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My First Apartment: Small-town BFFs find city living a wonderful challenge

Florence Nadeau and Sarah-Maude Biron are best friends who moved to Montreal after high school seeking new adventures.

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My First Apartment shares the stories of students and roommates as they set up their first home. Every week, Montrealers will explain what they like about the first address they can truly call their own.

Florence Nadeau and Sarah-Maude Biron are best friends who moved to Montreal after high school seeking new adventures. They found a roommate through Kijiji and discovered it can be a challenge to live with someone who doesn’t share your values or vision for apartment living. Still, they love their freedom and continue to be best friends.

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My_First_Apartment_Details
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Tenants:

Florence Nadeau, 18 

Sarah-Maude Biron, 18 

and a roommate

Florence (left) and Sarah-Maude (right).
Florence (left) and Sarah-Maude (right). Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

Occupation:

Florence: studying Cinema & Communications at Dawson

Sarah­-Maude: studying Liberal Arts at Dawson

Neighbourhood:

Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

The apartment:

A bright open-concept three-bedroom apartment with a cute little backyard 

Rent: 925$

Open-concept living room and dining room.
Open-concept living room and dining room. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

Where did you grow up and when did you move to this apartment?

Florence: This apartment is my first place. I used to live with my parents in Victoriaville, and decided to move out after I finished high school. I always knew that small-town life wasn’t for me. I breathe better now that I live in the city, as ironic as that sounds.

Sarah-Maude: I’ve lived on my own for a year. I moved into this apartment in August 2015 because I was bored in my hometown. I grew up in a small town called Baie-­du­-Febvre in Centre-du­-Québec with my parents.

The treasured buddha poster in the dining area; Florence also has a fondness for their vintage fridge.
The treasured buddha poster in the dining area; Florence also has a fondness for their vintage fridge. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

0813_hf_my_1st_apt_quote2What do you like best about your first apartment?

Florence: I like that the neighbourhood is peaceful and that I always feel safe walking home after midnight. Something I truly value in our apartment (even though it’s pretty ordinary) is the big Buddha poster over the kitchen table. It was probably the first thing we bought trying to make the apartment feel more “homey.” With time, I started decorating more and more and the poster sort of feels out of place now, but we keep it for the memories. It’s also pretty dumb, but I adore my old fridge. It’s probably 100 years old but I love that it’s vintage. My boyfriend and I got it out of a guy’s apartment by paying two movers down the street $20.

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Sarah-Maude: I think the apartment is a reflection of who we are. We chose all the colours and furniture. The location is also amazing: it is safe, there are a lot of trees, a beautiful park, and it is minutes away from downtown.

Florence loves the vintage green chair that was handed down from her parents.
Florence loves the vintage green chair that was handed down from her parents. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION
Deco pieces in the living room.
Deco pieces in the living room. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

Is there anything in the apartment that was given to you or inherited from your family home and what does it symbolize to you in your independent life?

Florence: My parents bought a cottage near Quebec City at the same time I got this apartment, so they gave me a lot of stuff. I saw a lot of potential in this big green vintage chair. It’s definitely not the cutest colour and it was probably built in the last century, but I love its vintage feel and with a cute blanket and pillow on it, it has a lot of charm. My mom was kind enough to give me two of her paintings — I love the artsy atmosphere it gives to the place.

Sarah-Maude: The very first thing I bought: Cleaning products. The apartment was really dirty when we arrived. We spent a lot of time washing every corner of this place.

Florence’s bedroom.
Florence’s bedroom. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION
Desk area in Florence’s bedroom.
Desk area in Florence’s bedroom. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

How do you manage with having to pay rent?

Florence: I’m lucky that my parents believed in my need to leave my small town and find myself and my passion in the city. They help me out with money and I’m very grateful for that. It’s really hard to manage social life, school and having to take care of an apartment. I recently started working part time. Also, since we’re three living here we get to split to rent, Hydro and Internet. 

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Sarah-Maude: Living in this apartment is not really expensive since we are three. I have to pay the rent, my groceries and everything else. When my parents can, they help me pay my school fees, my books, and sometimes my rent and groceries.

Sarah-Maude’s bedroom.
Sarah-Maude’s bedroom. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION
Another view of Sarah-Maude’s bedroom.
Another view of Sarah-Maude’s bedroom. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION
Some deco pieces to make it personal.
Some deco pieces to make it personal. Photo by MARIE-LYNE QUIRION

0813_hf_my_1st_apt_quote1What advice would you have for someone who is about to get their first apartment?

Florence: Something I learned the hard way is that living with people can be hard, especially if you do not have the same values. We found our roommate through Kijiji and he is a great guy, but he doesn’t have the same vision as us concerning the apartment. My advice: Learn to cook beforehand and chose your roommates wisely. Also, be prepared to wash a lot of dishes. I mean a lot.

Sarah-Maude: It is hard to live alone and study at the same time. My program involves a lot of work, and every day I have to do schoolwork in addition to everything else. I have to prepare my meals, and to clean my dishes, the house, my clothes, etc. But I survive!

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