It's a well respected program. It's very cheap (even when considered as an international student), so you'll get your money's worth. Drinking age in Quebec is 18 so when I was there (spent a term in McGill as exchange) most of the American students were running around drunk off their asses 24/7. Montreal is also very very cold, so if you're not used to it, you'll hate it. Otherwise, one of my favorite cities in North America.

You'll do very fine for yourself with an MArch from McGill. It may even open the door to Canada for you. Get yourself a nice Quebecois girlfriend/boyfriend/both to keep you warm at night and you're all set!

This'll be one of the programs I'll be applying to as well. I've never been there, so the following is all based on what I've heard from current/former students. From my understanding it leans towards theory, history, and the like. Alberto Pérez-Gómez ended up there, so if you're familiar with his work you'll know what to expect (PHENOMENOLOGY).

This focus is why McGill is low on my list of grad schools. I'm not keen on dealing with crits obsessed solely with casting the perfect shadow. ugh. I'm looking for a school more actively engaged with urban / global issues.

p.s. I'll add that I do think its a really strong school in other respects which is why I will apply to it.

They have a research unit called The Minimum Cost Housing Group (MCHG) which describes itself as having "an international orientation that focuses attention on the human settlement problems of poor nations." which I'm super-interested in.