Toronto as a classroom. The world as a playground of ideas.
Resolutely urban, the UOF is located in Toronto, the fourth largest city in North America, just behind Mexico City, New York and Los Angeles.
Multiculturalism means multilingual
Each neighbourhood has its own personality, in harmony with the businesses that thrive there. It's a bit like visiting another part of the world within a single city, with its Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Indian, Iranian, Ethiopian, Jamaican, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Sri Lankan neighbourhoods and more.
A friendly neighbourhood
Grocery stores, cafés, markets, and restaurants are found in our neighbourhood. Within a 10 minute walk, you will find yourself in the heart of downtown and the iconic Dundas Square, or towards the East in the Distillery District, or even in the unique boutiques of Queen West.
Getting Around Toronto
The campus is accessible via public transit
In just 10 minutes, you can get to Billy Bishop airport or to Union Station where you can catch the UP-Express to Pearson Airport, the Go Train, and the TTC Subway. In fact, the TTC offers three modes of transportation: the subway, the streetcar, and the bus, with transit lines both within the city and in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Bike Lanes and Nature
Toronto has plenty of bike lanes and countless trails for walking or cycling that crisscross the ravines surrounding the city. Short-term bike rentals, known as Bike Share Toronto This link will open in a new window, are popular throughout the city, with several bike dock stations just around the corner from campus.
Student Residence
Parkside Student Residence
Our main partner, Parkside, offers a dynamic student life steps away from campus This link will open in a new window. Parkside is safe and offers a wide range of services for their residents. In addition to the student community at the UOF, living at Parkside is another opportunity to meet students from other neighbouring universities.
Residence Tour: video This link will open in a new window
To learn more: Parkside Student Residence This link will open in a new window
To contact the Leasing Manager, Samantha Price: saprice@studenthousing.com
111, Carlton Street, Toronto, ON
Tel: 647-735-4714
Alternative Living
Places4Students
Places4Students is a platform with a database of student housing available near the UOF campus.
Access the database with your @uof.ca email address by following this link: Places4Students database This link will open in a new window
We suggest broadening your search to include housing listed near colleges and universities in the metropolitan area. Some housing addresses are common to several institutions. Find universities and colleges located near the UOF here This link will open in a new window.
Private Rental
The choice of accommodation depends largely on your available budget, proximity to your favourite activities, and the neighborhood atmosphere for which you are looking. As in all big cities, generally speaking, the closer you live to the centre, the higher the rent will be. For all these reasons, many students choose to share an apartment or rent a private room in order to reduce their living expenses.
Canada HomeShare
Canada HomeShare is a program administered by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE). It matches seniors aged 55 and older who have a spare room with post-secondary students looking for affordable housing.
All applicants to the HomeShare program are required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) with a local police department. Only individuals who have been living in Canada for at least one year are eligible for a VSS. This program is available to international students starting in their second academic year at the UOF.
To learn more: Canada HomeShare This link will open in a new window
1- High Park
Recognized as one of Toronto's most important natural sites, more than one-third of High Park remains in its natural state. A treasure in the city's park system, residents and visitors alike can enjoy its many attractions, playgrounds, and features throughout the year.
2 - Trinity Bellwoods Park
This nearly 15-hectare park includes three baseball fields, eight tennis courts, two volleyball courts, an artificial ice rink, a dog park, a picnic area, a wading pool, and a children's playground. The Trinity Community Recreation Centre is located in the southwest corner of the park. The outdoor artificial ice rink is located south of Dundas Street West on Gore Vale Avenue.
3 - Queen's Park
The first legislative session at Queen's Park was opened in 1893 under Premier Sir Oliver Mowat. Since then, Queen's Park has been the seat of the Ontario government. Its buildings, monuments, and statues, as well as its environmental attractions, make it a perfect heritage site for lovers of history, politics, and nature.
4 - Yonge and Dundas Square
Sometimes known as Toronto's Time Squre, Yonge and Dundas Square is a great place for art lovers, outdoor concerts, and shopping, the square is connected to PATH, the world's largest underground shopping mall.
5 - Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is a visual art museum covering nearly 45,000 square meters. Its collections include more than 66,000 works, from the 1st century to the present day, and pieces by Canadian artists make up more than half of the collections.
6 - Chinatown
Toronto's Chinatown is home to a variety of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese restaurants serving everything from traditional Asian dishes to modern fusion cuisine. Lively outdoor markets and shops lining Spadina Avenue offer fruits and vegetables, medicinal herbs, and souvenirs. Colourful celebrations are held in the neighborhood every Chinese New Year.
7 - Entertainment District
The Entertainment District is one of the city's most vibrant and tourist neighbourhoods. It is home to the Scotiabank Centre, Rogers Centre, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Railway Museum of Canada, several nightclubs of all kinds, CBC headquarters and Radio-Canada studios in Ontario, as well as the famous CN Tower.
8 - Union Station
Union Station is the most central and important hub for public transportation between the city and its suburbs. It offers a quick connection to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), ViaRail – Canada's trans-Canada rail network, Metrolinx Go Trains, and Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) subway system. Union Station is located about a 10-minute walk from the UOF campus.
9 - The Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey is Canada's national sport, but also that of more than 70 countries around the world. Toronto is home to tens of thousands of fans of the NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs; however, fans of all teams enjoy visiting this 65,000-square-foot venue. The Hockey Hall of Fame also offers interactive games, theatres, unique hockey artifacts, and, as a bonus, privileged access to the Stanley Cup.
10 - Distillery District
With over 40 unique boutiques and restaurants, The Distillery District is a well-known destination for its creative businesses, art galleries, concerts, festivals, and famous Christmas market in December. Shopping opportunities include everything from stylish fashion and trendy products to unique gifts and delicious artisanal treats to take home.
11 - The Village
The Village is home to the 519 Community Centre, parks, bars, restaurants, and shops that primarily serve the LGBTQ+ community, particularly around the intersection of Church Street and Wellesley Street. The architecture consists of older buildings, Victorian houses, and apartments built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
12 - Sugar Beach
Sugar Beach draws on the region's industrial heritage and its proximity to the nearby Redpath Sugar Refinery Museum to create a whimsical urban beachfront. The beach allows visitors to spend the afternoon reading, playing in the sand, or watching the boats on the lake. The park square provides a dynamic space for public events.
13 - Centre francophone du Grand Toronto
The Centre francophone du Grand Toronto (CFGT) is the main point of contact for Francophones living in or moving to Toronto. The CFGT contributes to the well-being of the Francophone community by offering a variety of services to the entire community, namely in health, settlement, legal aid, and employment.
The CFGT is located at 555 Richmond Street West, Suite 303 This link will open in a new window.
14 - Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are an archipelago of 15 small islands located south of downtown Toronto on Lake Ontario. They are home to a small residential community and Billy Bishop Airport. The islands are a popular recreational destination, with walks through the residential area, Centerville amusement park, gardens, and beaches.
15 - West Queen West
Named one of the world's trendiest neighbourhoods by Vogue magazine, West Queen West is brimming with unique restaurants, bistros, and boutiques. The neighbourhood is also home to Toronto's largest concentration of art galleries. Designers and artists have changed the face of the neighbourhood over the past decade. It offers an inspiring mix of original fashions, antiques, and kitsch.