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You can sometimes read the following comment on popular forums: “Furnished apartments are expensive”. Is this true?

Unfurnished apartment :

Benefits :

At first glance, it may seem less expensive, on a monthly basis, to rent an unfurnished apartment, but, keep in mind that in addition to having to supply your own furniture, and sometimes even your appliances, you will be responsible for the cost of electricity, heating, telephone, cable TV and Internet services, all of which are included when you rent a furnished apartment.

Disadvantages :

• Making arrangements to rent an unfurnished apartment from abroad is almost impossible. You must do so on site.
• You will more often than not be required to sign a one-year lease.
• You are often forced to choose a dwelling in a neighbourhood that you are not familiar with.
• Upon your arrival, you will likely have significant hotel and restaurant expenses until you are settled in your apartment.
• You may need to undertake an intensive search for an unfurnished apartment. You will need to devote time and energy to look for an apartment, then to deal with the complex and lengthy immigration or work/study process.
• You will need to purchase furniture upon your arrival. There may be additional costs (such as: furniture delivery, painting, decoration, carpet cleaning).
• Obligation to promptly contact the service providers (electricity, gas, telephone, cable TV, Internet)
• If your stay is of short duration, you will need to sell your furniture when you leave, likely incurring a financial loss.

Furnished apartment

Benefits :

• Immediate comfort of home "from the moment you arrive", including the opportunity to prepare your own meals.
• Easier integration into a new city, especially if you have children.
• Provides you with enough time to visit different neighbourhoods.
• Lets you look for and visit apartments at a more leisurely pace.
• Less expensive than staying in a hotel:
  • Average nightly room rate in Montreal hotels in 2007, according to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal:
    $156 plus applicable taxes;
  • Minimum low-season rate for a small hotel room in 2008: $79 plus applicable taxes
  • Less expensive than staying in a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) :
    room for two people, with shared bathroom, costs an average of $65 per night. (in 2008)
  • More comfortable than Youth Hostels :
    a spot in a dormitory setting goes for $25 plus taxes per person.