Experience in Montreal, Canada by Alexandra

What is it like to live in Montreal? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Yes, I would recommend it. I could say that Montreal is a city of dualism: a french/english city; ugly and beautiful at the same time (for the look); hot in summer, really cold in winter; a city with a ''party mood'' with too many events each day, but quiet outside of the main streets, even at night.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Montreal?

I'm not sure about this question because I think everybody live by their own way. My feeling is: that depends on you, on your school (Montreal has 4 universities, 2 french, 2 english), on your programs. Some student groups are more dynamic than others. Most of Montreal students natives from Quebec work during their studies and a significant part of their life takes place outside of the school. They have to pay their apartment, clean themselves or travel from their suburb. So it clashes sometimes with non-resident students.

How much does it cost to live in Montreal?

In an apartment with some roommates or in a residency, personally I can easily pay around 350$ per month all included (even electricity), even less. But I know it's harder for foreign students to get this, especially because they choose expensive neighbourhoods near the universities. If you want to live downtown, double the price for the same thing. Food is expensive in Montreal if you don't know how to manage it. Cellphone and internet packages are generally expensive in Canada (often more than 45$ a month each).

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Montreal? Is there any advice you can give?

No. You can use Kijiji.ca, Craiglist, Facebook pages, an acquaintance, luck while you're walking on the street or even accommodation created for students. Leases in Quebec start in july, but you can easily find an apartment anytime.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Montreal has food from around the world like all the big cities. And we have these ''hipster'' things: plenty of coffee shops/food trucks/bistros/resto-bar with cocktail in Mason pot and vegan chilli. I think it's the most popular thing in Montreal; of course, with the poutine. If you want to taste the traditional food, you can go to a fancy traditional restaurant, a ''cabane a sucre'' or try to find a local friend with a grandmother. Restaurants where you can take a ''brunch''(breakfast) is also a great thing. Brunchs are my favourite thing, together with ice cream and microbrewery beer and pink cocktail with bubbles.

What places would you recommend visiting in Montreal?

A lot of places. I would say Place des Festivals, Gay village, Quartier Latin, Old port, Mont-Royal hill, west of the ''Plateau'', the Mile End, Lachine Canal (with your bike). If you like underground places, I'll recommend to go to the underrated neighbourhood because I think it's where the new things pop out (like cool restaurants) : Rosemont-Petite Patrie, Hochelaga, west of the old port, Notre-Dame-de grace, South-west, Verdun, South-east...It's a revival for these places.

Is it good to eat out in Montreal? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, I'm really happy to eat each day in Montreal and my spots list will never finish. I discover new awesome places each week. I don't want to write my secret spots here. We must explore the city by ourselves and read blogs.

Is the nightlife good in Montreal? Where is good to go?

Yes. There are more than one hundred places certainly. Just read the blogs nightlife (french) and mtlblog (english).

What advice would you give future students heading to Montreal?

Just be open-minded, cool and don't take yourself too seriously.