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If you’re thinking about living in a student residence in Montreal, this article is perfect for you! Here you’ll find all the essential information about this type of accommodation: its pros and cons, the differences between private and university residences, how to find affordable options, and answers to the most common questions.
Below we mention the most notable pros and cons of living in this type of housing:
This Canadian city offers a wide range of private student residences. They usually have more modern facilities and spaces than those offered by universities. In addition, they’re usually located in neighbourhoods that provide easy access to major educational institutions and places popular with young people. For example, you can find some in downtown Montreal, near institutions such as McGill and Concordia, or in Côte-des-Neiges, near the University of Montreal.
Private residences in Montreal offer a variety of accommodation types. On the one hand, there are single rooms, which offer private space and share a bathroom and kitchen with the other residents. There are also shared flats, where the bathroom and kitchen are used only by those who live there. For those seeking greater privacy, studio flats or one-bedroom flats would be the ideal option, although at a higher cost.
It’s common for residences to have common areas where residents can spend their free time and enjoy community life. These usually include gyms, study rooms and libraries, games rooms (which may have billiards, table tennis, video games) and social areas. Some may offer different facilities that make a difference, such as an indoor swimming pool and sauna.
Private residences in Montreal offer a range of services to ensure a comfortable stay. Among the services included are usually Internet access, use of utilities (electricity, heating and water), regular cleaning of common areas and 24/7 security. They may also offer additional services at an extra cost, such as a programme of organised activities or room cleaning.
In this section, we refer to student residences managed by universities in the Canadian city. We’d like to point out that university residences in Montreal are usually located on-campus. Some of the neighbourhoods where they’re located are downtown Montreal and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Off-campus accommodation is usually private residences.
These university residences offer a range of accommodation options to choose from. Generally speaking, there are single rooms and rooms shared between two people. These may differ in terms of features such as whether they have a private bathroom or a bathroom shared with other rooms, whether they have a washbasin, whether they have a small fridge in the room, among other things.
Please note that it’s common in many of these university residences in Montreal for students to have to bring with them, or purchase upon arrival in the city, some of the following items: pillows, sheets and duvets, towels, hangers, cleaning supplies, and even toilet paper for those with private bathrooms.
With regard to shared facilities, there are usually study areas, social areas, gyms, and communal dining rooms or kitchens. The latter depends on whether the residence is self-catered (there are kitchens for students to prepare their own meals) or catered (meal plans are offered so that students can enjoy ready-made meals).
In university residences in Montreal, basic services are usually included in the cost of accommodation. These include internet, electricity, heating, water, maintenance and cleaning of common areas. Some may offer additional services, such as meal plans (although these are compulsory in some residences), laundry and security.
The University of Montreal has several university residences on its campus. However, we should mention that these residences aren’t the preferred option for exchange students, as the contracts aren’t usually flexible and tend to cover the entire academic year.
If you’d like to know about accommodation near the Université de Montréal, read this article.
This institution has residences located on the Downtown Campus and the Macdonald Campus. Please note that we cannot guarantee that all students who apply for a place will receive one, as there aren’t enough places to meet demand. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s advisable to apply as soon as possible.
If you’d like to know about accommodation near McGill University, read this article.
This university has three residences of its own, and all are on-campus: one on the Sir George Williams Campus and two on the Loyola Campus. It’s compulsory to sign up for a meal plan when deciding to live in one of them, i.e. they are catered.
If you’d like to know about accommodation near Concordia University, read this article.
On the Erasmus Play search engine, you can compare verified private residences in Montreal, filtering by price and discovering the most affordable options. It’s also possible to apply filters according to other characteristics that are important to you, making it easier to find your ideal residence. What's more, through our platform, you can make your booking 100% online and securely. Don't miss the opportunity to secure your ideal place when you find it!
University residences range in price from CAD$800 to CAD$1,400 per month, depending on location, room type (single or shared) and whether meals are included. Private residences tend to be more expensive, costing between CAD$1,200 and CAD$2,000 per month, depending on additional services such as a gym, cleaning or social activities. Both types include basic services such as internet and heating, but private residences tend to offer more amenities.
Yes, some universities in Montreal, such as McGill and Concordia, offer scholarships or financial aid to partially cover the costs of student residences. These scholarships are usually aimed at students with proven financial need or outstanding academic merit. Applications are handled directly by the universities' financial aid offices.
A room in a shared flat is usually cheaper than a student residence. The cost of a room in a flat ranges from CAD$500 to CAD$900 per month, depending on the location and whether utilities are included. On the other hand, university residences cost at least CAD$800 per month. However, residences include additional services such as internet, security and common areas, which may justify their price.
We recommend that you apply at least six months before the start of the academic year. Universities and private residences usually open registration between January and March for the autumn term. Bear in mind that some university residences allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s advisable to apply as soon as possible.
They usually include services such as internet, heating, water, maintenance and access to common facilities such as gyms or study rooms. University halls of residence don’t normally include pillows, sheets, duvets, towels, hangers, cleaning products or toilet paper in private bathrooms. On the other hand, private halls of residence may offer regular cleaning, 24/7 security and equipped social areas. Some additional services, such as laundry or meal plans, may incur an extra cost.