Trying to plan ahead and wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction here: I’m to move to Canada (quite possibly Montreal) as soon as possible after I get my visa.

Any suggestions on good websites providing accommodation in Montreal? I’ll be looking for a studio type accommodation or for room in shared house kind of thing. Tried looking on the web, had a headache!!

Any good websites, real estates agents you could recommend?? Could you please share your experience arranging accommodation please?

There are quite a few leads on the internet. You may want to start here http://www.firstcorp.ca/ or here http://www.mystudiomontreal.com/ or here http://montrealgazette.oodle.com/housing/rent/

Good luck hope you find something that suits you.

I have been getting a general idea of what is available for Vancouver from craigslist.

I can recommend the apartment complex "La Cite", it's in the downtown area.
It consists of 4 highrises, 32 stories high. The entire building complex is connected underground by a shopping mall including a cinema and grocery store, pharmacy, post office, a gym with swimming pool etc.... The rent is a bit steeper compared to other areas in the city but you get a lot of perks for it. The place is located a 5 minute walk from one of the main metro stations "Place des Arts" and from the down town city core (that means pubs ). There is a major bus line right outside the building, heat is included in the rent, so is electricity, water, heat and air conditioning. They also give you a fridge, stove etc. I've been living there for about a year now and I love it. If you get the right kind of appartment then you also get a really nice view of the city skyline... depending on the type of appartment you get the rent can vary between $900 and $1500.

Don't mean for this to sound like a commercial but I really like it there... you can go there and visit some appartments without appointment. Just go to 350 Prince-Arthur West and go to the 17th floor to reception. The website is:

http://en.lacite.com/accueil.aspx

Good luck and when you're in town send me a PM and we'll go for some pints of fine brew to celebrate our expatness

Thanks for reply. Sounds fantastic although I woulnt be too keen on spending this amount on rent before having a job. Have been thinking of securing temporary 3 months accommodation so it could help me do house hunting more comefortably. am in touch with a company similar to the one you mentioned that is happy to do just this for me, waiting for a response.

looking to rent in downtown - have a preference for the anglophone areas! So if you know of any other more affordable places do let me know.

Many thanks

Hi,

Could you please post the contact details of the company you have have been in touch with?

Thanks a lot,

Benoît

Are you heading for montreal as well. ok will send details- will pm you just in case the nice moderators ban me here under 'not allowed to plug in adverts"

I have just started the process. Got the CSQ in March and hopefully will send the PR application next week. If everything goes as planned, will move to Montreal in april 2010.

Thanks for the pm but I cant access it as I haven't had 3 posts yet.... lol

For all those who might find downtown montreal expensive here is a link that might help: http://www.louer.com/.

DO NOT use mystudiomontreal.com or montrealstays.com

PM me if you'd like suggestions as i have been in your shoes...

Any good leads will be highly appreciated, have sent you pm, cheers

Louise Cloutier at confortmontreal.com is legit.

Avoid: hebergementmontreal.com