Residences

<p>Since the residences will be up on minerva soon for applicants, I'd just like to ask those who have stayed/are staying in residences, which residence did you stay at? Did you like it? and If you could have your choice of residence, which would it be? </p>

<p>Thanks! Any help and information about the residences would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>This link should take you to an incredible informative post that was made last year by harpgirl that explains all the rez's and their pros and cons - a GREAT resource:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53827&highlight=residence%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53827&highlight=residence&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>As for me, I lived at Solin Hall this past year and I've loved it - even people who initially didn't want to be there often end up so glad they got in. It would definitely be my first choice again. Having your own bedroom/living room/bathroom/kitchen is great - the apartments are HUGE and really nice. Though initially having to cook for yourself seems a little intimidating, after about a month you realize just how much better it is to be able to choose what you eat, when you eat, and get a variety rather than repetative meal plans. The metro ride isn't bad at all (15-20 min) - hardly more than walking "the hill". You're about a five minute walk from a grocery store, an SAQ, and the amazing Atwater farmer's market. Anyway, I won't ramble on, but if anyone has questions about Solin I'd be happy to answer them!</p>

<p>Well, I don't know about residences in particular, but it's not that hard for an apartment in Montreal to be within 5 minutes of a grocery store and a SAQ (liquor store for those who might not know, though beer can be purchased at a grocery or convenience store, wine too technically, but for wine you really should stick to the SAQ). Well, for some unknown reason, there seems to be more SAQ's per square kilometer east of St-Laurent than west of it. Oh yeah, for those who might not know, the legal drinking age is 18. Proximity to Atwater market is a big advantage though (really nice food for lower than you'd usually pay elsewhere).</p>

<p>I chose Douglas as my first choice residence last year after mainly being influenced by Harpgirl's thread. After 6 months at Doug, I would say that it is unanimously the best of the upper residences (Molson, McConnel, Gardner and Doug) and in my opinion the best for those seeking the true rez experience. As there are only about 150 people living here, its a very close knit residence and I already feel I know everyone. The rooms are a bit on the small side but stil larger than the other upper rez ones but who stays in their room all day neways? We just got a foosball and air hockey table this year along with the ping pong and pool tables. I would also say that the musical scene here is great as the piano room is amazing for hanging out in.</p>

<p>Yeah, there are TONS of apartments pretty much anywhere you could want, but I would definitely recommend living in res first year. It's a great way to get to meet people and get yourself a little better integrated and oriented with a new life. As far as upper res goes (I haven't lived there, but I have visited all but Molson) I have to agree with MaxiJaz. Douglas has the best feel to it, and you have your own cafe there which is a huge bonus. It's also the most aesthetically pleasing - we tend to say it looks like Hogwarts, haha.</p>

<p>wow, you guys really love your residences! :) could anyone provide more information on greenbriar? I could be at McGill's for only a term (this coming Fall, for exchange program^_^), and I was looking at the least expensive housing</p>

<p>Yeah, that's one of the nice things with McGill - it doesn't really have any "bad" residences. It all just depends on what you're looking for.</p>

<p>I don't know a TON about Greenbriar, but I can tell you what I do know. It's a bit like Solin in that it's apartment style (each with its own bathroom, kitchen, etc) but it's far closer to campus (right across the street!). There are both double and single bedrooms, and there's no meal plan so you get to do all your own groceries and cooking (something I consider a great bonus, but that's all personal preference). I've heard complaints that the quality of the rooms is a real toss up - some of them are large, spacious, and well-kept, while others are tiny, cramped, and run-down - and as far as that goes it's really just luck of the draw. But overall, the people I know who live there like it a lot and are all really great, friendly kids.</p>

<p>Don't know if that was helpful at all... but that's the impression I've had of it! Best of luck with all your decisions :)</p>