Studying abroad needs prudent decisions and precise planning. This becomes more important if you are planning to study in Canada. For doing so, they have to take a lot of important factors into consideration. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, travel expenses and most importantly, the cost of accommodation. No aspirant can ignore the accommodation factor when deciding to study overseas. If you are someone who has made up her mind to study in Canada but is dubious about how to get student accommodation options in Canada, you are at the right place.

There are fewer alternatives available to get on-campus accommodation for students arriving to pursue higher education in Canada. Therefore, in this article, we will help you through various ways to get affordable accommodation options for students in Canada. It is always good to have a consolidated plan before you pack your bags to study in Canada.

Types of Accommodations for Students in Canada

There are various types of accommodations for international students in Canada. In the following sections, we have listed some of the best accommodation options for students in Canada.

On-Campus

Many educational institutes in Canada give permission to the students to rent housing that is located on campus, which is owned by the institutes themselves. The on-campus accommodation includes the options such as residences, townhouses, and dorms provided by the institutions. If you opt to stay on-campus, you will get the following advantages too;

• Savings on travelling expenses to and from colleges
• Time, as you will live in the proximity of your college
• Better access to quality food
• You will even get standard amenities
• Opportunity to network with the student’s body

The on-campus living expenses are usually less, but it is not the same for all accommodations, as access to all the facilities and other services offered by the institution may cost you higher. On average, the on-campus housing expenses cost around CAD 3000 and CAD 7500 per annum, which may vary depending on the location as chosen by a student. Talking about, the meal package that allows students to eat at on-campus cafeterias may be bought as part of on-campus housing. This in turn will help the students save time by not spending it on activities related to cooking and can spend more time studying.

Dormitories 

International students can also choose dormitories and other similar options by visiting the office for international students in Canada. Moreover, you can even consult the official website of the college or university at which you plan to attend. Such information can help you in choosing accommodation wisely. In some of the cities in Canada, the dormitories can cost you CAD 550-600 on average. However, when it comes to choosing on-campus and off-campus accommodation, as an international student in Canada, you must do a thorough comparison of prices and other benefits. 

Residences

For international students, living in residence is one of the most favoured choices for lodging in Canada. These include housing options provided by colleges or universities that are generally close to the campus. Usually, dorm rooms are spacious and can accommodate many students. 

Choosing to live in residence is comparatively better than housing off-campus for students who have study plans for one or two semesters. In a residential setting, you can find a bed, a bookshelf, and a desk for study purposes. Talking about the food plan is also included in the cost of living in residence. You can take benefits of living on campus, including better access to various study-related facilities such as campus and library, and transition to living as a student. Shared off-campus accommodation can cost CAD 400 to CAD 700 every month.

Condominiums

Combinations are usually the smaller independent residences that can be opted for by a small group of students, ranging between three and five. Such kind of accommodation includes a meal plan option too, thereby lowering the overall food expenses for the students living in Canada.

International students in the first year of their educational course prefer to stay in dorms that are run by the university. This option of accommodation has six-single capacity bedrooms and the main standard floor is used as a kitchen and living space. This could be one of the best accommodations for those students who want to know the country and its way of living better.

Shared Flats

Living in shared flats is an off-campus accommodation option whose price differs depending on the student’s daily requirements. The monthly cost of shared flats is around CAD 700 to CAD 1,000.

At townhouses off-campus housing, students can share a room with one or more people or can even live alone. The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and eating area are communal, but they have a single-occupancy room.

An important point to note here is that not all colleges in Canada help students in searching for off-campus accommodations. However, they may advise a student to contact outside organisations that can help them in finding suitable accommodation options. If you are thinking about the commuting cost, then the cost of renting a vehicle might vary from city to city. You can even find the accommodation option online through various websites.

Homestay

This accommodation option is best for those students who wish to experience living with a family. You will get a private room and three meals a day, and the best thing is that you will get the opportunity to learn about Canadian culture. Homestay is a safer alternative than other options, as the family staying there can help you anytime you ask for their assistance. The average cost of homestay accommodation in Canada can cost you around 400 – 800 CAD per month.

Many colleges and universities are situated at a farther distance from the residential areas.  Hence, you must keep in mind that the daily travel time should be within 30 to 50 minutes.

How to commute?

When opting for off-campus accommodation alternatives, students must keep transportation and distance from the college in mind. For commuting to your college, you may use various options such as bike, transit, or drive to the institute. You can even walk to your college provided you are living close to the campus. In case you are living at a place, which takes you more than an hour to reach your college, it is advisable to shift to a location closer to your institute.

While choosing accommodation, you also will have to take the weather conditions into consideration. As Canada is an inclement country, where snowfall is an inevitable part of the weather during winters, it is important to keep in mind that this would increase your commute time. Therefore, it is another reason for choosing accommodation nearer to your college.

If the commute time is longer than one hour, then students must plan their courses around this aspect of their life to save precious time for studying. A majority of students schedule all of their classes on a few days of the week, rather than travelling to campus every day.

How to find Student Accommodation in Canada?

The following steps will help international students apply for both on-campus and off-campus student accommodation options in Canada:

• Find a good place to stay – The first thing that international students must do is to first analyse and find the region they wish to live in. You can consider the cost of living in the area of your choice. Cities in Canada such as Vancouver and Toronto have a comparatively higher cost of living than other cities in Canada, which you must take into consideration while looking for a place to stay.
• Consider the Ambience – Choosing suitable surroundings is contingent on the student’s choices, whether he wants to stay in the young neighbourhood or is interested in a family-like set-up. If you wish to stay alone, you could live an independent lifestyle, whereas if you are living with a family, it would be helpful for you in unprecedented situations.
• Look if your university provides accommodation first come, first served – If the answer is positive, then students must try to land early in the country. In the case of off-campus accommodation, you can plan accordingly before arriving at your destination city to pursue your educational goals.
• Find a Budget-Friendly Accommodation– As you are going to study in Canada as an international student, you must select an accommodation option which is within your budget. You need to plan your budget to avoid financial troubles in the future during your stay in Canada. Living and studying abroad require prudent planning beforehand. 

Students planning to Study in Canada must consider the best accommodation options as listed above. This will help them focus on their studies in a foreign land and build a prospering career. With this, we come to an end to this discussion on finding the right kind of accommodation for international students in Canada. 

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