Part of the hassles of being a university student is finding a place to live in. The process of finding a student residence, particularly in Manitoba, Canada, can be very daunting. Perhaps, it’s your first time to be living on your own and away from your family. Because you have a lot of options to choose from, it can get confusing to pick the right one.

As stressful as it can be, take it slowly. You will surely find the right student residence; all it takes is patience and a bit of research. To help you with the process, here are a couple of things that you need to consider:

1. Browse The Internet

The first thing that you would do is to browse the internet for student accommodations around Manitoba. You can check the university's online student housing forums to see if other students are talking about good local student residences in the province. It’s also a good idea to join Facebook groups created by your university. They're a great platform to post queries on or discuss good student residences in Manitoba. 

Of course, it’s not enough to just know what student residences other students are talking about in forums or Facebook groups. They’ll surely talk about luxury student residences like The Arc Winnipeg. You have to read actual reviews from people currently living or have experienced living in these accommodations. This is where online review platforms become so useful. As you might know, consumers now seek online reviews before ever paying for a product or service. This practice holds particularly true for the apartment rental market. The good news is that Google directly shows online reviews in search results. 

Note that Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, Rentals.ca, PadMapper, and other local advertising and rental sites can also be of great help when finding a student residence in Manitoba. However, there are tons of scammers out there who’ll be looking to take advantage of you. As you browse these websites, you will definitely come across a couple of accommodations that are just too good to be true. You need to be wary of false claims so that you don’t end up regretting your decision.

2. Research The Area

At this point, you should have made a list of prospective student residences. It’s time to narrow down your choices further by considering their locations. Do you prefer to take a quick bus ride to the university, walk a short distance, or be in the middle of campus action? You can easily access college study amenities, and there will be no commuting costs to consider if you choose a university residence. On the other hand, what’s great about off-campus living is that you’ll have a new area to explore.

The decision on which student accommodation to pick is up to you. Consider using Street View and Google Maps to get to know the area better. Find out what hangout area, student hotspots, amenities, and restaurants are in the area to help you decide.  

3. Find Some Good and Reliable Flatmates

Some students are happy to wait until they arrive at their new digs to see who they’re living with. Others, however, prefer finding their own flatmates. That way, they can be sure they’re staying with trusted people who have the same interests as theirs.

There are many good reasons to live with flatmates. Namely, splitting bills for a two-bedroom apartment or a room containing several beds is often much cheaper than paying for a one-bedroom space or studio. However, living with someone you don’t know or can’t get along well can be a horrible experience. That’s why the most important thing when finding a flatmate is choosing someone reliable and trustworthy.

How do you find a good and reliable flatmate? One good way to find people you can trust is to solicit recommendations from your family members or friends. The number of recommendations you’ll get may surprise you once you start asking around. It’s true that you won’t know everyone personally, but you’ll surely be able to trust them more than a complete stranger.

Of course, the search doesn’t stop with the recommendations; you also have to do multiple interviews and ask the right questions. Ask about their lifestyle, dislikes, and likes. Ask questions that will give you an insight into their trustworthiness, like how they got along with their previous flatmates if they had one.

Last but not least, ask for references. Landlords or property managers ask for references to filter prospective tenants; it can also help you find the right one from your list of prospective flatmates. A trustworthy person will be totally willing to give out that information.  

4. Talk With Your Flatmates About The Basics

If you’ve already found some flatmates before settling in, good for you! It helps to talk first with them about the basics. All of you should talk through bills, schedules, cleaning, and food. Who pays for the utilities? Will one person manage all of them, or will each of you be responsible for something? 

You also have to talk about your schedules in advance. When do you need to sleep? What happens when friends come over? What’s a good time for your friends to go home (or at least quiet down) on weeknights?

Also, don’t forget to set up a cleaning schedule. Each flatmate should take a turn. And last but not least, are you and your flatmates sharing a household food budget, or are you all individually buying your food? Discussing these things first can help prevent arguments in the future.

5. Calculate The Costs

Student accommodation options in Manitoba come at varying price points. Expect private student residences that have benefits such as catering and gym access to be costly. The same is true with privately rented properties (managed by an independent landlord) with many additional amenities like high-speed internet and an onsite laundry room.

Inquire about the possible expenses and take them into account when drawing up a budget. It’s quite normal in Manitoba to share a room or apartment with other students. Don’t be worried if you think that’s what it takes for you to find suitable accommodation within your budget.

Final Thoughts

Your first year in college, living on your own, can be a very challenging and daunting experience. To stay safe, secure, and comfortable as you embark on this new journey, you need to find a good apartment to stay in. Settling for second-rate accommodation will only leave you hopping from one place to another throughout your college years. However, if you follow our tips above, you’ll easily find the right student residence for yourself as you study in Manitoba. In case you are still looking for professional help with your move, you can always assist a Canadian immigration consultant who can help you all along the way and get you to the best place for you in Manitoba.