Italy is chosen as a permanent or temporary place of residence by foreign students, businessmen, and travelers who decide to spend a month or two in this bright sunny country. Whatever the purpose of staying in Italy for a more or less long period, you will have to solve the notorious “housing problem”.
Where to look
The most popular sites for finding accommodation among Italians are http://www.casa.it/affitti and http://www.soloaffitti.it. Here you can find offers from both owners and agencies. Registration is free, there are printed versions of sites that can be found in supermarket chains and shopping centers on trays with free leaflets.
The site http://www.easystanza.it can be used free of charge, but in this case, only advertisements paid for by the owners will be available. Paid registration will increase the chances of finding a suitable offer.
University residences
Some Italian universities offer accommodation for students, however, they are in the minority. We recommend that you check the availability of this option in advance on your university or study program website.
Student houses
Many students choose to rent apartments or houses with other students. Such accommodation is not considered expensive and costs € 250-700 per month, depending on the type of property, amenities, and location.
Students from different universities usually advertise rooms for rent online, which greatly simplifies the process of finding housing. Besides, many universities offer paid accommodation search services. You can find out about the availability of such services on the website of your university.
Erasmus students also have access to the free Sportello Casa service to find accommodation in different areas. In some cases, the services of this service can also be used by students who are not enrolled in the Erasmus program.
Separate accommodation
You always have the option to rent your own home. However, this is the most expensive option. Renting a home in Rome will cost you € 300-1,000 per month, while all the responsibilities for the selection and rental of an apartment will fall on you.
How to choose accommodation?
It is important to know:
Before starting your accommodation search, check if your university offers accommodation or assistance with accommodation. University services can be very useful to you!
When choosing an accommodation option, answer a few questions for yourself:
- How close should housing be to the university?
- Where do I want to live? (in the city, outdoors, in a house, in an apartment, etc.)
- How long am I willing to get to university each day? (this will help you understand how close to the university you need to look for housing for you)
- Do I want to live with other people? How many other people?
- What gender do I want to live with?
- Do I want to have my bathroom, an equipped kitchen, a beautiful view from the window, or some other feature in my home?
Additional expenses:
When renting a house in Rome, on your own or with friends, you need to be prepared for the fact that related costs will be added to the cost of the monthly rent, which are important to consider:
- Water
- Heating
- Electrician
- Garbage collection services
- Parking (if you have a car)
- Transport service
- Calculate your budget based on the cost of the rental itself and the costs of additional services that you will be paying.
Useful Tips:
- Take your pick! Don’t feel obligated to rent the first property you see. The housing selection process is very important, so take the time to find the perfect place to live.
- Look for accommodation in advance. Start the process of finding accommodation as soon as possible so that you can safely move in and accommodate before starting your university studies.
- Read the contract. Read your rental documents carefully to understand what is included and what is not included in the rental price.