Junior Jonck
Noco was a fantastic place about 1.5 years ago. Coincidentally, that’s also when new reviews stopped appearing. The community remains full of amazing people who truly make the experience special, as others have mentioned. However, over time, management has steadily diminished what made Noco great. Here are some key issues I encountered: - Lack of Transparency on Responsibilities: Even today, the website does not mention that guests are expected to take on certain responsibilities, such as posting daily on the coliving’s Instagram or handling tasks like snow shoveling and lawn mowing. - Ongoing Internet Problems: We endured months of unreliable internet, to the point where residents had to purchase their own providers and routers. Management only addressed the issue after some people left specifically due to this problem. - Pest Issues Ignored: One summer, we dealt with persistent fly and rat infestations. Despite repeated requests for action, management dismissed our concerns, responding with comments like, "It's normal to have rats in Montreal," and "You guys should be cleaner." Residents eventually resorted to buying their own traps. - Inconsistent Rules and Favoritism: There is no rulebook or contract, meaning rules change arbitrarily. In theory, house policies evolve with the community; in practice, management enforces them selectively. For example, some residents were allowed to host family members for short stays, while others were denied without explanation—aside from "management felt uncomfortable." While I wasn’t personally affected by this, I met people who were. - Concerns for Women’s Safety: Several women I met expressed discomfort due to certain individuals in the community with predatory behavior. Complaints were made to management, yet no action was taken. In some cases, women even switched houses to feel safer. I believe Noco could be a great place again—if management were open to constructive feedback rather than shifting blame onto residents. If you’re only staying for a month, you’ll likely have a good experience and avoid most of these management issues. The people here are truly wonderful, and that’s the main reason you don’t see more negative reviews. Many residents share these concerns but hesitate to speak out, fearing retaliation, as they may eventually return to Montreal and want to reconnect with friends. Edit: I appreciate the response, but I want to clarify a few things. My review is based on nearly two years of firsthand experience, and none of the issues I mentioned were exaggerated. They were not just my personal experiences—many other residents faced the same problems, from persistent internet issues and unresolved pest infestations to inconsistent rule enforcement and safety concerns. The fact that multiple people had to buy their own internet routers or rat traps, or that some women felt unsafe to the point of switching houses, speaks for itself. While I understand that coliving involves collaboration, it’s important to acknowledge that residents are still tenants paying for a service. Expecting transparency, basic maintenance, and fair treatment isn’t about “disrupting the community”—it’s about ensuring a livable space. At the end of the day, no matter how communal the experience is, management still plays the role of a landlord, and that comes with responsibilities. As for my removal from the WhatsApp group, that only reinforces why so many people hesitate to speak up. Whether intentional or not, it sends a clear message that criticism isn’t welcome. Noco has great people, and I sincerely hope management takes feedback constructively rather than dismissing it. My intention isn’t to harm but to provide an honest account of my experience so that future residents can make informed decisions and, ideally, so that the community can improve for everyone.