Where to look and how the process works.
Finding a place to rentThe main listing sites, what a rental application asks for, and how to compete without Canadian references.
Move-in costs and furnishingBudgeting for first + last month's rent, deposits, and furnishing a place cheaply (marketplace, thrift, community groups).
Average rents across Canadian citiesA one-bedroom that's brutal in Toronto or Vancouver can be half the price in Montréal, Edmonton or Halifax — know the ranges before you choose a city.Your apartment-viewing checklistTen minutes of checking heat, water and windows can save you a miserable winter — and photos on day one protect your deposit later.