Need to find a place to live?

The cost of living in Vancouver isn't that out-of-control, as long as you don't buy a house. Food and other expenses are comparable to those across Canada. Unlike many other Canadian universities, there is no student housing ghetto in the immediate district; UBC is primarily a commuter campus, though in recent times that has been changing. It is located in a wonderfully tranquil and picturesque location, but suffers the disadvantages of such splendid isolation. Most students live off-campus, commuting in a half hour or so by bike or bus.

Rents off-campus can vary tremendously. Decent basement suites, Bachelor and one-bedroom appartments within a half hour bus ride run from $500 to $900 a month; larger apartments only get more expensive. Such places, despite comparable prices, vary considerably in quality. Be sure to visit potential sites in person and be prepared to shop around (do not underestimate the length of time you will need for this).

The closest and prime neighbourhoods to search in are Point Grey, Kitsilano, Dunbar, Kerrisdale, Fairview Slopes, VGH (Vancouver General Hospital)/City Hall area (listed as South Cambie on the map above), and the West End (downtown). The first three border the University Endowment Lands. Many UBC students also live in peripheral, less expensive neighbourhoods still within Vancouver - Strathcona, Commercial Drive (Grandview Woodland) and Marpole. Being further away, rent is less in these areas. All the neighbourhoods mentioned are within a reasonable commute. The west side of Vancouver, where UBC is situated, is the 'better' part of town in general, so the apartment costs are higher. Prices decrease on the east side of Main Street, which basically divides Vancouver to West and East.

If you are a smoker or have a dog or cat you may have more problems finding a place that is friendly to your lifestyle (you deviant!). Unlike some other provinces, in B.C. it is ok for landlords to refuse pets. So, in addition to the newspaper, veterinary clinics often have a list of appartments which will accept pets in their local vicinity. The chain of pet food stores, Bosley's, also compiles such a list (they have many locations--the one closest to the school is at Dunbar, and can be reached by phoning (604) 266-2667).

I strongly suggest that you come out in June or July to secure off-campus accommodation for September. Searching in August is horrific, albeit not impossible. Don't be discouraged; the fact remains that every year, thousands of students, many of them of the "starving" sort, do find accommodation and live, work and study here quite comfortably.

A final note--I am not a landlord. This page is for your information only, so do not email me to ask if I have a place to rent out (I don't). Likewise, do not email me asking if I will find a place for you to live before you arrive in the city (I won't). I only include my email address below so you can correct any errors that you see on this page, and to accept your suggestions on how to make it more helpful. Please do send me a note if you found this page useful--I know that many people access this page but I am not sure it if contained the info that they were looking for.

Enter your search terms Submit search form