Experience in Montreal, Canada by SARITA

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

Montreal is the perfect balance of cost and lifestyle. It has all the facilities big cities have without being super expensive like Toronto or Vancouver. But if you do not know french, it can be bit challenging in finding jobs but again there are free french classes sponsored by the govt if you are interested to learn. Overall a great place to live.

What is the student lifestyle like in Montreal?

There are quite a good universities and colleges in Montreal such as McGill, Concordia etc. There are lot of shared accomodation available near universities in around 400-500 $ which are quite decent. There are lot of activities to do both in winters and summers and wide range of pubs and multi cuisine restaurants in all busy places. Public transport is great that can be used for about $100 per month for unlimited travel. Great place for students. But again, I guess in Montreal french matters more than qualification and skills in many places.

How much does it cost to live in Montreal?

Depends on lifestyle ofcourse. Accomodation is the most expensive part of the expenses. If accomodation is shared, one can easily survive in $1000

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

In areas like cote vertu where there is high demand, these days there is waiting period of almost 3-4 months but students usually live near downtown area and can manage to find shared accomodation.

Advice: Quebec lease laws are very strict and janitors/building owners are mostly rude with immigrants.

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

Name any cuisine and you will definitely find some restaurants. Vietnamese, Indian, steakhouses are quite good. In Vietnamese small places, you can get a really big portion for about 13$

What places would you recommend visiting in Montreal?

Old port, Mont-royal, ST-Joseph oratory, china town inside the town and lots of other beautiful trekking, camping places in driving distance

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

There is quite a lot family run restaurants which are cheap. They are scattered all over the city

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

really good pubs, very lively downtown and lots of celebrations, activities, concerts, sport activities round the year. Even just walking on the downtown street is fun.

What advice would you give future students heading to Montreal?

Learn french if you do not know. Will really help boost your career