Montreal is one of the top cities to study in worldwide for many reasons. As a student in Montreal, you'll quickly discover the exciting nightlife, unique culture and delicious foods that define the area. Plus, you don't have to break the bank to live in and explore Montreal! Continue reading to learn more about the pros of living in Montreal, as well as some of the best attractions to check out while you're there.

Student Accommodations

1. Student Accommodations

Montreal ranks high as one of the top 10 worldwide cities to study in, beating other bustling cities like Paris and New York City. The ranking considered factors like local university quality, student diversity, overall city appeal, affordability and graduated students' experiences.

Also, of the 21 largest cities in Canada, Montreal ranks No. 1 for job opportunities. You can find a place to work part-time while you attend school, and secure a stable, full-time job after graduating.

As a whole, Montreal stands out to students because of its reputation as a young adult city. We'll talk more about what makes Montreal so attractive to young adults, namely its:

  • Affordable living.
  • Exciting nightlife.
  • Exclusive art, culture and sports.
  • Delicious food.

2. Affordable Living

Compared to other cities, Montreal has a low cost of living based on factors like these.

  • Tuition: When referencing some of Montreal's top colleges — McGill University and the University of Montreal — the average 2020-2021 tuition for international students ranges around $10,000. Compare this to some of New York City's top universities, which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars for an undergraduate degree.
  • Canadian study permit: To study in Canada, you'll need to apply for a study permit. Study permit fees are $150, covering the total length of your study program and a 90-day grace period after program completion. 
  • Rent: At Harrington Housing, rent in Montreal costs only a couple to a few hundred dollars per week. We offer flexible housing for students, supplying fully furnished rooms in and around the Montreal area. Learn more about Harrington Housing by visiting our FAQ page.
  • Food: Cuisine in Montreal is highly diverse — and good enough to deserve a dedicated section in this post. Most universities offer their students meal plans. Or, you can budget a few hundred dollars for food per month. Montreal has plenty of budget-friendly dining options.
  • Transportation: The Montreal metro system, STM, has four easy-to-comprehend lines that connect downtown to tourist sites, bus stops and train stations. As a student, you'll receive a discount on the monthly passes, saving around 40% of the regular monthly fare.
  • Recreation: As you'll quickly learn, there are plenty of things to do in Montreal. You can find free activities like visiting a park, plus experiences you can budget for, like indulging in tourist activities or spending a night out on the town.

3. Exciting Nightlife

In Montreal, their motto is "Work hard, play hard." People know the city for its young adult party scene, attracting college students and tourists alike with famous DJs and event venues and destinations like these.

  • L'Axe du Mal: Bar hopping is typical of the college experience. Safely bounce from bar to bar at L'Axe du Mal, a quad of establishments with different styles of entertainment. Enjoy live music, rock 'n' roll, dance club and nightclub experiences.
  • Les Foufounes Electriques: One of Montreal's most historic nighttime destinations is Les Foufounes Electrique, recognized for legendary appearances by Nirvana, Green Day and Queens of the Stone Age. When visiting, expect the classic grunge experience with good music and cheap beer.
  • Crescent Street: Another great place to hop between bars and locations, Crescent Street is home to various pubs, nightclubs, dive bars and historic bars.

Besides these must-see destinations, Montreal has no shortage of other pubs, microbreweries, retro bars, karaoke bars, lounges, special events and festivals. You'll never be bored on the weekends or after classes!

4. Exclusive Art, Culture and Sports

The area known as Montreal today was originally home to Indigenous tribes. It later attracted French colonists, who named it Montreal in 1642. British, Scottish and Irish immigrants moved to the growing city in a melding of cultures that created new, unique traditions.

Here are some of Montreal's defining qualities.

  • Language: Most people in Montreal are bilingual, speaking both French and English. If you're new to the French language, you'll get the opportunity to learn a new language or at least a few words!
  • Art: A large concentration of artists live in Montreal. You'll find popular art museums like The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Musee d'Art Contemporain de Montreal. Merely by walking around the city, you'll find live artists writing, painting, singing and more.
  • Sports: If you're a sports fan, you'll love the abundance of exciting sports teams and events in Montreal. While you probably already know hockey as Canada's national sport, you'll find other professional teams playing football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, rugby and lacrosse.

5. Delicious Food

Food enthusiasts flock to Montreal for its diverse culture and cuisine. When visiting Montreal, try out some of their staples.

  • Poutine: Poutine is a trio of fries, gravy and cheese curds. While poutine originated three hours away in Quebec, you can still enjoy this savory treat almost anywhere in Canada.
  • Tourtières: Also known as a meat pie, tourtière is a meat-based dish — usually made of pork, veal or beef — combined with potatoes and baked in a delicious pie crust.
  • Cretons: Cretons is a spread often made of pork, onions and spices. French Canadians enjoy cretons spread over crackers or bread.
  • Grands-pères: Using Canada's beloved ingredient, maple, grands-pères are ball-shaped cakes put in boiling maple syrup.

Of course, because Montreal's culture is so diverse, you can find a wealth of other cuisines, like Lebanese, Caribbean and Irish.

Studying in Montreal? Contact Harrington Housing for Affordable Luxury Living

Studying in Montreal? Contact Harrington Housing for Affordable Luxury Living

Visiting and studying abroad is thrilling, but finding a place to live isn't always so glamorous. Harrington Housing is here to offer you a solution to luxurious and affordable housing. We provide an upscale, co-living experience in major global cities, including Montreal!

Enjoy a fully furnished bedroom in one of our high-rise buildings. Every room has access to amenities like these.

  • Fitness center
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Concierge
  • Smart TV
  • High-speed internet
  • Work desk
  • Comfortable bed

Plus, you'll live in a community that shares your interests, so you're bound to meet a few friends along your journey through Montreal.

Learn more about Harrington Housing by visiting our Montreal page online. Discover more about what living in Montreal is like, and explore our current available rooms. And, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us on our online contact form!