Unveiling the Diverse Student Housing Options in Canada

The country shines as a favoured choice amongst international learners, owing to its welcoming culture and modernized immigration strategies. While choosing an ideal university and program, finding suitable student accommodation in Canada is a crucial aspect of your academic journey.

As an international education destination, it is not a surprise that Canada’s student housing landscape has evolved to meet the standards of the ever-growing diverse generation of learners. With an average of 450,000 applicants moving to the country for higher education, learning about the different housing options and finding the right accommodation becomes an integral part of the educational experience.

This blog aims to explore the myriad of student housing options in Canada. From bustling on-campus accommodation to off-campus shared apartments and homestays, this exploration will function as a guide to the different kinds of accommodations in the country.

Embracing University Life: Closer Look at On-Campus Accommodations

Due to their proximity to universities and academic facilities, on-campus accommodations for students are the most sought-after. For most young adults, moving to a new country can be considerably challenging, in such cases on-campus accommodations prove to be the safest and most convenient form of housing. Off-campus student housing in Ottawa and other major cities of Canada offers some great housing options.

University Dormitories

University dormitories are a cornerstone of international student accommodation in Canada. These purpose-built buildings are often situated within or near the university campus. They offer numerous rooms designed to house a multitude of learners.

Canadian universities typically present a range of accommodation plans within their dormitories, catering to diverse preferences. All of the options often encompass single and shared rooms, providing flexibility to meet individual needs. There are plenty of amenities provided to make daily life convenient for these young adults; this may include fully furnished rooms, shared common spaces like living and dining areas, and, in some cases, meal plans.

Townhouses

This on-campus student housing option in Canada is considered to be the most flexible and appealing. University townhouses typically consist of four or five-bedroom houses, often situated within or close to the university campus. One of the significant features of townhouses is the flexibility they offer in terms of rooming arrangements.

• Students have the liberty to choose to occupy a single room while sharing common areas with housemates, or they can opt for shared rooms. This adaptability caters to a wide range of preferences, which allows them to make the most of their academic resources while also living independently.
• This type of property comes with a single room and meals included. The housing is generally offered to 3rd or 4th year undergraduates/postgraduates.
• For businesses, on-campus student accommodations or nearby areas represent opportunities for partnerships. These partnerships can encompass furniture supply, property management services, or even providing accommodation-related services to enhance the experience.

Beyond the Campus Borders: Exploring Off-Campus Options

While on-campus housing is a popular choice for many international students in Canada, off-campus apartments present an exciting alternative. These properties offer more independence and relatively more flexible living as compared to on-campus options. Let's explore rented apartments vs. homestays for international students in Canada.

1. Rented Apartments: Renting an apartment allows for an experience beyond campus while sharing an apartment with friends or opting for sole occupancy. Rental costs fluctuate based on location and amenities, and students need to budget for additional expenses like utilities and food. These accommodations generally come with bedrooms, a kitchen that can be shared, or private and communal areas.
2. Homestays: Opting for a homestay in Canada for international students would mean becoming a paying guest, possibly in a Canadian household or with another resident. While it may be slightly more expensive than other options, it offers a genuinely comfortable experience. Residents have their own bedrooms and share common spaces along with meals provided at an additional cost.

While there are many benefits of living in a homestay as an international student in Canada, it is important to note that in some cases, such as for accommodations in Toronto or Ontario, the rates for housing are relatively higher as compared to rates in other cities.

Housing and Accommodations in Canada: Student Preferences

As per a 2022 CBRE publication, the demand remains robust for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation in Canada (PBSA), especially within prominent university markets. This brings an opportunity to dive into the factors that influence one's preferences in the country.

Factors affecting student preferences:

1. Affordable student housing: Affordability is the key virtue with which the study visa holders prioritize their housing. However, Monthly room rent in Canada for students has risen by 8% (Pie News). Toronto is a popular destination for students and professionals alike hence the rents here has increased significantly in 2023. As per amber’s database rents for affordable student housing in Toronto currently starts from approximately $1000 per month. Properties with lower and more affordable rates have a higher tendency to get occupied at the earliest, however across due to scarce availability of housing the rental properties are always full for the whole year. Properties in different cities have a significant difference in their average rent and thus in average living cost as well. As per below data, living in Toronto and Vancouver is more expensive as compared to other regions.

2. Location: Proximity to universities is one of the topmost priorities for students. A person studying at McGill University would prefer getting student accommodation in Montreal Canada near the campus. On-campus living comprises convenient stay and savings on added commute expenses. Hence students generally put on-campus accommodation as their primary choice.
3. Amenities: Student from the millennial and GenZ generation seek housing that provides a range of amenities such as fast internet to meet academic deadlines, dedicated study zones, fitness centers, communal areas, and convenient laundry facilities. On-Campus Student Accommodations with such amenities usually have a great flow of applications every academic year.
4. Security: Being away from home, young adults are on the lookout for a safe environment in order to feel secure and live comfortably. Therefore, properties that have facilities such as security personnel, CCTV surveillance, or secure entry systems tend to attract attention.
5. Sustainability: With advancing generations, young adults have become conscious about their environment and prefer student homes that actively utilize energy-efficient utilities, proper waste disposal, recycling methods, and green spaces. Therefore, it can be a good idea for new, developing properties to incorporate environmentally friendly features in their Off-Campus Housing in Canada.

Reflecting on Canada’s Housing Crisis

• As of August, the average value of student accommodation in major Canadian cities stood at approximately C$750,000 ($550,000; £435,000), which marks a significant surge of 360% compared to the year 2000 when the average price was C$163,000.
• This issue is particularly pronounced in major urban centers like Toronto, where an annual income in the six-figure range is required to purchase a house. Houses in Toronto and Vancouver now commonly exceed C$1 million in price.
• Furthermore, the cost of renting in Canada's major cities is also on the rise. For instance, the average monthly rent for a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Toronto has increased by 25% compared to the previous year, now standing at C$2,500.
• To counter this issue Canadian Housing Minister Sean Fraser has suggested the possibility of imposing limits on the number of international applicants admitted to Canada as a potential measure to address the country's soaring rent prices.
• In 2022, Canada saw an unprecedented influx of international students, with over 800,000 being admitted, marking a 75% surge from the levels recorded five years ago. While the country has committed to welcoming 1.5 million new immigrants by 2025, concerns are arising about the feasibility of accommodating newcomers at this rate when there is a shortage of housing available.

Conclusion

Being an ever-growing global education hub, one can find a variety of student accommodation in Canada. The preferences largely impact the kind of accommodations they seek and they can choose from a wide range of homes, from dormitories to homestays. Although students are open to investing in top-tier amenities and services, cost-effectiveness continues to be a significant consideration, especially in the midst of a soaring housing crisis in the nation. In certain areas, there's a strong demand for affordable accommodation choices, prompting developers to seek methods for delivering budget-friendly solutions. For student housing operators, amber is the bridge that makes their properties reach to the millions of international students while providing an impeccable customer satisfaction, list with us today and gain the ultimate credibility for your offerings.