Perhaps one of the most exciting, albeit challenging, aspects of being an Erasmus Mundus scholar is the constant moving from one place to another. A new adventure, a new city, a new chapter! But alas, this comes with setbacks — logistics.
Where to live? What are the best neighbourhoods? What is the average cost of a room? What if one winds up with a terrible roommate?
Given these difficulties, we have compiled a collection of tips, tricks, and personal experiences from anonymous members of COHORT V to help future students searching for accommodation in Barcelona. Read on for everything you need to know if you want to live in Barcelona!
“Something that proved really important for us: Calling the agencies instead of contacting them by email, but especially, speaking Spanish gets you better deals.”
UNIT 1: A little taste of Spain
“One of my roommates is my portal into Spanish literature, while the other has provided me with the delicious culinary experience of Southern Spain. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for better than this.”
UNIT 2: Adventures with Freud the cat
- 400 euros per month
- Neighbourhood: Eixample — a quiet, safe, and convenient neighbourhood with supermarkets, cafes, bars, a swimming pool, libraries, and a metro station all within walking distance
- Found on Airbnb
- Living with a Spanish family and a cat named Freud!
“Living with this Spanish family was the best experience for me in Barcelona… We can share different cultures, experiences, and perspectives!”
Unit 3: Half an hour to campus by foot
- 1500 euros per month between three GLOCAL students
- Neighbourhood: Sants — residential and authentic neighbourhood, with lots of local shops, nice views, and a 30-minute walk to campus
- Found on housinganywhere.com
- Two of the three rooms have balconies
“With Housing Anywhere, you have to pay a booking fee of around 250 euros for the platform, but it’s worth it!”
UNIT 4: Mad about Gracia
- 750 euros per month
- Neighbourhood: La Gracia — one of the best and most local areas of Barcelona! It is definitely more expensive than other areas, but for good reason. The neighbourhood is really safe, with lots of shops, bakeries, squares, and outdoor areas for dining and drinking
- Found on Airbnb
- A small studio with a pull-out couch that doubles as a bed, no roommates or balcony, but nice, new, and cozy
Even though I’m paying a bit more, living alone was really important to me, and I couldn’t have chosen a better neighbourhood. Gracia is so charming — every time I walk outside, I discover a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant that I hadn’t seen before!
More tips to finding accommodation in different cities: