Best off campus housing for University of Manitoba students

The University of Manitoba (UM) Fort Garry campus is located in the south end of Winnipeg, bordered by the Red River to the east and residential neighbourhoods on all other sides. While UM does offer some on-campus housing, demand often exceeds availability, and many students need to find off-campus accommodation. This guide covers the best neighbourhoods for UM students, how to search and apply for a rental, and how to stay safe during your search.

For current average rent figures by unit type and neighbourhood, see the liv.rent Rent Reports.

Types of Accommodation in Winnipeg

Common rental types near UM include individual rooms in shared houses or apartments, studio apartments, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, and full houses. Winnipeg is generally more affordable than Vancouver or Toronto, and shared accommodation is a practical way to reduce costs further while living close to campus. To find rooms in shared spaces, use the "Room" filter under Housing Type on liv.rent and the map view to see what is available near campus.

Getting Around Winnipeg

Winnipeg Transit's bus network serves the Fort Garry campus from across the city. UM students enrolled full-time are eligible for the U-Pass, which provides discounted unlimited transit travel. For students living further from campus, park-and-ride facilities along major transit routes provide a practical alternative. The campus is also accessible by bike and on foot from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Best Neighbourhoods for UM Students

Fort Richmond

Fort Richmond sits immediately adjacent to the UM campus and is the most convenient neighbourhood for students who want the shortest possible commute. The area has a wide range of student-friendly accommodation, including apartments, condos, and shared houses. Many rentals are within walking or biking distance of campus, and bus connections are frequent. Grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes are within easy reach of most residential areas in the neighbourhood.

Fort Garry

Fort Garry surrounds and overlaps with Fort Richmond as the broader neighbourhood in which the campus is located. It offers apartments, townhomes, and shared houses at a range of price points, with modern rentals and older established homes both available. The neighbourhood is well served by Winnipeg Transit and easy to navigate by bike or on foot for students living near the campus edge.

Bridgwater Forest

A newer, planned neighbourhood south of the campus, Bridgwater Forest features modern apartment complexes and townhomes with scenic walking trails and green spaces nearby. Direct bus routes connect the area to UM, making it a manageable commute for transit users. Grocery stores, fitness centres, and cafes are available within the neighbourhood. Rents in Bridgwater Forest are competitive and often lower than in Fort Richmond or Fort Garry.

St. Vital

St. Vital is a practical, affordable choice east of the campus along the Red River. The area offers a mix of apartments, duplexes, and shared accommodations at generally lower price points than the neighbourhoods closest to campus. Multiple bus routes connect St. Vital to UM and to Winnipeg's rapid transit corridor. St. Vital Centre and a range of grocery stores, restaurants, and parks are close by, including walking paths along the Red River.

Charleswood

West of the campus, Charleswood has a quieter suburban character with single-family homes, many of which offer rooms or basement suites for rent. It suits students who prefer a calmer environment and do not mind a slightly longer commute. Winnipeg Transit bus routes connect the area to campus and to rapid transit links. Assiniboine Forest and nearby trails make Charleswood a good option for students who value green space. Rents are generally moderate.

Standing Out as an Applicant

Complete your liv.rent profile fully before applying. Upload proof of income or employment, verify your identity, and use the Renter Story section to give landlords context about your situation, particularly useful if you are a first-time renter or do not yet have a Canadian credit history. Pre-submitting your application before a viewing signals to the landlord that you are serious about the unit.

Applying as a Group

If you are renting with roommates, one person can apply as the primary applicant and add others as roommates, though most landlords will still want to screen each person individually. Alternatively, all group members can submit individual applications through liv.rent, each generating their own Trust Score for the landlord to review.

Securing a Rental Before Arriving in Canada

UM students who have not yet arrived in Winnipeg or Canada can apply to listings on liv.rent from anywhere in the world. Once your profile is complete, you can indicate that you are a first-time renter and that you are renting from outside Canada, allowing landlords to assess your application accurately without requiring Canadian references.

Avoiding Rental Scams in Winnipeg

Rental scams exist in Winnipeg as in every Canadian city. Key red flags:

• Rent priced significantly below the neighbourhood average
• Requests for a cash deposit before a lease is signed or a property has been viewed
• Pressure to send money urgently
• Requests for your SIN or banking details before you are ready to sign
• Listings that do not provide a full street address

Renting from ID-verified landlords on liv.rent removes most of this risk. For more on staying safe, see our [guide to rental scams in Canada].

Find Off-Campus Housing Near the University of Manitoba

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Winnipeg. Use the map view and filters to find verified listings near the UM Fort Garry campus.