Life in Montreal as a Concordia Student

Discover why Montreal, Quebec is a top student destination.

If you’re looking to study in Canada, Quebec is a great place to start! Concordia University is located in the vibrant city of Montreal, Quebec — one of Canada’s most innovative and diverse communities.

To help you get a better idea of what to expect, Concordia reveals the top reasons why their students love living in Montreal.

What draws students to Montreal?

There are many reasons why Montreal is a popular destination: its high-energy and creative vibe, the welcoming and inclusive environment, the diversity of a globally connected city, and a joie de vivre you can feel.

1. A vibrant cultural scene

The city attracts some of the best acts on the planet to festivals like Osheaga, Just for Laughs, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Nuits d’Afrique, and many more. Montreal has also become a destination for emerging artists from across Canada.

People from around the world call Montreal home, and that diversity of influences makes for an incredibly rich cultural experience, from food and dining to music, cinema, and literature. It's a place that will open your eyes — and your mind.

2. Language

Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, and an ideal place to learn or perfect your French.

Since Concordia is an English-language university, English speakers will feel right at home on campus. Many Montrealers are bilingual — or speak even more than two languages!

If English is not your first language, you'll be in good company: about half of Concordians are studying in a different language than their first language.

3. Neighbourhood life

Downtown, the Plateau, Verdun, Parc⁠-⁠Ex, Rosemont, St⁠-⁠Henri, Villeray are just some of Montreal's many distinctive neighbourhoods, each with its own vibe and unique cafés, grocery stores, and green spaces.

Laval, the West Island, the South Shore … much of the Greater Montreal area is also within easy commuting distance from downtown by public transit. You'll have lots of options when it comes to renting an apartment. Montrealers typically pay up to $1,500 per month for a two bedroom apartment.

4. Innovation and industry

Art in a cultural nexus. Engineering in an aerospace capital. Tech and digital arts in a gaming centre. The city is a hub of education and research, and home to four major universities.

Concordia's centres of expertise mirror those of Montreal itself, in preventive health and well-being, aerospace, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and smart buildings and cities. Our students benefit from exposure to an extended network of start up organizations, corporations, non⁠-⁠governmental organizations, and think tanks.

5. Design and the creative economy

After London, more people in Montreal work in creative jobs than anywhere else in the world. UNESCO named us a City of Design, and the arts, design, and architecture are front and centre in daily life.

You’ll find many creative companies based in Montreal, such as Cirque du Soleil, the National Film Board of Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

Our next-door neighbours, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montreal, put on world-class exhibitions.

Concordia also offers artists unparalleled opportunities to reach the public, with the Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery, the FOFA Gallery, and The VAV Gallery.

6. Four colourful seasons

Montrealers love to enjoy our beautiful surroundings all year round.

In the fall, the average daily temperature is 13°C and a common activity that you could do is walk on Mont Royal.

In winter, you can expect an average daily temperature of -4°C. This is the perfect weather to dance outdoors at Igloofest!

In spring, the average daily temperature is 10°C — great for running along the Lachine Canal.

In summer, the average daily temperature is 25°C. You can go paddleboarding on the St. Lawrence River to enjoy these warm days.

7. Transportation

Getting around is easy and inexpensive. Montrealers benefit from an extensive public transit system, including the metro (our subway). A free shuttle bus connects our two campuses.

Montreal is also officially the most bicycle-friendly city in North America, with 700 kilometres of bike paths. The public bike-sharing system, Bixi, was born here.

And the city itself is very walkable.

So, if living in Montreal is something that sounds like fun, then Concordia may be the right fit for you!