Best off-campus housing for Langara College students

Langara College is one of Vancouver’s most popular post-secondary institutions for students to learn, level up their skills, or embark on a new career path. With no on-campus housing options though, students at Langara College need to look elsewhere to find a place to stay while attending school. We’re liv.rent – Canada’s safest rental platform, and we created this guide for anyone studying at Langara College and looking to secure off-campus housing — even if they’re not in Vancouver yet. Read on for an overview of Langara College, or use the table of contents below to navigate to a specific section.

Langara College off-campus housing overview

While Langara College may not have student residences, there are plenty of options for off-campus housing in the nearby neighbourhoods and across the city. Langara College has its main campus in Vancouver’s Oakridge area with a second, smaller campus located in the South Cambie neighbourhood. There are plenty of affordable neighbourhoods nearby and even cheaper ones further afield if you can commute to campus.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect when you’re searching for off-campus housing near Langara College.

Types of accommodation

In Vancouver, these are the typical types of places that are available to rent:

• Individual rooms in units
• Studios
• One-bedrooms
• Two-bedrooms
• Houses for rent in Vancouver

There are also houses, laneway homes, and townhomes for rent with varying numbers of bedrooms.

Students will likely either live on their own or with roommates. The reality for many Langara College students in a city like Vancouver is that many of them will end up living in shared accommodations.

Looking for a place to share

If you’re looking for a room in a shared space that’s perfect for students, then your first place to check should be liv.rent’s listings. You can use the map tool to find a place that’s close to campus and use the search filter “Room” under “Housing Type” to look at all the available places in the area.

Looking for a roommate

Off-campus students at Langara College looking for roommates can post their available rooms for rent on liv.rent for free. Plus, the 100% digital platform means that you can connect with a roommate online even if you’re browsing from abroad.

Another great place to look for roommates is on liv.rent’s Vancouver Facebook Group. Here, you can connect with other Langara College students seeking off-campus housing within a safe, moderated group.

Average rent in Vancouver

Here are the average rental prices for Vancouver’s different neighbourhoods as of October 2022. For the latest numbers as well as more statistics and figures for different Metro Vancouver cities and neighbourhoods, be sure to check out our latest rent report.

Vancouver transit

When it comes to off-campus housing, living close to transit options is extremely important. The U-Pass, Translink’s monthly student transit pass, is typically included in your student fees and provides access to the bus and train networks. Planning your commute to class from off-campus housing is easy with Translink’s Trip Planner, as well.

The Langara College campus is served by its own SkyTrain Station along the Canada Line, on Cambie Street and West 49th Avenue. Both the 3 and the 49 bus routes also pass directly by Langara.

Tips for saving on rent in Vancouver

Vancouver is notorious for its higher than average rent prices, and combined with a student budget, it can be hard to find an affordable rental unit near campus. Here are some tips and guides for stretching your budget and finding the perfect place to call home this semester:

• Tip: negotiate your rent
• Tip: look for places with rental incentives
• 8 Tips To Save On Rent In Vancouver
• Smart ways to save on rent in a big city
• Renter’s Guide To Getting A Bigger Tax Return

Best student housing options off-campus in Vancouver

Using liv.rent to search for your off-campus home is perfect for Langara College students who can rent safely and securely from verified landlords and listings, sidestepping any scammers. Here’s where to look for the best student off-campus housing for UBC students in Vancouver:

• Off-campus rooms for rent in Vancouver
• Off-campus studios for rent in Vancouver
• Off-campus one-bedrooms for rent in Vancouver
• Off-campus two-bedrooms for rent in Vancouver
• Off-campus houses for rent in Vancouver

Best neighbourhoods for renting near Langara College

South Cambie

Surrounding Langara College, South Cambie is likely the most convenient neighbourhood for students seeking a quick and easy commute. Unsurprisingly, this is also the most popular area for those attending the college, with many basement suites and apartment buildings in the area to cater to students. The sprawling Queen Elizabeth Park is also close by for weekend picnics and games of disc golf with your cclassmates.

Types of accommodation in South Cambie

In the South Cambie neighbourhood, students can mostly expect to find older multi-bedroom houses for rent to share with roommates, as well as basement suites within larger houses. To accommodate growing numbers of student renters, there’s plenty of newer highrise apartment buildings throughout the area as well.

Average monthly rent in South Cambie

• One-bedroom unit — $2,685
• Two-bedroom unit — $3,400
• Three-bedroom unit — $4,627

Source: liv.rent

Transportation in South Cambie

Estimated commute to campus: 5-25 minutes

Depending on where in the South Cambie neighbourhood you live, Langara College could be right outside your doorstep. At most, students living here should expect a 15-25 minute commute based on their proximity to bus routes or walking distance from the campus.

Oakridge

Overlapping with South Cambie and also directly adjacent to Langara College is Oakridge – a family-friendly, primarily residential neighbourhood with lots to offer students. Among Vancouverites, the area is best known as being home to the Oakridge Centre mall, which has plenty of stores for all your shopping needs as well as its own Canada Line station, Oakridge-41st. Stately older homes from Vancouver’s early days are the norm around here, and the scennic tree-lined streets make it a popular place to live for students and long-term residents alike.

Types of accommodation in Oakridge

Oakridge also features mainly older multi-bedroom houses, although there has been plenty of development activity throughout the years, adding low- and high-rise apartments to the mix for Langara College students looking to rent in the area.

Average monthly rent in Oakridge

• One-bedroom unit — $2,810
• Two-bedroom unit — $3,496
• Three-bedroom unit — $4,567

Source: liv.rent

Transportation in Oakridge

Estimated commute to campus: 5-15 minutes

Oakridge is also extremely close to the Langara College campus, with Oakridge Centre itself a brisk five minute walk away. From practically every corner of the neighbourhood, you can reach campus in no time at all thanks to the manifold transit options.

Marpole

Just north of the Fraser River on Vancouver’s far south end, Marpole is a vibrant, up-and-coming neighbourhood with convenient access to Langara College and plenty of student accommodation. The area spans from Oakridge’s limits all the way to Granville Street, where there’s plenty of commercial activity and lots to see, do, and eat close by. For those looking to be close to school as well as the surrounding Metro Vancouver area, Marpole is an excellent choice.

Types of accommodation in Marpole

Marpole is a hub for development, with more and more renters moving to the neighbourhood each year. There are plenty of low- and high-rise apartment buildings in the area, as well as townhouses and a smattering of larger homes throughout the neighbourhood.

Average monthly rent in Marpole

• One-bedroom unit — $2,274
• Two-bedroom unit — $3,197
• Three-bedroom unit — $3,804

Source: liv.rent

Transportation in Marpole

Estimated commute to campus: 10-25 minutes

Despite being at the far south end of Vancouver, Marpole is still easily accessible from the Langara College campus. The 17 and 49 buses are your best bet for taking public transit to class, and service most pockets of the Marpole neighourhood.

Sunset

One of Vancouver’s most ethnically-diverse residential neighbourhoods, Sunset spans from 41st Avenue to the Fraser River, and Knight Street to Ontario Street. Multiple bus routes make it easy to get to Langara College campus in a hurry, and there’s plenty to do and eat along Main and Fraser Streets.

Types of accommodation in Sunset

Sunset is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods and has all types of rental properties available – from larger houses with basement suites to newer apartment developments and everything in between.

Average monthly rent in Sunset

• One-bedroom unit — $2,288
• Two-bedroom unit — $2,624
• Three-bedroom unit — $3,417

Source: liv.rent

Transportation in Sunset

Estimated commute to campus: 15-25 minutes

Sunset’s accessibility to public transport makes it a popular choice among students in particular. With bus routes down Main Street, Fraser Street and along 49th Ave., it’s never hard to get to campus from this area.

Richmond

Located just on the other side of the Fraser River, Richmond is a vibrant, multicultural city that affords convenient access to Vancouver through the SkyTrain and offers typically lower average rent prices than its neighbouring city. For renters who want to live a bit further away from campus without sacrificing convenience, Richmond is an excellent choice thanks to its diverse neighbourhoods and urban appeal, and renters will be surprised at how quickly they can get to Langara College’s campus from practically any sector of the city.

Types of accommodation in Richmond

Richmond is a large city with a variety of different neighbourhoods, ranging from quaint seaside communities, to urban areas brimming with newer highrises. Renters can find a bit of everything in this city, and generally at less expensive prices than in Vancouver.

Average monthly rent in Richmond

• Studio apartment — N/A
• One-bedroom apartment — $2,544
• Two-bedroom apartment — $3,229
• Three-bedroom apartment — $4,225

Source: liv.rent

Transportation in Richmond

Estimated commute to campus: 15-40 minutes

If you happen to live near a SkyTrain station, commuting from Richmond to Langara College can be a breeze, taking as little as 15 minutes from door to door. Some of the more remote areas of the city may take a bit longer though, so it’s important for students to do their research if they want a quick trip to class.

Tips on how to find & secure off-campus rental housing

How to avoid rental scams in Vancouver

Unfortunately, rental scams in Vancouver are out there, but luckily you can protect yourself. Know your rights as a renter and use a trusted rental platform. Here are some of the most common scams to look out for:

• Scam #1 Rent is too low
  If the rental rate seems shockingly below the rental average for the city, it could be a fake listing.
• Scam #2 Urgent cash demand
  Renters don’t have to pay for anything until a lease is signed. So, if someone’s pressuring you to send cash now, don’t do it.
• Scam #3 Too much info
  Until you’re 100% ready to move forward with a lease, you’re not obligated to share your bank account or SIN number.
• Scam #4 Not enough details
  While some smaller landlords may withhold unit numbers for privacy, you should know the exact address of the unit you’re looking at. without that info, it could be a scam.

Pro tip: rent from ID-verified landlords on liv.rent to avoid scams.

Be smart with your rental search

• Tip #1 Know your needs
  List of your priorities: pricing, location, amenities, lease duration, pet policy, etc. Use liv.rent filters to narrow your search. 
• Tip #2 Do your research
  Find out the average rent in your target area. It’ll arm you with the necessary info to negotiate terms & rates.
• Tip #3 Google the property
  See if there are any complaints online regarding building management, maintenance, noise, neighbourhood, etc.
• Tip #4 Video tours first
  If possible, view video tours first. Then, narrow down your selection and book viewings only for places you’re seriously considering. 

Tips to improve your search

• Tip #1 Don’t be afraid to check
  Have the landlord demonstrate that all appliances are working – run faucets, check thermostats, flush toilets, turn on stoves, etc. Also, check cellphone reception.
• Tip #2 View in daylight
  Viewing a home in daylight will give you a better sense of the living space.
• Tip #3 Prepare questions
  And ask the hard questions (e.g. how much interest have you had for this unit) to uncover info not in the listing.

Stand out when you apply for your rental

Completing your liv.rent profile, or renter’s resume, is the easiest way to stand out. You can also go the extra mile and pre-submit your application before your viewing if you’re pretty sure you want to rent the unit. By introducing yourself upfront, it shows that you’re serious about the unit – leaving a strong impression on your landlord.

Pro tip: on liv.rent, we use Trust Score to rate renters trustworthiness and credibility — it’s free for students to get theirs with their profile!

Another way to stand out is by using your renter’s story in your renter’s resume to give landlords more information about your credit score. As students may not have strong credit histories yet, use this space to provide more context to a landlord to help them trust you.

How to secure a rental before arriving in Canada

It’s easy for UBC students who aren’t yet in Vancouver or even in the country yet to rent an off-campus apartment safely and securely.

Once you have filled out your liv.rent profile completely, you can use it to apply to listings on our platform.

In your profile, you can select whether you are a first-time renter and whether or not you’re renting from outside Canada. That way, a landlord can accurately assess your profile and help you secure a rental without having references in Canada.

Pro tip: watch our friend Tobi Adekeye’s YouTube video that explains exactly how to use liv.rent to easily secure your Canadian home from abroad.

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Student resources

liv.rent has a ton of resources for students renting in Vancouver. Especially if you’re an international student, moving to B.C. from out-of-province, or just new in town — it’s important to know the ins and outs of renting in B.C. so you protect yourself and get a fair deal.

Check out our guides on everything from renting and leases to tenants’ rights and relationships with landlords.

• Guide to BC Tenancy Forms
• BC Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained
• What Information is a Landlord Allowed to Ask For?
• VIDEO: How To Avoid Rental Scams
• VIDEO: Finding The Perfect Match: Landlord-Tenant Relationships

FAQ: Langara College off-campus housing

Does Langara College have student housing?

Langara does not have on-campus housing options for students. However, the campus is located near some of Vancouver’s more affordable neighbourhoods. In addition, because the school is right on the Canada Line, homes in Richmond are also a good option for students who can easily take the train to class.

Where do Langara College students live?

Since there is no dedicated student housing at Langara College, students typically live off-campus in the areas surrounding the campus. The five neighbourhoods outlined in this guide should provide a good starting point for your search, but there are many other options across the city with relatively quick commutes to Langara.

How many people live in Langara?

Langara has approximately 23,000 students currently attending the campus, although not all of these students live close to campus.

What part of Vancouver is Langara College?

Langara College is located in Vancouver’s Oakridge neighbourhood, on West 49th Avenue between Cambie Street and Ontario Street.

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