Halifax is experiencing significant housing challenges, with low vacancy rates, increasing rental prices and few rental options. We are urging students not to move to Halifax until you have secured, and ideally can move into, a rental accommodation or residence room. Hotels and short-term accommodations have limited availability, and students should book these accommodations now, before their arrival to Halifax.
Students can live off-campus and travel to Saint Mary’s University for classes. For students who are living off-campus, you are encouraged to:
Students are encouraged to create a budget for living in Halifax and organize their finances before they move. When budgeting for living in Halifax, students should consider the cost of:
The largest living expense students should budget for is rent. Rental prices vary depending on many factors, but average rental prices have increased due to a low vacancy rate in Halifax.
Based on a recent CMHC Rental Market Report, students are encouraged to budget for average rental costs of at least $1,628 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Typically, rentals with more bedrooms cost less per tenant. Students are encouraged to ask landlords if utilities and/or parking are included in the price of rent. Heat is oftentimes the most expensive utility.
You can also estimate the cost of living in Halifax using Numbeo.
Searching for rental accommodations can be time-consuming, and we recommend starting your search for rental accommodations up to six months in advance. It normally takes a minimum of two months to secure a rental accommodation.
Students may search for rentals on online platforms, such as:
There are also housing groups for the 2SLGBTQ+ community:
Tips for searching for rental accommodations include:
Saint Mary’s University is not responsible for off-campus housing, and it is important that students take steps to help ensure their safety as renters. This can include:
Students can also review the following resources from the Tenant Rights Series, Dalhousie Legal Aid Service Tenant Rights Guide and Finding and Being a Good Tenant or seek legal aid from Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, a community-based law clinic. For a quick response to tenancy concerns, renters can call the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service’s Tenant Rights Phone Line at 902-423-8105.
Additional advocacy-based resources include:l
The Halifax Regional Municipality has a lot to offer the nearly 450,000 people who call it home. Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia and a hub of activity for Atlantic Canada, with many opportunities for education, employment, culture, and social life.
When finding a place to live in the Halifax Regional Municipality, you may want to consider your proximity to:
You can search for nearby places, such as hotels, food, shopping, or grocery stores, using Mapquest. You can also review articles on choosing the right neighbourhood for you as well as a Newcomer's Guide to Halifax.
Many students choose to live in the Halifax Peninsula, the urban core of Halifax, which includes areas such as:
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