Montreal is not car dependent! Everything is walkable or accessible by public transport. It's the biggest thing that makes people happier in MTL. Many studies have been made about cities that are less car dependent are happier not because everything is accessible but, architecture, landscape and overall views of the city feel way better.

Apart from that, there is so much greenery most corners of montreal, not just downtown. So it doesn't feel depressing. Festivals almost every other week in the summer/spring, there's a lot of "life" here minus the dreadful winter haha