4 Best Student Accommodation In Vancouver, Canada

With its vibrant culture and the numerous opportunities it offers, Vancouver is one of the most popular study destinations in the world.

For international students studying and living in Vancouver, there are various housing options to consider, including:

• Staying on campus
• Staying off campus
• Renting/sharing an apartment
• Homestay

In this guide, we walk you through the different student housing options in Vancouver and tell you what you need to know about each of them. Read on to find out more!

1. Staying on Campus

If proximity to your university is your greatest concern, then we’d recommend staying on campus. Regardless of which university you’re going to, your university should offer a few different halls or residences where you can apply to stay in.

Do note that halls and residences tend to be segregated based on the year you’re currently in. For instance, some halls exclusively take in upper year and/or post-grad students.

If you’re intending to apply to the University of British Columbia, your best bet will be to go for Place Vanier (CAD 650 to 825 per month) or Totem Park (CAD 463 to 941) per month, both of which welcome new undergrad students.

2. Living off-Campus

If you’re not keen on sharing a bathroom or kitchen with an army of students, then living off campus might be a better option.

Obviously, where you’ll stay depends on the university that you’re going to. You’ll want to choose somewhere that’s near enough, so you don’t spend a huge part of your day commuting.

If you want to start researching where to stay, popular neighbourhoods for students living off-campus include Kitsilano and Point Grey.

First up, Kitsilano is relatively close to the Downtown core, and staying here gives you easy access to Kits Beach. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and shopping in the neighbourhood.

Then there’s also Point Grey, which is sandwiched between the beaches of Spanish Banks and West 16th Avenue.

This is an affluent residential neighbourhood that’s highly livable, and it’s located just a 5 to 10 minute bus ride away from the University of British Columbia. If you’re looking for Columbia off-campus housing, Point Grey is definitely a good choice.

To check out your different options, do a search on property portal UVRentsLine.com.

3. Renting/Sharing an apartment

For those who want to be truly independent, consider renting an apartment or sharing an apartment with your friends. For research on Vancouver apartments, check out sites like NestPick.

If you’re renting for the first time, make sure you read up on what your tenancy agreement should include, and how much a landlord is allowed to request for a security deposit.

It’s also a better idea to see the apartment in real life before committing to renting it. You can stay in one of the many hostels in Vancouver whilst apartment-hunting, then move once you’ve found your dream apartment.

4. Homestay

Last but not least, you can always opt for a homestay in Vancouver. Basically, you’ll be living with a host family who will welcome you to Vancouver and help you settle into life in the city.

If you’re looking for a homestay arrangement, be sure to stay with someone who’s got plenty of good reviews.

Generally speaking, homestays aren’t for everyone… but if you have an adventurous spirit and you’re able to adapt quickly to different situations, then you might find this option a highly rewarding one. 

A Final Word on the Best Student Accommodation in Vancouver

Looking for student accommodation isn’t easy, especially when you consider the fact that housing prices in Vancouver tend to be pretty expensive.

If you’re struggling to find suitable accommodation, get in touch with IDP and our friendly counsellors will provide free advice.

Better yet, they’ll guide you through any relevant university and visa application processes as well.