Student housing & co-living in Toronto

Universities & colleges

Within commute distance of every major campus.

Our Toronto homes are picked specifically for transit and walk access to Toronto's student-heavy campuses.

U of T — University of Toronto (St. George + Mississauga + Scarborough)
TMU — Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson (Downtown)
York — York University (North York)
OCAD — OCAD University (Grange Park)
George Brown — George Brown College (Waterfront / St. James)

Best neighborhoods

Where Vanmates operates in Toronto.

Each Vanmates neighborhood is picked for transit, safety, and walkable amenities — not just for sale-ability. Here's what to expect.

The Annex

Walking distance to U of T, on the Bloor subway line

The Annex is the classic U of T neighborhood — Victorian rowhouses on tree-lined streets, indie bookstores, late-night dim sum on Bloor, and a 5–10 minute walk to most U of T departments. Our Annex houses are typically 4–6 bedrooms with shared kitchens and small back yards, and most are within 8 minutes of Bathurst, Spadina, or St. George subway stations. Best fit for U of T students who want easy campus access without paying downtown-condo prices.

Riverdale & Leslieville

East-end quiet, 15 min downtown by streetcar

East-side Toronto for students who want lower density and walkable neighborhoods over downtown buzz. Riverdale and Leslieville sit on the 501 Queen and 504 King streetcar lines — 15–18 minutes to U of T or TMU, and 5 minutes to the Danforth's Greek restaurants. Our homes here are detached houses with porches, often near parks. Great fit for international students who want to actually settle in, not just transit through.

Liberty Village & King West

Walkable to TMU, OCAD, and the financial district

Liberty Village is the converted industrial neighborhood west of downtown — modern condo conversions, breweries, design studios, and direct streetcar access to TMU (10 min) and OCAD (12 min). Our Liberty Village units lean toward private studios and one-bedroom suites in newer buildings — a step up in price but ideal for working students or those on co-op terms who want walking-distance access to downtown employers.

Midtown & North York

Yonge subway line, family-style homestays, value for money

Midtown (Yonge & Eglinton) and North York give you the best balance of value, transit, and amenities in Toronto. Both sit on the Yonge subway line — a single ride drops you at U of T (20 min) or York (15 min, with shuttle). Our homes here are typically detached houses with full kitchens and parking, and many are vetted homestay families. Best fit for younger students (under 22) who want a family environment and the cheapest path to downtown.

Three ways to stay

Find the Toronto arrangement that fits your life.

Co-living

Private bedroom in a managed shared home with 4–6 internationally-diverse housemates. The most affordable way to live in Toronto with built-in social life.

Browse co-living →

Homestay

Private bedroom in a vetted Canadian family's home, with two meals a day and full cultural immersion. Best for younger students or first-time travelers.

Learn about homestays →

Relocation services

For employees, families, or anyone moving to Toronto long-term. We handle housing search, lease review, utility setup, and arrival logistics end-to-end.

See relocation packages →

Toronto FAQs

Common questions about renting in Toronto.

How close are your Toronto homes to U of T?

Our Annex houses are 5–10 minutes' walk from most U of T departments. Riverdale and Leslieville homes are 15–18 minutes by streetcar (501 Queen or 504 King). For Mississauga or Scarborough campus students, we don't recommend our downtown homes — message us and we'll point you at the right neighborhood.

Do you have homes near York University?

Yes — our Midtown and North York homes are on the Yonge subway line, which connects to York via a 15-minute shuttle from Finch Station. We don't operate directly on York's Keele campus, but for students who want the value of suburban Toronto with a clear transit route in, North York is the play.

What about TMU (formerly Ryerson) and OCAD?

Liberty Village and King West are your best options — 10–12 minutes by streetcar to both campuses. The Annex also works via the Bloor subway line (10–15 min). Our downtown-adjacent suites are popular with TMU's international cohort because the campus has no on-residence housing for upper-year students.

How much does a room in Toronto cost?

Vanmates Toronto rooms start around CAD$950/month for co-living in Midtown or North York. The Annex and Riverdale homes are typically CAD$1,200–$1,500. Liberty Village and King West suites range CAD$1,400–$1,900. All prices are all-in: rent covers Wi-Fi, utilities, weekly cleaning, and 24/7 support.

Do you have homestays in Toronto?

Yes — we operate vetted host-family homestays primarily in Midtown, North York, and Scarborough. Homestays start at CAD$1,300/month including private bedroom plus two meals a day. Best fit for students under 25 or first-time travelers who want full cultural immersion and built-in support.

Is your Toronto inventory available year-round?

Yes, with seasonal variation. May–August is our highest-availability window (students rotating for summer terms); September is the tightest as the Canadian academic year starts. If you're booking for September arrival, we recommend reserving 4–6 weeks ahead.

Student housing, co-living & homestays in Toronto