Home sweet home: Five housing options described by students
March 13, 2019
1. Sharing a house with multiple roommates
Description
- Five-bedroom apartment in a townhouse
- One room has a balcony
- Nice common space/lounge for entire complex
- No garage
Costs per month
- Rent: $588
- Utilities: $40-55
- Wifi: included
- Laundry: included
- Parking: per semester
Pros
- Private washroom
- Fully furnished
- Close proximity to school (10 to 15 minute walk)
- Fairly new complex
Cons
- Expensive
- Utilities not included
- Parking not included
2. Living at home
Description
- Live at home with two other people
- Can access the whole house
- I have the basement to myself
- Half-hour drive to the campus
Costs per month
- Gas: Approximately $160
- Car insurance: $230
Pros
- Don’t have to pay rent
- Save more money
- Still live close to my friends
- Since I don’t live in res, I can afford a car which means I can travel and go places more easily
Cons
- Have to drive to school everyday
- Not a lot of personal space living with parents
- Miss out on events and activities going on at the college because I don’t live close by
- Have to pay for parking
3. On-campus residence
Description
- I live alone in my own suite since I am an RA (Residence Advisor)
- Roughly 200-300 square feet
- I also have access to a common room. Each floor has one, they have tables to study with, nice flat screen TVs that offers free Netflix, YouTube and much more. Bulletin boards that are done by the RAs that are full of information and the designs of the boards are amazing.
Cost
With residence you are able to pick one of the two payment options. This is so amazing and honestly helps so much with kids that don’t have the money until OSAP comes in. These payments include utilities, Wi-Fi and even furniture in all the rooms, but does not include parking cost.
Option 1 (save $125):
- $7,150 due July 1
Option 2:
- $1,915 due July 1
- $2,680 due Oct. 15
- $2,680 due Jan. 15
Pros
- Very close to the school
- Amazing RAs (Residence Advisors)
- Well kept
- Very safe, with security at night, locked doors, and 24-hour front desk staff
- Fun event happens every week (can’t forget they often offer free food!!)
Cons
Personally, I don’t have any cons since it is my second year living in residence and I have loved it both years.
Anything else students might like to know?
So I have been living in residence for two years and my first year was great. I had two other roommates since we lived in a three bedroom. It was super fun and I had the chance to make tons of new friends and try new things that residence had planned for us (they really get you involved).
Coming back my second year I decided to be an RA. I live on the fourth floor where I have about 68 students that also live on the floor with me. They are all super amazing. Being an RA has definitely been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve had the chance to learn new skills and work with the best team ever. They are honestly my second family!
4. Renting a one-bedroom apartment
Description
- 673 square feet
- Access to a shared community room and coin laundry
- No backyard or garage
Cost per month
- Rent: $1250
- Utilities; Approx. $100 – $150
- Internet: $90
Pros
- Personal space, privacy and security
- Quiet
- Close to highway and to downtown
- Lots of storage space
- Great maintenance
- Good view
Cons
- Out of the way of school
- High rent
5. Homestay for international students
Description
- For now, we are five at home.
- We have access to all the shared rooms in the house, such as the living room, bathroom, kitchen, basement, garden and garage.
- We can use our garage and backyard. Sometimes I help my hosts to do some garden work in the summer, or shoveling the snow at the front door or driveway.
- My room is quite big. I have space for all my things and the house is pretty big as well.
- I like the people I live with and I feel comfortable where I live.
Cost per month
It depends where you live, the homestay can cost you from $700 to $850 a month, depending on a variety of factors like distance. This includes utilities, food, and Wi-Fi. For me the rent is $800, because I am in zone 2 from the college within 20 min by bus or walking. I have to buy my own personal items, such as toothpaste, shampoo, sleepers, detergent and everything I would use daily. Also, if I’m going out with friends or not eating at home, I have to pay my own meal.
Pros
- I don’t have to worry about buying food or cooking my dinners, because we as a family share the cooking and eat together.
- I don’t feel alone and I can learn more about the Canadian culture.
- It is fun to go for family dinners or family reunions to meet new people and practice English.
- My parents are less worried about me, since they know that I am living with a family that takes care of me.
Cons
- Sometimes I forget to let them know I am not having dinner and it causes conflict.
- I am not a party person, but we are not allowed to get wasted or smoke at home. We can drink and have friends over, but with limits.