HOUSING
GLOSSARY: COMMON SPANISH WORDS RELATED TO HOUSING
ARRENDADOR/CASERO = Landlord
ARRENDAMIENTO/ALQUILER = Rent
ARRENDATARIO/INQUILINO = Tenant
CONTRATO DE ARRENDAMIENTO/ALQUILER =Contract
FIANZA = Deposit
PISO/APARTAMENTO = Apartment
BARRIO = Neighbourhood
VECINO = Neighbour
GASTOS = Utilities (Water, heating, power and Internet)
It's important to check which utilities are included in the price because usually they are not.
NEIGHBOURHOODS IN MADRID
The city of Madrid includes 21 districts, each with its own neighbourhoods, 119 total.
Click on the image for more information!
HOUSE HUNTING in MADRID
One of the most important decisions that a student will have to make is where to live. Most (international) students choose to share an apartment with other international students. The approximate price to rent a room in the city is usually between 500 € and 600 € per month.
UCM Residence Halls: UCM has different Residence Halls where students can live. Year students are more likely to be accepted. Click here for more information!
Aluni is a company dedicated to the management and marketing of housing accommodation for students and young professionals throughout Spain; they provide high quality services. Other companies that manage housing accommodation for students are CitylifeMadrid and BeMadrid.
Homestays: if you have difficulties finding a place to stay, or you would rather live with a family, a homestay is a great option to considr, as it will allow you to practice your Spanish daily, and immerse much more in the Spanish culture. Some options for homestays in Madrid:
- Your Family in Madrid (click here to access their website)
- Homestay.com (click here to access their website)
Convive Project
If you are planning to study abroad in Madrid the entire academic year, you may want to know about the "Convive" Project:
- In Spain, there are more than 8 million people over 65 and 20% of them live alone and feel lonely. The CONVIVE project allows university students to live with an elderly person during the academic year; the seniors in the program are self – reliant, but they prefer to have company at home, and this would be the main purpose of the student. Students in this program would share tasks and expenses at the home of the older person.
- As a student participating in this project you won’t need to make any monetary contribution towards rent; you will only need to contribute an amount in compensation for the expenses generated in the home (electricity, gas, water); and cover the personal expenses of your daily life (food, transportation, etc.).
- You will have the right to use the common areas such as the kitchen, and the obligation to buy your own food; but you will most likely get to a series of co - habitational rules with the older person in regards to cooking and food that end up being convenient for both of you.
- To assure the student's participation, it is important that the student signs up for the program as soon as possible.
- The student participating in this program agrees to share the day to day with the elderly person at the agreed times (a minimum of between 2 and 3 hours a day), and carry out activities such as walking, eating together, chatting, shopping, visiting the doctor, etc.; the student must be at home before 10:30 p.m., except on the weekly day of free disposal. The student has one day off (24 hours) each week to go out, including the night, and can be absent from the home of the elderly person one weekend a month (48 hours approximately) and during the 3 major academic holidays (Easter, July and August and Christmas / New Year).
Click here for some "Housing Tips" that may help you while looking for a place to live.