Overview and Location
Alma @ Shaughnessy Village is a student residence at Montréal, QC H3H 1G9, Canada, located in the Shaughnessy Village neighbourhood near downtown Montreal. The building offers two room types: non-ensuite (shared bathroom and kitchen) and studio (private unit). Monthly rents range from CAD 1,155 to 2,200 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The minimum lease term is 9 months. Included features: security cameras, laundry facilities, and bills included in the rent. The property has a Google rating of 3.7 out of 5 based on 64 reviews.
Who This Residence Suits
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Students who want all-inclusive pricing. Bills (electricity, water, internet, likely heat) are covered in the monthly rent. This simplifies budgeting and avoids unexpected utility costs.
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Those looking for a studio for full privacy. The studio option gives you your own kitchen and bathroom. If you prefer to cook and live alone, this is a convenient choice.
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Tenants who value a responsive on-site manager. A positive review specifically praises the manager Marion: “The manager, Marion, is amazing; she genuinely cares about the tenants. She always has a positive attitude and a smile. She is very professional and will help if you have any issues or concerns. Living at the link apartment (alma) is awesome because of her great management skills.” If good management is a priority, this property may deliver.
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Students who need a 9-month lease. The minimum term aligns with a typical academic year (September to May). If you are studying on that schedule, you won’t need to sign a full 12-month contract.
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Individuals who prefer a neighbourhood close to downtown. Shaughnessy Village is within walking distance to many downtown amenities, shops, and public transit. It’s a central location for exploring Montreal.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
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Budget-conscious students. Montreal’s city from-price for student housing on this platform is CAD 610 per month (indicative). Alma’s cheapest room starts at CAD 1,155 — nearly double that amount. If you need to keep costs low, other shared apartments or residences in the city will be significantly more affordable.
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People who are very particular about roommates. A one-star review (Google) states: “I strongly do not recommend this place. You sign a contract, and without your consent they place you with people whose profiles are completely incompatible with yours—people who are messy, create constant disorder, and do not change their behavior despite repeated complaints. On several occasions, I asked to be moved t” (review cut off). The reviewer’s complaint suggests that the operator may not accommodate roommate-matching requests. If you have strong preferences about cleanliness, noise levels, or lifestyle, you may not get a suitable flatmate.
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Anyone who has experienced or is wary of unfulfilled promotions. Another one-star review reads: “⚠️Attention arnaque !! Warning: scam!! First of all, I chose to live in this residence because it promised three months of rent refunded as cashback, but I have never received these checks. This is false advertising and a lack of honesty. Secondly, for five months now, I still haven’t received a mailbox key, even thoug” (review cut off). This account indicates a cashback offer was not honoured. If a promotion sounds too good to be true, you should get all promises in writing and confirm directly with the operator before signing.
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Those who need a mailbox key immediately. The same review mentions a five-month delay for a mailbox key. If you rely on postal mail (e.g., for documents, packages), this could be a significant inconvenience.
What Residents Actually Say
The three Google reviews provided give a mixed picture.
Positive experience:
“The manager, Marion, is amazing; she genuinely cares about the tenants. She always has a positive attitude and a smile. She is very professional and will help if you have any issues or concerns. Living at the link apartment (alma) is awesome because of her great management skills.” — Genevieve leblanc, 5 stars
This review highlights the impact of a capable manager. If the current management remains the same, daily issues may be handled well.
Negative experiences:
“⚠️Attention arnaque !! Warning: scam!! First of all, I chose to live in this residence because it promised three months of rent refunded as cashback, but I have never received these checks. This is false advertising and a lack of honesty. Secondly, for five months now, I still haven’t received a mailbox key, even thoug” — Maïwenn Lapostolle, 1 star
“I strongly do not recommend this place. You sign a contract, and without your consent they place you with people whose profiles are completely incompatible with yours—people who are messy, create constant disorder, and do not change their behavior despite repeated complaints. On several occasions, I asked to be moved t” — Profil, 1 star
These two reviews raise concerns about promotional honesty, operational basics (mailbox key), and roommate assignment flexibility. While we have no way to verify these claims, they are real accounts that should be considered when evaluating the residence.
Overall, the three reviews cluster at extremes (two 1-star, one 5-star), suggesting that resident satisfaction varies widely. A full investigation by visiting the property and speaking to current tenants is recommended.
Price Positioning and Room Types
Montreal’s student housing market in this platform starts at CAD 610 per month (indicative) for the cheapest option across all properties. Alma @ Shaughnessy Village’s minimum price of CAD 1,155 is roughly 89% higher than that entry point. Its maximum price of CAD 2,200 (studio) puts it in the upper range for the city.
Room options:
- Non-ensuite (shared facilities): from CAD 1,155 per month (indicative). You will share a bathroom and kitchen with other residents.
- Studio: up to CAD 2,200 per month (indicative). Your own bathroom and kitchen, plus a combined living/sleeping area.
Both room types include bills. The minimum lease is 9 months — shorter than a full year, but still a commitment. If you need a shorter stay, you would need to negotiate or look elsewhere.
Considering the price, the residence is best suited to students whose budget is above the city average, or those who prioritise a central location and included utilities over saving money.
Booking Timing Considerations
This property is located near downtown Montreal, an area with student demand, especially from September to April. If you plan to move in for the start of the academic year (August/September), booking several months in advance (March–May) is common for many residences. However, because Alma @ Shaughnessy Village has a mixed reputation, it may be wise to avoid rushing into a contract. You can:
- Check if the operator offers a virtual tour or an in-person viewing.
- Ask about the current management team and confirm that the manager mentioned in the positive review is still in charge.
- Clarify any promotional offers (e.g., cashback) in the written lease.
- Ask about the roommate-matching process for non-ensuite rooms and whether you can request specific flatmates.
The 9-month minimum lease may limit your flexibility if you plan to leave early. Ensure you understand the cancellation policy and any penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cashback promotion real?
One review states that a promised three-month rent refund as cashback was never received, calling it “false advertising.” We cannot confirm the truth of this or the operator’s current policies. To protect yourself, request any promotion in writing in the lease agreement. Confirm directly with the residence manager before paying any deposit. All prices and offers are indicative — confirm with the operator.
Can I choose my roommates if I book a non-ensuite room?
Based on a one-star review, the reviewer was placed with incompatible roommates without consent and was not moved despite repeated requests. This suggests that roommate selection may not be flexible or guaranteed. If having a compatible flatmate is important to you, discuss this with the operator before signing and ask if you can request specific preferences (e.g., quiet hours, cleanliness level).
What exactly is covered by “bills included”?
The property tags indicate that bills are included. This typically covers electricity, water, heating, and internet. However, the exact inclusions can vary by property and room type. You should ask the operator for a full list of utilities and any limits (e.g., monthly internet data cap). The price range is indicative — confirm with the operator.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
For current availability, please use the on-site assistant on this page.
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