HOUSE
Student Housing Q&A Q: What’s the average price range for a house? Utilities (when not excluded)? Answer: Prices in the Hamilton
community can range a lot depending on factors such as: location, size, level of comfort, basement vs upstairs room. It is possible to find rooms for as low as mid $300s, and as high as mid $500s. Utilities can also be included in this cost for some houses, and for others you can expect to pay a per month fee (about $50/month) which will depend on the house’s consumption.
Q: Should all my housemates be in the same program, or is a mix better? Answer: It all depends on you, as there are benefits to either option! Having housemates from the same program can allow you to study together at home, walk to classes, and have similar schedules. Alternatively, having housemates from a diverse set of programs might allow you to leave the stress of academics at school and gain new, valuable perspectives!
Q: How many people should I be living with? Answer: The number of rooms in a house
can range from 3-10 per unit, with an average of about 5 to 7 rooms. It is also important to consider how the rooms are spaced out (# per floor), and how much common space you will share with your housemates (e.g. bathrooms, kitchen space, etc.).
CHECKLIST Consider talking to your potential housemates to see which of these you each prioritize (and where you can compromise!):
LOCATION COST (per room, can vary in a house)
Q: How difficult is to move in with people I don’t know?
SIZE
Answer: Sometimes moving in with new
people can be very intimidating and stressful, but it also provides an exciting opportunity to meet a brand new set of individuals that you may have otherwise not known. If you're looking for some additional level of familiarity, perhaps consider having one or two of your current friends move in as well. In either case, try to set up early opportunities to get to know each other and keep open communication.
AMOUNT OF COMMON SPACE COMMUNITY VIBE ROOMS (BASEMENT, ATTIC/LOFT) LEVEL OF COMFORT
Q: What are some good questions to ask current tenants?
IS AC AVAILABLE?
Answer:
Do you have any concerns with your current room (e.g. temperature, noise from other rooms, etc.)? How easy is it to contact the landlord?
RED FLAGS
How helpful is the landlord in dealing with concerns? Has there ever been tension/conflict with the landlord? Have you found any issues with the house in general (e.g. items breaking often, kitchen appliances not working, etc.)?
WHAT’S NEAR YOU
STOP
If the landlord doesn’t let you talk to the current tenants
STOP
If the landlord doesn’t give you any way to contact them
STOP
If you’ve heard complaints from current tenants/friends
STOP
If the taps/showers/power outlets are troublesome
WESTDALE:
SOUTH OF MAIN STREET:
WEST OF COOTES DRIVE:
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Many restaurants/pubs Shops (clothing, home decor, etc.) Grocery store (Food Basics) Shopper’s Drug Mart Bus Route (5 and 51 along Sterling Street)
Pub Shopper’s Drug Mart Starbucks & ssociated plaza Fortinos Bus Route (5 along Emerson Street)
STOP
Tim Horton’s Fortinos Boston Pizza Bus Route (5 and 10 along Main Street West)