Do you know these places? I need help...

Hello everybody,
I'm going to spend a semester abroad at Concordia University and so I'm looking for a clean and comfortable place to stay (pref. a furnished studio/apartment) in the downtown area.

I've come across these places:

Place Lincoln
Studios Montreal

They're both around 800$/month (which is also almost the limit) and now, I'm not sure if I really should choose one of them as there are no ratings available online.

Does anyone here know these places and/or has heard anything about it (negative/positive)? I'd appreciate it.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes from Germany

Nina

For as long as I can remember, Studios Montreal have been advertising in newspapers and on the web. I've always thought they were more of a short-term agency, not a landlord.

Yes, I think they are. And I guess that's also what I should be looking for as I'm going to stay 5 months only. So I need a furnished place for a short-term.

I've never been to Montreal so I'm not sure what I have to expect. Is it a good idea to hunt for an apartment after my arrival or should I do that in advance as soon as possible?

I'd be grateful for suggestions.

Some of the building offering furnished short-term rentals are:

1077 St-Mathieu (very close to Concordia)
http://www.montrealbits.com/apartments/1077_st_mathieu.html

Place Lincoln (very close to Concordia)
http://www.montrealbits.com/apartments/1900_lincoln.html

La Cité (about 15 min walk):
http://www.montrealbits.com/apartments/la_cite.html

Trylon Tower (about 20 min walk):
http://www.montrealbits.com/apartments/trylon_tower.html

and several others, but I am not sure what you can get for $800 there... It doesn't hurt to ask though, right now is the low season, so they might be willing to rent for less.

All the buildings I mentioned are nothing to write home about, but if you just want to spend 6 months here, they'll probably do.

If you decide to go with Studios Montreal, I'd rent for 2 weeks only while you're looking. It really makes more sense to rent in a larger building, even if it's for part of the year.

I am in the port Lincoln. It is not the best apt ever, but as a student it is really great.

they are unfurnished, BUT with students moving in and out constantly, you can pick up other people's stuff when they move out (always a notice up that someone is selling their furniture -beds, tables, kitchen stuff) and you just get it for really cheap and sell it again when you go.

the rent is really good, the studios are $605 heated & hot water, all you pay is lights, and that is cheap. often people share their wireless internet, you put up a note and split the bill in exchange for the password.

I don't even use the internet at home, this place is a block from Concordia Library and they are open days, evenings and weekends. (exam time they go 24hr). They have lots of computers, even laptops that you can use and printers too. (easier to work at library where there are fewer distractions anyway

Oh! some of the apts are renovated, so a little more a month (new kitchen, new bathroom) but the old ones are fine... this is just during school anyway, so who cares if the tiles are white or beige? try to get one with a good view, that makes a difference in a small apt. HUGE windows, which makes it feel much bigger.

Have fun! (but study hard too! you'll party your whole life if you work when you are in school, or work hard your whole life if you party while in school!)

Me