While this option might seem like the most popular, I don’t actually know any exchange students who stayed on campus while here. This is probably because UofT prioritises first years for their on-campus residences. I would advise you not to go for this option as if you don’t get a room, you might find it harder to find somewhere to live off-campus.  

Pros

• The colleges and surrounding grounds/courtyards are quite pretty
•  Flexibility with meal plans i.e mandatory in some colleges, most of which have options to do 5 or 7 day or A/B/C meal plans 
• Sense of community

Cons

• Mostly first years stay on campus  
• Usually shared bathrooms  
• Some colleges may require you to move out for the Christmas break 

Tartu is an off-campus, self-catered student accommodation where a lot of international/exchange students stay. This is where I stayed for my whole year abroad (from September to May). 

Pros:

• Great location next to UofT campus and Spadina station 
• One of the cheapest student accommodations 
• No mandatory meal plan (there is a cafeteria downstairs which is decently priced) 
• Friendly cleaning service 
• Flexible end of lease date (I stayed an extra month in May and there was an easy application to complete in February) 
• Lots of exchange students stay here 
• Social events every few weeks  

Cons:

• Basic/small rooms  
• Shared bathrooms (2-3 between 6) 
• No studios  
• Standard rooms do not have A/C (they have a ceiling fan) 

Pros:

• Great location (also in terms of proximity to downtown) 
• Lots of amenities e.g. fitness centre, games room, common/study rooms  
• Social events  
• Some shared kitchens (for more than one flat) 
• Nice, modern flats  
• Variety of room options i.e. studio or 2, 3, 4, and 5 bed  

Cons:

• Expensive 
• Stricter (compared to Tartu) about guests coming in particularly during ‘party’ days such as St Paddy’s 
• Standard lease is September to August so if you don’t stay for summer you may have to find someone to sublet to 
• Shared bathrooms 

• Mandatory meal plan if your flat has no kitchen  

Pros:

• Close proximity to downtown 
• Near Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) so you can meet people from a different university 
• Amenities such as café lounge, gym, study rooms 
• Option to get a studio flat 

Cons:

• Further from campus (20+ min walk) 
• September to August lease  
• No A/C in apartments 
• Standard flats have a shared bathroom between 2 or 3 

Pros:

• Close proximity to downtown  
• Many students from other universities stay here as well 
• Amenities e.g. fitness centre, study spaces 
• Social events focused on mental health and 24/7 student assistance program 
• Flexibility in room choice e.g studio, 2-4 bedrooms etc 

Cons:

• A bit further from campus (20+ min walk) 
• Compulsory meal plan  
• September to august lease 

Pros:

• Amenities such as gym, pool, rooftop 
• Smaller flats shared with 2-3 other people 
• Kitchen comes furnished with pots, pans, dishes, utensils, appliances  
• No mandatory meal plans  
• Fresh bedding is provided  
• Flexibility with studio or 3 people flat  

Cons:

• No locks on individual doors!  
• Not just students – also young professionals  
• Shared bathrooms  
• Location may not be ideal  

Pros:

• Close proximity to downtown 
• Bi-weekly flat cleaning 
• Dishes, cutlery and crockery included 
• Monthly events with a huge community aspect 
• Flexibility in choosing 2, 3 or 4 bedroom flats  

Cons:

• Further from campus (30+ min walk) 
• Expensive  
• Small rooms  

Pros:

• Can get a really nice, modern apartment for the same price as some student accommodations 
• No mandatory meal plans 

Cons:

• Can be hard to find a good apartment especially before you move to Toronto i.e. you have to trust the people/photos/videos  
• Can be much more expensive than student accommodation 
• Lease term may be a full year 
• No cleaning service