Accommodation in Quebec
Like anywhere in the world, in Quebec City, the price of a rent varies from one area to another. For cheaper rents, you may want to begin your search in these areas:
Limoilou - very close to dowtown Quebec City (basse-ville). If you are near the 800 or 801 metrobus line, you will easily connect to the main places in the city. There is a Cegep in Limoilou and many students live there.
Vanier - new immigrants often rent in this area. Just make sure you see your neighbors, though...
St-Roch - also make sure you know who your neighbors are.
Ste-foy: many university and Cegep students live near the university. close to the shopping centers.
Charlesbourg is big and some areas offer good deals. Make sure there is a bus nearby.
Quebec winters are very, very cold. When visiting an appartment (and this applies also to Montreal), make sure that there are heating plates in each room. Also, if you are renting in a building, make sure that there is someone living downstairs. Otherwise, your floor will be cold and so will be your appartment. Check the windows also. Double windows will offer a better protection against the cold. Many people buy a plastic to sceal the windows in the winter to prevent air from entering the premises.. You'd better know these details, especially if you rent in summer. If you don't pay attention to the heating system, you might have a surprise when the cold sets in. Sometimes the electricity is paid for by the landlord. As per experience, landlords tend sometimes to underheat the premises and you have no control over it.
Finally, if you have a car, mind the parking. If you have to park on the steet, you may find yourself stuck with your car on snow removal days. Parking is prohibitted in the streets on those days and you have to find a commercial parking for the night (which is not always close by and easy to find).
