In most institutions, only first-year students choose to live on campus. It is a more convenient and safer way than having to commute to and from the campus. It also allows them to adjust to college life as they learn more about the campus lifestyle, start to gain a sense of independence and make friends with other students from various backgrounds.
The cost of living on-campus in any student’s residence varies with every institution and region, which is why some students cannot live there even if they wanted to. For example, the accommodation cost at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario is over $14,500 per year, and it covers meals, a double room, and other related charges. On the other hand, the University of Winnipeg charges slightly over $9,500 for the same amenities and meals during fall and winter learning sessions, which is in the same range as the University of Manitoba’s housing fees.
The learning institutions in Canada usually give students who want to live on campus two options. They can pay the whole fees at the beginning of the year or pay the relevant portions every semester they are in school. Meal plans are often part of the residence deal and can cost at least $4000 per year. The dorm-style residence offered by the institutions also comes with furnishings, so students don’t have to worry about purchasing their furniture. Students should determine whether the meal plans included in the package are transferrable. If they are, the students stand to save a lot of money the following year, but if not, they will have to use all the food credits before they elapse. Some universities give students the option of continuing to use their meal credits even if they move out of campus residence the following year. The gift cards they give can only be used to buy food from the campus vendors.
Living on-campus has the following advantages:
Most students usually choose to live off-campus after the first year, unless in cases where there isn’t enough room to accommodate the first-year students. The off-campus option usually comes with more responsibilities including paying utility bills, finding roommates to share the costs with and searching for a safe place within the same town as the university. Students also have to take care of their meals, which involves buying groceries. The costs accrued in a year will depend on the location of the university. For instance, off-campus living in Toronto will cost more than in Quebec.
The most convenient option is for students to lease an apartment for at least a year with roommates. Since the success of such an arrangement depends on the roommates a student chooses, starting the search a few months before the move is essential. Doing the research early also helps with the acquisition of the residentials closer to the campus. As part of the preparation, students should have enough money to cater to application fees, including last and first month’s rent. Most landlords who own these properties also ask for security deposits and amenities fees, like parking where applicable. Given the high demand such apartments have, their prices may be slightly higher. Therefore, first-time renters should do enough research to determine the average rental costs to avoid overpaying. Some tips students can use are:
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