Moving to new country, must lease apartment but can't visit first - is it a bad idea?

I'm going to Montreal soon in the downtown area and want to lease an apartment. I don't have the time or $ right now, however, to go there in person since I'm saving up $ and I'm in college until I will transfer over as a student in Canada.

Would it be a horrible idea to give the deposit if I can't visit? It's an upscale property in a good area and the landlord seemed friendly via phone and email so I felt pretty confident about it until someone made me have doubts. Since I'm 9 1/2 hours away it's hard to get there. Would FaceTime on the iPhone be sufficient?

Have a friend or future classmate to go visit.

Check online reviews on the landlord. Google their name plus "complaints"

Ask to contact current residents.

Terrible idea. That could be money down the drain if it is a scam. Stay at an efficiency hotel in the city until you find an apartment.

Honestly, if you're going to have to do this sight unseen, you need to through a property management company and deal with licensed agents. The guy you're talking to very well may be legit, but dealing with random joes that don't have any regulation or oversight is inviting a scam to getchya.

Its risky but might go ok. It might be better to just wait until you get there and get a motel room once you get there, until you find a place. However I have rented places out like this before and it went fine (but I'm a good landlord).

"I will transfer over as a student"

So live in a college dormitory room or apartment on campus.
If they have any.

You can stay in an "extended stay" type of hotel, unfortunately, they are far more expensive than an apartment.

There have been scams reported for several years by people renting apartments and houses, and then finding out the person that they thought was the landlord tricked them. You need to get someone you trust to verify the property exists, is available, and the person representing themselves as the landlord is legitimate.