Where to live as a student in Canada: dormitories, homestays, rentals

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Choosing accommodation is one of the most important decisions for international students coming to study in Canada. The comfort of living conditions directly affects academic success and adaptation to the new country. In Canada, there are several main housing options for students: student residences, homestays, and private rentals. Each option has its advantages and features that are important to consider when making a choice.

All prices in this article are current as of 2025 but may vary depending on the housing market and specific region.

Major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal offer a wide range of housing options for students. The cost of living can vary significantly depending on the city, neighborhood, and type of accommodation. It's important to research all available options in advance to make an informed choice that fits your budget and preferences.

Student Residences: Comfort and Community

Student residences remain one of the most popular housing options for international students in Canada. They offer not only affordable housing but also a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in an international student atmosphere. Modern residences are equipped with everything necessary for comfortable living and successful studying.

Toronto has several excellent student residences, each with its own features. Here are examples of a few:

Casa Residence offers shared and private bedrooms with shared bathrooms. The cost of living ranges from $325 CAD to $425 CAD per week depending on the room type. The residence is just a five-minute walk from St. Clair subway station, making it convenient for students from various educational institutions.

Dream House Yorkville is a more upscale option located in one of Toronto's most desirable neighborhoods — Yorkville, known for its shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Students live in private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The cost ranges from $550 CAD to $575 CAD per week depending on the length of stay.

Harrington House offers two types of accommodation: DX Standard for $450 CAD per week and Flex Economy for $385 CAD per week. The residence is located in downtown Toronto, just a five-minute walk from Sherbourne subway station. It features a gym, a game room with pool and foosball, a cinema room, and a BBQ area.

Most modern residences offer fully equipped kitchens for self-catering, laundry facilities, study areas, and common rooms.

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The cost of living usually includes utilities, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. The minimum stay in most residences is 4 weeks, and bookings are typically from Saturday to Saturday.

Pros of residences: affordable prices, included utilities, ready-made study environment, easy to meet other students, proximity to educational institutions, participation in student events. Cons: limited privacy, need to follow residence rules, possible noise and distractions from neighbors, limited kitchen space.

Watch our video reviewing several residences:

Homestays

Homestays or living with host families are an excellent option for students who want to fully immerse themselves in Canadian culture and improve their language skills. Canadian families hosting students undergo thorough screening and checks, ensuring a safe and friendly environment.

The cost of living with a host family usually ranges from $800 CAD to $1200 CAD and includes a private room, meals (breakfast and dinner on weekdays, three meals on weekends), and access to common areas of the house. Some families offer a half-board option with only breakfasts for $650 CAD to $900 CAD per month.

Pros: constant language practice, exposure to Canadian lifestyle, help with adapting to the new country, home-cooked meals, fully furnished room. If you're shy about speaking English, homestays can help you gain confidence faster. Cons: curfews, rules about guests and use of common areas, less personal freedom compared to other options.

It's important to note that Canadians value punctuality and personal space. When choosing a host family, you can specify preferences: presence of children in the family, pets, smoking family members, and special dietary requirements. Most agencies provide the option to change families in case of incompatibility, although this may require an additional fee.

Private Rentals

Renting private accommodation is becoming a popular choice among upper-year and graduate students who prefer more independence. In Canada, you can rent either a separate apartment or house, or a room in shared housing with other students or young professionals. Many students choose to live with classmates — it's not only cheaper but also more fun.

Rental costs vary significantly depending on the city and neighborhood. In Toronto, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost from $1800 CAD to $2500 CAD per month, while a room in shared housing will cost from $600 CAD to $1000 CAD per month. In less expensive cities like Halifax or Winnipeg, prices can be 30-40% lower. It's worth noting that in large cities, rental prices are growing faster than in smaller towns.

Pros: complete freedom in organizing your life, ability to choose the ideal location, no time restrictions on stay, freedom to cook any food. Cons: higher overall expenses including utilities and deposits, need to solve household problems independently, more responsibility for maintaining the property, risk of encountering scams when searching for housing independently.

When renting private housing, it's necessary to consider additional expenses: utilities (heating, electricity, water), internet, tenant insurance, and a deposit, which is usually equal to one month's rent. You'll also need to purchase furniture and appliances if the property is unfurnished. In Canadian apartment buildings, there are often quiet hours after 10 PM.

University Accommodation and Educational Institution Support

Most Canadian universities and colleges have their own student residences or partner with trusted housing companies to accommodate their students. University dorms often offer the most convenient living conditions as they are specifically designed for students' needs and located close to academic buildings.

After receiving your acceptance letter, it's recommended to contact your institution's student services department immediately. Many universities reserve places in dorms specifically for international students and give priority to those who apply early. Universities may also offer special housing programs for students in certain faculties or age groups.

Educational institutions often partner with reputable housing companies and can provide a list of recommended accommodation options. These partnerships ensure a certain level of quality and safety, and may include special discounts for students of that particular university or college.

Our educational agency also provides comprehensive assistance in finding suitable housing for our clients. We work with verified housing companies and can help find the best option even before you arrive in Canada. Our specialists consider your preferences, budget, and proximity to the educational institution to find the most suitable living arrangement.

Temporary Housing While Searching for Permanent Accommodation

Many students prefer to arrive in Canada early to personally view different housing options before making a final decision. For such cases, there are several temporary accommodation options.

Hostels in major Canadian cities offer budget accommodation from $25 CAD to $45 CAD per night in a shared room. Many hostels have kitchens for self-catering and common areas for meeting other travelers. It's best to book in advance, especially in August and September when demand is highest.

Short-term rentals through Airbnb can cost from $60 CAD to $120 CAD per night for a private room and from $100 CAD to $200 CAD for an entire apartment. This option is suitable for those planning to stay for 1-2 weeks.

Some student residences offer short-term accommodation for students still looking for permanent housing. These options usually cost 20-30% more than standard rates but can be booked for a few days.

Financial Aspects and Budget Planning

Planning a housing budget is a critical aspect for any student. On average, housing expenses should not exceed 30-35% of the total student budget. For a student with a monthly budget of $2000 CAD, the optimal amount for housing would be $600-700 CAD.

When calculating the budget, it's important to consider hidden costs. For dorms, these may include key deposits ($50-100 CAD), cleaning fees upon move-out ($75-150 CAD), and possible fines for rule violations. For private rentals, add tenant insurance costs ($15-30 CAD per month), last month's rent deposit, and possible broker fees.

Many students find ways to reduce housing costs. Sharing rent with other students can lower individual expenses by 40-50%. Choosing housing in suburbs with good transportation links can also save significantly, although it adds commuting costs.

Consider the possibility of working as a resident assistant in dorms, which can provide free or discounted housing in exchange for helping manage the residence. Also, many universities offer scholarships and grants that can cover part of the housing costs.

Practical Tips for Finding Housing

It's recommended to start looking for housing 2-3 months before the start of studies, especially if you plan to arrive in September when demand for student housing is at its peak. Popular dorms and good homestay options fill up quickly, so early booking is crucial.

Students in Canada actively use the following resources to find housing: Kijiji, RentBoard, Facebook Marketplace, as well as specialized student platforms. Useful official resources include university housing portals and provincial websites with rental rules.

When searching for housing online, it's important to check the reputation of the landlord or agency. Read reviews from other students, verify agency licenses, and never transfer money without a prior video call or in-person meeting. Beware of fake listings: if a landlord can't show the property in person but demands a deposit upfront, that's a red flag.

Make a list of essential housing requirements: maximum commute time to your educational institution, kitchen availability, type of internet connection, guest policies. This will help quickly filter out unsuitable options and focus on truly suitable ones.

When viewing a property, pay attention to the condition of plumbing, heating, presence of mold or strange odors. Photograph any existing damage to avoid disputes when getting your deposit back. Be sure to ask about deposit return policies and lease termination conditions.

Adaptation and Integration into the Student Community

Housing choice significantly affects social adaptation and integration into Canadian society. Dorms provide the greatest opportunities for meeting other international students and participating in organized events. Many residences regularly hold cultural evenings, study groups, sports events, and city tours.

Living with host families provides a unique opportunity to learn about Canadian culture from the inside, improve language skills, and get support from locals. Many families become lifelong friends and continue to keep in touch with students even after they finish their studies. Interestingly, many students start with homestays and then move to rentals when they feel more confident in the new country.

Private rentals require more independence in building social connections but provide the opportunity to choose roommates with similar interests and create your own community. Many students find meetups, language clubs, and volunteer organizations to expand their social circle.

Regardless of the chosen type of housing, active participation in university or college student life will help adapt faster and make friends. Most educational institutions offer orientation programs for new students, which include information about housing and help with adaptation.

Legal Aspects and Tenant Rights Protection

In Canada, tenant rights are protected by provincial legislation, and it's important to know your rights and responsibilities. Each province has special bodies, such as the Residential Tenancy Board, that resolve disputes between tenants and landlords.

All rental agreements should be in writing and include clear terms regarding rent, deposits, house rules, and termination procedures. Landlords cannot arbitrarily increase rent — there are legally established limits on annual increases. In some provinces, such as Ontario, these are around 2.5%.

If you encounter housing problems, it's important to document all incidents: take photos, save correspondence, and record dates and details of events. Most provinces offer free rental housing advice and mediation for disputes.

Many student unions at universities and colleges often provide legal assistance to students, including housing advice. Don't hesitate to seek help if you face unfair treatment or violation of your rights as a tenant.

Conclusion

Choosing suitable housing in Canada is a crucial step towards successful studies and comfortable living in a new country. Whether you choose a dormitory, homestay, or private rental, consider not only your budget but also the conditions that will best support your studies and lifestyle. Remember that housing situations can change: many students switch accommodation types as they adapt to Canadian life and their needs evolve. A well-chosen living arrangement will not only be a practical base for your studies but also an investment in your comfort and overall Canadian experience.

Get Professional Support at Every Stage

Our educational agency provides a full range of services for those planning to study in Canada. We'll help you at every step of your educational journey: from choosing the right university or college and program to finding the best housing option. Our specialists will provide professional assistance in preparing all necessary documents for admission and ensure your student visa application is submitted through a licensed Canadian immigration consultant.

After you successfully complete your studies, we're ready to continue our partnership, offering advice and support on immigrating to Canada. Our goal is to make your path to Canadian education and subsequent immigration as smooth and successful as possible.

Contact us for a personalized consultation and to create an individual plan to achieve your educational and immigration goals.