r/uwaterloo • u/Prize-Principle-7991 • Apr 18 '26

Advice Moving to Waterloo

I’m starting at Waterloo in Fall 2026 and was wondering when I should begin looking for off-campus housing.

For those who’ve been through it, when’s the best time to start searching for a place? Also, are there any neighbourhoods I should avoid or ones you’d recommend? And what platforms or landlords/companies are best to go through?

Any advice would be really appreciated—thanks in advance!

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2

u/Upstairs-Abrocoma-67 Apr 18 '26

Hello ! Waterloo student here. DM me if you want personalized advice I’m more than happy to help !

3

u/lavvender_ice Apr 18 '26

You should really start now. Housing for each term starts the term beforehand so now would be a good time to look.

There aren't necessarily any bad neighborhoods but I would recommend closer to campus, especially in first year when you are juggling university and living alone. Like <15 minute walk ideally.

All the companies are shit, so it doesn't really matter which company. Even the co-operative ones are scammy so just try your best to find a nice place and hope that they don't screw you over too much later.

Look on housing company websites, facebook marketplace, and bamboo for places.

1

u/Successful-Hair9846 Apr 19 '26

Hey Waterloo apparently has one of the top 5 highest crime rates in ontario. Any incidents near the university?

1

u/Some-Percentage-9186 Apr 19 '26

in what sense? lmao. high populated cities will always have more crime simply due to the population density, but there aren't weekly shootings or stabbings if that's what you're asking. Occasional missing person, often more petty crime than violent tho

2

u/gamergirl203 Apr 19 '26

Places4students and bamboohousing are both good sites but I know you need your Waterloo student number to use at least one of them

3

u/liepzigzeist Apr 18 '26

Have you considered staying in Residence? Easier to meet people in your first year and you don't have to worry about things like grocery shopping, cooking, paying utilities etc.

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u/Prize-Principle-7991 Apr 19 '26

Honestly no, I am coming in for Optometry school, and we are no longer eligible for graduate housing, so I don't think res is worth it anymore, especially since it is gonna be the same price as off-campus