If you are moving to (or within) the Waterloo Region for your postdoctoral appointment, there are resources that can help make this transition as smooth as possible.
University of Waterloo campuses
The University of Waterloo operates four campuses, all of which host postdoctoral scholars. As you are exploring housing options, it's important to be aware of which campus(s) you will be expected to work from, in order to find a housing location that is convenient for you.
| Campus | Location | Departments/schools |
|---|---|---|
| Main campus | 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, Ontario | Home to most of our departments, schools and facilities |
| Health Sciences campus | 10 Victoria Street South, Kitchener, Ontario (approximately 6 km from main campus) | Home to the School of Pharmacy and the McMaster/Waterloo DeGroote School of Medicine |
| School of Architecture | 7 Melville Street South, Cambridge, Ontario (approximately 30 km from main campus) | Home to the School of Architecture |
| Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business | 125 St. Patrick Street, Stratford, Ontario (approximately 45 km from main campus) | Home to the Stratford School of International Design and Business |
About Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region is a diverse and lively area located roughly one hour west of Toronto, made up of three cities (Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge) and rural townships. The University of Waterloo’s main campus is located within the City of Waterloo. There are many opportunities and activities in Waterloo Region from festivals and museums to canoeing on the Grand River.
Public transit in Waterloo Region
Common local transit options include Grand River Transit (GRT) (local buses and the ION light rail) and GO Transit (inter-city transit). The University of Waterloo is a member of TravelWise, which allows all employees to receive access to the GRT Corporate Fare Rate, a 15% discount on both monthly passes and stored value. If you plan to utilize GRT during your time as a postdoc, you may wish to consider access to transit routes when looking for housing. Waterloo’s main campus is served by 10 bus routes and the ION light rail, making it highly accessible by transit.
Learn to use the local transit system like a pro with tips from the International Experience Centre.
Housing in the Waterloo Region
- United College: The Graduate Building at United College offers a variety of accommodations for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting professors, and is located on main campus.
- Off-campus housing: Off-campus housing provides step-by-step guidelines and resources to help with your housing search, from starting to look for a place, to what you need to know before renting, to signing a lease.
- Note: Some information is tailored to students, but most information is applicable to anyone searching for housing.
Moving to Canada
If you are moving from another country, you may find it helpful to review the “before you move” considerations from Immigration Waterloo Region. There you will find valuable information on preparing for your arrival, life in Canada, immigration partnerships, settlement support, and more. You can also view valuable information and fun facts about Canada on our coming to Canada webpage.
Bringing a pet with you to Canada? Make sure you review the Government of Canada information on brining animals to Canada