Vanmates manages furnished student rooms and homestays built around a UBC commute. Our closest homes are in Kitsilano — 10–15 minutes to campus on the 99 B-Line express bus — with more options across Point Grey and the West Side. Rent is genuinely all-in: Wi-Fi, utilities, and weekly cleaning are included, with 24/7 WhatsApp support in your language. We've placed international UBC students since 2016, and most of them booked before they ever landed — with a real Vancouver address for their study permit and a self-check-in guide waiting.
Co-living from $975/mo · homestays from $1,300/mo · all-in, no surprise bills
One monthly price covers everything. No separate utility, internet, or cleaning bills — the number you see is the number you pay.
Pricing last reviewed: July 2026. All prices in CAD and include Wi-Fi, utilities, and weekly common-area cleaning. Closer-to-campus Kitsilano and Point Grey rooms sit toward the top of each range.
Pulled directly from our internal Vancouver inventory — real rooms accepting bookings today, with Kitsilano and West Side homes closest to campus. If nothing matches, you'll always get a next step.
UBC sits at the far western tip of the city, so where you live decides your daily commute. Here's what to expect from each of our neighborhoods.
Note: the 99 B-Line is the busiest bus route in North America. At morning and late-afternoon peaks buses can pass full — leave a buffer, or bike the seawall from Kitsilano.
Every option is chosen for its UBC commute, safety, and walkable amenities. Here's how the choices trade off.
Closest · beaches & the 99 B-Line
"Kits" is the classic UBC student neighborhood — beach volleyball on the water, cafés on West 4th, and a 10–15 minute express-bus ride to campus. Our Kits homes are character houses with shared kitchens, typically 4–6 bedrooms, and they go fastest each September. Best fit for UBC students who want to be close and don't mind paying a little more for it.
Quietest, pricier, nearest to campus
Point Grey and the western West Side are the closest residential streets to UBC — leafy, calm, and a short hop to campus. It's the premium choice: rooms here sit toward the top of each price range, but you trade nightlife for quiet study time and the shortest commute we offer. Ideal for graduate and senior students who prize peace and proximity.
Best value · longer 99 B-Line commute
Mount Pleasant is Vancouver's most central-yet-affordable neighborhood — breweries, Main Street's design shops, and a ~35-minute 99 B-Line ride to UBC. Our homes here are the best value near campus and suit students who don't need to be at UBC every day, or who want a livelier base with easy transit in each direction.
Waitlists vs flexibility
UBC residence puts you steps from class but runs long waitlists, fixed contracts, and limited availability for incoming international students. Living off-campus with Vanmates gets you a confirmed room now, all-in pricing, and a real address for your study permit — at the cost of a short daily commute. Many students start with us, then decide whether campus residence is worth the trade later.
Three ways to live as a UBC student. Here's how they compare on the things that matter.
| Co-living | Homestay | Private suite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From (all-in) | $975/mo | $1,300/mo | $1,600/mo |
| Meals | Self-catered, shared kitchen | Two meals a day included | Self-catered, own kitchen |
| Best for | Social students on a budget | Under-25s & first arrivals | Couples & co-op students |
| Privacy | Private room, shared spaces | Private room in a family home | Fully self-contained |
| Support | House manager + 24/7 WhatsApp | Host family + 24/7 WhatsApp | 24/7 WhatsApp |
"I booked my Kitsilano room from Seoul before I flew. The video tour matched exactly, and the 99 B-Line got me to UBC in 15 minutes. First week on campus was completely stress-free."
"All-in pricing is real — one payment, no hidden hydro or internet bills. I'm in Point Grey, a short ride from campus, and the house manager fixed our heater the same day I messaged on WhatsApp."
Verified resident reviews. See our cancellation policy and community guidelines for the full terms.
Not ready to book, or can't find the right room? Send your details and we'll match you to available homes near UBC — and add you to the priority list so you hear first when new rooms open. UBC's Winter session starts early September, so book 4–6 weeks ahead for the tightest window; May–August is easiest, and co-op terms rotate.
Our closest homes are in Kitsilano, 10–15 minutes to UBC on the 99 B-Line express bus, or about 20 minutes by bike along the seawall. Point Grey and the West Side sit even closer to campus. Mount Pleasant is around 35 minutes by transit. The 99 B-Line is the busiest bus route in North America, so at peak times leave a buffer or bike in.
The cheapest option is a co-living room, which starts at CAD$975/month all-in. The lowest-priced rooms are usually a little farther out — Mount Pleasant or a shared Kitsilano house — where you trade a longer 99 B-Line commute for a lower rent. Every price includes Wi-Fi, utilities, weekly cleaning, and 24/7 WhatsApp support, so there are no extra bills to budget for.
Yes — most of our UBC international students reserve before landing. We do a video walkthrough of the room, share the exact lease terms and total move-in cost up front, and hold the room with a deposit. You get keys and a self-check-in guide before you fly, so you have a confirmed Vancouver address for your study permit and arrival.
Most rooms near UBC have a 3-month minimum. After the first three months you can leave with 30 days' notice, which suits students on a single UBC term or a co-op work placement. Homestays are typically booked by the term (4 months) and align with UBC Winter and Summer session intake dates.
September is the tightest window because UBC's Winter session starts. For a September move-in near UBC we recommend reserving 4–6 weeks ahead. May–August, when co-op terms rotate, has the most availability. If nothing matches your dates right now, join the priority list and we'll alert you the moment a matching room opens.
The full picture across every campus and neighborhood — pricing, transit, and how matching works.
See Vancouver housing →Our closest-to-UBC neighborhood — character homes, beaches, and the 99 B-Line on your doorstep.
Explore Kitsilano →Live with a vetted local family, two meals a day included. Best for younger students and first arrivals.
Explore homestays →Browse real available rooms or get matched by our team — we typically reply on WhatsApp within an hour.