Booking Accommodation

Whether you're staying temporarily upon arrival or arranging long - term rentals in advance, accommodation is one of the top concerns for new immigrants. A safe,comfortable, and conveniently located residence can help you adapt to the new environment more quickly. Here are   step-by-step rental   and   accommodation suggestions.

Temporary Accommodation vs. Long - Term Rental: How to Choose?

Short - term/temporary accommodation is suitable for:

• Those who have just arrived in Canada and are unsure of their long - term address.

• People who need to wait for their school or workplace location to be determined.

• Those who want to visit the property in person before deciding which one to rent.

Long - term rental is suitable for:

• People who already have a confirmed school or workplace location.

• Larger families looking to settle down.

• Those with a lower budget who want to start a normal life as soon as possible.

Suggestion: It's more advisable to book a temporary accommodation for one to two weeks first, and then look for a long - term rental in person after arrival.

Recommended Accommodation Platforms

Airbnb

Suitable Type：Temporary accommodation

Features：Offers entire units or single rooms, supports Chinese interface

Booking.com

Suitable Type：Hotels, guesthouses, some apartments

Features：Free cancellation available, suitable for short stays

Kijiji / Facebook Marketplace

Suitable Type：Private rental information

Features：Be cautious about the authenticity of listings, on - site inspection is required

Student apartment official websites

Suitable Type：For international students

Features：Close to schools, well - equipped, slightly more expensive

Homestay.com

Suitable Type：Homestays

Features：Meal service included, helpful for language practice

Check the landlord's reviews, map location, and transportation information in advance to avoid the trap of   "beautiful but remote" properties.

What Conditions Should You Pay Attention to When Renting?

• Furnished or not? Some apartments are unfurnished, and you need to purchase furniture on your own.

• Are utilities (water, electricity, heating) included? Heating costs are relatively high in winter. It is recommended to choose a property with heating included.

• Transportation convenience? Check if it is close to bus stops, subways, or schools.

• Is Wi - Fi included? Some short - term rentals do not include internet access, and you need to purchase it separately.

• Safety? Learn about the community's security situation and prioritize areas with good reviews.

Checking for the presence of large supermarkets, clinics, and banks nearby on the map is also a good way to judge the practicality of the location.

Price Reference (Taking Toronto as an Example, for Reference Only)

Single room (shared)

Price Range (CAD/Month)：700 - 1200

Explanation：Shared accommodation with a private lock for the single room

In addition to the rent, you also need to consider the deposit (usually one month's rent) and moving costs.

Suggested House - Hunting Process

1. Determine the arrival city and budget.

2. Browse listings on websites or apps and save the properties you're interested in.

3. Contact the landlord to confirm the move - in time and property details.

4. For long - term rentals, try to visit the property in person or conduct a video call for confirmation.

5. When signing the lease contract, keep an electronic or paper copy of the contract.

Don't trust low - price listings from informal channels such as WeChat or QQ groups to avoid being scammed.

Tips

• For temporary accommodation, it is recommended to choose orders that can be cancelled for free to deal with changes flexibly.

• If you have difficulty communicating in English, you can prepare English templates in advance or ask friends for help.

• For family rentals, it is advisable to choose locations close to schools, supermarkets, parks, and other living areas.

• When viewing the property, check whether the kitchen, bathroom, and heating are in good condition.

• If the landlord asks you to transfer the deposit in advance, be sure to verify the identity of the landlord and the authenticity of the property.

Family Rental Experience Sharing

Practical Experience Sharing for Families with Work Permits: How to Rent a House Remotely

For families coming to Canada with work permits and children, it is very important to rent a long - term home in advance to ensure a stable life after arrival. Here are some practical methods and recommended websites:

Recommended Professional Rental Websites

Realtor.cat

Features：The most well - known real - estate platform in Canada, with   authoritative information

Recommended Reasons：Allows map - based property selection, suitable for      searching near schools

Rentals.ca

Features：Focuses on rentals, has strong filtering functions

Recommended Reasons：Can be filtered by 户型 (apartment type)/budget, rich in pictures and texts

Zumper

Features：Simple to operate, has a good automatic notification function

Recommended Reasons：Real - time push of the latest listings, high - efficiency

After registering an account, you can save your favorite listings, set reminders, and make viewing appointments.

Remote Property Selection Tips

• On Realtor.ca, after selecting "For Rent", you can quickly view the rent, apartment type, area, address, etc.

• Use Google Maps Street View to check the surrounding environment, community safety, and orientation of the property.

• Contact information of the real - estate agent is usually provided on the property details page, and you can directly call or email them.

• Sometimes, you can tell which ethnic group the real - estate agent belongs to from their name and profile picture, which is convenient for   finding Chinese agents who speak the same language.

• Popular Chinese - preferred listings usually also appear on the "Fangdashi" APP (synchronized release).

Overview of the Rental Process

1. Contact the real - estate agent to confirm property details, negotiate the price and lease term.

2. Sign an electronic lease contract and confirm the payment method.

3. Pay the deposit and the first month's rent.

4. Obtain the door password or key and be able to move in immediately after arrival.

Most rental properties in Canada are unfurnished, but they usually come with basic facilities such as refrigerators, ovens, stoves,   washing machines, and dryers.