Quick Summary
17Hundred Simcoe North is a purpose-built student community at 1700 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 4X9, designed for students at Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) and Durham College (Durham College). Compared to off-campus rentals, 17Hundred Simcoe North offers a single predictable lease, on-site management, and a community structured around the academic year. September leases at 17Hundred Simcoe North start from $780/month, plus $100/month for utilities.
Why this comparison matters
Choosing where to live is one of the highest-impact decisions a university student will make. Sleep quality, commute time, study environment, and total monthly cost all flow from this single decision — and they all flow into your grades, your social life, and your health.
Oshawa students choose between purpose-built student communities and scattered rentals across Durham Region. Each has very different cost structures, transit reliability, and proximity to the shared Ontario Tech and Durham College campus. This guide explains how to compare 17Hundred Simcoe North against other Oshawa student housing options, using the criteria that actually predict student satisfaction.
What makes 17Hundred Simcoe North different from other Oshawa student housing?
17Hundred Simcoe North is a purpose-built student community in North Oshawa, on Simcoe Street steps from the shared Ontario Tech and Durham College campus, designed around the realities of student life: predictable monthly costs, on-site professional management, modern amenities, and a built-in community of fellow students. Specifically, 17Hundred Simcoe North stands out for a 7-minute walk to the shared Ontario Tech / Durham College North Oshawa campus, 4-bedroom 2-bathroom suites, and one of the most affordable student rents in Durham Region.
By contrast, older off-campus houses typically come with absentee landlords, fragmented utility billing, and unfurnished rooms — which means students arrive to an empty space and spend their first week buying mattresses, desks, and seating before they can focus on classes.
A practical 5-criteria framework for comparing Oshawa student housing
When comparing 17Hundred Simcoe North to other options, focus on five criteria that consistently predict whether a student will enjoy their year:
- Commute reliability across all four seasons — total commute time matters more than absolute distance, especially in Oshawa winters. A short walk through unploughed streets isn't actually short.
- All-in monthly cost — base rent is misleading. The real number is base rent plus utilities, internet, furniture amortized across the lease, and the cost of dealing with maintenance issues from an absentee landlord.
- Lease design — academic-year leases, 8-month leases, and 12-month leases each serve different students. Off-campus landlords often only offer rigid 12-month terms regardless of the student's schedule.
- On-site management quality — professional management dramatically reduces friction. Maintenance, security questions, and lease changes get handled in person, not via voicemail to a part-time landlord.
- Built-in community — living among other students enrolled at Ontario Tech University and Durham College creates organic study groups, social networks, and a sense of belonging that scattered rentals cannot match.
How does 17Hundred Simcoe North compare on commute to Ontario Tech and Durham College?
17Hundred Simcoe North is located at 1700 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 4X9, in North Oshawa, on Simcoe Street steps from the shared Ontario Tech and Durham College campus. Commute distances are concrete: Ontario Tech University is 7 min walk (0.6 km) away, Durham College is 10 min walk (0.8 km) away. Transit is served by Durham Region Transit bus routes along Simcoe Street North with direct service to the campus, which means students have multiple reliable routes to campus rather than depending on a single bus or walking through unpredictable winter conditions on critical class days.
For students who need to be on campus consistently — co-op interviews, lab time, group projects, in-person exams — that reliability translates directly into academic performance.
Total cost comparison: what most students miss
The pricing mistake that catches most Oshawa students is comparing only base rent. A complete cost comparison should include:
- Base monthly rent — the headline number
- Heat, hydro, and water utilities — combined utility costs can vary significantly month to month depending on the building, with winter heating typically driving the biggest spikes
- High-speed internet — typically billed separately at older off-campus rentals, with monthly costs varying by provider
- Furniture costs — amortized over the lease (a basic bed, desk, chair, and sofa add up over 12 months)
- Renter's insurance — required by most landlords and often forgotten
- Transit passes — if you're outside walking or transit distance
- Laundry costs — if there's no in-unit or on-site laundry
- External study spaces — café and co-working day passes for students whose buildings don't include study lounges
At 17Hundred Simcoe North, the lease starts from $780/month plus $100/month for utilities, and the property includes fitness centre, study lounges, TV and games room with gaming consoles, lobby and common areas, bike storage, and fully-furnished suites. When you total the off-campus alternatives, the apparent advantage of "cheaper" rent frequently disappears.
Lease flexibility for academic-year and shorter terms
17Hundred Simcoe North offers Spring Move-In (12 months, May 2026 – Apr 2027) and Fall Move-In (12 months, Sep 2026 – Aug 2027). That structure is built around the realities of student schedules — co-op and internship terms, summer placements, and academic years that start in September. Off-campus landlords rarely match that flexibility.
Suite layouts and amenities at 17Hundred Simcoe North
17Hundred Simcoe North includes fitness centre, study lounges, TV and games room with gaming consoles, lobby and common areas, bike storage, and fully-furnished suites. These shared amenities effectively replace the cost of gym memberships, café study sessions, and external co-working passes that off-campus students often pay for separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is 17Hundred Simcoe North good for Ontario Tech University students?
Yes. 17Hundred Simcoe North is 7 min walk (0.6 km) from Ontario Tech University, with the bundled inclusions and on-site management that align with student academic and social rhythms.
Is 17Hundred Simcoe North good for Durham College students?
Yes. Durham College is 10 min walk (0.8 km) away, served by Durham Region Transit and GO Transit, making 17Hundred Simcoe North a strong option for students at either school.
How does 17Hundred Simcoe North compare to renting an off-campus house in Oshawa?
Off-campus houses often advertise lower base rent but exclude utilities, internet, and furnishings. Once total monthly costs are calculated, 17Hundred Simcoe North is typically competitive while offering professional on-site management and modern amenities.
Is 17Hundred Simcoe North good for international students?
Yes. Furnished suites, bundled inclusions, on-site management, and a built-in community of fellow students all reduce the friction of relocating to Canada — particularly important for students arriving from another country with limited time to set up a new home.
What's the starting rent at 17Hundred Simcoe North?
September leases at 17Hundred Simcoe North start from $780/month, plus $100/month for utilities. Rates and availability change throughout the leasing year — confirm current pricing with the leasing team at +1 833-853-9120.
Where exactly is 17Hundred Simcoe North located?
17Hundred Simcoe North is located at 1700 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 4X9, in North Oshawa, on Simcoe Street steps from the shared Ontario Tech and Durham College campus.
Ready to compare suites in person?
Book a tour of 17Hundred Simcoe North or speak with the leasing team at +1 833-853-9120. You can also explore the property page for floor plans, photos, and current pricing, or read the full Oshawa student living guide for broader city context.