How to Find the Right Neighborhood in Kingston for Students

With lots of students looking to sign their first leases for the upcoming year, here are a few frequently asked questions we’ve seen come across our desks:

Living with housemates, especially those who you were friends with before moving in together, can be an appealing yet daunting decision to make. Many have shared their horror stories about moving in with their best friends, and that causing their friendship to fall apart.

Building a positive relationship with your landlord is an important part of student living. From my own experience of being a tenant, I can tell you investing in your relationship with your landlord means they are more likely to address issues promptly and be more forgiving in the case of emergencies. Not only is this relationship important for your time as a tenant but in future rental cases, your landlord can be an excellent reference. Here are some tips I have used to help foster and maintain a strong landlord-tenant relationship.

What’s not to like about living Off-Campus in Kingston, Ontario? I love it. At first, I was nervous about moving out of residence, gaining much more independence than in my first year, and navigating all the challenges change brings. But I can confidently say that the freedom you gain is very rewarding, especially when you don’t abuse it. Looking back now, in my first year, I felt confined to certain spaces in the city. Especially being new to the school and the area, it was overwhelming at first and I found myself sticking to what I “knew,” which was mostly on campus.

A personal insight I have gained since transitioning to Off-Campus living would be time management. Since living off campus, I have noticed that there is a lot less structure than living in residence. For example, in my first year, I had to follow my school schedule, which has not changed but I also had to make time to attend meals. Since the dining halls have specific mealtimes for breakfast, lunch, and supper, you had to prioritize getting to the dining halls before each meal would end.

Over the course of my 5 years at Queen’s (including a semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland), I’ve lived with over 20 different people in various living arrangements. Here are some of the key things I’ve taken away from my experiences.

Living off-campus at Queen’s University presents a unique set of challenges and learning opportunities for students. From navigating the complexities of securing suitable accommodation to integrating with the local community, the experience can be as enriching as it is daunting. Here, I share my personal experiences, the obstacles I encountered while living off-campus, and the strategies I employed to overcome them.

1. Finding Affordable Housing

Moving to off-campus living in Kingston comes with many lessons and adventures. Reflecting on my own experiences, here’s the advice I would give to my past self about navigating off-campus living and the search for the right property:

Start Your Search Early

Living off-campus while attending Queen’s University presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As someone who has lived off-campus for two and a half years, both alone and with roommates, in a house and an apartment, I’ve encountered several hurdles, from budgeting to fulfilling certain responsibilities.

Budgeting and Financial Management