An_Idiot_Abroad

Hi,

Recently moved to Montreal, I'm working in Downtown but I'm looking for somewhere permanent to live.

I've been looking at apartments on De La Montagne / St Jacques but they're about $1700 and I'm not sure whether I should spend that much on housing. (I'm pretty sure I could afford it!

I really want to be close to work/town/social places as I am here on my own at the moment and I fear that if I live far out of Downtown I will feel isolated.

Any ideas/help, or does it make sense to spend the money and live in Downtown for a year or so until I get a better feel of Montreal?

I've heard that anything below 30% of gross take home salary spent on rent should be ok, is this true?

Thanks!

An_Idiot_Abroad

Oh bloody hell, I've posted this thread before, sorry, I would be interested in any new answers that people might have though?

An_Idiot_Abroad

Anyone have opinions on Little Italy? I love the market there but I'm not sure what it's like there to live? Is Downtown access easy?

It's near Beaubien Metro.

Nelju

West side of Montreal is the english side of the city. I used to live near Lachine and I liked there. $1 700 I think it is a lot expensive for a city like Montreal where you can find reasonable housing for $700-1000 a month.

If you speak french these links are a good reference to find information about Montreal.

http://www.immigrer.com/
http://www.immigrer.com/foireauxquestions/
http://www.immigrer.com/faq/rubrique...banlieues.html

An_Idiot_Abroad

I don't speak much French, I'm afraid

I work in downtown as well, so it needs to have good links to town :|

alterego61

NDG is an area relatively close to downtown that is reasonably priced and with a mix of English and French speakers.

An_Idiot_Abroad

Heard of NDG, is Monkland nice? Near Villa Maria Metro...

MRC23

Would I be able to find something nice for around $500? I'll be living on my own, so even a studio would be enough... Which recommended areas should I look into for such a price?

britsnake

You can find something for around $550 but generally this will not be in the nicest areas.

I know a number of people who live in areas like laSalle or areas like Monk or Verdun. When you go to the east side of town, you will find similar areas with similar prices. Pesonally I am not keen on these areas, but I know many people who live hapily there, but they are not my idea of nice.

Canuck74

Verdun aka Verdump is a run down area. The other areas mentioned are not places I would want to live in.

britsnake

I like NDG and Monkland.

It is well located for transport, shopping and eating out.

If you get a Car, it also has good links to the main routes out of Montreal.

I have a number of friends who live in this area I think you'll probably like it.

britsnake

I cannot disagree with Canuck74 about the areas mentioned.

If you look at a price point between 600 - 700 per month you can probably find something that I would call nice.

An_Idiot_Abroad

Thanks, I'll check out NDG and Monkland then.

I've been to LaSalle, Verdun and De L'Eglise and they all seemed REALLY run down to me, not somewhere I'd really want to live!

I was looking at De La Montagne/Rue St Jacques but the prices there are crazy, $1700 odd. I wasn't looking to spend that much.

An_Idiot_Abroad

Looked at NDG/Monkland today, the side roads look really nice and the places look really good!

The main strip looks a bit run down though, and I still can't get over the 'Tower Block' prejudice from their reputation in the UK, is this normal for brits coming over?

An_Idiot_Abroad

Bump, if anyone can suggest nice areas other than Monkland where I can get a good modern apartment right near a metro for under $1000 I would be grateful

Thanks!