Off-campus housing

• High-rise apartments: These apartment units generally have full kitchens and some utilities included in your rent. Many buildings have communal spaces (such as common spaces, a gym and possibly a pool), and paid laundry facilities are usually available on-site. 

• Walk-up condos: These units are similar to high-rise apartments, but within smaller buildings (generally four storeys or less). 

• Suites: These spaces are a separate section located within a larger house. Most suites have their own kitchen, but many have shared laundry facilities. Suites are often in the basement of a house, which can mean they don’t have a lot of natural light. 

• Shared accommodation (house/apartment): Sharing rental costs can be less expensive; however, you may not have as much privacy. 

• Homestay: This option allows international students to live in a local family's home so they can fully experience life in Canada. 

Calgary’s neighbourhoods are designated by the quadrant of the city they’re in. UCalgary is in the NW quadrant of the city.

Many students live in these neighbourhoods that are close to the university and/or are a short C-Train ride from campus: 

• Sunnyside
• Kensington 
• Hillhurst 
• Capitol Hill 
• Mount Pleasant
• Dalhousie
• Banff Trail
• Silver Springs
• Rosemont
• Brentwood  
• Charleswood  
• Varsity  
• Tuscany
• Rocky Ridge
• Scenic Acres

UCalgary is connected to areas throughout the city by the C-Train, Calgary’s light rail transit system. Your student fees include the UPass, which allows you unlimited access to the C-Train and buses while you're a full-time student. Living near a C-Train station makes it very easy to travel to campus. Learn more about Calgary's transit system.  

Content insurance 

Many landlords will need to see proof of insurance as a condition of a lease. Learn more about tenant insurance.  

It’s best to obtain a few estimates before selecting an insurance coverage provider. There are many insurance companies in Alberta.  

If you bought insurance before coming to Canada, check your policy to see if content insurance is included. 

Rental agreements 

Before moving into your accommodation, you and your landlord need to agree to the terms of your rental agreement in a contract. This contract is called a rental agreement.  A written agreement is strongly encouraged. 

There are laws in Alberta that specifically relate to landlords and tenants. Make sure that you know what your obligations are as a renter, and what is allowed of your landlord. Learn more. 

Viewing accommodations 

If possible, visit prospective accommodations in-person. That way you can meet the landlord and any potential roommates before committing to the property. 

Keep in mind that you should trust your gut if something feels off when searching for accommodation. Things to look out for include landlords who will only communicate via email or landlords who require you to pay a deposit just to view their rental.  

The Government of Alberta has many resources available for tenants, including this checklist of questions tenants should consider.