Welcome to Montreal: Your First Guide to the City

Bonjour/Hi! So you're moving to Montreal! Maybe for McGill, UQAM, Concordia, UdeM, or HEC, congrats! Maybe you've never lived away from home before. Either way, welcome. Here's what we learned and what you need to know before you arrive.

What Kind of City Is Montreal?

Bilingual, but French first. Montreal is the largest French speaking city in North America outside France, but it's also one of the most bilingual and culturally diverse cities on the continent. Most people downtown speak both languages comfortably, and don't be surprised if you hear a different language being spoken every block. You don't need French to live or study here, but a few basic phrases go a long way.

Affordable. Compared to Canada's other large cities, Toronto, Vancouver, or most major U.S. cities, Montreal is cheaper to live in, especially for rent and food. Rents have climbed in recent years, but a student budget stretches further here than almost anywhere else on the continent. More budget for going out, in our opinion, which is why Montreal is known for its nightlife.

Real seasons. Summers are warm (25–30°C), winters are properly cold (–10 to –20°C, sometimes colder). Budget for a real winter coat and boots, it's not optional. The city's underground network helps you avoid the worst of it downtown, but as you'll learn, you cannot escape the cold.

A genuine student city. Four major universities (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, UQAM) plus HEC and several CEGEPs means a huge share of the people around you, on the metro, in your building, at parties, are also students, many international.

Getting around: The metro (STM) is frequent; an OPUS card with a student pass is worth getting right away. Central neighborhoods are very walkable, and in the summer, the BIXI Montreal bike share program is indispensable.

A First Look at Student Neighborhoods

• Plateau Mont Royal: The French connection. With its colorful triplexes, winding staircases, and cozy cafés, this neighborhood is the epitome of a classic "Montreal" look. Close to UQAM, reasonable commute to McGill/Concordia. Lively and in demand, so pricier near Mont Royal metro¹.
• Milton Parc ("The McGill Ghetto"): Right next to McGill, dense with student housing, minutes from class. Older buildings, very student packed, cheap eats and bars. Great for convenience, and great for your first year: unique to Montreal, a whole neighborhood built around students².
• Griffintown: Former industrial area turned modern condo hub near the Lachine Canal. Close to downtown, Concordia, ÉTS. Popular with grad students and young professionals who want newer buildings; less "classic Montreal," a bit pricier³.
• Quartier des Spectacles / Downtown: The cultural and commercial core, near Concordia and McGill, packed with festivals and nightlife. Central and convenient, but busier and much pricier than residential areas just a few minutes away. A classic large city downtown; expect some construction noise, typical of Montreal³.
• Mile End: North of the Plateau; artsy, indie cafés, slightly older/quieter crowd than the Plateau. A bit further from campus, well liked by grad students for the vibe⁴.
• Villeray / Rosemont: Further from downtown but excellent value, more space for your money, a local feel, closer to UdeM. Longer commute to most campuses, but worth it for budget conscious students⁴.

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