January 31, 2025
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We compared seven purpose-built student accommodation providers across major Canadian cities, from Toronto to Vancouver to Calgary, and Encore emerged as the best option for students balancing academic excellence with startup ambitions. Encore at University District in Calgary tops our list of smart student housing choices for aspiring entrepreneurs in Canada, offering fully furnished units with all utilities included, proximity to innovation hubs, and a productive environment designed for ambitious students.
Other excellent options include VanMates for Vancouver networking, UWO Off Campus for London’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, GEC Living for Toronto’s startup scene, University Living for multi-city flexibility, Places4Students for comprehensive listings, and Amber Student for international student support.
Student housing represents more than shelter for aspiring founders. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, there were 1,297,365 study permit holders with valid permits in Canada as of September 30, 2022, many drawn to the country's thriving startup ecosystem, which boasts $109 billion in venture capital assets under management (AUM) [1].
Location influences access to mentors, investors, and co-founders. Students living near innovation districts attend more networking events, join accelerator programmes earlier, and connect with professors leading entrepreneurship initiatives. Productivity depends heavily on environmental quality, whilst cost management matters critically for bootstrapped founders extending their runway.
Company Name: Encore at University District
Address: 4055 Kovitz Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6R2
Phone: 587-804-7362
Email: info@RentEncoreUD.ca
Website: https://rentencoreud.ca/
Encore delivers purpose-built student accommodation specifically designed for high-performing students. The 303-unit complex is within walking distance of the University of Calgary, putting residents in Canada’s growing energy and technology corridor.
Students access university incubators effortlessly whilst enjoying views of the Bow River and Rocky Mountains within a 200-acre master-planned community. Late-night collaboration becomes natural when peers share similar ambitions.
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Ideal For: First-year founders testing business ideas and students participating in startup competitions appreciate proximity to university resources.
Company Name: VanMates
Address: 717 W Pender St - 2nd Floor, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X6
Phone: +1 672.200.5924
Email: hello@vanmates.com
Website: https://vanmates.com/
VanMates connects students with shared apartments across Vancouver, Canada’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The platform specialises in matching compatible roommates within British Columbia’s innovation capital.
Vancouver hosts over 10,000 technology companies. Students living centrally attend founder meetups, access co-working spaces, and build relationships with venture capitalists.
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Company Name: UWO Off Campus
Address: Rm 3C1 Ontario Hall, Western University, 230 Sarnia Rd. London, Ontario N6G 0N2
Phone: (519) 661-3550
Email: off-campus.housing@uwo.ca
Website: https://offcampus.uwo.ca/
The University of Western Ontario operates this official off-campus housing platform serving London, Ontario. The region cultivates strong entrepreneurship programmes through Western’s Ivey Business School.
London offers a lower cost of living compared to Toronto, whilst maintaining access to startup resources. Students save 40% on rent compared to major metropolitan areas, extending their financial runway considerably.
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Company Name: GEC Living
Address: 1311 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2P3
Phone: (604) 669-6686
Email: reservations@gecliving.com
Website: https://gecliving.com/
GEC Living provides modern student residences across Vancouver, Canada’s third-largest startup hub. Properties cluster near UBC, BCIT, and other institutions, driving innovation in British Columbia.
Toronto houses 57% of Canada’s venture capital activity, positioning students closer to investors and corporate partnership opportunities when visiting or expanding [2].
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Company Name: University Living
Phone: Available via website contact form
Email: care@universityliving.com
Website: www.universityliving.com
University Living aggregates verified student housing across Canadian cities. The platform serves international students seeking trusted accommodation before arrival.
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Company Name: Places4Students
Address: 94 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3C8
Phone: 1-866-766-0767
Email: admin@p4s.com
Website: www.places4students.com/
Places4Students dominates Canadian student housing searches with comprehensive listings. The platform connects students with private rooms, shared apartments, and purpose-built residences.
Students find affordable student housing through detailed filters. Homestay options offer cultural immersion, whilst on-campus residence options sit alongside private rentals.
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Company Name: Amber Student
Phone: +44 7456741634
Email: contact@amberstudent.com
Website: https://amberstudent.com/
Amber Student specialises in supporting international students navigating unfamiliar housing markets with booking assistance, lease agreement guidance, and 24/7 support.
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*Properties like Encore include utilities in base rent
Students should allocate 30-35% of the total budget towards housing. Founders bootstrapping startups benefit from choosing cities with a lower cost of living while maintaining ecosystem access.
Lease agreements in Canada follow provincial regulations under residential tenancies acts. Ontario’s RTA limits damage deposits to one month’s rent, whilst British Columbia requires landlords to store deposits in trust accounts.
International students should verify landlord registration with CMHC databases. Avoiding rental scams requires confirming property ownership and never sending money before viewing units or signing contracts. Students can access free legal clinics through university services when disputes arise.
Students should begin searching three to six months before the semester starts. Competitive markets like Toronto and Vancouver fill quickly during peak seasons from January to March and August to September.
Incubator deadlines often align with housing decisions. Students accepted into accelerator programmes need immediate accommodation near programme facilities. Visa timing significantly affects international students, making early planning essential.
Toronto leads Canada's venture capital ecosystem, often capturing over 50% of quarterly investments and maintaining the largest share annually.
Vancouver excels in technology and gaming startups, offering access to Asian markets.
Montreal provides bilingual advantages, lower operating costs, and strong artificial intelligence research communities.
Waterloo focuses on entrepreneurship through renowned engineering programmes with deep Silicon Valley connections.
Calgary emerges as an energy innovation hub, combining established industries with growing technology sectors.
Addresses influence networks profoundly, whilst the environment shapes output measurably. International students living near innovation districts meet co-founders and advisors organically.
Thinking beyond monthly rent towards a long-term runway separates successful founders from those burning through capital unnecessarily. Choose housing supporting the business being built, not just the degree being earned. Strategic accommodation decisions compound advantages throughout university years, positioning ambitious international students to launch ventures that outlast graduation.
A strategic choice goes beyond just a place to sleep. It puts you in a location with easy access to university incubators, mentors, and networking events. It should also be a productive environment that helps you manage costs effectively, allowing you to invest more into your business idea.
Encore at University District is designed for high-performing students. It offers the convenience of fully furnished, all-inclusive units (including high-speed internet) and places you within walking distance of the University of Calgary’s innovation hubs, creating a community of like-minded peers.
Your budget will depend heavily on the city. Monthly costs can range from about CAD 1,100 in a smaller city like London, Ontario, to over CAD 2,700 in Toronto. Purpose-built accommodations often include utilities, which provides better value and predictable expenses.
You should start your search three to six months before you arrive. This gives you enough time to navigate competitive markets, review lease agreements thoroughly, and coordinate with your visa application process without feeling rushed.
It varies. Purpose-built student accommodation, like Encore, usually includes all utilities in the rent. However, in traditional private rentals, you will likely have to pay for services like electricity, heat, and internet separately, adding CAD 150-250 to your monthly costs.
Toronto is Canada's largest venture capital hub, making it a great choice. However, Vancouver has a strong tech and gaming scene, Waterloo is famous for its engineering and deep tech connections, and Calgary is a growing hub for energy innovation. The best city for you depends on your specific industry.
