<p>What is the housing situation for McGIll I heard that after freshman year you have to find your own place?</p>
<p>Yes, apparently that is true -My son just completed his first year. But, surprisingly, it was not that difficult for him and his friends to find and rent a flat. It's all set for them for the Fall.<br>
Not as difficult as I, a parent, suspected it would be.</p>
<p>its quite easy- and its a fun process too! just secure yourself roommates before winter break... it sneaks up on you</p>
<p>I will second (or third) that. My d. found a very nice 1.5 in the Ghetto on her first day. It was even cheaper than the rez, by a significant amount. There was actually a glut of apartments and as we walked down Lorne, we were approached asking if we were looking for an apartment. I asked the off-campus housing folks about what had changed since the housing shortage days--they said that opening the New Rez had added 900 beds which were freed up in the Ghetto and relieved the housing shortage. It is a far cry now from several years ago, when landlords sometimes required a finders fee. For a list of housing see <a href="http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/housing/%5B/url%5D">http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/housing/</a>.</p>
<p>Housing is very reasonable by NE US standards.</p>
<p>Do you need a car?</p>
<p>No, in fact, you are much better off without a car in Montreal. The City has excellent public transportation and students get a monthly pass for around $30 for unlimited metro and bus use. Many of the apartments are within a 10 minute walk to McGill, right downtown. The area next to McGill is known as the McGill Ghetto because of the incredible number of student apatments. It is very lively. Unlike many US cities, people actually live downtown so there are convenient services, stores, entertainment and bars all accessible and open late to serve students and others.</p>
<p>The only time you may miss a car is to drive into the countryside for a visit or to ski or drive home.</p>
<p>Any thoughts/experience out there on how the housing situation at McGill affects transfer students trying to become part of the McGill community? S has acceptances to some top US Engineering schools as well as McGill(transferring due to Tulane's phase-out of Engineering programs) but is concerned - as are we - that he'll be out in the cold (no pun intended) for housing as an incoming soph when others have all found their roommates/apts. etc. He loves the idea of a vibrant city such as Montreal; would help him transition from the loss of his beloved New Orleans.</p>
<p>Hi there, congrats to your son.</p>
<p>McGill actually took in a few Tulane students this past year, and the ones that I know of all chose to stay- so he wouldn't be the only Tulane person here.</p>
<p>I have several friends who transfered into the school- your son will be in Engineering... the school's most social faculty! The faculty puts on events like no other, and it's not too big of a faculty so people get to know eachother and they give plenty of opportunities to get involved. The Plumbers Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) which isn't an orchestra but a society of Engineers dedicated to unifying the faculty are an awesome group to get involved with. EUS the undergraduate society has dozens of clubs, and puts on tons of exciting social events. He will certainly not be out of the loop! </p>
<p>Montreal is an awesome city, and if he loves the feel of New Orleans, he will love the feel of Montreal!</p>
<p>rideltrain - very helpful, thanks so much.</p>