How to Find the Right Neighborhood in Kingston for Students
Choosing the right neighbourhood can make or break your student experience. It is important to remember what might work for one student might not work for you. Kingston offers diverse areas that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Therefore, to find the right neighbourhood, you should decide what you are looking for in your off campus living arrangement.
Tips for choosing the right neighbourhood:
- Determine your budget for rent
- Proximity to campus
- Consider whether you鈥檇 prefer a quiet neighbourhood or a house in the centre of student living
- How safe the neighbourhood is
- Community amenities such as parks, grocery stores, gyms
Downtown Kingston: If you want to be close to restaurants, cafes, and shops, renting an apartment near downtown Kingston might be ideal for you. In this area, you experience the buzz of city life and get to be in the heart of the action.
University district: Located right next to campus is the University District, more commonly known as the student district. Living here is perfect if you are looking to live with a group of students and wanting to minimize your commute to campus. Something to consider is that this is a lively area populated with students so it might not suit those looking for a quiet atmosphere. As well, the closer you are to campus, the more expensive rent will be.
Williamsville: This neighbourhood is located just north of the University District making the area more popular among upper-year students and graduate students. Being further away from campus, the rent is usually less expensive, and the housing options are more spacious. Be mindful that the further you are getting away from the student district, the environment changes, especially north of Princess Street.
The City of Kingston has an incident location map link that people can check out to see what reported incidents occur in a specific area. You may find this link helpful to determine if it鈥檚 an area you would be interested in living: . Alternatively ask for the communities opinion via social media channels like Reddit.
Evidently, finding the right neighbourhood in Kingston is dependent on research and self-reflection. Consider your priorities and explore the areas that align with your needs. Personally, I found living close to campus ideal as most of my friends are just a short walk away from me. Even if it cost a little bit more, I saved time getting to class which I found equally valuable. Trying to find a place to live off-campus can be a daunting process! Click here to access housing resources available for students to help with this process.