Montreal housing guide for exchange students.

• Very student-heavy city – McGill, HEC, Concordia, Polytechnique, UdeM, UQAM, ETS… you’re surrounded by students.
• Very safe overall – Montreal’s crime index is low by international standards and lower than many big North American cities.([Numbeo][1]) You’ll see homeless people and some drug use in certain areas, but most students report feeling safe even at 2–3 a.m. downtown.
• Two official languages, one very chill vibe – You can live in English in many areas (especially around McGill & Concordia), but knowing a bit of French helps with shops, landlords, and the bus driver.

Montreal is extreme with weather:

• September–October: “Indian summer” (warm, beautiful parks, BIXI bikes everywhere, festivals, Picnik Électronik.)
• November–March: real winter. Think –10°C to –30°C, snow, ice, and short days.
• April–May: transition, can be snow or 20°C.
• Summer (if you stay): hot, humid, full of festivals.

Because winter is so intense, your two biggest housing questions are:

• How far am I from uni on a freezing February morning?
• Will I actually leave the house if I live far away?

A lot of students ended up very happy because they lived close to campus or the metro. Others saved money by living far… and then hated the commute.

Some key facts about Montreal leases:

• Most standard leases are 12 months, not 4–5 months. Quebec has a strong tradition of year-long leases starting around July 1 (“Moving Day”).([Wikipedia][2])
• On July 1, the whole city moves. It’s chaotic but also the moment when tons of apartments change tenants.
• As an exchange student, you’ll often: * Sublet from someone who signed a 12-month lease but is away. * Or rent in student residences / coliving that accept one semester.

HEC and other universities explicitly say that finding housing for just 4–5 months can be challenging, especially if you’re picky about area and budget.([hec.ca][3])

So the earlier you start looking (2–3 months before arrival, minimum), the better.

Montreal uses a funny system:

• 1½ = studio (one main room + bathroom)
• 3½ = 1 bedroom + living room + kitchen + bathroom
• 4½ = 2 bedrooms + living room + kitchen + bathroom

You’ll see this everywhere on listings. HEC’s own housing guide breaks down these notations and other local terms.([hec.ca][4])

Official stats and rental platforms show something like this:

• Average 1-bedroom in Montreal: around 1,200–1,800 CAD/month, depending on neighbourhood and building type.([centris.ca][5])
• 2-bedroom: ~1,500–2,200 CAD/month overall; more in central/modern buildings.([centris.ca][5])
• Central boroughs like Ville-Marie (Downtown) are among the most expensive; some areas further out are significantly cheaper.([Zumper - Apartments for Rent & Houses][6])

From exchange students:

• ~500–700 € / month (≈ 750–1,050 CAD) in shared flats a bit outside or with compromises (far from metro, older building, random roommates).
• 700–900 € / month for a good room in a shared apartment in the Plateau / Mile-End / Milton-Parc / Côte-des-Neiges.
• 900–1,200+ € for a room in a very central, modern private residence (Palay, Campus1 MTL, etc.) or a high-end agency place.

We’ll give you concrete examples later.

• Montreal’s metro + bus network is called the STM.
• A regular All Modes A monthly pass is around 100–105 CAD, and with a student OPUS card the price drops to around 60–63 CAD per month.([Société de transport de Montréal][9])

Students repeatedly say the monthly pass is worth it if you’re using the metro/bus several times a week.

The blue line is especially important:

• It serves HEC Montréal, Université de Montréal, Polytechnique (stations: Université-de-Montréal, Côte-des-Neiges, Édouard-Montpetit).
• Living near a blue-line station makes life way easier if you’re at those schools.

Montreal’s bikeshare, BIXI, is a game-changer in good weather:

• Monthly memberships cost about 23 CAD and give you unlimited short trips, with discounts for some universities.([BIXI Montréal][10])

Students love BIXI from April to October, then switch to metro/bus once snow hits.

You basically choose between:

• University residences
• Private student residences / coliving brands
• Classic shared apartments
• Medium-term Airbnb / sublets

Let’s break them down.

Most universities have official residences:

• McGill: traditional dorms and apartment-style options like Solin Hall (a renovated former chocolate factory) and others, with strong community life for undergrads.([McGill University][18])
• HEC Montréal: Darlington residence in Côte-des-Neiges offers rooms specifically for international and out-of-town students.([hec.ca][14])
• UQAM: residences right on or near campus, with rooms and apartments for 2–8 people, plus a housing bank.([Résidences universitaires][16])
• ÉTS: large residence complex in Griffintown for ~1,100 students.([ÉTS Montréal][15])

Pros:

• Close or on campus.
• Usually furnished, often with study rooms, laundry, sometimes gyms.
• Simple admin: clear leases, no weird landlord stories.

Cons (based on students):

• Limited spots, many residences prioritize degree-seeking students, not all exchange programs.
• Social vibe can vary a lot (some feel like a hotel, some are super active).
• Sometimes little flexibility for just one semester.

Who this suits: If you want something relatively safe & simple and don’t want to manage furniture or deal with landlords, this is a strong first option, especially if your uni explicitly offers exchange places.

These are private companies, not universities, but they target students and internationals. Some names you’ll see a lot:

• Palay – Condo-style building very close to McGill with gym, study rooms, laundry, etc. Several students loved it for the location and amenities, though some found it a bit expensive and noisy.
• Campus1 MTL – Huge residence across from McGill, with meals, gym, study areas, etc. Very central and social, but pricey.([Chelsea House][19])
• La MARQ / The MARQ – Student residences close to downtown universities (Concordia, McGill), with shared apartments and services.([themarq.ca][13])
• Parc Cité – Residence close to McGill/UQAM; students liked the location and private bathrooms but found the social life limited.
• Chelsea House – Popular modern residence ~10 min from McGill, strongly marketed to internationals; very social, but on the pricier side.([parccite.com][20])
• Evo, Yuliv, GetYourPlace, Harrington Housing, Lameer, etc. – mix of agencies and building operators offering furnished apartments or rooms with varying vibes and prices.([Yuliv.ca][21])

From students:

One student reported a really bad experience with an apartment booked via Harrington/Coliving: very expensive, in terrible condition. That doesn’t mean every unit from those companies is bad, but it’s a reminder to check reviews, ask for recent photos/videos, and if possible talk to past tenants before signing.

Pros

• Furnished, ready-to-go, with Wi-Fi, utilities, often cleaning.
• Super central, easy for McGill/Concordia/UQAM/ETS.
• Good if you’re arriving alone and want structure.

Cons

• Usually more expensive than a classic shared apartment for the same size.
• Social life can be very hit-or-miss depending on the building.

Who this suits: If you value convenience + location and can afford a bit more, or you’re booking fairly late and need something guaranteed, this is a good category.

The classic: you and 2–5 other students in a flat, sharing kitchen and living room, each with your own bedroom.

Most students in the feedback ended up here:

• 500–800 €/month for a room in a shared flat, depending on area and comfort.
• Found via: * Facebook Marketplace / Facebook groups (e.g. “Logement à Montréal”, “Montreal Student Housing”, “Français à Montréal”).([Facebook][22]) * Kijiji, PadMapper, Zumper, Rentals.ca, liv.rent, and similar platforms.([padmapper.com][12])

Students say:

Pros

• Best price / space / social life ratio.
• You choose your roommates, or join an existing group.
• You really live like locals: grocery runs, shared cooking, house parties.

Cons

• More admin: lease, utilities, sometimes buying furniture.
• Quality varies: you can find gorgeous renovated flats and absolute disasters.
• You need to be okay with living closely with others.

Who this suits: Honestly, most exchange students. If you’re even slightly open to shared living, this is where the “classic good exchange memories” tend to happen.

Some students choose:

• Long-term Airbnb, especially if booking late or for just one semester.
• Subletting from a local who is gone for a term (via Facebook, friends, or uni housing banks).

Pros:

• Very easy to secure something before arrival.
• Often fully furnished, with utilities included.

Cons:

• Airbnb can be more expensive than a normal lease.
• Sublets can be informal, always get something in writing and be sure the original tenant is allowed to sublet (Quebec law allows subletting but the landlord must be notified).([Éducaloi][23])

Who this suits: If you’re only staying 1 semester, arriving late, or want zero furniture hassle.

Many students said:

• “I’m so glad I was 5–10 min from campus.”
• Or: “I regret living far from the metro, it killed my motivation.”

If you’re coming for Fall / full year, strongly consider:

• Under 20 min door-to-door commute.
• Or at least very close to a metro station so you’re not walking long distances on ice.

In Montreal:

• Buildings and the metro are well heated, sometimes too much.
• The real battle is outside + slush on the ground.

So budget for:

• Proper winter boots (waterproof, good grip).
• A long, warm coat.
• Gloves, hat, scarf, warm socks.
• Lip balm & moisturizer, the air is very dry.