活是可以,看你啥要求。
1, I don't know French at all, but I lived here many years. When we first decided to move here, just because everything cheap here. e.g Renting.
I think it is up to your status. If you only one guy, not family, u can share with other people in Ottawa, probably not big difference in renting.
2, Anohter reason that Lots of people moving or living here but studying in Ottawa is because the loan and bursary program. I know long time ago, it seems better policy for students in Quebec than in Ottawa. Now policy may change and you should do some research to compare.
3, From Hull to CU (i studied in CU before), ususally you need to change to O-Train, this is the best way. So find apt near the river would be easy for you. Otherwise, it will take u some time on the commute esp in Winter.
some factors you need to think about living in either in qc or on, how long you will study in CU, how ofter you go to shcool, how much time you think it is worth in the transporation etc...