Off-Campus Living

Students walking near park

As the largest urban area on Cape Breton and the island’s historical capital, Sydney is the perfect mix of metropolitan charm and down home hospitality. As with many Nova Scotian communities on the ocean, the heart of Sydney is its waterfront. On a warm, summer evening it’s a great place to go for a walk, stop to watch a busker and to watch ships in the harbour. Along the way, be sure to get your photo taken beside the world’s largest fiddle, built in recognition of Cape Breton’s musical talent.

Secure housing plays a vital role in your student experience. It is very important that students do not travel to Canada before securing proper accommodations. Like most of Canada, affordable housing is a serious issue in Cape Breton. Housing in the area is limited and students should begin their search early.  We continue to advocate for affordable housing solutions, including pushing for Federal support of the proposed Tartan Downs Project, which would see various housing options built within the CBRM.

Students should budget $1000 per month for housing and associated costs.

Below, find a searchable database for students looking for off-campus accommodations as well FAQs about off-campus accommodations.

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Bedroom in Rental House - King Edward St., Glace Bay Please Call

King Edward Street, Glace Bay

Colm & Black Incorporated is a newly established construction and rental property company specializing in modern, single-bedroom rentals designed specifically…

  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Bus Route
View Listing

1 Shared Bedroom in House, 3 Charlotte Street, Sydney Please Call

3 Charlotte Street, Sydney

There is 1 fully furnished shared bedroom, available to rent immediately. All utilities will be included in tenants rent, which…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

House, 1003 Gillis Lake Rd $2000

1003 Gillis Lake Rd, Gillis Lake

Three (3) bedroom, partially furnished, house available for rent to mature students or family. Located 25 minutes from Sydney on…

3 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Laundry
View Listing

House-6 Bedrooms 2335 Birch Grove Rd, Tower Rd $725.00

2335 Birch Grove Rd., Tower Rd.

Six (6) Single Bedrooms to rent in newly renovated house with two kitchens, two bathrooms, living room, to be shared…

6 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available October 15
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Laundry
  • Amenity: Water
View Listing

3 Bedrooms 1090 Grand Lake Rd Sydney Please Call

1090 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney

Two double bedrooms and one single bedroom available to rent immediately. Fully furnished.  10 minutes to bus route.   Mohammed…

3 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Feature: Bus Route
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 88 Queen Street, North Sydney $500

88 Queen Street, North Sydney

1 furnished bedroom available to rent immediately, in the landlords house. All utilities are included in the tenants rent, which…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom, 24 Stanley St., Dominion $600

24 Stanley St., Dominion

One bedroom available to rent, utilities included. Shared kitchen and bathroom with landlord. Located in Dominion walking distance to nearest…

1 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Shared Bedroom, 151 Commercial Street, Glace Bay $550

151 Commercial St Glace Bay

One shared bedroom, with male student. Available immediately. Unit is shared with 5 males. On bus route, includes heat, lights,…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Single Bedroom, 131 Commercial Street, Glace Bay $500

131 Commercial Street, Glace Bay

1 fully furnished private bedroom for rent. This unit is above a retail space located in downtown Glace Bay. This…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Bedrooms, 2238 Sydney Road, Reserve Mines $600

2238 Reserve Street, Reserve Mines

To rent immediately in landlords house, two fully furnished bedrooms, all utilities included. Located next to CBRM transit stop, Canada…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 88 Queen Street, North Sydney $500

88 Queen Street, North Sydney

1 furnished bedroom available to rent immediately, in the landlords house. All utilities are included in the tenants rent, which…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 19 Fraser Street, Glace Bay $600

19 Fraser Street. Glace Bay

There is 1 bedroom available to rent immediately in the landlords house. Tenant will share the kitchen with the landlord.…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

Off-Campus Accommodations FAQs

The Off-Campus Housing Coordinator works to connect students to landlords and vice-versa via the Off-Campus Accommodation Listing which is a free resource for the community. The coordinator ensures a smooth operation of this free resource that can be used by newcomers as well as property owners/managers in the community.

Students are most welcome to reach out to the coordinator but depending on the email traffic, you may or may not hear back in time and rental listings can get sold out quickly. Hence, students are encouraged to follow the contact instructions on the listing to secure it.

Students are encouraged to reach out to the listing’s point of contact directly and be mindful that the property owners/managers do not work for CBU and will answer on their own accord.

Rental/Property listings take place approximately 2 months prior to an intake. If you start searching too early or too late in relation to your intake, you may not find the right option for you. Starting your search early is definitely the key and we encourage future students to use this resource as early in their journey as possible.

 The prices displayed on listings can vary since some of them are room leases, some apartments and some are for houses. The pricing may seem high because it is for a whole house that can be leased.

Listings posted on third-party platforms and social media websites can be fake/scams and it is very important to be mindful of the same. The Off-Campus living page is maintained and updated by the Off-Campus housing coordinator and not through user-generated content.

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