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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Room for sharing- 26 Weidner Drive, Sydney River $330

26 Weidner Dr., Sydney River

26 Weidner Drive, Sydney River.  Room for sharing, multiple spots. Parking available. No pets.  On Transit Route. Rent:  $330 monthly…

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

3 bedroom House- 24 Weidner Dr., Sydney River $2100

24 Weidner Dr., Sydney River

24 Weidner Drive, Sydney River.  3 bedroom 2 bathroom house for rent. Parking Available.  No Pets. On Bus Route. Rent: …

3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3610 Emerald Street, Scotchtown $545

3610 Emerald Street, Scotchtown

1 fully furnished bedroom, one available December 1st, in a private home. Male tenants preferred. This house is located in…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford $750

3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford

Prime Student Accommodation- Available immediately 🌟 Private Bedroom:  The Green Room Spacious and furnished: includes a comfortable desk and computer chair.…

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

Shared bedroom, 16 Harrington St., Sydney $375

16 Harrington St., Sydney

1 fully furnished Double bedroom, available to rent immediately. All utilities are included in tenants rent. Tenants split cost of…

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

1 Single Bedroom, 16 Harrington Street, Sydney $425

16 Harrington Street, Sydney

1 fully furnished single bedroom, available to rent immediately. All utilities are included in tenants rent. Tenants split cost of…

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

1 shared Male bedroom, 850 George Street, Sydney $475

850 George Street, Sydney

1 shared Male bedroom available to rent immediately. All utilities are included in tenants rent, with access to WIFI. Monthly…

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

Single Room, 37 Campbell Street, Sydney $600

37 Campbell Street. Sydney

Room # 3 Located in Downtown Sydney. This house has 12 rooms and 4 shared bathrooms. Single occupant only not…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

6 Rooms in House - 401 Smith St., New Waterford

401 Smith St., New Waterford

6 Rooms available (3 rooms can be double) in large house. Single – prices varied email for details Double – $600…

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

1 Space in Bedroom, 30 Newbury Street, Sydney $400

30 Newbury Street, Sydney

1 space available for 1 female tenant, in a shared bedroom. This bedroom is located inside the landlord’s house, and…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bed
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Internet
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 bedroom in 2 bedroom Apt, 29 Pitt St., Glace Bay $600.00

29 Pitt Street, Glace Bay

For rent one bedroom in two bedroom apartment. 29 Pitt Street, Glace Bay. All utilities included, WiFi, shared kitchen and…

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

2 Bedrooms in Basement, 188 Shore Road, Sydney $525

188 Shore Road, Sydney

These 2 bedrooms are fully furnished and available to rent immediately to 2 female tenants. The bedrooms will share a…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • 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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