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Affordable off-campus
housing in Montreal

Tips for finding apartments for rent that are affordable on a student budget

July 1, 2023

Montreal has long been known as an affordable city in Canada, but things have started to change. Rents have increased considerably in recent years, and vacancies are at all-time lows. Students these days need all the help they can get to find an affordable place to live, and these tips will help you find apartments for rent in Montreal at a price you can afford on a student budget and in a great neighbourhood.

Finding the right neighbourhood

First, let’s start with the fun part: choosing a neighbourhood to live in. Montreal has tons of different neighbourhoods, each with its own character, energy, businesses, and vibrancy.
There are too many neighbourhoods to look at all of them in-depth here, but downtown, you can expect tons of nightlife, easy access to transit, and a busier lifestyle.

Rents have increased considerably in recent years, and vacancies are at all-time lows.

Westmount can be a bit pricier, but it’s located between both Concordia campuses and close to Dawson. The Plateau and Mile End are famously trendy neighbourhoods and close to McGill and UQAM, while further out, areas like Verdun, Hochelaga, and Rosemont offer a balance between lower rents and fun places to go.

You may want to stay close to the school you’re attending. You can save money by walking or biking to class, but you should know that students can get a monthly OPUS pass at a steep discount, and you may be able to save on rent by staying further out.

Budgeting your rent

When you budget your expenses for the year, it’s important that you give yourself a realistic budget for rent. First, remember that leases in Québec are for a full 12 months, which means you are responsible for rent for the full year. If you were planning on leaving during the summer, you may have to explore your options for subletting.

Université de Montréal suggests setting aside approximately $600 per month for a room in an apartment you share or $1,000 per month for your own studio apartment. This number can vary widely depending on the area you’re looking at.

How to connect with potential roommates

One of the best ways to save on rent is to rent a place with roommates. If you have a number of friends or peers also looking for housing in the same area, it can be beneficial to connect with them and go apartment-hunting together.

‘You can save money by walking or biking to class, but you should know that students can get a monthly OPUS pass at a steep discount’

Otherwise, you may want to go online to look for rooms for rent in co-housing situations. Opportunities will often open up when one roommate decides to move out, but everyone else wants to remain where they are.

Handling utilities: signing Up with Hydro Québec

It’s common for most Montreal apartments to charge hydro and other utilities separately. This means that you will need to open an account with Hydro Québec to receive and pay your bills on time. The average monthly hydro bill is $76 based on 1,000 kWh/month, but you should plan for much higher bills in the winter months if you have baseboard heating, with lower-than-average bills in the summer.

Use these tips to find a great student apartment in Montreal. Keep your costs down, connect with potential roommates, find an area you love, and make sure you include rent, utilities, and transportation in your budget.

Featured image: Benoit Debaix – Unsplash

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