I'm going to be joining Mac as a first year this fall and I have no idea how much off-campus housing is supposed to cost, so I'd appreciate it if you guys could give me an estimate of how much a room in a student house would cost.

The house should be in zone 1 (walking distance) and should include utilities such as water, electricity and hot water. It should also have a laundry facility and a wireless internet connection. Basic furniture such as a bed, desk and closet should be included with the room. The room should be available for an 8 month lease.

In your opinion, approximately how much per month should a room with that description cost?

$450 to $500 for ground floor. Less for basements, small rooms, big house, etc.

8 months lease tend to drive up the price as well.

If it includes utilities, expect it to cost a bit more...you can probably find some for $350-400 if utilities aren't included, but yeah it's going to be closer to $500 if they are included. Also, within zone 1 ones that are closer to campus are more expensive...if you have a two minute walk to campus it could run as high as $600/month, but if it's a 15-min walk to campus it can be significantly cheaper.

If you expect internet to be included also, then that jacks up the price as well.

Most houses/rooms don't have a bed and desk included, so if they are included then that again could increase the price.

The later you wait (closer to September), the better chance you have of getting an 8-month lease, but 12-month leases are the norm.

You can get a decent place for 400-450. I happen to get a good place right near campus for 400 per month and then an extra $50 for all utilities including unlimited internet.

I pay 350$ for everything included ground floor with everything included but I had to furnish myself. It's about a 10 minute walk from campus though but theres a direct bus across the street (you will have a bus pass as well). So its not bad considering the price. I had another home less than a 5 minute walk from campus but I was paying 420$ a month without anything included.

When I lived in off campus houses I paid $425 all in at one house (on Dalewood south of Main) and then $400 plus utilities at another in Westdale.

I've paid no less than $425 and at most $475. Three different houses. The $425 one had utilities included, non-furnished and was an absolute crap-hole but a huge room. The first $475 was furnished and included no utilities but was in a huge, beautiful house. The other $475, my current home, does not include hydro but does include other utilities, is non-furnished and probably 6 minutes from campus. My favorite house of the three by far.

It pretty much varies from house to house. Closer to campus tends to mean higher rent and crappier rooms but if you look further it can mean cheaper rent and decent rooms. You'll have to look around, there is no straight answer for your question.

Oh, also, good luck getting an 8 month lease. Most landlords will not do September-April but will require you to start paying the month after you sign the lease. IE, if you choose the room in July then you will have to start paying August 1st. That's been my experience thus far.

^Yup she is correct they have to pay property taxes and whatever else homeowners pay so they usually make you pay year round. Use it to your advantage if you have a place to stay in Hamilton. You can find a wider array of jobs in Hamilton not just in your home town. Or even do summer school.