Here is your complete (unbiased) guide to undergraduate UBC housing. Whether you’re a first year undergrad living on campus for the first time, a transfer student, or a returning student looking for new digs, UBC’s gotchya covered.
The newest and sparkly-est of campus housing is Ponderosa Commons, located smack dab in the middle of Marine Drive and Place Vanier Residences, making it the closest to Main Mall. Housing mainly upper year undergrads and graduate students, Ponderosa boasts its own Wi-Fi (good luck with that Ethernet cord in the other residences). Yet another plus, Mercante Pizza is only an elevator ride away. However, co ed roommate hopefuls beware, Ponderosa only has single gender rooming assignments.
This is your run of the mill group student housing. Living in Marine allows for you and your buddies (or allotted roommates you just met) to relax with an open window, living room-kitchen floor plan, with one washroom per two rooms in a unit. If you’re lucky enough to grab one of the top five floors, riches beyond compare await you in the form of sunset ocean views. Marine drive also sports its own restaurant and grill, as well as recreation center for when you decide you’re good at pool.
This cute village style housing complex is a little more out of the way than most campus housing. But fear not, Fairview is only a short walk away from Main Mall, and even closer to University Village, which caters to all your pizza, sandwich, sushi, and Office Max needs. It also houses mainly upper year and grad students, and allows mixed gender room assignments in apartment style living.
Dayum, you must like walking because you’re a LONG ways from civilization. And by civilization, I mean the arts building. Distance aside, Thunderbird is great for anyone in Greek life or UBC sports; it’s close to both the stadium and frat/Panhellenic house(s). And even though it’s an older residence, the sunset ocean views on the higher floors are said to make the insane walk worth it.
One of the two guaranteed campus living choices for first years, Place Vanier is the closest housing option to the arts buildings. Its two newest houses, TEC de Monterey and Korea House, sport single rooms on co ed floors. And if you’re of the nude sunbather variety, you’re in luck! Place Vanier is right across the road from campus’ only clothing optional beach. You’ll find fellow UBC students and members of the public enjoying and sunbathing here year round – with and without clothing. Just make sure you bring those gainz if you want to make it back up the vertical stairs.
This first year residence is closer to most science buildings, so you’ll get to your 8 a.m. forestry class just a little bit earlier (or you know, sleep in a another ten minutes, and still be late). Its two newest houses have rooms with connected shared bathrooms, just in case showering with your floor isn’t your forte. Totem also hosts puppy visits during exams, where you can cuddle away your final-induced jitters with a fluffy friend.
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