Studying and working in the land of maple leaves is an adventure that many international students always look forward to. When starting your journey to study abroad in another country, you have to get used to a new living environment, culture, and education, so settling down is an extremely important factor.

In this article, let's find out 4 types of renting a house to study in Canada, how much it costs, and what you must pay attention to to maintain the best living environment.

Living on/near campus, in the school housing complex will be very convenient, as you don't have to travel far, and it is also a great opportunity to make new friends.

4 Forms of Renting Housing to Study in Canada

Whether you choose to live in a residence hall to experience the vibrant student life or enjoy the absolute privacy of a private apartment, cost is always the first consideration. When accommodation accounts for the majority of your financial budget, you'll need to be aware of both the pros and cons to make the most suitable choice.

1. On-campus residence halls

For those who are active and enjoy participating in student activities, you can choose to live in a dormitory. Almost every university has a dormitory facility located on or near campus.

The residence halls allow you to enjoy a wide range of facilities such as the school's gymnasium, library and computer lab. The plus points of this form can be mentioned:

Living in a safe and secure environment Easy to exchange and learn, make many new friends from the early daysParticipate in the community, student network, and school activities

These facilities provide the best conditions to help you really focus on your studies and at the same time save some money on renting a house to study in Canada.

Take a typical example, University of Toronto charges CAD $15,446 for a single room in the university's dormitories. The cost will include accommodation and meals throughout the academic year. You can refer to how to calculate the cost of living in the area of the schools for a more accurate comparison.

2. Off-campus apartments

If you are a person who loves freedom, you don't like time constraints or feel uncomfortable with all the rules, renting a room or apartment will be an option not to be missed.

It's important to note that the cost of an apartment will depend largely on key factors:

  • Location of the apartment

  • Term of the lease

  • Apartment area

  • Furniture & amenities provided

Besides the cost of renting a residence to study in Canada, you must consider a series of factors including the distance to get to school, the cost of travel, recreational services, and the surrounding amenities.

In order to save costs and still have comfortable living space, many international students choose to share housing with their friends, but still have general rules for each person.

Depending on your location, accommodation can range from CAD $1,800 to more than $2,500 per month in Ottawa alone. The cost may be higher for other major cities like Toronto.

You can search and compare prices between off-campus apartments in Canada here.

3. Homestay - Staying in a homestay

In addition, many international students choose to stay in the form of homestays, living and getting acquainted with the life of local people. This will help a lot in improving English and understanding more about Canadian culture and people.

Basically, the host Canadian family will provide you with accommodation, cooking, and assistance with laundry needs, treating you like a family member. If you really want to immerse yourself in Canada and learn more about the culture, then homestays should be at the top of the list.

Depending on the location and state you are studying, homestays in Canada will range from CAD $35 to $70 per night.

You can find some opportunities to stay with a host family here as well as can be referred to via Indigenous networks in Canada.

4. Short-term rental apartments

Sometimes for some reason, you want a place to stay quickly without spending too much time searching. The reason could be that you don't fit in with the restrictive lifestyle of the dormitory or the current apartment lease suddenly has to end.

You can choose a short-term rental apartment. These are furnished apartments that are almost hotel or Airbnb standard that you can rent anywhere from a few days to a few months.

However, the cost of renting a residence to study in Canada in this form can be quite high, ranging from CA $120 to more than $250 per night. This should be the last option, and you should only choose it if there really aren't any other options!

You can try searching for a short-term rental apartment at these websites: Airbnb, Vrbo&Sublet.

Criteria to note when renting a house

Home Location

You need to find out if the location of the house meets all the necessary services such as restaurants, supermarkets, markets, and pharmacies. If possible, choose to rent a residence to study in Canada near bus stops with many bus routes throughout the day, which will be more convenient and cost-effective when traveling to school.

Safety and security factors of the area

You need to pay attention to learning about the surrounding neighborhood, ensuring quiet and low crime rates. Normally, rental houses in Canada are locked according to automatic codes. And if you choose to share your home with friends, make sure each room has its key.

Service Fee

When negotiating the cost of renting a residence to study in Canada, clarify whether the total cost includes electricity, water, and the Internet. If your home has a heating, hot water, or gas system, ask which party will pay for this cost. All transaction discussions should be carefully agreed upon in the contract.

Lease and term

In all tenancy cases, the contract is a commitment between the two parties that helps clarify any agreement, and is evidence when something goes wrong. However, you should only sign a contract for at least 3 months, avoiding cases when the contract is too long, it will make it difficult for you to change your residence.

Are you having trouble renting accommodation to study in Canada? IDP will assist you!

Finding the perfect and safe place to live is not too difficult, even if you are studying abroad.

At IDP, our team of educational advisors will advise and support you throughout your study abroad journey, including assistance in finding accommodation, hunting for suitable scholarships, and selecting postgraduate courses. Contact IDP for a free consultation today.

FREE ASSISTANCE FROM IDP

IDP understands the difficulties faced by students and parents when preparing their applications and many questions need to be answered. There are deadlines you need to keep in mind so as not to miss any opportunity to apply to the school.

If you are planning to study in Canada shortly, Contact a Consultant of IDP will be dedicated to answering all questions.

At IDP, counselors will help you choose a school, choose the right major and course, and participate in free study abroad seminars in Canada organized by IDP.

During the counseling process, IDP counselors will also assist you with your application for admission, track your progress, and receive a confirmation letter from the school.

The steps to prepare the application for a Canadian student visa, accommodation advice, financial planning, air ticket booking, and pre-departure skills (Pre-departure session) are also supported by IDP for free.

Contact IDP to start your Canadian study abroad consultation today!