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Searching for housing

Types of Off-Campus Housing

There are several types of furnished and unfurnished apartments; some are in houses and others in high-rise complexes. Types of apartments include:

  • Bachelor: Small apartments, ideal for one person. They have a separate bathroom but kitchen and living room are usually a common area.
  • Basements: Apartments that are below ground level. Check that they are well insulated, lit and ventilated.
  • 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom apartments: They have a separate bathroom and have 1, 2 or 3 separate bedrooms. They might have a separate kitchen and living room, or these might be combined in a common space.
  • Homes: Full houses best suited for families.

Temporary Accommodations

Nova Scotia is experiencing a shortage of rental housing, making finding long term accommodation challenging and expensive. It can take up to 4 months to secure a place to live for the long term. NSCC does not recommend using temporary (or short-term) housing as a long-term housing solution. Short-term housing should only be used as a solution between your arrival and your lease start date. You should secure long-term housing and only using short-term housing as a method to view potential long-term listings.

Average Monthly Costs

Rent costs vary across the province and depend on the type and size of accommodation. For more information on housing and the cost of living, view Module 2: Cost of Living – NSCC Living in Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide for Students.

Unless specified that you are renting a furnished apartment, you will have to provide your own furniture. You can find second-hand basic items at thrift stores or through social media. Prices vary depending on where you shop,

Renting With Pets

If you sign a lease that says no pets, and you bring a pet in, you are in violation of your lease and could be evicted for breaching the lease.

If you have a pet or are considering getting a pet be sure to review the costs associated with pet ownership and budget appropriately.

Finding Roommates

A roommate is a person who shares an apartment (or sometimes a room) with you. If you’re looking for a place to live and would like to live with a roommate, you can use Places4Students to post your profile – click ‘roommate profiles’ and then navigate to the roommate finder.

Signing a lease with someone you don’t know can be risky. Choose your roommate carefully and be honest about who you are. If you're looking for a quiet spot, avoid roommates who want to be loud and regularly social. It’s important to have conversations around expectations before moving in with your roommate, especially if you don’t know them ahead of time. For more information on living with roommates visit Roommates, Conflicts, & Working Towards Resolutions – NSCC Living in Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide for Students.

Where to Search

Look for available near your campus within your campus community for more information on Where to Search, including community specific resources visit Where to Search – NSCC Living in Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide for Students or email . 

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