Housing in Canada

Housing Options in Canada

When you first arrive in Canada, it is a good idea to rent a place to live until you are financially secure and have decided on a neighbourhood you wish to settle in.

You will need somewhere to stay when you first arrive. Possible options include:

• • A hotel room

  • A short-term apartment rental

  • The home of family or friends who already live here

  • A host or sponsor who has volunteered to house newcomers

The advantage of staying with others is that they can help you learn about life in Canada while you find a place of your own.

Remember that it can take time to find the right place to live. It requires research, work and patience.

Be prepared financially to support yourself until you find appropriate housing. Experts agree that you should expect to spend approximately 35% of your income on shelter costs (housing and utilities). Unless you are prepared to make sacrifices in other areas of your life, it is not be advisable to spend more than 35% of your income on housing.

When you are looking for a place to live, it will be important that you are familiar with the multiple types of housing in Canada:

• • Apartment - a self-contained, single-family unit in a building or house. Most apartments have one, two or three bedrooms; "bachelor" or "studio" apartments have a single living area that serves as a bedroom, kitchen and living room, with an attached bathroom. Bachelor or studio apartments are generally only rented to single individuals.

  • Duplex or triplex - a house that is divided into two units is a duplex. Divided into three, it's called a triplex.

  • Townhouses, or Row Houses - Three or more units are built side-by-side and share adjoining walls. Good for families.

  • Rooms - Large homes are sometimes divided into several private bedrooms that are rented to individuals, with a common, shared kitchen and bathroom. Affordable for students and singles.

Looking for a Place to Live

There are many places to search for housing, even before you arrive:

• • Newspaper classified ads

  • On websites such as

  • craigslist

  • Realtor.ca

    • kijiji.ca

  • Rentfaster.ca

  • By walking or driving around the neighbourhood where you would like to live. Many landlords put a "For Rent" sign on their property

  • Students are often provided housing from the college or university they will be attending, or directed on student housing listings

  • Employer's may be able to help you with your job search

  • Asking advice from forums such as canadavisa.com

Tips when Renting an Apartment

Do not rent an apartment unless it fulfills these basic requirements:

• • The unit has its own bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower or bath, with hot and cold running water

  • The unit has its own kitchen area with hot and cold running water, shelves or cupboards, a refrigerator and a stove or cook top

  • An entry door with a lock

When you find an apartment you would like to rent, the landlord may ask you to complete a form asking for personal information in order to do a credit check. You will be required to sign a legal contract called a lease, which is a commitment to stay in the apartment and pay the agreed upon rent for the duration of the lease (generally 1 year). Be prepared to pay for the first month in advance if required. Many apartments, especially those that come with furnishings, require a security deposit to be paid in advance as well.

Buying your own home in Canada

Many people in Canada own their homes. Home ownership is a good investment for those who can afford it.

Prices, both for renting and buying, differ dramatically depending on where you live, the size of the home and the services. Many factors determine this cost, including:

• • Location - Which province you choose to live in, and whether you live in the city or a rural area will make a difference in the cost of a home. For example, a home in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be more expensive than a comparable home in rural New Brunswick.

  • Amenities - Homes in established neighbourhoods that are near schools, parks, places of worship and public transportation will cost more. Living in cities is often more expensive than living in the suburbs, towns and villages outside of a major city which have the same amenities as city life. Suburbs are increasingly popular destinations for families because of the affordable cost of living.

  • Size - The size of a home and the land it sits on affects the cost of purchase and maintenance of the property. House sizes are given in square feet (or metres), and lot sizes are given by "frontage", the linear distance along the front of the property, and the properties depth in metres or feet.

  • Condition - Homes that need repairs or upgrades, for example a new roof or heating system, are likely to cost less than new homes or those that have been recently renovated. Be cautious when buying a home that requires many upgrades. It is important to factor the cost of these upgrades into the total cost of the home.

There are multiple types of housing options for those looking to purchase:

• • Detached Houses - Detached homes are single structures situated on their own lot. They come in a variety of styles of one or more levels, often with multiple bedrooms.

  • Semi-detached Houses - called "semis," these homes are attached to another, similar home on one side with a common wall that divides them.

  • Townhouses or Row houses - these homes are connected on both sides to similar homes

  • Condominiums - called "condos", these homes come in multiple forms as townhouses or units within a low-rise or high-rise building. Condo owners own the unit itself, and not the surrounding grounds or common areas of the building. Owners each pay monthly fee which provides for the maintenance of the common areas and other possible features of the complex like a swimming pool or fitness facilities.

Purchasing a Home

The average price for a residential home in 2011 was more than $200,000. This can be expensive for most people. The chart below shows the average price of homes in various cities in Canada.To make home ownership possible, many people pay what they can towards the total cost of a home and borrow the remaining money from a bank. This bank loan is called a mortgage. Mortgages are paid back to the bank on a monthly basis. As soon as you arrive in Canada and open a bank account, inquire about obtaining a mortgage for your first home.