Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Camille
From: IESEG School of Management
To: York University
2025 • Fall
Making close friends with Canadian students at York can be a bit challenging, so we mostly spent time with French students from IESEG or other international…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
1100
Where was it located?
Mutual St, ON
How can someone find this place?
47 Mutual St
Would you recommend it?
Yes, I would definitely recommend it. We chose to stay in the city center because living on campus felt too far from the real city life, and it was the right decision. The location was very convenient, especially for getting home at night after going out, as the subway station was just next to the apartment. Being close to Line 1 made it easy to get around the city at any time. If I had to choose again, I would definitely stay in the city center, ideally close to Line 1.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Making close friends with Canadian students at York can be a bit challenging, so we mostly spent time with French students from IESEG or other international schools. The social life felt different from France, and it took us some time to find parties and clubs we really enjoyed. I would recommend trying a frat party at the beginning of the semester (around September), as it’s a good way to experience student life. The Madison was great, with a lot of young students and internationals, and we also went often to Momentos. For clubs, the most well-known ones are on King Street. For a drink or dinner with an amazing view, Kost is definitely worth it.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
We chose Canada’s Business Environment, Marketing Research, Brand Management, Entertainment Marketing, and Digital Marketing. This combination worked very well for us because we had no final exams, only projects and continuous assessment. It also allowed us to schedule all our classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, which was a big advantage. Overall, I would definitely recommend this combo, especially for marketing students looking for a manageable workload and more free time.
Do you have some tips?
York University is nice, but we didn’t fully experience campus life since we didn’t live there. The campus is very large, modern, and pleasant, with a lot of facilities. Even though we didn’t spend much time on campus outside of classes, it still felt impressive. One thing I would really recommend is going to an American football game there we didn’t get the chance to do it, but it’s something we would have loved to experience.
Best trips to do?
Toronto offers amazing travel opportunities. From there, we traveled to Montreal, Banff in the Rocky Mountains, Puerto Rico, Miami, and Mexico. I also had friends who went to New York City and Punta Cana. Everything is quite expensive overall, but Montreal and NYC are easy and affordable to reach by bus, and Banff is absolutely worth the cost for the landscapes and experience. Toronto is a great base for traveling across North America and beyond.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
City life in Toronto is great, with an efficient public transportation system that works well even if it can get crowded at times. The city feels very safe overall, which makes everyday life and going out easy and stress-free. The weather gets really cold from mid-November, so good winter clothes are essential. Food can be quite expensive, but choosing the right supermarkets helps manage the cost. Despite the high cost of living, Toronto offers many cool neighborhoods, bars, and streets, making it a very enjoyable city to live in.
Make sure to plan a good budget for traveling, as trips can be expensive, and try not to plan them too late to get better prices. Living in the city center really improves the experience, and choosing the right roommates makes a big difference. For groceries, Metro is a good option since they offer student discounts, which helps manage daily expenses.
Louis
From: ESADE
To: Schulich
2025 • Fall
Montréal is close and easy to go. Use "Poparide", local blablacar, can be cheaper than the train and as fast. Travelled a lot around the US, including NYC, LA,…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
900
Where was it located?
On campus
How can someone find this place?
Residenec website
Would you recommend it?
Not that much, campus is really quiet. Even if you have to take the metro, I'd recommend living in the city. You'll be close to any activity.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Evrything is on King Street
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Management Consulting, amazing teacher. Strategic market communications also amazing teacher.
Do you have some tips?
Great building, not that special, easy registration, easy tools
Best trips to do?
Montréal is close and easy to go. Use "Poparide", local blablacar, can be cheaper than the train and as fast. Travelled a lot around the US, including NYC, LA, Washington. Banff is also amazing
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
Cool cost of living due to the exchange rate EUR to CAD. Gets cold around mid November.
Léa
From: Catholic University of Lille - FGES
To: York University
2025 • Fall
The campus is big and good. We are 45min/1h from downtown. The registration wasn't easy for me, because I did it in last minute (so my fault). I think I…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
1280 euro/month
Where was it located?
In the campus
How can someone find this place?
Once you have done your inscription, they propose to you the accomodity of the university
Would you recommend it?
No, I wouldn't recommend my residence because the price is high for a weak accommodation. However, in other residences of the campus it's much more better.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Go downtown for clubs. On Instagram account search some FRATS
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I'm not recommending: Project Management + Management Accounting - too much of work
Do you have some tips?
The campus is big and good. We are 45min/1h from downtown. The registration wasn't easy for me, because I did it in last minute (so my fault). I think I wouldn't pick the same uni again.
Best trips to do?
Niagara falls ; Montreal ; Banff ; US closely as like as Bahamas,...
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
Be included in life on the campus, go see some games: football, soccer, hockey,...
Justine
From: Université Paris Dauphine - PSL
To: University of Toronto
2025 • Fall
I visited Niagara Falls, a MUST DO, it is wonderful (only 2hours from Toronto, $30-40 taking the bus). I also visited Vancouver, a 5hours flights as it is the…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
Around 1000€ per month
Where was it located?
In the Annex, in the north of Toronto, near campus (15 minutes walk)
How can someone find this place?
https://www.airbnb.fr/trips/v1/reservation-details/ro/RESERVATION2_CHECKIN/HMAXM38KZ5
Would you recommend it?
When I saw the apartment, I loved it instantly, it seemed cosy and cute. It had three windows so I thought it would be clear, and it said it was a quiet neighborhood. Everything turned true, I really loved the apartment, though it does not have a vacuum cleaner and that could have been convenient. Apart from that, it is very well located (subway station at a 2 minutes walk, drugstore and supermarket at a 5 minutes walk, campus at 15 minutes, near a street with many restaurants and shops...). The only thing is that it is quite expensive.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
As a French student I was quite astonished when I heard that clubs close at 2am (that is the beginning of the night in France), but there is good music and all types of it. My personal favorite is Isabelle's (free for women until 10:30pm) and Fiction (only on Friday nights). As for restaurants, I recommend trying Tim Horton's, you cannot claim being a Canadian if you are not a regular!! Starbucks is here, but Tim Horton's is quite good and cheaper (and Canadian). If you have the occasion, definitely try to go see the Blue Jays play, they almost won the tournament when I was there (baseball). Or go see the Maple Leafs (hockey), they are very good, and the Raptors (basketball) too.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I took HR (RSM361) with prof Adam Stoehr, and it was the best class ever!! Every class was centered around a theme (Star Wars, the Olympics, Back to the Future...) and he made even firing fun! He also teaches in RSM260 (Organisational Behaviour). I also had RSM270, which is Operations Management and I loved it. I also recommend RSM362 with prof Nouman, it is called Leading Across Differences and it is nothing like you will ever see (no computers, almost no taking notes, just a long conversation between the prof and the students, with a guest every time). There is no final in this class (no written anyways), we only have one "paper" to hand out each week (of 1,000 words at most). It is very interesting and mind blowing teaching.
Do you have some tips?
Huge beautiful campus, with many buildings but still very welcoming (coffees in every building, huge park, two gyms...). There are food trucks all over the street, and I really recommend the Second Cup coffees. I however had huge issues with my courses registration, turns out I was not registered at the right place by my home institution, so it took me 4 months to get all of my courses, and as there are limited places, you have a risk of not getting what you want because usually, Canadians have the priority. That is the only issue that I would point out.
Best trips to do?
I visited Niagara Falls, a MUST DO, it is wonderful (only 2hours from Toronto, $30-40 taking the bus). I also visited Vancouver, a 5hours flights as it is the other end of the country, but I recommend it (ocean, bordered by the mountains...). I did not do it, but also try going to Banff National Park for some mind blowing views. I visited Ottawa, which is a 5hours trip taking the bus (don't take the train, they are always late, it is more expensive and takes as long). It is a beautiful city, with many parks. Then I went to the US (Chicago, NYC and Washington DC), you can find flights for no more than $300 the whole trip, and it is the perfect occasion to visit your dream city. Also, if you decide to go on a trip, try out Hostels, they are cheaper than hotels and Airbnbs and usually very convenient (downtown, full of young people...).
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
There are two lines of subway that take you everywhere. The heart of the city is near Union Station (CN Tower, a must do, with the aquarium, also great, and the Roger Center, home of the beloved Blue Jays (even I am a fan now even if I do not know anything about baseball)). I recommend the City Pass, it is $150, but allows you to visit the CN tower, the aquarium, the zoo, do a cruise, and choose between the Casa Loma and the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), and believe me, it is a money saver (only thing: it is valid for 9 days). For restaurants, try YorkVille and Bloor Street. Beautiful parks: High Park, Queen's Park Don't forget Harbourfront and the Toronto Islands!!
Canadians are proud; don't compare them to Americans (they hate it). There can be snow in November (be prepared). If you shop at Metro, you have a 10% discount with your student card.
Zoi
From: IE University
To: Schulich Business School
2025 • Fall
I dont think I would pick the same uni again ngl.. but the campus was great. There's this big mall with a lot of food options close to uni...
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
1000ish $
Where was it located?
Keele campus
How can someone find this place?
University website
Would you recommend it?
Unless you wanna share bathrooms, not really. But its just 10 mins from uni so for a semester its okay
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Best restaurantt street is Dundas Street west
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Business case analysis and presentation skills development is a challenging class but you'll get out presenting better 100%
Do you have some tips?
I dont think I would pick the same uni again ngl.. but the campus was great. There's this big mall with a lot of food options close to uni.
Best trips to do?
New york, Niagara Falls. Dont go to mississauga
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
Food 100%, be mindful of the weather starting mid October
Maxence
From: IE university
To: University of Toronto
2025 • Spring
I liked econometrics but you need to like maths and I really recommend professor that I had in two classes, he was called George Georgopoulos and my favourite…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
1400$ per month per person but with a roomate so 2800$ total
Where was it located?
In Toronto center near osgoode station
How can someone find this place?
Airbnb
Would you recommend it?
Yes I would but only if you don’t mind cold temperatures
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Two streets are king st and queen st where all the bars are located. My favorite one was Paris Texas. And for clubbing I liked department and coda, they usually do events with well known dj’s
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I liked econometrics but you need to like maths and I really recommend professor that I had in two classes, he was called George Georgopoulos and my favourite class with him was eco365: international monetary economics
Do you have some tips?
Campus was nice uni as well and I was lucky enough to be with a good friend of mine there however if I was going alone I might have preferred to go somewhere different in Asia or in South America
Best trips to do?
Definitely New York, even better if you know someone there. I also loved Miami and Barbados. Ithaca I would also recommend during st Patrick’s week end if you know someone at Cornell.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
It is quite costly so I would recommend you to try and make your own food and try and find a store that has fresh products as a European that was super important for me
Joel
From: IE University
To: York University
2025 • Spring
Conflict and Negotiations, very good class, good information useful in everyday life, good teacher, workload was on the heavier side but satisfying and worth…..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
1150
Where was it located?
Sherbourne and Queen, 1 hour from Uni with metro but 10 minute walk to downtown Toronto.
How can someone find this place?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/771141?adults=1&check_in=2026-01-01&check_out=2026-01-29&search_mode=regular_search&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1755602627_P3G2iVdaAswi-QRi&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=a36fd12d-197e-4315-8d6b-d5c3eadae83c
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely would recommend, great host, convenient location.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Tough to fully socialize with people from university as it is a commuters university. Although there are also plenty of opportunities throughout Toronto to have fun, socialization might take a bit of effort.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Conflict and Negotiations, very good class, good information useful in everyday life, good teacher, workload was on the heavier side but satisfying and worth it. Entertainment marketing, good teacher, rather simple, low work load. Creating capitalism, great teacher, good discussions, must be open to have class discussions to make the most of the learning, work load was management and very autonomous. Personal Finance, great teacher, information is relevant to everyday life, work load was fair.
Do you have some tips?
Campus is nice despite the fact that it was a bit far from the city center. Make sure to take a lot fo time to properly research and plan out the classes and schedule you want. I set mine up to have only 3 days of university, so i could have enough time to explore the city and north america, as well as do less weekly commuting.
Best trips to do?
Montreal is a great city to visit, Niagara Falls is a fun little road trip to do with friends, New York is close by, there as also loads of cheap flights from Toronto.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Toronto?
Cost of living is slightly expensive, such as groceries and public transport and gyms, although not unmanageable. Come prepared for the winter if your there for the spring semester. Eating out is relatively cheap compared to groceries.
