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, 18 Sixth Street, Glace Bay $600

18 Sixth Street, Glace Bay

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

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

Single Room, 37 Campbell Street, Sydney $600

37 Campbell Street. Sydney

Room #9: This house has 12 rooms and 4 shared bathrooms. Single occupant only, not shared or for couples. Rooms…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

Single Room, 37 Campbell Street, Sydney $600

37 Campbell Street. Sydney

Room #5: This house has 12 rooms and 4 shared bathrooms. Single occupant only, not shared or for couples. Rooms…

1 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedroom
  • Status: Available
  • Type: Bedroom
  • Feature: 2 Bedrooms
  • Amenity: Electricity
View Listing

2 Bedrooms in House, Port Morien $800

Port Morien, Nova Scotia

2 fully furnished bedrooms for rent in a newly renovated house, available beginning August 1st, 2025. There will be 1…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Bedrooms
  • Status: Available August 1st
  • Type: House
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • 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 immediately to 2 respectful, female tenants. Each bedroom has a…

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

1 Large Bedroom in House, 658 George Street, Sydney $900

658 George Street, Sydney

One bedroom available to rent immediately, to 1 female tenant. This bedroom is fully furnished and has a mini refrigerator…

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

1-Bedroom Apartment, 40 University Avenue, Sydney $850

40 University Avenue, Sydney

Furnished 1- bedroom apartment available to rent. Tenant will have heat, lights, and Fiber Op internet included in their rent.…

2 bedrooms
  • Category: Apartment
  • Status: Available
  • Feature: Fully Furnished
  • 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

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

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, 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

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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