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 Bedroom in House - 98 Spruce St., Sydney $600

98 Spruce St., Sydney

1 Bedroom available in 3 Bedroom rental – 98 Spruce St., Sydney Fully furnished bedroom, shared washroom and kitchen facilities.…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 17 Seaview Street, Sydney $750

17 Seaview Street, Sydney

This is a fully furnished bedroom in a large home, available to rent to 1 male tenant. Tenant will have…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 18 Hillview Drive, River Ryan $800

18 Hillview Drive, River Ryan

1 bedroom available to rent to 1 female tenant. The bedroom is in a newly built home with a private…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 209 Reserve Street, Glace Bay $600

209 Reserve Street, Glace Bay

This is a fully furnished bedroom located in the landlord’s house. This is a lovely large home, very close to…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 268 Douglas Avenue, Glace Bay $625

268 Douglas Avenue, Glace Bay

1 bedroom available to rent immediately to a mature, female tenant. This bedroom is located in the landlords home and…

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

1 Bedroom in House, 40 Ferry Street, Sydney $630

40 Ferry Street, Sydney

1 single bedroom available to rent to 1 individual. All utilities will be included in tenants rent. There are cleaners…

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

1 Shared Bedroom in House, 18 Sixth Street, Glace Bay $600

18 Sixth Street, Glace Bay

1 fully furnished bedroom available to rent immediately to female tenant. These tenants will share common living spaces with other…

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

1 Shared Bedroom, 378 Alexandra Street, Sydney $475

378 Alexandra Street, Sydney

There is 1 space available to rent beginning April 1st, 2025, in a fully furnished, shared bedroom. Landlord is seeking…

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

2 Bedroom House - 190 Brookside St., Glace Bay $1600

190 Brookside St., Glace Bay

190 Brookside St., Glace Bay – 2 Bedroom House Available immediately. Located on bus route.  No pets. Utilities not included.…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Amenity: Water
View Listing

2 Bedrooms in House, 111 Vulcan Avenue, Sydney $550

111 Vulcan Avenue, Sydney

2 bedrooms available for rent in a house. There are male tenants currently in this house. Tenants will have all…

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

2 Bedrooms in House, 3685 Eastbay Highway, East Bay $550

3685 Eastbay Highway, East Bay

2 bedrooms available to rent immediately in the homeowner’s home. Homeowner’s live in the house as well. Tenants rent includes…

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

2 Bedrooms in House, 7 Norwood Street, Glace Bay $700

7 Norwood Street, Glace Bay

2 fully furnished bedrooms in landlords house, available to rent to 2 respectful, female tenants. Each bedroom has a double…

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

2 Bedrooms, 850 George Street, Sydney $600

850 George Street, Sydney

2 bedrooms available to rent immediately; 1 single & 1 double. All utilities are included in tenants rent, with access…

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

2 Single Bedrooms, 201 South Bentinck Street, Sydney $625

201 Bentinck Street, Sydney

2 single bedrooms available to rent immediately. All utilities will be included in tenants rent. The nearest bus stop is…

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

3 bedroom House- 24 Weidner Dr., Sydney River $2100

24 Weidner Dr., Sydney River

24 Weidner Drive, Sydney River.  3 bedroom 2 bathroom house for rent. Parking Available.  No Pets. On Bus Route. Rent: …

3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
View Listing

3 Bedrooms in House, Carmichael Drive, Sydney River $750

105 Carmichael Drive, Sydney River

There are three fully furnished bedroom available to rent beginning May 1st. This house is located in a very quiet…

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

6 Rooms in House - 401 Smith Street, New Waterford $600

401 Smith Street, New Waterford

6 fully furnished rooms available to rent in large house. 3 of the bedrooms can be double occupancy if needed.…

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

Bedrooms in House, 16 Harrington Street, Sydney $425

16 Harrington St., Sydney

Fully furnished bedrooms, available to rent immediately. 2 single bedrooms- $425/Month, per bedroom. 1 shared space, available for 1 male…

4 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Bus Route
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

Bedrooms in House, 16 Sutherland Street, Sydney $550

16 Sutherland Street, Sydney

1 single room and 1 shared female room, available to rent beginning July 1st, 2025. All utilities are included in…

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

House 2 Bedroom - 1294 Mira Bay Rd., Bateston, Cape Breton $3000

1294 Mira Bay Rd., Bateston

A unique, Nordic-style, 1200 sq ft., open-flowing house available for long-term rental, ideal for professors or artists seeking a serene,…

2 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
  • Category: House
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • Rent Period: Lease
View Listing

Single Bedroom, 3 Charlotte Street, Sydney Please Call

3 Charlotte Street, Sydney

There is 1 single, fully furnished bedrooms available to rent immediately. All utilities will be included in tenants rent, which…

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

Upper Level of House, 2339 Highway 28, South Bar $1650

2339 Highway 28 South Bar

Upper level of home available to rent to 3 tenants beginning May 1st, 2025. This is a waterfront home located…

3 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Laundry
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.

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