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Guide to Student Housing in Nova Scotia

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3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Mar 29,2024 10:49 AM IST

• Explore the pros and cons of both on-campus and off-campus housing options for international students in Nova Scotia, Canada.

• Delve into the important factors that help student housing in Nova Scotia allow international students to gain independence and build resilience.

• Understand how taking a few crucial steps can help international students choose the best student housing option in Nova Scotia to cater their needs and budget.

Nova Scotia is home to quaint coastal towns and a vibrant capital city by the sea. This Atlantic province of Canada helps international students thrive in its vibrant student scene, diverse academic programs, and strong sense of community.

When international students arrive in Nova Scotia to pursue their higher education, they will discover a range of student housing options that fit their budgets and cater to their preferences. Whether a student craves the convenience and social life of on-campus residence or prefers the independence and lower costs of off-campus housing, different student housing options in Nova Scotia suit every student’s needs.

On-Campus Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

A vital part of the Canadian student experience is the on-campus housing. Students from all across the world have the opportunity to live as a close-knit community at their educational institution. They live minutes away from their classes, laboratories, gym and library. They don’t have to worry about arranging their electricity, heat or internet. Students opting for on-campus housing can choose traditional dormitory-style residences or non-traditional residence apartments.

on campus housing for students in nova scotia.webp

They must take care of the following when opting for on-campus housing in colleges and universities of Nova Scotia:

Room Type and Roommate	Students must consider their budget and desire for privacy. They must enquire whether their dormitory will have shared rooms or single rooms. They should also enquire whether they will have the liberty to choose their roommates.
Social Atmosphere	Students must research the residence halls of the university where they are enrolled. Their preference for a quiet or bustling space will influence their decision to live in a hall that offers social activities and events.
Food Options	When studying in Canada, students should consider if their schedule allows them to cook their own meals. That would help them determine if they require a meal plan offered by their residence.
Location	Living in close proximity to necessary resources helps students save their time and money on the cost of transportation.
Security	If an international student chooses on-campus housing in Nova Scotia, they benefit from security and safety.

On-campus housing in Nova Scotia offers a structured environment perfect for students who thrive on a routine. Such students can easily access support services such as academic advising and healthcare. Living with fellow students from different communities worldwide provides built-in opportunities to make friends and study partners. On-campus residents can additionally benefit from readily available academic and healthcare support services.

However, international students often find living on campus more expensive and restrictive. Which is why students seeking greater independence should also explore off-campus housing options in Nova Scotia.

Off-Campus Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

Off-campus housing in Nova Scotia empowers students with independence and life skills. They can choose to live with friends or explore shared living arrangements. Students opting for off-campus housing can live in commercial apartments, rental houses, cooperatives, fraternities, and sororities. Off-campus housing allows international students to gain valuable life skills such as budgeting, cooking and home management. They must take care of the following factors when choosing for off-campus housing in Nova Scotia:

off campus housing for students in nova scotia.webp

Budget	International students must research average rental prices in towns near their university when choosing off-campus housing in Nova Scotia. They must factor in utilities such as electricity, heat, water, and internet to make a decision.
Transportation	The distance between a university and off-campus housing is often a deciding factor of whether a student can walk to attend classes or would require a mode of conveyance, such as a cycle, car or public transport.
Neighbourhood Safety	Before finalizing the off-campus student housing, students must conduct thorough research regarding their area’s crime rate and overall safety reputation. Doing so will help them factor in additional measures that are required to be taken.
Amenities	The student must look for off-campus student housing options in Nova Scotia that offer facilities such as laundry, dishwashing, internet access, etc. Having all such facilities under one roof will help students focus on their studies and be efficient at their work.
Lease Agreement	Students must thoroughly read their lease agreement when opting for off-campus student housing options. They should be aware of their rent payment schedule, subletting rules, and lease termination clauses. Additionally, they must research their landlord online and ask other tenants about their experience.

While off-campus student housing in Nova Scotia offers greater independence and potentially lower costs, it requires more planning and self-reliance. Students may need to budget for utilities and groceries, manage their time for commute and chores, and take the initiative to connect with classmates. However, the opportunity to develop life skills and find a pet-friendly place is a major advantage.

Students who are planning to move to Canada in the near future can look for other types of student housing options in Nova Scotia.

Temporary Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

Temporary housing is beneficial for international students who have just made the move to Canada. Such a housing arrangement is helpful when the student is finalizing whether they like the structured environment of on-campus housing or independence offered by off-campus housing. Students opting for temporary housing can live in homestays, shared accommodations, rental rooms, or hostels. Homestays, particularly, can provide these students with an opportunity to live with a host family and assimilate with their culture while considering whether they want to live on-campus or off-campus.

International students must consider the following factors when choosing temporary housing in Canada:

Temporary Housing for Students in Nova Scotia.webp

Reviews and Ratings	When booking temporary housing in Nova Scotia from India, students do not get the opportunity to inspect the place in-person. This makes taking a look at online reviews an imperative task. Students can also take an extra step and contact the host or owner to clear their doubts regarding quality of furniture, type of neighbourhood, level of cleanliness in the housing and surrounding areas.
Booking Time	Similar to the process of booking a hotel room, the booking time for a temporary housing in Nova Scotia is an important factor. Students must book their temporary housing well ahead of their travel date. If the student is travelling to Nova Scotia, especially during the Fall intake, they must do their research and book their temporary housing at least a month in advance. Doing so will help them in case of price hike and limited options.
Location	Finding an accommodation in a neighbourhood closer to the university will help students plan their days in Canada efficiently. Post their classes, they can participate in networking events, explore the city center and make an effort to understand the culture and traditions of their new home. A temporary housing near Halifax could help international students easily access transport, essential stores and services.
Budget	International students who have just arrived in Nova Scotia to study must be mindful of their budget. They must not just rely on word of mouth to find their temporary housing. Thoroughly perusing the internet for multiple websites will help students understand an average range of the cost of temporary housing in Nova Scotia. This will also help them compare prices and talk to owners before booking the temporary housing.

Tips for Choosing Student Housing in Nova Scotia

Choosing an affordable place to live in is one of the most important factors to the success of a student’s transition to living in Nova Scotia. Given below are some recommendations a student can follow:

Begin Early	Students must begin their search for on-campus or off-campus student housing at least 3-4 months before beginning their course. They must extensively search for accommodation while waiting for approval on their study permit application to study in Canada.
Research Options	Students must research the student housing options based on their budget and lifestyle. They should also look for convenience with respect to their study schedule.
Neighbourhood	Nova Scotia is famous for lively student communities near its colleges and universities. Students must research areas such as the South End of Halifax or Main Street of Wolfville. Online resources such as student housing websites, forums, and social media will help them find their student housing. Students must also refer to local newspapers and magazines to research.
Tenant Rights	International students must familiarize themselves with the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Act. This will help them live in a fair and secure living environment.
Embrace the Community	Students planning to live in Nova Scotia after they have completed their graduation must research student clubs, volunteer opportunities, and local events.
Temporary Housing Options	The competitive student housing market in Nova Scotia can make it difficult for international students to secure off-campus housing well in time for their classes. Students must consider temporary housing options, such as student hostels or short-term rentals.

Students accepted to a college or university in Nova Scotia can connect with the experts at Canam for student housing assistance in Canada.

Conclusion

Student housing in Nova Scotia offers a variety of options to suit every international student’s needs and preferences. Whether they crave the convenience of on-campus living or prefer the independence of their own apartment, student housing in Nova Scotia caters to all their needs. Students must research diligently and consider their lifestyle and budget when finding housing options that will enhance their academic experience in Nova Scotia. They can connect with study abroad experts at Canam to explore their student housing options in Nova Scotia, Canada.

FAQ

How can an international student find off-campus student housing in Nova Scotia?

International students must begin their research early to find off-campus housing in Nova Scotia. They must consider their budget and lifestyle to decide which neighbourhood suits them.

What are the benefits of living on-campus in Nova Scotia?

Deciding to live in an on-campus student housing in Nova Scotia means that international students have a guaranteed place to reside when studying in Canada. They have the convenience of living closer to their classes and receive dedicated academic support with programs specific to their course.

What amenities are typically included in on-campus student housing?

When students live in on-campus housing in Nova Scotia, they can live without worrying about electricity, heat or internet. They can choose from different dining options and meal plans offered at their university. Students can access the library to study and advance in their degree. Round the clock security can instill peace of mind in international students as well as their parents.

What should an international student consider when choosing an off-campus student housing in Canada?

When choosing an off-campus student housing, international students must diligently research the cost of living in Nova Scotia. They should determine which location suits them with respect to travel time to the campus. Students should also check the safety features that the neighbourhood offers.

What are the popular universities in Nova Scotia?

International students planning to study in Nova Scotia can pursue their higher education at prominent universities such as Acadia University, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and St. Francis Xavier University, among others.

What job opportunities are available to international students after they have graduated from universities in Nova Scotia?

After graduating from universities in Nova Scotia, international students can work in the construction, healthcare, hospitality, finance, and software development industries, among others.

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Guide to Student Housing in Nova Scotia

Table of Contents

On-Campus Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

Off-Campus Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

Temporary Housing for Students in Nova Scotia

Tips for Choosing Student Housing in Nova Scotia

Conclusion

FAQ

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