<p>I really wonder how to manage to get a room, appartment, etc. in Montreal. I'm not in my first year so I won't be eligible for that housing part on McGill's page. But I also read about the difficulties in Canadian law system crossing the circumstances that I won't be there on summer. That means I need a room in the period of August to May. What is the best way to deal with it?</p>
<p>There are many ways, such as becoming the roommate of people who already have an apartment, sublets and even some landlords have monthly leases. I had a friend doing co-op at Sherbrooke University, who would come to live 3-4 months at a time in and around Montreal for his work terms, always had to look for a fully furnished apartment or room with monthly leases. Look at the McGill classified ads and other ad sites (such as Kijiji) to have a look at what’s available. I’m sure there is more info available at McGill through SSMU and other channels, and other posters should be able to help.</p>
<p>If your parents are wealthy enough, they can also purchase something like a condo (that’s what my parents did, and so did a number of other people I know, but they all live in Quebec, and it was back in the 90’s when it was a really cheap investment; no regrets).</p>
<p>Hey Blobof!
I already looked at such pages like kijiji or craigslist but I don’t find a spot which shows me if an offer is serious or not. Many people should have the same problem like me cause they don’t stay there on summers or just for a year. But I hardly read any comments on this topic. Is it really that easy to find some place to stay in Montreal?</p>
<p>Can’t say much more, but I believe it’s easier than in used to be in terms of occupation rate.</p>
<p>I recommend:
<a href=“https://offcampuslistings.ca/[/url]”>https://offcampuslistings.ca/</a>
[Housing</a> Rent/Share](<a href=“http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/housing/]Housing”>http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/housing/)</p>
<p>However you may have to wait until you are actually in Montreal, since I don’t think there are many people who will agreed to let you take their lease without meeting you in person.</p>
<p>Yes you are definitely right. But I also have to organize that stuff before I will arrive in Montreal. I think it is too late to find out things there. I rather expect it to be a stressful rush to find a room within that few days on August. But pages like kijiji and craigslist don’t seem to be uberserious. So I would prefer something that is more likely to be realistic and also trustable. I hope McGill also gives some advices but I didn’t hear from them yet.</p>
<p>It’s always tough to find stuff from afar. You can always find some sort of temporary accommodations first from where ever you are. I went to France back 12 years ago and managed to book by phone a room in a privately owned student residence, which I stayed for 2 weeks until I found a better apartment (I could have stayed the whole year in the first residence if I wanted to, but having my own toilet and kitchen was just better than a shared one). Nowadays communication and virtual visits are much easier. Email people, talk to them online (set up some new email/messenger account just for that), start early, make sure you have many potential places to go to once you get to Montreal.</p>
<p>By the way, thanks to vinvin for that awesome links. I didn’t know that pages yet and they are great. At the moment there are many rooms just for the summer time but maybe there will be a bunch of ads for the new fall semester.</p>
<p>Hey guys, housing aside, what exactly is Montreal like as a city? Is it kind of laidback? Are people there really into outdoor sports (like Australia)? What would be considered as its sister state (i.e. another city most like it)?</p>
<p>Would appreciate some answers from people who live there or have been there! General impressions, etc. Thanks heaps!</p>
<p>It’s pretty laid back. People aren’t that into outdoor sports, though biking is relatively popular compared to most other North American cities. Another city like it? Hard to find. My brother has felt most at home outside of Montreal in Liverpool, England, when he lived there for a year.</p>
<p>Hey Blobof, thanks for your input. By the way, what’s the cost of living like in Montreal? For instance, monthly expenditure on groceries and food? What about eating out?</p>
<p>It’s been too long since I lived there with the income I had at the time (much less than I make today) to say. The best way to characterize Montreal in terms of restaurants is that it does really well in the mid-range, but that’s not the usual student fare. If you want to eat well for cheap, you better make your own food (and, again, you can get some quality stuff for a very good price if you know where to shop, but students may not have the budget or taste for that; e.g. some complained when SSMU’s beer supplier changed from Molson to Bor</p>