Experience in Montreal, Canada by Charlotte

How did you find the city of Montreal to live in? Do you recommend it? How is the city?

It's a very pretty city with lots of things to do and a really interesting culture.

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How is student life in Montreal?

It's a very young city with a lot of bars to go out to, especially on the roads Saint Denis, Saint Laurent or even, Prince Arthur! It's a city for dancing, drinking, laughing and meeting new people with ease.

How are living costs in Montreal?

I am now living on $700 a month and I live well. Food shopping is expensive for us French. You have to change your eating habits in order to not spend too much, since cheese for example, is very expensive. When it comes to alcohol, beer is affordable but all of the other alcohols are much too expensive. Life itself isn't extremely expensive, but food shopping and transport is (expect to pay $75 a month for transport). However food shopping is excessively expensive for us French. For smokers, cigarettes are expensive but marijuana has been de-penalised for those who are interested, and it's not at all expensive.

Is it hard to find accommodation in Montreal? Have you got any advice to give?

No. You have to be careful nevertheless to be near to a metro station and/or a bus station which joins onto a metro station, otherwise getting around is a nightmare. Beware of suspicious landlords too, such as mine at the moment who has 'approximately' determined the rent and demands us for it in cash. There are many French people who have been scammed in regards to the apartments so be vigilant.

How is the city's food? What are your favourite dishes?

You can eat everything like in all the big cities. You have to try the poutine obviously, a typical Quebecois dish. For this, there are two very well known places:

La Banquise or if not, Poutineville. Otherwise there are excellent burgers all over the city and many typical dishes to discover.

Poutine

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Which places do you recommend seeing in Montreal?

The Old Montreal is my favourite place. It's very pretty next to the old port. There is Ile Saint Helene, which you can access by metro on the yellow line. There are lots of things to do and see, such as Mount Royal, in the day as well as the night. Cover the whole city. You have to see everything. Everything.

Vieux Montreal

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And to eat in Montreal? Can you tell us your favourite places?

1. Pho-Beng in the Chinese quarter
2. La Banquise (rue Rachel)
3. Poutineville (rue Ontario, address needs checking)
4. Kantapia (rue Sherbrooke)

Which places do you recommend in Montreal to go out in?

Experiencing the hockey series is a must! Go to the sports bars too, such as le Champs on Saint Laurent where the atmosphere is at its peak if the Habs win! Otherwise there are numerous places like the Peel Pub or otherwise L'Escalier, a bar which isn't in the best state but is very nice, at Berri Ugam.

What advice do you want to give to future Erasmus students of Montreal?

Go over the whole city, entirely. Every corner has its bundle of surprises. The Quebecois are very nice too. Go and meet them. They are very beautiful people.