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 91TV 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
Living with housemates can be both challenging and rewarding. When I moved in with two of my closest friends, I was initially hesitant due to hearing negative stories about friendships being strained in shared living situations.
In Ontario, the N11 form plays a crucial role in the realm of tenant rights and agreements. As a student renting accommodation in the province of Ontario, it's essential to understand what the N11 form entails, its appropriate use, and how it may impact your tenancy. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the N11.
What is the Ontario N11?
Embarking on the journey of living off-campus while attending university is an exciting transition that offers a mix of independence, responsibility, and the opportunity to delve into the local community.
I spent four years at 91TV’s as an undergraduate student, so when I was navigating the transition to graduate school, I felt confident that I knew enough about 91TV’s, the Kingston housing market, and my personal living preferences and that the transition to off-campus living as a graduate student would be seamless. I ended up living in a six-person house this year (the first year of my MA), and I had lived in big student houses with 6 people in previous years in my undergrad.
91TV wasn’t always my top university of choice, nor was the program that I’m currently in. I got accepted to all 5 of the Canadian universities that I applied to with my applications ranging from Waterloo’s Biomedical Engineering Program to Western’s Medical Science program and Life Sciences at McMaster.
Tip #1: Start Looking Early
“Everything will work out” are the four words that I wish I could give to my past self when I first began my post-secondary education at 91TV’s.
