Finding Off-Campus Housing
in the US & Canada
A practical guide to finding safe, affordable housing near your university — from which websites to use to what to watch out for in a lease.
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus: Which Is Right for You?
For most international students in their first year, on-campus housing is strongly recommended. It's safer (no lease to negotiate remotely), closer to classes, and makes it far easier to meet people. However, it's usually more expensive than off-campus alternatives, and availability is often limited.
Off-campus housing becomes the better choice by year two or three, when you know the city, have built a network of potential roommates, and understand the local rental market. The savings can be significant — sometimes $400–700/month less than on-campus options.
Typical Monthly Rental Costs by City (2025)
These are average costs for a shared bedroom in a 2–4 person apartment, which is the most common setup for students.
Toronto, ON
Competitive market. Start searching 3–4 months early. Scarborough and North York are more affordable.
Vancouver, BC
One of North America's most expensive cities. Burnaby and Surrey are significantly cheaper.
Montreal, QC
Most affordable major Canadian city. Bilingual environment — some landlords prefer French speakers.
Boston, MA
Expensive but walkable. Allston, Brighton, and Somerville are student-heavy and relatively affordable.
New York, NY
Extremely competitive. Queens and the Bronx are more affordable. Never sign without viewing in person.
Chicago, IL
More affordable than coastal cities. Hyde Park (U of C) and Lincoln Park (DePaul) are popular student areas.
Austin, TX
Growing market. UT Austin area is competitive but surrounding neighborhoods offer good value.
Ann Arbor, MI
College town — everything is within walking/biking distance of campus. Sign early, leases fill by March.
Where to Search for Apartments
Facebook Groups (Best Starting Point)
Search "[Your University] Housing", "[City] Sublets", or "[University] Arab Students" on Facebook. These groups are where most student-friendly listings and roommate searches happen. JANA chapters often run their own housing groups.
Zillow (USA)
The most widely used US real estate site. Good for browsing apartment listings and understanding market prices in a neighborhood before you start contacting landlords.
Apartments.com (USA)
Extensive verified listings with photos and virtual tours. Good for professional apartment buildings. Less useful for student-shared housing.
Kijiji (Canada)
Canada's equivalent of Craigslist. Widely used for room rentals, sublets, and shared housing across all Canadian cities. Free to post and browse.
Craigslist (USA — Use With Caution)
Still active in most US cities, especially for sublets. Be cautious of scams: never wire money to someone you haven't met, and never pay a deposit without signing a lease.
Your University's Off-Campus Housing Board
Most universities maintain a verified off-campus housing listing board. These landlords have agreed to certain standards and are more likely to be student-friendly.
How to Avoid Rental Scams
- Never wire money or pay via e-transfer before signing a lease. Legitimate landlords accept cheques, certified cheques, or bank transfers after you've signed the agreement.
- If the price seems too good, it's a scam. Below-market pricing is the #1 red flag.
- Always request a video call walkthrough if you can't visit in person. A real landlord will be happy to do this. A scammer will always have an excuse not to.
- Google the address before committing. Verify the property exists, cross-reference listing photos with Google Street View, and search the address on Zillow/Kijiji to compare prices.
- Get your lease in writing before paying anything. A verbal agreement is not legally enforceable in most provinces and states.
What to Check in a Lease Before Signing
- Are utilities (electricity, water, internet) included in the rent?
- What is the security deposit, and under what conditions is it refunded?
- What is the notice period required to break the lease early?
- Are subletting and guests allowed?
- Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance?
- Is the lease month-to-month or fixed-term (12 months)? A 12-month lease that starts in September may extend through the following August — verify this matches your program schedule.
Roommate Tips
Sharing with roommates is the single most effective way to reduce housing costs. Most JANA chapter communities have active roommate-matching channels — ask your chapter coordinator before you sign anything.
- Discuss expectations before you move in: quiet hours, cleaning schedule, guests, shared groceries
- Put shared agreements in writing — even just a WhatsApp message creates a record
- Split utilities and groceries equally using apps like Splitwise
- Don't choose a random roommate without speaking to them on video first