²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½

City of Calgary

Off-campus housing

This page provides some resources to help you find the off-campus home that's right for you. 

Calgary housing

Off-campus rentals 

There are various types of rental accommodations in Calgary. You can view some details about what's available and some important things to consider in the FAQ section below.

We recommend starting your housing search now, as it may take some time to find your ideal arrangement.   

Search for off-campus housing and roommate options using the following websites: 

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If you're an international student, there are homestay options where you can live with a Canadian family. Learn more on these websites:

Learn more about making your move to Calgary with these helpful videos:

Finding housing in Calgary


Frequently asked questions

Not sure which rental options are available or which parts of the city to live in? Check out these details about finding a place to live in Calgary.

  • High-rise apartments: These apartment units generally have full kitchens and some utilities included in your rent. Many buildings have communal spaces (such as common spaces, a gym and possibly a pool), and paid laundry facilities are usually available on-site. 

  • Walk-up condos: These units are similar to high-rise apartments, but within smaller buildings (generally four storeys or less). 

  • Suites: These spaces are a separate section located within a larger house. Most suites have their own kitchen, but many have shared laundry facilities. Suites are often in the basement of a house, which can mean they don’t have a lot of natural light. 

  • Shared accommodation (house/apartment): Sharing rental costs can be less expensive; however, you may not have as much privacy. 

  • Homestay: This option allows international students to live in a local family's home so they can fully experience life in Canada. 

Calgary’s neighbourhoods are designated by the quadrant of the city they’re in. ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ is in the NW quadrant of the city.

Many students live in these neighbourhoods that are close to the university and/or are a short C-Train ride from campus: 

  • Sunnyside
  • Kensington 
  • Hillhurst 
  • Capitol Hill 
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Dalhousie
  • Banff Trail
  • Silver Springs
  • Rosemont
  • Brentwood  
  • Charleswood  
  • Varsity  
  • Tuscany
  • Rocky Ridge
  • Scenic Acres

²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ is connected to areas throughout the city by the C-Train, Calgary’s light rail transit system. Your student fees include the UPass, which allows you unlimited access to the C-Train and buses while you're a full-time student. Living near a C-Train station makes it very easy to travel to campus.   

Content insurance 

Many landlords will need to see proof of insurance as a condition of a lease.   

It’s best to obtain a few estimates before selecting an insurance coverage provider. There are many insurance companies in Alberta.  

If you bought insurance before coming to Canada, check your policy to see if content insurance is included. 

 

Rental agreements 

Before moving into your accommodation, you and your landlord need to agree to the terms of your rental agreement in a contract. This contract is called a .  A written agreement is strongly encouraged. 

There are laws in Alberta that specifically relate to landlords and tenants. Make sure that you know what your obligations are as a renter, and what is allowed of your landlord.  

 

Viewing accommodations 

If possible, visit prospective accommodations in-person. That way you can meet the landlord and any potential roommates before committing to the property. 

Keep in mind that you should trust your gut if something feels off when searching for accommodation. Things to look out for include landlords who will only communicate via email or landlords who require you to pay a deposit just to view their rental.  

The Government of Alberta has many available for tenants, including this tenants should consider. 

Tips and resources

Unlimited access to public transit coupled with multiple transit routes servicing campus means there are tons of neighbourhoods you can choose to live in and still have quick access to the university.

Here are a few things to consider for your accommodation search.

The vacancy rate in Calgary is low right now, which means two things - there are lots of people looking for places to rent, and there are dishonest people running scams that prey on would-be renters.

Living with roommates is a common practice during university. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a roommate interview.

If you're struggling to find housing, email welcome@ucalgary.ca