Off-Campus Living

Students walking near park

As the largest urban area on Cape Breton and the island’s historical capital, Sydney is the perfect mix of metropolitan charm and down home hospitality. As with many Nova Scotian communities on the ocean, the heart of Sydney is its waterfront. On a warm, summer evening it’s a great place to go for a walk, stop to watch a busker and to watch ships in the harbour. Along the way, be sure to get your photo taken beside the world’s largest fiddle, built in recognition of Cape Breton’s musical talent.

Secure housing plays a vital role in your student experience. It is very important that students do not travel to Canada before securing proper accommodations. Like most of Canada, affordable housing is a serious issue in Cape Breton. Housing in the area is limited and students should begin their search early.  We continue to advocate for affordable housing solutions, including pushing for Federal support of the proposed Tartan Downs Project, which would see various housing options built within the CBRM.

Students should budget $1000 per month for housing and associated costs.

Below, find a searchable database for students looking for off-campus accommodations as well FAQs about off-campus accommodations.

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1 Bed in a Shared Bedroom, 151 Commercial Street, Glace Bay $500

151 Commercial Street, Glace Bay

One bed in a shared bedroom with a male student from India, available to rent immediately. This apartment is shared…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 14 Ingoville Street, Sydney

14 Ingoville Street, Sydney

This is 1 furnished bedroom, available to rent immediately in the landlords’ house. Tenant will have heat, utilities, parking, kitchen…

  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3 Charlotte Street, Sydney $710

3 Charlotte Street, Sydney

1 single bedroom, fully furnished and available to rent beginning February, 2026. All utilities will be included in tenants rent,…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available February
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 32 Richmond Street, Sydney $525

32 Richmond Street, Sydney

1 fully furnished bedroom, available to rent beginning November 1st, 2025. This bedroom is located in a 4-bedroom house, and…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available November 1st
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Heat
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3610 Emerald Street, New Waterford $545

3610 Emerald Street, Scotchtown

1 fully furnished bedroom, available immediately in a private home. Male tenants preferred. This house is located in the New…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford $700

3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford

🏡 Student Housing – Direct Bus to CBU! 🏡 Looking for a clean, fully furnished room in a quiet student-friendly home? Cape Breton…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford $750

3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford

🏡 Student Housing – Direct Bus to CBU! 🏡 Looking for a clean, fully furnished room in a quiet student-friendly home? Cape Breton…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford $650

3636 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford

🏡 Student Housing – Direct Bus to CBU! 🏡 Looking for a clean, fully furnished room in a quiet student-friendly home? Cape Breton…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, 7 Norwood Street, Glace Bay $650

7 Norwood Street, Glace Bay

1 fully furnished bedroom in landlords house, available to rent beginning in September. Landlord is seeking 1 respectful, female tenant.…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, Carmichael Drive, Sydney River $750

105 Carmichael Drive, Sydney River

There is 1 fully furnished bedroom available to rent in this 3-bedroom house. This house is located in a very…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, Glace Bay $625

Glace Bay

2 fully furnished bedrooms available to rent in the landlords basement. Landlords are seeking 1-2 female tenant to occupy these…

2 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom in House, Whitney Pier $550

Whitney Pier

1 single bedroom in the landlords home, available to rent to 1 female tenant beginning January 1st, 2026. Landlords are…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available January 1st
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Bedroom, 1027 Upper Prince Street, Sydney $600

1027 Upper Prince Street

1 Bedroom in three bedroom home.  1027 Upper Prince Street. All utilities ,WIFI, parking, laundry. Walking distance to bus route.…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Shared Bedroom, 16 Sutherland Street, Sydney $435

16 Sutherland Street, Sydney

There is one shared bedroom available to rent immediately to 2 female tenants. All utilities are included in tenants rent,…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Single Bedroom for Rent, 3 Charlotte Street, Sydney Please Call

3 Charlotte Street, Sydney

1 single, fully furnished bedroom, available to rent beginning February 2026. All utilities will be included in tenants rent, which…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available February 1st
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

1 Single Bedroom in Duplex, Glace Bay $650

Glace Bay

1 furnished bedroom available to rent. Bedroom is suitable for 1 tenant only. There are other tenants in the house…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Duplex
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Apartments, Brookside Street, Glace Bay $1600

Brookside Street, Glace Bay

2 fully furnished apartments, available to rent to small families or students. Tenants will be responsible to pay the electric…

  • Category: Apartments
  • Status: Available
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Rent Period: Monthly
View Listing

2 Bedroom Apt, 9 Douglas Street, Sydney $2200

9 Douglas Street, Sydney

Spacious apartment with one larger bedroom and one smaller bedroom. Apartment has a 4-piece bathroom, with a shared spacious kitchen…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Apartment
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Bedrooms in House, 16 Harrington Street, Sydney $425

16 Harrington Street, Sydney

2 fully furnished, single bedrooms, available to rent immediately. All utilities are included in tenants rent. Tenants split the cost…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Bedrooms in House, 57 East Street, Sydney $400

57 East Street, Sydney

There are 2 furnished bedrooms available to rent in the Whitney Pier area of Sydney, beginning November 27th, 2025. Tenants…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available November 2025
  • Type: House
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Bedrooms in House, 73 Daley Road, New Victoria $550

73 Daley Road, New Victoria

2 single bedrooms, fully furnished and available to rent immediately. This house has 8 rooms in total, with 2 vacant…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2-Bedroom House, 153 Rockdale Avenue, Sydney $2650

153 Rockdale Avenue, Sydney

This is a 2-bedroom, semi-detached house. There are 2 bedrooms per unit. The house is furnished with lightly used furniture,…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2-Bedroom House, 72 West Street, Whitney Pier $2000

72 West Street, Whitney Pier

This fully furnished, cozy 2-bedroom house, is available to rent immediately to 2 female tenants. Tenants will be responsible for…

2 bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Rent Period: Lease
View Listing

2-Bedroom Suite, 63 Common Street, Sydney $2100

63 Common Street, Sydney

This fully furnished 2-bedroom suite is available to rent end of August, or beginning of September. All utilities will be included…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Suite
  • Status: Available September
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Rent Period: Fixed Term Lease
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

4 Bedrooms in Apt, 274 Wash Plant Access Road $600

274 Wash Plant Access Road

4 bedrooms available- 3 single and 1 double. Tenants will have WIFI, weight gym for tenant only, furnished These rooms…

4 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Monthly
View Listing

Bedroom in House, 111 Victoria Street, Glace Bay $800

111 Victoria Street, Glace Bay

Colm & Black Incorporated is a newly established construction and rental property company specializing in modern, single-bedroom rentals designed specifically…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Air Conditioning
  • Rent Period: Lease
View Listing

House for Rent, 397 Malcolms Road, Albert Bridge $1850

397 Malcolms Road, Albert Bridge

Entire house for rent, beginning August 1st, 2025. This is a brand new, 1-bedroom home, on the Mira River. Tenants…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available August 1st
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Rent Period: Monthly
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

Studio Apartment, Oxford Avenue, Sydney Mines

A fully furnished studio apartment, perfect for any student wishing to have their own space. The unit has been refreshed…

  • Status: Available
  • Type: Apartment
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Rent Period: Lease
  • Amenity: Water
View Listing

Off-Campus Accommodations FAQs

The Off-Campus Housing Coordinator works to connect students to landlords and vice-versa via the Off-Campus Accommodation Listing which is a free resource for the community. The coordinator ensures a smooth operation of this free resource that can be used by newcomers as well as property owners/managers in the community.

Students are most welcome to reach out to the coordinator but depending on the email traffic, you may or may not hear back in time and rental listings can get sold out quickly. Hence, students are encouraged to follow the contact instructions on the listing to secure it.

Students are encouraged to reach out to the listing’s point of contact directly and be mindful that the property owners/managers do not work for CBU and will answer on their own accord.

Rental/Property listings take place approximately 2 months prior to an intake. If you start searching too early or too late in relation to your intake, you may not find the right option for you. Starting your search early is definitely the key and we encourage future students to use this resource as early in their journey as possible.

 The prices displayed on listings can vary since some of them are room leases, some apartments and some are for houses. The pricing may seem high because it is for a whole house that can be leased.

Listings posted on third-party platforms and social media websites can be fake/scams and it is very important to be mindful of the same. The Off-Campus living page is maintained and updated by the Off-Campus housing coordinator and not through user-generated content.

Related Contacts

Profile Picture
Kelsey Johnston
Residence Life Coordinator
Housing
Kelsey_Johnston@cbu.ca
902-563-1792