Housing

Furnishing your apartment

Some students will opt for furnished accommodation, which generally includes furniture and basic kitchen items. Though an ideal solution for short-term students, furnished apartments are more costly.

You can opt for a semi-furnished apartment (i.e., with refrigerator and stove) and buy your own furniture.

However, you might want to assess your needs and budget before you go this route. You also have to consider how to dispose of your furniture when it’s time to return home.

 

Buying new

If you’re buying new, Montréal offers a range of home furnishings stores whose prices vary greatly. Most are located in the suburbs and outlying areas. While they normally offer a delivery service, the waiting times can be long.

IKEA: www.ikea.ca

Brault & Martineau: www.braultetmartineau.com

The Bay: www.hbc.com

Sears: www.sears.ca

Zellers: www.zellers.com

Home Depot: www.homedepot.ca

A full listing of stores is available at: http://www.toutMontreal.com/cetm/meubles/meublesgeneral.html

 

Buying used

You might also want to consider buying used furniture — a solution that has obvious financial benefits. Check to see whether delivery is an option.

You can search the classified ads for items you need, as well as specialist stores like Bric-A-Brac, Entraide Montréal, Meubles usagés Jarry, Meubles usagés Beaubien, and others.

For more comprehensive listings, consult the Yellow Pages under “second-hand stores” at http://www.pagesjaunes.ca/business/

 

Home accessories

Home accessories are available in the big chain stores like Zellers, Canadian Tire or Walmart. These stores are generally located near the campus.

Bargain like Dollarama, where most items cost $1, are worth checking out for kitchen items in particular.

For bedding and linens, Zellers, The Bay or Simons in downtown Montréal (Peel metro) offer a wide selection.

Classified ads can be another option:

www.toutMontréal.com

http://Montréal.kijiji.ca