Vanmates places international students with vetted Canadian host families near UBC and SFU — every host is interviewed in person and background-checked, and every home is inspected before a student moves in. You get your own private, furnished bedroom plus two home-cooked meals a day, with utilities and Wi-Fi in one all-in price. It's the safest, gentlest way to arrive: instead of an empty apartment, you have a local family who meets you, shows you the buses, and answers the small daily questions that make a new country feel like home. Homestay suits under-25s and first-time arrivals best, and because a family placement takes matching, most students book before they land — so they touch down to a real Vancouver address for their study permit, a bed already made, and dinner waiting. Our 24/7 WhatsApp team stays with you the whole way, in your language.
Standard homestay from $1,300/mo · private room + two meals a day · all-in, no surprise bills
One monthly price covers your room, two meals a day, and every household bill. No separate utility, internet, or food charges — the number you see is the number you pay.
Pricing last reviewed: July 2026. All prices in CAD and include a private room, two meals a day, utilities, and Wi-Fi.
Pulled directly from our internal inventory — real homes accepting students today. If nothing matches your dates, you'll always get a next step.
We match you to a family with real transit access to your campus, not just a nearby postcode. Here's roughly how long you'll travel.
Every host family is chosen for a safe home, a real private room, and good transit to campus. Here's what to expect from each area.
Near UBC · beaches & the 99 B-Line
"Kits" is the classic UBC neighborhood — beaches, cafés on West 4th, and a 10–15 minute express-bus ride to campus. Our Kitsilano host families live in character houses with a spare private room, and they're the most requested placement for UBC students who want to be close and settle in fast. Book early; these families fill first each September.
Near SFU · space and direct SkyTrain
Burnaby gives host families more room, often a detached house with a garden, and a direct SkyTrain line to SFU and downtown. These homes suit SFU and BCIT students who want a calm, spacious base and a shorter campus commute. Metrotown's mall and food court are minutes away, and families here are used to hosting first-year international students.
Central, creative, quick transit everywhere
Mount Pleasant is Vancouver's most central-yet-friendly neighborhood — Main Street's shops and cafés, breweries, and fast transit to BCIT, Emily Carr, and downtown. Our host families here are a great fit for students at several campuses who want to be in the middle of the city. This is where many first-time arrivals feel at home fastest.
Family homes · best value on the Canada Line
Richmond and South Vancouver are full of warm, established family homes and offer the best homestay value in the region, with the Canada Line running straight downtown and to the airport. Popular with East-Asian and first-arrival students who want home-cooked meals, a quiet street, and a family experienced with newcomers. Great for Langara, VCC, and downtown campuses.
Three ways to live as a student in Vancouver. Here's how they compare on the things that matter most on arrival.
| Homestay | Co-living | Student residence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From (all-in) | $1,300/mo | $975/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Meals | Two meals a day included | Self-catered, shared kitchen | Optional paid meal plan |
| Support level | Host family + 24/7 WhatsApp | House manager + 24/7 WhatsApp | Front desk, office hours |
| Best for | Under-25s & first arrivals | Social students on a budget | Students wanting campus life |
| Privacy | Private room in a family home | Private room, shared spaces | Private or shared dorm room |
"My host mum met me at the airport and had dinner ready. I was 17 and nervous about moving to Canada alone — within a week I knew the buses to UBC and felt like part of the family."
"Two meals a day and no bills to figure out made my first term so much easier. Vanmates checked the family before I arrived, and the WhatsApp team answered every question the same day."
Verified student reviews. See our cancellation policy and community guidelines for the full terms.
Homestay placements are personal, so we match by hand. Send your details and we'll pair you with a vetted family that fits your campus, dates, and needs — and add you to the priority list so you hear first when a home opens.
A Vanmates homestay gives you a private, furnished bedroom in a vetted Canadian family's home, plus two meals a day — typically breakfast and dinner, with the kitchen open for lunch and snacks. Utilities, heat, and Wi-Fi are included in one monthly price, and your host family is your first point of contact for everyday questions. It's the simplest way to land: you have a bed, meals, and a local family from day one.
Every Vanmates host family is interviewed in person, has their home inspected for a safe private room and clean shared spaces, and passes a criminal background check on all adults in the household. We re-check families each year and collect student feedback after every stay. Families that don't keep our 4.9★ standard are removed. We've placed students with Vancouver families since 2016.
Yes. Homestay is our most popular option for under-18s and first-time arrivals, and we offer guardianship-friendly placements from CAD$1,600/month with extra check-ins, a designated custodian arrangement where required, and closer coordination with parents. Tell us your child's age and school when you enquire and we'll match a family experienced with minors and the paperwork your study permit needs.
Standard homestays run CAD$1,300–$1,500/month for a private room and two meals a day, with utilities and Wi-Fi included. Homes closest to UBC or SFU are CAD$1,500–$1,700, and under-18 or guardianship-friendly placements start at CAD$1,600 for the extra support. One price covers room, meals, and household bills — there are no separate utility or internet charges.
Yes, and most students do. We share your matched family's profile, a photo tour of your room, and the exact monthly cost before you commit, then confirm the placement with a deposit. You'll have a real Canadian address for your study permit and a family expecting you at the airport or ready to greet you on arrival — so your first days in Vancouver are calm, not chaotic.
Furnished co-living rooms and homestays near UBC, SFU and BCIT — all-in pricing and verified homes.
See student housing →Live with a vetted family near U of T, TMU and York — private room and two meals a day.
Explore Toronto homestays →What to expect from a Vanmates homestay — meals, house rules, vetting, and who it suits best.
Learn about homestays →Browse real available homes or get matched by our team — we typically reply on WhatsApp within an hour.