Best off campus housing for York University students

York University operates three campuses across the Greater Toronto Area: the Keele Campus in North York, the Glendon Campus in Midtown Toronto, and the Markham Campus in the City of Markham. On-campus residence at Keele is guaranteed for eligible first-year students applying directly from high school who meet the application deadline, but is not guaranteed at Glendon or Markham even if those requirements are met. Upper-year students across all campuses typically seek off-campus housing. This guide covers the best neighbourhoods near each campus, how to search and apply for a rental, and how to stay safe.

For current average rent figures by area, see the Toronto Rent Report.

Types of Accommodation

Common rental types near York University's campuses include individual rooms in shared houses or apartments, studio apartments, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, condos, and full houses. Given Toronto's high rents, many students share a larger unit with roommates to reduce costs. 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 your campus.

Getting Around the GTA

All three York University campuses are served by the TTC and, for the Markham Campus, York Region Transit and GO Transit. Living near a subway line is the single most effective way to keep commute times manageable from anywhere in Toronto. The U-Pass is not universal across all York programs, so confirm your transit options and costs with your faculty before committing to a neighbourhood.

Best Neighbourhoods Near Keele Campus

The Keele Campus is York University's largest campus, located in North York between Steeles Avenue to the north and Finch Avenue to the south. Two TTC subway stations serve the campus directly: York University Station and Pioneer Village Station, both on Line 1. The 106 and 196 buses also stop at campus.

The Village at York University

Located immediately south of the Keele Campus boundary, the Village consists primarily of townhomes that have been converted into student rooming accommodations. It is the closest off-campus option to Keele, with a walking commute of five to ten minutes to most parts of campus. York University also operates a shuttle service with stops across campus for Village residents. The area is predominantly student-oriented in character. Estimated commute: five to ten minutes.

Jane and Finch

A densely populated neighbourhood in North York's northwest, Jane and Finch has some of Toronto's more affordable rental options and a large student community owing to its proximity to Keele Campus. The 95 and 36A bus routes connect the neighbourhood to campus in 25 to 35 minutes. Estimated commute: 25 to 35 minutes by bus.

The Annex

Toronto's most established student neighbourhood, the Annex borders the University of Toronto's St. George Campus in the heart of the city. It is popular with upper-year York students who want a central urban location and do not mind a longer commute to Keele. Three subway stations serve the area (Spadina, Dupont, and Bathurst), with Spadina providing the most direct route to York University Station. The Annex has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, shops, and entertainment. Estimated commute: 30 to 35 minutes by subway.

Best Neighbourhoods Near Glendon Campus

The Glendon Campus is located in the eastern part of North York, adjacent to the Bridle Path neighbourhood. It is considerably smaller than Keele, with an intimate, multilingual learning environment. Lawrence TTC Station is a 15 to 20 minute walk or a five to ten minute bus ride from campus. The 52, 124, 162, and 952 buses all stop near the campus.

Yonge and Eglinton

One of Toronto's most active Midtown intersections, the Yonge and Eglinton area is popular with students and young professionals. Eglinton Station connects to Lawrence Station with a quick subway ride, from which campus is a short bus ride or walk away. The neighbourhood has a strong dining and cafe scene and is well connected to the rest of the city. Estimated commute: 15 to 20 minutes by subway and bus.

Davisville Village

Just south of Yonge and Eglinton, Davisville Village is a quieter, tree-lined residential area suited to students who prefer a calmer environment. Eglinton Station is nearby, and the 74A and 124 buses provide access to Glendon Campus. Estimated commute: 20 to 30 minutes by bus.

Riverdale

A diverse neighbourhood in East York south of the campus, Riverdale offers relatively more affordable rents than central Midtown along with green space along the Don River. Subway and bus connections make the commute to Glendon manageable. Estimated commute: 30 to 40 minutes by transit.

Best Neighbourhoods Near Markham Campus

The Markham Campus is located at 1 University Boulevard in Markham Centre, the city's downtown core. Programs focus on technology and entrepreneurship in a smaller, collaborative setting. Unionville GO Station is nearby for GO Transit connections into Toronto.

Unionville

A residential neighbourhood immediately north of the Markham Campus, Unionville is a practical choice for students who want to minimize their commute. The historic town centre has shops, restaurants, and a tight-knit community feel. Estimated commute: ten to 20 minutes by bus or foot.

Milliken

On the northeastern edge of Scarborough bordering Markham, Milliken offers affordable rentals and a quieter residential character. The 53 bus connects the neighbourhood to campus. Estimated commute: five to ten minutes by car, 25 to 30 minutes by bus.

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

York University students who have not yet arrived in Toronto 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 Toronto

Toronto's competitive rental market makes it a frequent target for scammers. 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 York University

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Toronto and the GTA. Use the map view and filters to find verified listings near whichever York University campus you are attending.