That’s quite believable – $1100 will rent you one hell of an apartment, especially if you’re outside downtown. (Mine is quite nice and is less than that, for three bedrooms, or 5 1/2 as we call it.) If you get a good roommate, you’re sitting pretty.
Whereas here in Victoria, $500 gets me a quarter of a three-bedroom house in a convenient location but completely out of the downtown area. And it’s sleepy backwater Victoria, not central Montreal.
Sorry for not being clearer, but this is what I meant. He arranged his housing through the university (from the Netherlands) and when he got there he found out it was actually quite expensive compared to other rents.
I live in Montreal and am a McGill student (and former chemist!), though I’m not sure what I can say beyond what others have already posted. If you have an idea of what your budget will be, then I might be able to give recommendations for neighbourhoods/advice about renting in this city. By the sounds of it, your French is more than good enough - a lot of students don’t even speak any at all, so being willing to make an effort will be well received.
If you have specific questions, feel free to ask and I’ll see if I can answer any of them! This really is a great city.
Hi everyone!
As football… has mentioned, I am in fact in grad school at McGill (PhD in PoliSci). One of the things that in retrospect I might have done is actually spend a week in a hostel and look for an apartment during that time. I would easily have found a better place than I’m in now, although this place does have its upsides: it’s close to campus, plus it’s furnished so I didn’t have to go out and buy all that. Of course, I came to Canada with just two bags and carry-on luggage, but if you chose to actually move from Colorado, you might be able to bring more stuff I suppose.
As far as the language thing is supposed, I have found that, much as I regret it, I don’t get the opportunity to speak a whole lot of French. It’s not for lack of trying, or because I don’t speak French - my French is fluent, and I do try, but since I spend most of my day on campus talking to people who are anglophones, it really doesn’t happen all that often.
I should take the time to emphasize what everyone emphasized when I moved to Montreal: it’s a really cool city, and I’m continuously discovering new stuff. I love it here. Another thing that people say is that the winter is harsh. They’re all pussies. Gloves, a scarf, a hat (which they call ‘tuque’ here, I guess) and good shoes, and you’re set. Oh yeah, a winter coat too. Of course, things might get worse yet, and maybe this winter is particularly mild, but thus far, I’m underwhelmed. For you coming from Colorado, I think the winter is going to be the least of your problems.
I don’t know if there’s any other issues that you’d want me to address about McGill or whatever but if there are, you should just PM me I guess.