Being a student can be tough at times, especially if said student is living on their own, away from home, in a faraway place. From studying and maintaining your grades to showing up to work regularly to cooking, taking a lot of time (even the simplest of meals) can really teach a student about time and its equitable division. But the one thing that students worldwide, and especially in Toronto, Canada, will attest to is the most difficult and frustrating part of their life is housing; especially finding affordable housing that does not eat into their budget. Finding a house or affordable living solution is difficult everywhere, but in Toronto, with its metropolitan landscape and sometimes outrageous pricing, it is particularly difficult, especially for students who seem to juggle everything in their limited time of 24 hours a day.
So, in this blog post, we will look at how a student can find housing in Toronto that is both affordable and does not compromise on space. Whether it’s a studio apartment or a big apartment that houses two or more roommates for the purposes of rent control, this blog will show students that finding affordable housing in Toronto is not as difficult as it is trumped up and that looking at the right spots, the right resources or websites can yield good results sooner than ever. So, here is our guide on how to find housing as a student in Toronto.
Housing for Students in Toronto: Our Guide
Students come with all sorts of requirements; some are okay living in a studio apartment with two other renters, whereas some seem to have enough money to rent an entire apartment by themselves. Some students like to have a clean deck at hand, whereas some seem to be fine with chaos and dirt around them. As such, navigating the complex landscape of student housing can bring with it all sorts of issues and challenges. Let’s look at our guide to housing for students in Toronto so you may be able to get your hands on the best in the big city. Let’s get started.
Budgeting
A strong first step to finding housing is to make a realistic budget. Research rent prices, as well as other living costs, to manage expectations of expenses living in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Average rent tops above CAD1000, and sits at usually around 1200CAD or 1400CAD, which a student should be prepared for since working part-time may or may not allow you to rent at the higher levels. But if you don’t know how to make a budget, it’s still no problem. There are plenty of budgeting tools you can use online to assist, like budgeting calculators, in which you can calculate your monthly spending and narrow down how you will afford your expected living costs.
Types of Student Accommodations
Consider the different types of student housing and shared accommodations available and which type best suits your needs:
- Homestay living: Living with a family in a comfortable home environment.
- Student residence: Living among other students, often with social activities and dining halls available in the residence.
- Student condo living: Living in a condo building with amenities like a pool, gym, and in-suite kitchens.
- Furnished apartments: Living with fellow international students at NCT or other tenants as roommates.
- Individual, short-term leases: Living on your own in a rented home (apartment, condo or house)
Review Current Listings on Housing Portals
Check out the housing portals below to read the current listings available. Listings are organized by type and can be filtered by rent price, number of bedrooms, and location, so you can find exactly what you need:
- Toronto Boutique Apartments (TBA)
- Places4Students
- 4stay
- Casa Toronto
- liv.rent
- Parkside Student Residence
- Harrington Housing
- Amber Student
- Homestay Services (SHS)
- SpacesShared
- Canada Homestay Network
Consult Friends, Professionals
Finding residence on your own can be really challenging, especially if you are new to the city and don’t have much in terms of an understanding of the residential market or hotspots in the city. In this case, it might be better to turn to your circle of friends and acquaintances for help finding a residence in the city. They might even ask you to live with them for a share of the rent, and as a student, it is certainly one of the better options that one can get, especially when it comes to living in Toronto, where renting might be too much of a drain on a student’s financial resources.
What to Look for in Student Accommodations
Before you make your final choice for housing, ensure you go through a checklist of appropriate amenities and other needs for your living space:
Safety: Check that you have a working smoke/carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, fire exits (at least two), windows, and locks.
Lighting: Check that you have lighting in the stairwells, halls and exterior.
Amenities: Consider if there are enough kitchens, bathrooms, electrical outlets, closets, and parking spaces.
Utilities: Check that your heating, water, electricity, and water pressure work.
Repair Needs: Note if anything needs fixing and have your landlord sign a copy of the projected timeline for repair.
Lifestyle: If the accommodation is in a private home, consider which rooms will be right above/near you and the lifestyle of those that live there (e.g., do they have children?), if there will be house rules (e.g., having overnight guests) and where to do laundry.
Red Flags to Avoid in Your Search
It’s important to stay cautious about the credibility of your potential landlord. Beware of some of these red flags to watch out for, which might indicate a fraud or scam situation:
- The landlord states they have another renter willing to pay more money than originally requested, and to secure the property, you must wire money.
- The landlord requests a signed lease, security deposi,t or first month’s rent to be paid before viewing the property.
- The landlord claims an agency will show the property and deliver the keys. If the property is privately owned and not operated by a property management company, confirm that the agent represents a reputable leasing company first.
- The landlord is out of the country and unable to show the property personally.
Toronto Boutique Apartments: Bringing you the Best of Toronto!
Toronto Boutique Apartments: the one name you want to hear when it comes to luxury apartments and suites that elevate your lifestyle. In the heart of the beautiful city of Toronto, they have a range of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments designed around the modern corporate professional to cater to their needs when it comes to living in style. Immaculately designed apartments, with luxurious and well-appointed furniture and décor that fits the upscale lifestyle, grace the walls of each and every luxurious apartment from Toronto Boutique Apartments, making your average stay in the hotel a mundane experience that does nothing for you. But with the luxurious apartments from Toronto Boutique Apartments, you can just sit back, relax, and let the ambiance of the place fill you with satisfaction and a homely experience that you won’t find anywhere else. At all.
