As a student attending McMaster University, I recall how challenging it was for me to find a decent house within the student housing landscape in Hamilton city. It was difficult to navigate through the intricacies of off-campus student housing as I was residing in another city and had no idea about the safe vs unsafe areas of Hamilton and suitable amenities that should be available for students in a home. I ended up in a basement room with no windows! At the time, I was completely unaware that it is illegal to house tenants in a room without windows. It was a frustrating process and my experience has helped me address some of the hurdles students face when searching for a house off-campus.
What to look for when seeking Off campus Student housing?
I always advocate visiting or researching the area you wish to reside in when contemplating living in an off-campus city as a University or College student. The majority of university students come from different cities, provinces, and countries and are not familiar with the local landscape. Post-Covid there has been a major shift in the rental market to seek homes instead of apartments or condominiums. Single unit family homes exude their charm and advantage when compared to dorm-style living as you get higher quality living space with better amenities.
As a Brock University student, the focus should be on finding a home in an area that is student-friendly, close to public transportation & shopping amenities. It should also be in an area that is safe with a low crime rate.
So is there a property that meets the aesthetic and functional requirements that students seek?
Introducing 23 Hawthorn, Thorold!
23 Hawthorn is a beautiful house located in the Winterberry area of Thorold. Winterberry Rd. is considered to be one of the best suburbs in Thorold for off campus Brock University students.
It is one of the most popular locations among second-year Brock University students seeking off-campus living after leaving Brock Residence. It offers the best of both worlds; modern homes in a safe & neat neighborhood with ample amenities nearby including grocery stores, shopping malls, and public transportation. The famous NOTL outlet mall is just 15 minutes away & offers various employment opportunities for Brock & Niagara College students.
The location is very central within the Niagara region and is only an 8-minute bus ride to Brock University. Niagara is one of the fastest-growing regions in Ontario & it offers a plethora of outdoor recreational activities, stunning sceneries, beautiful parks, diverse outdoor dining experiences, and plenty of retail outlets.
A beautiful six-bedroom home!
23 Hawthorne is a beautiful six-bedroom home with 4.5 bathrooms. Two bedrooms have their own ensuite which makes it a very unique property for students. It has a large open concept kitchen overlooking the backyard with a dining room and living room. The living room is fully furnished with a sofa set, side tables, coffee table, and a 52-inch smart screen TV. The dining area comes with a dining table and 6 chairs. There is a powder room on the main floor & a 2 car garage. The kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher.
Upstairs there are 4 bedrooms which are also furnished with a Queen size bed, side table, desk, and chair. The master bedroom is a stunning room with its own ensuite which provides privacy and is a perfect setting for the’ studious or introverted individual’. There are 2 bedrooms that share one bathroom and one bedroom with another ensuite. This is perfect for student living as it minimizes multiple individuals using the same bathroom and promotes privacy and comfort. In the basement, there are 2 bedrooms sharing one full bathroom. The bedrooms have large egress windows to allow for ample light to shine through elevating the basement area. There is also a freezer in the garage to accommodate the needs of six individuals so you don’t have to worry about clearing space to store frozen pizzas!
All our Student Homes include the following:
- Fully Furnished
- All utilities included except Internet
- Grass cut
- 24/7 Emergency contact for any emergencies
- Maintenance
- Tenant Advocacy
- Regular inspections to ensure the property is in good standing
- Cleaning program; 1/mnth
- Licensed for student housing as per Bylaw requirements
As students, it is important to consider if the home is managed by a Property Management Company to ensure that concerns such as maintenance, emergencies, etc. are addressed in a timely manner. Many students often have to deal with absentee landlords and it can be a stressful situation for tenants if unexpected emergencies such as no hot water etc. arise unexpectedly. With us, you can feel reassured that the property will be maintained well and your concerns will be addressed. Good luck with house hunting!
Author
Nyah Shaikh – Leasing Manager for Miz Rentals who enjoys Travelling, Food, HomeDecor & Healthy Living.
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