Residence or Off-Campus? 

For a lot of students, moving away from home to attend college or university is the first experience that involves a home away from home. It’s the first time living with someone outside your immediate family. The first time you really get to have a say in where/how you live.  

And as a first, of course, you only get to do it once. So you want to get it right! 

You can live on or off campus – but there’s more to think about than just on or off.  

Living on campus is super convenient. 

Living on campus, in “res” or residence, is a unique and worthwhile experience. If you want it, you can have it. All first–year domestic Lakehead-Georgian students are guaranteed a spot in residence on the Barrie campus.  

You can walk to class in just a few minutes. You live in the same building as other first–year students in your program, and it’s easy to meet fun people to hang out with. Your room comes furnished with a bed, desk, dresser, and your internet, TV and a phone are included.  

For the 2020-21 year, residence costs $7,440 in Barrie and either $12,734 or $13,334 in Orillia, depending on your meal plan. There is no meal plan included with Barrie residence because each suite has a large kitchenette, and students can buy food on and off campus with their ONEcard.  

Living off campus has different benefits. 

Living off campus gives you a few more options. 

There are: 

• Off campus residences 
• Apartments 
• Homestay options 

Off–campus residences offer different styles of living. Foundry Georgian, for example, is like sharing a house with a few people, and Georgian Green  or Redbrick apartments are like sharing an apartment close to campus. 

You can also find housing that isn’t necessarily affiliated with Lakehead-Georgian, in nearby apartment buildings or homes that have added apartment rentals for one or more students. You can find those using websites like Places4students.com. 

Living in an apartment off campus usually means you lose the convenience of residence, but you might find it more affordable. Just remember, not all apartment rentals include the cost of your internet, electricity and water, so the price you see at first isn’t always what you end up paying.  

International students often choose to live with a homestay family. This is an excellent option for international students who want a more family-focused experience.  

You can also live at home, if you are close enough to drive or take the bus. You have to forget about that whole list of ‘firsts’ we rhymed off at the start of this blog, but you can save a lot of money. 

Start looking for your new home today. 

The smart move is to start looking early, unless you will be on the Barrie campus in your first year (since you’re guaranteed space in residence there). If you plan to live off campus, check online regularly, since apartments become available and unavailable every day. If you plan to live on campus, make sure to secure your spot by July 1.  

For more info, visit the Lakehead-Georgian housing and residence page. 

This article was originally published in June 2020.