar for Opera and Ballet.

Montreal slays. Most underrated city in North America IMO.

Montreal.

I'm genuinely curious. Wouldn't a quiet little place be better for your composing work? Or your prefer larger city because of the scene itself?

Just stay out of Canada, to be honest. Our country's best is anothers country's worst.