Trade and barter in Montreal

Montreal invented moving season. Around July 1st, half of the Plateau, Villeray, Rosemont and Verdun changes address at once, and the sidewalks fill with furniture, lamps, shelving and appliances that still have years left in them. Bartering turns that annual pile into something useful instead of curbside garbage.

The city's student and creative population makes non-item trades common here too: guitar lessons for a bike tune-up, photography for a used amp, French practice for help moving a couch. Services trade as easily as objects in Mile End and Hochelaga.

Winter changes the board completely — snow shovels, boots, humidifiers and indoor hobby gear jump to the top of everyone's wanted list. Meet at a metro station or a busy café on Saint-Laurent or Wellington and keep it quick.