By Elena Orfanidou & Dimitris Oikonomou
- Co-founders of MyStudentFlat
Looking for student housing is often the first real step toward independence for a young person. Along with the excitement about college, the new city, and student life, however, come several practical decisions: which neighborhood is best, how much rent the family budget can handle, whether it’s worth choosing a furnished apartment, and, most importantly, what needs to be checked before signing the lease.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
MyStudentFlat, the first specialized digital platform for finding and immediately renting student housing online in Greece and Cyprus, has identified, through its daily interactions with students and families, certain key factors that can make the search for suitable student housing easier and, above all, safer.
Compared to the past, the process has become significantly more challenging. Rent prices have risen, demand for small apartments is high, and good options can disappear from the market within a few days. That’s why the search needs to start with a specific plan rather than frantic phone calls in response to every listing that seems attractive at first glance.
After all, student housing isn’t—and shouldn’t be treated as—just four walls and a low rent. It is the space where the student will organize a large part of their daily life for the next few years. There, they will study, relax, socialize, and, to a large extent, learn to live independently. Making the right choice can therefore save money, time, and a lot of hassle.
First the neighborhood, then the apartment
One of the most common mistakes made by first-year students and their families is that they begin their search based solely on classified ads. They see an apartment at a relatively low price, get excited, and only then consider exactly where it’s located and how easy it actually is to get to campus.
The correct order is the reverse. First, you need to identify the neighborhoods that truly suit a student’s daily life, and only then begin the search for the right property.
A cheaper apartment, for example, might be so far from the university that it requires two or three transfers and a significant amount of time spent commuting each day. Conversely, a slightly more expensive apartment near the campus or with direct access to a subway or bus line may ultimately prove to be a more economical and clearly more practical choice, when you factor in transportation costs and the hours saved each week.
The distance from the school should not, therefore, be measured solely in kilometers. One must consider the actual travel time during rush hour, the frequency of service, the availability of evening transportation, and whether the area is practical for a young person living on their own for the first time.
It is equally important that supermarkets, a pharmacy, ATMs, and other everyday amenities, and, ideally, the area should have a student-friendly atmosphere and be home to a significant number of other students.
Don’t wait until September to start your search
The student housing market is characterized by one of the most predictable periods of increased demand in the rental market. Starting in late August and especially throughout September, thousands of young people simultaneously search for small apartments in major university towns.
As the number of interested tenants increases, the tenant’s bargaining power decreases. A landlord who might previously have been willing to discuss the rent amount or some of the terms of the agreement often has several prospective tenants to choose from during peak season.
It is therefore best to begin the search as soon as the school and city of study are finalized. This time advantage means more available options and, most importantly, gives the student and their family the opportunity to truly compare properties and make a well-considered decision, rather than being forced to choose hastily from whatever is left.
Furnished or unfurnished?
Another issue that should be considered from the outset is whether it’s worth choosing a fully furnished and equipped apartment. A lower monthly rent may seem more attractive at first, but if the property requires a bed, a desk, appliances, household items, and other essentials, the actual cost of moving in can increase significantly.
This is especially important for students moving from another city or country. In these cases, a move-in-ready home can reduce both the initial cost and the practical hassle of moving.
For the same reason, the comparison between different options should not be based solely on the listed rent. The family needs to know the total monthly cost: common area fees, electricity, water, Internet, and any other regular charges. Only then can a meaningful comparison be made.
Be Careful Before Signing
The pressure to secure an apartment quickly should not lead to cutting corners on the necessary due diligence. The student and their parents need to know who they’re dealing with, exactly which property they’re renting, the duration of the lease, the amount of the security deposit, which expenses are included in the rent, and what the obligations of both parties are.
It is equally important to verify that the property actually matches the photos and description. Especially when searching remotely, verified information, detailed photos, and virtual tours become even more important.
Technology is also changing the search for student housing
This process is now changing significantly with the help of technology. This is particularly important for students who will be studying far from their permanent residence and even more so for those moving from abroad.
MyStudentFlat currently offers a variety of student apartment options near popular universities in Greece and Cyprus, with an active presence in Nicosia, Limassol, Athens, and Patras. The apartments are fully furnished and equipped, so they’re ready for immediate occupancy.
Through our digital platform, the search and rental process can be completed online in just a few minutes—from selecting an apartment to signing the lease and paying the security deposit and rent— eliminating the need to search multiple listing portals, make repeated on-site visits, and deal with time-consuming bureaucratic procedures.
Choosing student housing is an important financial and personal decision. The goal, therefore, is not simply to find an apartment quickly, but to find the right apartment, in the right neighborhood, at a cost the family can afford, and with terms that are clear from day one. With a timely search, proper preparation, and careful vetting, this first experience of independence can begin with much less stress and much greater confidence.
