PALAY Apartments

5 Reasons Why Montreal is the Best Student City

Montreal has quietly built a reputation as one of the best student cities in North America — and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Between the culture, affordability, student lifestyle, and sense of community, the city offers an experience that feels difficult to replicate anywhere else. 1. Montreal Balances Independence With Support The best […]

Moving to Montreal as a Student: 5 Things to Know

So—you’re officially becoming a Montrealer.You’ve got your acceptance, and you’re this close to booking the U-Haul. Before you do that, there are a few things you should know—about the city, the move, and what student life actually looks like once you get here. Don’t worry, I got you. Consider this your unofficial first-year guide to […]

The True Cost of Renting for Students

When students start looking at rent prices, it’s easy to get the sense of:that’s not too expensive.   But renting an apartment is more than just the base rent. Hidden costs can quickly turn I can afford this into what have I done before midterms start.  For most students, renting an apartment is their first […]

When to Start Looking for Student Housing in Montreal

When do I start looking for student housing in Montréal? It’s one of the most important questions you’ll ask before moving to the city—and it can completely shape your experience. Leave it too late, and you’re dealing with limited options, higher prices, and unnecessary stress. Start early, and you get better locations, better pricing, and […]

How To Maximize Your Space: Student Edition

How to live in a small apartment is something almost every university student learns quickly after moving out for the first time. If you asked your ten-year-old self what your first apartment would look like, chances are the reality would be very different—and that’s okay. Your first university apartment is rarely large. In fact, smaller […]

The Psychology of Feeling at Home

The psychology of feeling at home explains why certain spaces instantly feel comfortable while others remain unfamiliar. “Homebody.”“There’s no place like home.”“Homesick.”“This feels like home.” Most of us can recognize when a place feels like home—but identifying that feeling is more complex than it seems. Psychologists have found that our sense of home is shaped […]

Should You Live Near Campus or Commute? A Breakdown for Students

At some point in your university career, you will face the question:Do I live near campus — or do I commute? Both options have advantages. Both have trade-offs. And the right choice depends on what you value most during these few years that move faster than you think. If you are weighing the decision, here […]

How to Live With People You Don’t Know

Living with other people is like being on a team — except the practice never ends, there’s no coach, and everyone has a different idea of what “clean” means. When I think back on university, I always reflect on my second year. It was my best year in terms of roommates. We were close, comfortable, […]

Why You Should Have Roommates In University

There’s this idea that living alone in university is the end goal.That once you get your own space, your own routine, your own quiet — you’ve made it. But if you’ve ever lived in student accommodations, especially in a shared apartment space like Palay or University Apartments, you know that’s not really the full picture. […]

To My Roommates – I Think I Miss You.

“How Was Your Day?” Since graduating, I’ve moved into my own place. Just me. This feels like the phase where I’m supposed to feel grown. Like my life has direction, purpose, momentum. And I do feel that — at least in the rare moments when the imposter syndrome fades. On paper, this is what moving […]