Student Housing in Toronto

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario in Canada, Toronto is the largest city in Canada, the provincial capital of Ontario, also the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Canada, a world-renowned cosmopolitan city. There are also many strong universities and colleges such as University of Toronto, York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, making it an ideal destination for international students from all over the world (but this also makes it difficult to apply for student residence or rent cheap student apartments). The different rooms for rent in Toronto are conveniently located near excellent universities.

Toronto has been rated as one of the most livable cities in the world by UN-HABITAT for many years in a row. It's also one of the safest, most affluent cities with the highest living standards in the world. Historical culture and modern civilization are perfectly integrated here, so you can see quaint cafes and shops housed in historic buildings, Canada's tallest skyscrapers, beautiful waterfront trails, tree-filled neighbourhoods, and people leisurely enjoying live music.

In Toronto, spring breathes new life into the city, and you can explore the blooming gardens at Edwards Gardens and Highland Park. The mild weather is also perfect for outings such as the Toronto Flower Market and Open House Toronto, where you can discover the city's rich history and architecture. During the summer, you can enjoy breeze while cycling the Waterfront Bike Trail or relaxing in the serene atmosphere of Balmy Beach Park. In the fall, you can hike the trails of the Don Valley or visit Evergreen Brick Works, where seasonal farmers' markets and eco-friendly workshops are very interesting. Local events like the Toronto Pumpkinfest also take place during the harvest season. Even in the coldest winter, you can get around Toronto with its extensive system of underground walkways known as the PATH.

When you hunt for your Toronto housing, you will see that there are different types of student housing (property types), all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. You can compare them according to your preferences, requirements, budget, location, etc.

🏢 Condos for Rent
Condos are one of the most common types of rental student housing. They are usually located in the city center and those Toronto city apartments mostly have very good security measures, indoor & outdoor recreational facilities and room amenities, but the prices are relatively higher.

🏬 Apartments for Rent
Apartments and condos are very similar, with convenient living and low maintenance required.

🏡 Houses/Townhouses for Rent
This is another popular choice for student accommodation. You can share a house with classmates or friends, so the per capita rent could be lower than that of condos/apartments, and you can enjoy more private space and freedom.

🛌 Rooms for Rent
If you are on a relatively tight budget and looking for cheaper student housing, you can consider shared student accommodation, such as 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom apartments for rent. This also allows you to live in neighborhoods with a better living experience, which may not otherwise be affordable.

🚪 Basements for Rent
Some landlords in Toronto rent out basements to get more payment. This makes tenants find affordable basement rentals in expensive areas.

However, considering that a basement has no windows and lacks light, it is not only poorly ventilated but also very humid. We strongly do not recommend living there.

To find a more comfortable basement, you can try somewhere a little further away from the heart of Toronto, such as Scarborough, which is primarily a residential area. There are many basement rentals in this neighborhood that are quieter and you can enjoy suburban living.

As you look for Toronto city apartments for rent, you'll have a wide selection of cost-efficient and comfortable student housing to choose from with uhomes.com. Here is a curated list of some apartments for students:

1.Harrington Housing-Sherbourne: One of the most luxurious Toronto apartments; located at the intersection of Bloor St. and Sherbourne St.

Subway: 5 minutes walk

Toronto Metropolitan University: 15 minutes walk

University of Toronto: 20 minutes walk

2. University Plaza: Just steps to both St. Andrew and Osgoode subway stations.

3. YC Condo: unique, modern and timeless design.

4. 3 Gloucester St: Located in one of Toronto's most sought-after central neighborhoods.

5. U Condo: Just steps away from some of Toronto's finest shopping along Bloor Street and Yorkville; a short walk from a variety of trendy cafes and restaurants.

6. 1 Thousand Bay: A Peter Clewes-designed building; stylish suites with spacious balconies.

7. The Britt Condos: Very new Toronto city apartments; located in Downtown's Bay St. Corridor neighbourhood.

8. CasaⅢ: Surrounded by commercial areas, educational institutions, clubs, restaurants, cultural institutions, shops and green areas; just steps to Royal Ontario Museum and Bloor-Yonge Station.

9. Liberty Village: Excellent location in the city center; lots of delicious restaurants nearby.

10. Wellesley On The Park: one of the closest luxury apartments from the University of Toronto; with a 1.6-acre park

These student residences in Toronto are relatively cheap, cozy and well-decorated, where you can enjoy studying, relaxing and living. That's our job: to find home for global students.

If the high tuition and cost of living force you to look for cheap accommodation in Toronto Canada, we also have some affordable options for you. You can filter by "Lowest Price" above to enter the details pages to have a view.

REDPATH AVE & ROEHAMPTON AVE

32 Bellevue Ave

Harrington Housing - Weston & Finch

Pearson Housing

Birmingham 12th

Bloor 88 House

Queen Street House

Lawrence Street House

Casa Dream House

Casa Dream House Markdale

When you move to Toronto to study, finding good student housing can be one of the most daunting tasks. While choosing where to live is personal and varies greatly depending on the preferences of different people, there are still some factors that must be taken into account when selecting your apartment for rent.

A study by Toronto Life lists the top 10 best neighborhoods to live in Toronto through a series of scientific and objective statistics. Each neighbourhood is scored out of 100: Housing(15%), Community (12%), Safety (12%), Shopping (10%), Diversity (9%), Education (9%), Health (9%), Employment (8%), Entertainment (8%) and Transit (8%). Let's see which 10 neighborhoods came out on top.

1. Danforth – 90.6: High scores especially in education, recreation and employment; high greening rate; affordability of its housing; convenient access to grocery stores and pharmacies as well as its proximity to Michael Garron Hospital. With Line 2 running through the area, you can take the TTC subway to downtown or the other side of town in minutes.

2. West Queen West – 90.5: Filled with art galleries and vintage clothing stores; scores high in the entertainment and shopping categories; convenient Queen streetcar, a robust network of bike lanes and many walkable streets.

3. Runnymede-Bloor West Village – 90.2: Full of independent shops, popular restaurants, great bars; close to the core via Jane and Runnymede stations.

4. Avondale – 89.7: Bike lanes; close to the 401, the subway horseshoe and Line 4. The number of new condos and population is increasing.

5. Wellington Place- 89.3: Close to everything you need to live: hospitals, groceries, as well as bars and restaurants. It’s also a place where many affluent young professionals live. So living here can also mean higher costs.

6. Yonge-Doris – 88.9: The cost of living and housing here is relatively affordable, which attracts many students and young people; Strong scores for safety, transit and public spaces.

7. Cabbagetown-South St.James Town – 88.7: It has “the highest concentration of perfectly preserved Victorian houses in North America”, but NOT CHEAP; loses points on crime and diversity.

8. Bay-Cloverhill – 88.6: Queen's Park, the University of Toronto’s downtown campus and a slew of hospitals are in this neighborhood; a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.

9. Palmerston-little Italy – 88.1: The dream place if you prefer a car-free life. Great for walking, biking, and easy access to public transportation!

10. Trinity Bellwoods – 87.8: Famous for its namesake park; brings together many people involved in the arts and culture sector.

You can check with uhomes.com if there are available rooms for rent in the neighborhood you prefer. After all, a comfortable living environment is the most important thing.

The cost of living while studying in Toronto is one of the biggest concerns for many international students and their families. You need to specify a comprehensive financial strategy, carefully considering student housing, daily expenses and tuition fees.

🛌 Student Housing

- On-campus Student Housing in Toronto

If you want to get a room in university residence, don't forget to submit your application within the specified time. Residence prices vary depending on location and room type, but on average cost about $13,000 per year. For more details, you can refer to this blog. 

- Off-campus Student Housing in Toronto

There are generally three types of rental student accommodation in Toronto to choose from: condos, apartments and house/townhouse. The average rent of Condos/Apartments is about $2,500-$2,600 per month (great location, 24-hour security, very thoughtful room facilities), and a townhouse about $3,500 per month (price per person is lower, relatively remote).

📕 Tuition Fees

The tuition fees vary depending on the campus, major and grade. 

University of Toronto: $61,720 for the first year, $62,950 - $71,560 for the upper year.

York University: $36,187-$40,370 per year, plus books and fees $1,407-$2,552 per year.

Toronto Metropolitan University: $26,379.99 - $33,889.99 per year for international students.

🚕 Transportation

Single fare: $3.35

PRESTO: $3.30 (One-ride-ticket), $3.35 (Two-ride-ticket), $6.70 (Day-pass-ticket)

Monthly Pass: $156.00

Taxi: $4.25 (Base Fare, $1.75 per kilometre)

🍔 Food Expenses

Eating Out: $15 - $100 (depends on the restaurant)

Cooking by Yourself: Weekly Ingredients: $50 - $70.

👕 Daily Life & Entertainment

Gym Membership in Business District: $78 / month

Cinema Ticket: $16

Clothing & Shoes: $50 – $200

University of Toronto: It is ranked 21st in the World University Rank 2024 and is one of the most prestigious universities in Canada and the world, which is well known for its courses in medicine, business, engineering, humanities and education. The university has 44 libraries. With 19.5 million physical volumes and more than 6.4 million electronic volumes, it is the third largest library system in North America.

York University: This university has pioneered a range of programs and 8,500 experiential education opportunities, including internships, community placements, co-ops and capstone projects, to prepare students for a changing world.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU or Toronto Met): It is well known for its city campus and interesting buildings, offering 60 undergraduate and 55 graduate degree programs to approximately 46,000 students.

✈️ FROM THE AIRPORT

If you land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, you can take the UP Express (Union-Pearson Express). It runs every 15 minutes and takes only 25 minutes to get to the downtown.

🚌 PUBLIC TRANSIT

You can explore Toronto on one of the best transit systems in North America - the Toronto Transit Company (TTC). Three modes of transportation are offered for you to quickly and conveniently get around the city: bus, subway and streetcar. 

GO Transit is the inter-regional bus and train service of Ontario and connects every part of the Toronto area. You need to purchase a PRESTO card if you're going to take public transit. It's an easy-to-use reloadable payment card that can be used to pay fares on the TTC, GO Transit, UP Express and eight other Ontario transit agencies without tickets, tokens, passes or cash. Don't forget to use your special student fares, it can save you some money.

Single Fare: $3.35

PRESTO: $3.30(One-ride-ticket), $3.35(Two-ride-ticket), $6.70(Day-pass-ticket)

Monthly Passes: $156.00(Monthly Pass), $143.00(12-Month Pass)

Taxi: $4.25 (Base Fare, $1.75 per kilometre, $31.00 for 1 hour waiting)

When you study abroad in Toronto, getting out and exploring the city in your spare time is a great social experience. You're probably on a budget as a student. Luckily, there are plenty of cheap or even free things and places to do in Toronto.

🎨 Art

If you want to experience some of the local art culture, there are many art galleries that you can visit for free or at a low cost! Rent a bike and head to the Royal Ontario Museum, one of the largest museums in North America, with exhibits ranging from prehistory to ancient Egypt. On Friday, after a week of classes, you can get free admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) after 5 p.m. If you have a special liking for shoes, then you must visit the Bata Shoe Museum. It houses more than 13,000 pairs of shoes, telling the story of footwear through the ages.

🍔 Tasty Food

If you enjoy a food tour, you shouldn't miss out on the delights of the St. Lawrence Market, a farmers' market that has been around since the 19th century, where you can sample everything from fresh fruit to cheese.

🚴 Biking Around Town

Biking is one of the best ways to explore Toronto. You can choose to buy your own bike, use a public bike, or rent one from one of Toronto's many independent bike rental shops. The Toronto Cycling Map shows the 855 km (530 mi) bike path network, which includes off-road paths, bike lanes, and shared-path routes.

🎸 Enjoy Free Music

Toronto Music Garden is an outdoor park along the waterfront that hosts weekly classical and jazz concerts during the summer.

⛱ Go to The Island

If you want to escape the city for a short time, head to the island! It's only a 10-minute ferry ride away and if you have a student ID, the ferry ticket is only $5.86!

Toronto is a beautiful city where history and modernity interweave. In addition to the various art museums, restaurants, cafes, islands and waterfront avenues mentioned above, there are many other tourist attractions worth visiting.

CN Tower

Canada's Wonderland

Casa Loma

Ontario Science Centre

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Hockey Hall of Fame

There are usually four types of student accommodation rooms for rent in Toronto. You can choose and book according to your requirements for room size, personal privacy, budget, etc.

Studio: You can have a self-contained living space that typically includes a bedroom, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom all in one room. It is designed for single occupancy.

A Private Room (1-bedroom apartment): You have a one-bedroom apartment. It includes a separate bedroom, a living area, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

Shared Accommodation (usually 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom apartment): It typically refers to a two/three-bedroom apartment. It includes two or three separate bedrooms, a living area, a kitchen, and one or two bathroom(s).

Full-Size Apartment: You can reserve an entire place (some are 2B2B or more) and invite people with whom you are familiar to live with you and share the rent. It provides additional space and amenities for students seeking a more spacious living environment.

🛌 We also provide short-term student housing for your summer programs, tours or visits in Toronto. You can filter the residences through "Duration" and "Move-in Month", or get in touch with our consultants.

Before renting student apartments in Toronto, we recommend that you think over carefully the following aspects, in order to book the perfect apartment for rent:

Location: near the University, subway/bus stations, amenities such as supermarkets or restaurants;

Budget: You need to carefully search for student accommodation with the best value for money, especially when tuition fees, books and living expenses already take up a large portion of your budget. Don't forget the additional costs that may be involved, such as utilities and internet fees.

Type of Student Residence: Decide on the type of room you want: a private or shared room, 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom.

Security: This is a very important factor. It is better to choose a Toronto city apartment with full security facilities and 24/7 surveillance.

Amenities/Facilities: Scrutinize the accommodation details page and ask what amenities are included: gym, laundry, study area etc.

Lease Agreement: Review the terms of the lease carefully, including the payment schedule, lease term, and any stipulations or restrictions.

Searching and applying for your Toronto student accommodation with uhomes.com is very simple: 

1. Visit uhomes.com
Go to the uhomes.com homepage.

2. Search "Toronto"
Enter "Toronto" (or the name of your University / Neighborhood) in the search bar and select your preferred area.

3. Filter by Budget
Use the budget filter to set your price range and find student accommodation in Toronto within your budget constraint. You can also filter apartments through price, duration, property type, room type, move-in month etc.

4. Sort and Compare
Sort the results by price (or other filters) to view affordable and ideal options first and save your favorite listings for comparison.

5. Check Room Details
Click to enter the room page you are interested in and carefully check the various details and fees of the room. Review the amenities and utilities. Read reviews to ensure the apartments meet your needs.

6. Contact and Arrange Viewings
Then click "Apply Now" or "Enquire Now" to create an account.
After leaving your contact information, you will be soon contacted by one of our professional consultants who will work with you on the booking details or help you compare different rooms and confirm the best option.

Please check all your documents carefully before accommodation renting:

Rental application, letter of employment, a full credit report, government-issued photo ID, recent pay stubs, lease agreement, bank statement, reference letters etc.

✔️ If you are worried about missing important documents or don't quite understand what you need to prepare, don't worry, our consultants will help you.

Yes, you need to pay a deposit for your student apartment Toronto. Many landlords of student apartments for rent will require a security deposit, especially during peak rental season (so it may also be a reservation fee).

Common safety measures in Toronto student apartments include strong security systems such as key card access, CCTV surveillance systems, and 24/7 on-site security personnel to monitor and maintain the security of the premises. In addition, well-maintained common area lighting, emergency plans, and regular security inspections also help to create a safe atmosphere for students.

In these fully equipped student residences, you can enjoy your study, work and sleep with peace of mind.