Find student residence in Canada

How to find student residence in Canada

You have received your offer letter and now need to decide out where you will stay in Canada. If you have no idea how to find a residence, this article will help you by providing some important information and tips that you should bear in mind.

You have the option of seeking assistance from your host school or going it alone. The first decision you must make is whether you wish to stay on-campus, off-campus, or with a host family. Maybe you'd want to live in a residence for the first year and then to live with a host family for the second. You don't have any restrictions!

Begin by calculating your budget before Find student residence in Canada

When it comes to housing, the first decision you'll have to make is how much you can manage to pay per month. The standard rental price in Canada's larger cities (for example, Vancouver, Toronto) is greater than in small towns and rural areas. In a shared accommodation setting, a fair starting point for monthly rent is between $700 and $1,000 CAD per room (apartment, house, or student accommodation). Based on where you reside, you might probably pay about $1,200 CAD per month for living alone in a studio or one-bedroom flat.

Find On-campus student residence in Canada

On-campus student accommodations with modest furniture are available at most post-secondary institutions. This is a fantastic choice for overseas students who wish to be close to their classes. Several options feature a common dining hall with a paid meal plan, which relieves the stress of cooking and grocery shopping on your own. Because of COVID-19, these features may or may not be provided over the upcoming academic year, thus information should be requested from the university or college you have chosen.

Is it necessary for foreign students to reside on campus?

If your school does not provide accommodation, there is no necessity for overseas students to live on-campus. Nevertheless, based on your university's regulations, you may get preferential access to on-campus accommodation as a foreign student.

If you are just in Canada for a term, staying on campus is more convenient than looking for off-campus residence. If you are planning on remaining for a lengthy duration, you might want to explore staying in the dormitories for the first semester and then making other long-term arrangements once you have gotten a clearer picture of the area.

What kinds of on-campus student residence are accessible?

Larger institutions, on the other hand, are more likely to have a variety of student housing options located on-campus. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared amenities including restrooms, dining halls, and common spaces are typical in first-year accommodations. Many institutions also have one- to four-bedroom flat and townhouses that are normally reserved for upper-year students. To find out which types of accommodation will be offered for the upcoming year, go to your university's website.

How much does on-campus student residence usually cost?

It can cost somewhere between $6,000 CAD (in small universities like St. Francis Xavier) to $14,000 CAD (in University of British Columbia) or $16,000 CAD (in University of Toronto) for an eight-month on-campus housing and meal plan. Check the cost of on-campus accommodation with your university.

Advice: University accommodation may seem to be more expensive than off-campus accommodation at first look, but keep in mind that this price includes many of your service and maintenance costs. Staying on-campus will also save you time & expense on transportation.

What is the best time to apply for on-campus student residence?

On-campus residence is in short supply at various institutions due to the attractive location. You should contact your university's student accommodation office as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance to discover how to apply. It is possible that you will have to pay an application fee.

 

Advantages of on-campus residence:

• Classrooms are close.
• On-campus facilities are close including libraries, fitness centers, etc.
• You are living inside international student community
• In many universities, student accommodation help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Disadvantages of on-campus residence:

• It can be not so inexpensive to live on campus as it is to live off-campus. It may be expensive at first sight but think about how much you are getting for your money.
• You might not co-exist with your roommates.

Find Off-campus student residence in Canada.

Off-campus living options include flats, houses, and other facilities. You may decide to live off-campus to take advantage of more housing options, saving money, or for some other reasons. By staying in a new location, off-campus housing allows you to experience your city outside your university's campus life.

The most prevalent types of off-campus rentals include one-bedroom flats, sharing flats, and shared houses. In May or September, students typically sign a one-year lease contract that includes the summer term. You might be required to pay your first month's rent, last month's rent, or a damage deposit (half a month's money that you will receive returned at the conclusion of your contract if the property has not been damaged), which depends on your province.

Landlords may bring extra restrictions and terms to the lease, so remember to read it thoroughly before signing. Any document you sign should always come with a copy.

Your landlord has obligations as well, such as keeping the property in excellent maintenance. The landlord has the authority to enter your home without warning in an emergency; in other cases, prior notice and a cause for the demand must be provided. If your landlord requires you to leave the property, you will typically be given 60 days' notice, but check your lease for specific details.

Off-campus lodging will vary in price, quality, and convenience. Depending on the location and area you select you may expect to pay somewhere between CAD $400 and CAD $1,500 per month.

Extra charges may not be included in the rental price. When you sign the lease, check if amenities (for instance, heating, water, gas, internet), any furnishings, parking fees, or other charges are included so you can plan your budget correctly.

If you anticipate you will be returning to your homeland in the summer, check with your landlord before signing the lease to see if you may sublease your room at that period. Subletting is a popular student procedure, but it carries a higher risk because you are liable if your sublet damages the property or fails to pay their rent.

Advantages of living off-campus:

• There are numerous dwelling designs and locations to choose from.
• Students can save money by choosing less expensive housing.
• In everyday life, you have more freedom and autonomy (cook and shop for yourself).
• You can pick your housemates.
• Outside of campus, you can get a sense of what it is like to live in Canada

Disadvantages of living off-campus:

 

• Finding a place to live and roommates, as well as getting everyone to sign contracts, can be difficult before you arrive.
• You will be responsible for own domestic chores.
• Be wary of extra charges or unanticipated expenses, such as utility bills, deposits, repair cost if something breaks, meals, apartment furniture, and your transportation, depending on your lifestyle and landlord.

Advice:  Padmapper, Rentals, Craigslist and many other smaller rental sites are good places to find off-campus student residence in Canada.

Living with a host family in Canada

A homestay is a form of off-campus housing arrangement in which a student lives with a host family in their house. Generally, 1-3 meals are included per day. Having your host family allows to get to know the area better and make you feel cozy atmosphere while you are away from home. Although homestays are more expensive, you will have more time to focus on your studies because most of the household chores will be done for you.

Living with a host family allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culture of Canada. You can choose to live with a local family who will greatly assist you in your exciting journey. They can also serve as a native tour guide and assist you in honing your language skills.

What is the cost of a homestay in Canada?

A homestay will cost around $600 - $1000 CAD per month, according to the Canada Homestay Network, based on how many meals and facilities are included. It is possible that you will be charged by the night instead of the month.

Advantages of living with a host family in Canada:

• You can improve your language skills.
• You can easily get to know the Canadian culture and traditions, for instance, by participating in some family events.
• You will not have to bother about duties around the house with some exceptions.
• In many cases it can be less expensive than staying on-campus.
• You will have the second family that is supportive and can help you in many cases.

Disadvantages of living with a host family in Canada:

• Because you will be living in somebody else's home, you must ensure that you are comfortable with their lifestyle.
• You might have to walk or ride to get to your courses and pay for transportation.
• All student housing can be costly, but because costs are established by the family, the cost of homestays can vary dramatically.

In case, if you need help to find student residence in Canada, Homestay or Accommodation, please fill in application below or contact us directly.