<p>In order to try to defer questions away from the "improve french as a mcgill student" thread, where it is admittedly off-topic, I created this thread.</p>
<p>As we head, if not careen, towards summer and September, there are of course many, many questions about dorms, visas, telephone/internet access, weather and the other facts of life in Montr</p>
<p>Good idea.</p>
<p>Here are some questions I have for now:</p>
<p>[ul]
[<em>]If my budget is $400-650/month, which locations offer the best combination of convenience (especially, proximity to campus, but also other things like supermarkets and malls) and cost? $650 (ideally in the $500-600 range) is probably the most I am willing to pay per month, and I would hope for that to be all inclusive (water, gas/heating, electricity, internet, etc.). Convenience and cost apply to supermarkets and malls too, as I know that grocery places nearby campus are also more expensive.
[</em>]Around how much time should I spend looking for housing? I believe school starts in early September, and I plan to arrive in Montreal on August 25-26. Is 4-5 days enough time? Ideally I would want more time to get settled, of course, but I am only returning to Vancouver on August 23 and would like to see friends there before I leave for Montreal. Preferably, I'd leave as late as possible, i.e., around August 26-27, but still have enough time to look for housing.
[li]How hard is it for transfer students to get to know new people? I realize that it's already going to be harder because I wasn't at McGill for my freshman year and I'll be living off-campus.[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Thank you all for any advice.</p>
<p>For about $400-$650 per month, I would highly recommend Verdun and surrounding areas. It's relatively close to campus (by metro from LaSalle to McGill stations takes about 5-10 minutes), fairly cheap ($800 max, I would think). It's also pretty quiet and is quite safe. There are also many fairly priced supermarkets nearby along Verdun Street (rue de Verdun). </p>
<p>Please note, I used to live in Verdun before I came to the U.S., so I'm a tad biased.</p>
<p>Also, regarding utilities, I don't know if they do this out in BC also, but in Quebec, heating is either provided by gas (Gaz M</p>
<p>is the 400 to 650 just for rent/utilities, or are you expecting that to cover food/other expenses too?</p>
<p>if its just rent/utilities, you can find a studio just about anywhere for 600. or try looking at a roomate wanted ad.</p>
<p>When you're looking at apartments in August, try to imagine the walk to the subway/bus stop or campus in Jan. It will be a major factor in how happy you are with your living arrangements.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the comments so far.</p>
<p>$400-650 is for rent and utilities. Food and other expenses, I have a separate budget for. Of course, I hope to have rent as low as possible and at the same time be living at a decent place that is close to campus.</p>
<p>jpm150, I plan to get to Montreal on August 27, which gives me about a week to find housing before school starts on September 4 (can anyone confirm this date?). I hope this is enough time. In the one week or so that I will be there, a friend has offered to let me stay at his place while I look for housing. Definitely, location is important.</p>
<p>Do most places for rent include furniture and utilities such as washing machines and dryers? I would prefer that they do, so I don't have to pay extra.</p>
<p>Also, what to do with belongings during the summer of 2008? I plan to rent a place for eight months (till April/May), since I don't plan to be in Montreal during the summer. Is summer storage the best solution?</p>
<p>TDD: Last year when we rented my d. apartment in the Ghetto, there were owners out in front of vacant apartments trying to recruit tenants during the week before school. You should have no problem walking around and finding a close place.</p>
<p>Most places have (minimal) furniture and kitchen. There will usually be a washer and dryer in the basement, but if not, there will a place close by.</p>
<p>I think you will have to rent for a whole year, as most leases will require that-- however you will have the right to sub-let for the summer months.</p>
<p>Leases are almost always for a full year. So factor that into you monthly costs if you only intend to stay for 8 months. It is possible to sublet, but the market is flooded with students trying to sublet for the summer months.</p>
<p>Roommates are another way to go -- you won't be the lease holder and might be able to find a share for just 8 months. Craigslist has many, many listings if you're feeling lucky.</p>
<p>whats the average price of a ghetto apartment?</p>
<p>For a small studio, it is $550-610 per month, all inclusive.
Here is a typical example, but as this is close and clean, all
units are already rented for next year: <a href="http://3561lorne.com/%5B/url%5D">http://3561lorne.com/</a></p>
<p>wow, thanks mcgill dad. Not only was that informative, it was borderline life changing. People have always told me studio apartments = your bedroom = your kitchen = your living room...this only solidified that statement.</p>
<p>When i have kids one day, im gonna respect them and call them my son or daughter. They are worth the extra letters.</p>
<p>I've always wondered, what does "d" mean? People on College Confidential throw this phrase around a lot and I just don't get it. Does it mean son/daughter?</p>
<p>mcgilldad, as for the owners of ghetto apartments that look for tenants in the week before school, are they generally of good quality?</p>
<p>BIGTWIX: You would think that over $100,000 each for my two daughters education would be a sign of respect. (g)</p>
<p>The quality of apartments varies greatly--but you will be there to see for yourself. One item to discuss is whether there is a person on-call to make necessary repairs to the apartment.</p>
<p>I haveva sneaking suspicion that Bigtwix posted on the wrong thread. The other day I read a poster on another thread was ranting about the overuse of abbreviations on CC. I may be wrong though...</p>
<p>well, no. sorry, it just bothers me. But what gets me most is when people say
"my DD" or "my DS". Then it gets ridiculous.</p>
<p>And mcgillidad, yes i respect that.</p>
<p>If you have trouble finding a suitable apartment in that one week, there is another option. There are many apartments available in Montreal on a short-term basis -- either by the week or by the month. Generally they're rented by people on temporary business assignments or tourists, but they'd work for you too. There are a number of sites that list short-term rentals -- we use them all the time for one or two week vacations in the city. Just search under Montreal rentals short-term. </p>
<p>Some rents for fancy lofts are high, but there are many others that can be quite reasonable.</p>