Renting in
Windfields.
Oshawa's university district — Ontario Tech and Durham College on your doorstep, new-build townhomes, and the most student-friendly rental market east of Toronto. If you're looking to rent in Windfields, Oshawa, this is where campus life meets affordable suburbia — and where your dollar stretches further than anywhere else in the GTA.
Windfields is north Oshawa's university district, built around the shared campus of Ontario Tech University and Durham College. It's a neighbourhood that didn't really exist 25 years ago — most of the housing stock dates from 2000 onward, purpose-built to serve the growing student population and the young families who followed.
The area sits on the historic Windfields Farm, the legendary thoroughbred breeding operation where Northern Dancer — Canada's most famous racehorse — was born. That heritage lives on in street names and the preserved farm site, but the landscape today is newer subdivisions, campus buildings, and the growing retail corridor along Simcoe Street North and Conlin Road.
It's a mix of purpose-built student housing, family townhomes, and newer mid-rise developments. The vibe is young, practical, and affordable — not trendy, but functional. You'll find student pubs, campus cafes, chain restaurants along Simcoe, and the Harmony Creek trail system for outdoor escapes. This is the most affordable university district in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.
| Unit Type | Avg. Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Bachelor | $1,100–$1,350 | Limited supply — mostly newer condo-style builds |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,400–$1,850 | Oshawa avg: ~$1,650 (Q1 2026 estimates) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,800–$2,300 | Oshawa avg: ~$2,050 (Q1 2026 estimates) |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,200–$2,700 | Townhomes in newer subdivisions |
Source: Market estimates based on MLS® data and local listings, Q1 2026. Ranges reflect Windfields-area variation by unit type, age, condition, and inclusions. Oshawa rents remain significantly below GTA averages — renters relocating from Toronto will find real savings here.
What Your Dollar Gets You
Windfields is one of the most affordable rental markets in the eastern GTA. A $2,050 budget that barely covers a studio in midtown Toronto gets you a proper two-bedroom with parking and in-suite laundry here. Newer construction means modern finishes, open-concept layouts, and energy-efficient builds.
The rental stock splits into two categories: student-oriented housing (room rentals in shared townhomes, purpose-built residences near campus) and family-oriented rentals (full townhomes, basement apartments, and condo units in newer developments along the Conlin Rd and Simcoe St N corridors).
Most units include one parking spot. Many newer townhome rentals come with a garage. The majority of Windfields rentals were first occupied after November 2018, meaning most are not subject to Ontario rent control.
Transit & Roads
Windfields is connected to Oshawa GO Station via Durham Region Transit (DRT), with the ride taking about 10 minutes by bus. From Oshawa GO, the Lakeshore East GO Train reaches Union Station in approximately 55 minutes. Door-to-door to downtown Toronto is realistically 70–85 minutes each way — workable for hybrid workers, challenging for daily commuters.
Durham Region Transit operates several routes through Windfields connecting to the campus, downtown Oshawa, and the GO station. The 401/Simcoe DRT route is the most frequent, running every 10–15 minutes during peak hours. Students benefit from a U-Pass included in tuition for unlimited DRT access.
By car, Highway 407 East connects to the broader 400-series network, and Highway 401 is accessible via Simcoe Street. Toronto is about 50–60 minutes west by car in normal traffic. Simcoe Street North is the main commercial artery, connecting Windfields to downtown Oshawa and the waterfront.
What This Means for Renters
Windfields has a student-skewed income profile — the median household income sits around $62,000, well below the GTA average. The large student population (many working part-time or relying on student loans) pulls the median down significantly. The 30% of households earning under $50K largely reflects student and early-career households.
For renters, this income profile works in your favour: landlords here are accustomed to student tenants and often more flexible on income requirements, accepting guarantor letters and student loan documentation. The rental market is competitive during September move-in season but softens considerably in winter and spring — if you can time your lease start outside the fall rush, you'll have more negotiating power.
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Windfields is one of the most renter-friendly neighbourhoods in the eastern GTA. With Ontario Tech University and Durham College anchoring the area, there's a strong supply of purpose-built student rentals, newer townhomes, and basement suites — all at price points significantly below Toronto or even neighbouring Whitby. The trade-off is distance: downtown Toronto is 55 minutes by GO Train from Oshawa station, and the neighbourhood itself is car-dependent for most errands outside campus.
Windfields has one of the GTA's most concentrated student rental markets. You'll find purpose-built student residences on the Ontario Tech and Durham College campus, newer townhome developments rented room-by-room, and basement apartments in surrounding subdivisions. Rents are competitive — a room in a shared townhome runs $700–$900 per month, while a full one-bedroom apartment ranges $1,400–$1,850. September is peak leasing season, so start looking in May–June for the best selection.
Ontario Tech University and Durham College share a campus in the heart of Windfields. Most rental housing in the neighbourhood is within a 2–10 minute drive or a 5–15 minute bike ride to campus. Several newer subdivisions along Simcoe Street North and Conlin Road were purpose-built to serve the student population. On-campus residences offer the closest proximity, but off-campus rentals in the surrounding streets provide more space and privacy at competitive rates.
Oshawa GO Station is about 10 minutes south of Windfields by car or Durham Region Transit bus. From Oshawa GO, the Lakeshore East GO Train reaches Union Station in approximately 55 minutes. Add 10–15 minutes on each end for connections and walking, and your realistic door-to-door commute to downtown Toronto is 70–85 minutes each way. This works well for hybrid workers commuting 2–3 days per week, but daily commuters should factor the time commitment seriously. Free parking is available at the GO station.
Absolutely. While Windfields is best known as the university district, a significant portion of the neighbourhood consists of newer family-oriented subdivisions with modern townhomes, good schools, parks, and the Harmony Creek trail system. About 25% of renters in Windfields are young families drawn by affordable rents and newer housing stock. The schools are newer builds, the streets are wide and quiet away from the campus core, and you'll find family-friendly amenities including recreation centres and splash pads in nearby parks.
Windfields offers a mix of purpose-built student housing, newer townhome rentals (many built 2005–2020), basement apartments in detached homes, and a growing number of condo-style units. Most rentals here feature modern finishes and open-concept layouts thanks to the newer construction. The majority of units were first occupied after November 15, 2018, meaning they are not subject to Ontario rent control — always confirm with your landlord. Parking is generally included, and many townhome rentals come with a garage. Read our full Ontario Rent Control Guide →