Wondering if someone can help me out - are there particular highrise buildings or apartments complexes that Grad students tend to rent in? We will be coming to Hamilton to look at places in June and are trying to streamline our search. The place would just be for one person - probably a two bedroom unless the one bedroom is VERY spacious. Thanks for any help or suggestions!

West Village Suites is pretty popular for grad & med school students. I have a sublet there available until the end of August. If you're interested, let me know!

^^^ West Village also has no one or two bedroom apartments and is primarily catered to undergraduate students so that isn't what she's looking for at all.

There aren't any nice ones super close to campus but your best bets are Woodland apartments or Camelot towers. Both are pretty quiet and well-priced. I honestly suggest looking downtown instead, that's what I've been doing and I've been able to find nicer buildings that are still well-priced.

My building at 1928 Main West is pretty much what you describe. Ten-ish minute bus ride to campus and according to the super, around 1/3 of the people in the building are students or somehow affiliated with the university. There are several buildings near me that could also work.

I haven't had personal experience with the Woodlands, but I've heard it described as "Cockroach Palace."

The stretch of Main West starting from Whitney is the ideal place for a quality high rise apartment. Vacancy is scarce and take up very quickly so you have to be proactive. Maybe even talk to the super and promise to tip him/her for first dip. Once you do snag one though, its a beauty (depending on which apartment you get).

Definitely try the Main and Whitney area, I have an apartment here and it is excellent. Amazing views, quiet neighbourhood, on the bus route that goes right into campus, close to grocery stores, restaurants, etc. That being said, apartments in this area go quite quickly, so you'll want to have first and last month's rent available when you see the apartment for viewing so you can sign a lease immediately after.

As a current grad student, I've lived houses and apartments in houses. Also my friends are in similar living situations with some living at the high-rise The Glen (50 Glen) or the Effort Trust apartments on Longwood or King. Avoid Camelot at all costs, Beverly Hills is okay but tacky, and The Glen has some bad history but my friend hasn't had too many problems.

Thanks everyone! The location is not the most important factor as he has a car. We don't know the area at all - so were kind of hoping to get the name of apartment rental companies so we can have some viewings arranged when we come up. Someone mentioned the Effort Trust Buildings. I have also come across the Homestead Company that manages apartments. Any more tips? - I have heard both good and bad about the Woodlands. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Kudos

My building at 1928 Main West is pretty much what you describe. Ten-ish minute bus ride to campus and according to the super, around 1/3 of the people in the building are students or somehow affiliated with the university. There are several buildings near me that could also work.

Thanks for the tip about this building - just after this was posted my landlord called me to tell us he's selling our house. We went and looked at an apartment there and signed a lease for July 15th.

Forest Glen condos (1965, 1966, and 1967 Main St W) have a lot of students and seniors. There are two or three bedroom units, and although they are condos the owners often rent to students. Because there are a lot of seniors that live there they are quiet. You also get an underground parking space and access to the swimming pool and tennis courts. Depending on the apartment and the owner the rooms usually run between $300-$600/month per room.

I've had good experiences with Effort Trust. They have a few buildings on Main.. I was at 1928 Main St W - it was a good building, pretty quiet and fairly spacious apartments. Great mix of people - I had students, families, singles, and elderly people as neighbours. We had a 2 bedroom and it wasn't too expensive when split with 2 people. The bus stop is right across the street, 10 minutes to Mac, and it's near the beginning of the 51 bus route so buses rarely pass you because they're full (at least that's how I've experienced it). The apartments rent pretty quick, but available rooms pop up every so often!

Anyone know anything about the Parkdale Barton Building? As well, I have heard both good and bad about the Woodlands - anymore personal experiences? Thanks!

Me again - we have appts booked to look at both 180 Bold - as well as 125 Wellington. Also the Savaria & Pannonia Towers at 165 Queen and the building at 121 Melvin. Thinking about booking a viewing at 50 Glen as well. Any thoughts or previous experiences appreciated. Thanks!

Just in case anyone is following our search for an apartment - we started at 221 Melvin - ended up at 125 Wellington - and 125 Wellington is the winner!
www.125wellington.ca