cassz

I'm in the process of completing the student housing survey, and I'm not entirely sure which res I'd prefer. I've ruled out Solin Hall (looks nice, but too far for my liking), the MORE residences (not keen on communal living, at least for 1st year), and Royal Victoria College (ambivalent about living in an all-girls residence for another 4 years).

Greenbriar, New Res, Douglas, Gardner, Molson, and McConnell remain as options.

Any recommendations (and why)?

Thanks!

b3tt3Rt[-]4nU

Housing?

YouTube - mcgilltour's Channel
YouTube tours of all the residences

Should have all your answers...

Ocikat

New Residence is the best.
But these are all good.
YouTube - New Rez/Underground Mall
YouTube - M.O.R.E.
YouTube - RVC

WashingtonIrving

Just to warn you, I know ALOT of people who really dislike new res.

sophia.l

What are the downsides of it?

cassz

Some pros and cons of the different residences you're familiar with would be excellent.

cassz

I found these old threads on residences, but I'd still like to hear any new pros/cons.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Mcgill Residences

It's all about RESIDENCE

WasOnceMellowMom

Last year my daughter had requested Douglas but was put into RVC. She was very disappointed, did not want to live with all girls, etc BUT it turned out really well for her. After getting over the initial shock, she started to look into RVC and found that the west wing (older part) was far nicer then the newer (1960's?) wing. She requested to be put there, and had a slightly larger room overlooking an inner courtyard and could here the pianos from the music school (a good thing).

She made a lot of friends very quickly. There were very few girls who had actually chosen RVC, except for the international girls whose parents had made the choice. Except for one very loud music playing girl, no one made too much noise, so sleep and studying were possible. The bathrooms were clean. The location was excellent. RVC is on the corner of University and Sherbrooke, across the street from the campus, so when it was 20 below, she didn't have to stay out in it for long. She also didn't have to slide up and down the hill where most of the dorms are. RVC is also downtown, so all those amenities were available, the metro, banks, food, stores, etc.

The boy issue didn't seem to be a problem as she met them in classes and social activities and extracurricular activities.

BTW, you don't live in the dorms at McGill for four years, only for one year. They only have enough room for first year students then you have to find an apartment, which is not too difficult and it is less expensive.

musicmom2

Besides RVC are there any dorms close to the music building?
My son liked Douglas.

WasOnceMellowMom

My daughter told me this morning that there is talk about making the east wing of RVC coed. Whether that is for this coming school year or not, I don't know.

anxiouslyeager

musicmom2: could you (or your son) say more about Douglas ? is the walk long in the winter to go to engineering classes ? is it a good idea to have a bike ? how cold does it get ? .... for someone used to warm winters...
also... is anybody in engineering? how big are the classes?
thanks!

BOYSOFWINTER

Douglas is so picturesque, but don't get your heart set on it, being the first choice of many, it's difficult to score a place there. Also, scholarship recipients have first dibs and fill a lot of the spaces.
My son loved Molson. The parties were over the top, but he made such good friends, funny, smart and interesting. It's the typical U.S. dorm experience -- although he said some girls took cabs to class, a touch of New Res on the hill.
Sad that res life is over, he's now moved 25 minutes off campus to the Plateau with four roommates and will buy a clunker bike to get back and forth. But he has an awesome furnished apartment with 12 foot ceilings and beautiful hardwood floors, moldings and light fixtures, new kitchen and baths. Even renting it for 12 months instead of just the in-school months it'll be less expensive than res.
Cold? Of course. Builds character and proves you're alive. Dress appropriately and don't dwell on it.

anxiouslyeager

Thanks. How long does it take to walk from Molson to the Engineering building in the winter, and can you ride a bike even in February?

justatest

Regarding distances: relative to the ammount of walking students do to get around montreal on weekends (and weeknights), the walk from rez to campus is pretty much a joke. Engineers take essentially all of their classes on the Rue University side of campus (McConnel, Frank Dawson Adams, MAAS, or Trottier), studying mostly at Schulich Engineering Library. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes to get to class. First year classes are huge, all engineers take the same classes then (Gen Chem ~ 600, Physics ~ 300, Math ~ 300, Linear Algebra ~150). I'm entering my third year, sizes have shrunk to ~ 120, on average. I take classes for my minor as well, and those are ~ 50-70.

Walking distance seems to be a big issue for a lot of people, I think I'll make that my next project. Walking from Rez is really not a big deal, especially when you move out of Rez into either the Ghetto, Plateau, or farther away, where walking distances exceed twenty minutes and a bike might be necessary. I recommend not weighing walking distances between the Rez's unless you're considering Solin, OR, you're really really lazy and anticipate having trouble making those 8:30 classes.

Music People: Prez Rez, Dio, and RVC are ridiculously close to Schulich music.

Last piece of advise: don't worry too much about anything that might not go exactly your way, initially. Don't set your heart on any one Rez, THINGS ALWAYS WORK OUT. You'll realize in a year that it was not worth the pain. Relax, you'll find your niche and enjoy your time here, eventually if not immediately.

anxiouslyeager

why are prez rez or dio not mentioned anywhere in the "residences' room reservation agreement" ? is it not a choice any longer for first year students?