Government of Maharashtra · Maha Study Abroad
08
Housing, food, friends and daily life — the unglamorous half.
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United States
On-campus first year is worth the premium. Off-campus in Boston/NYC/Bay can exceed tuition.
United Kingdom
London living at ₹12–18L/yr; rest of UK ₹8–12L. Purpose-built student housing is the default.
Canada
Toronto and Vancouver rents can match London. Purpose-built student housing or university residence first.
Australia
Sydney and Melbourne inner-city rents bite. Adelaide and Brisbane are the value cities.
Germany
Studentwerk dorms are the bargain and the waitlist. Munich is the rent shock.
Ireland
Dublin rent is the crisis. Secure a room before you fly if you can.
New Zealand
University halls recommended in year one. Auckland rents are not cheap.
Netherlands
The binding constraint. Accept a room in a neighbouring town if the university says so.
France
CROUS residences are gold. Paris private market is brutal.
Singapore
On-campus is the sane option in year one.
United Arab Emirates
University accommodation is the default and usually required at first.
Sweden
Student housing queues — accept corridor living.
Italy
Milan is pricey; university residences and assignment housing matter.
Japan
Dorms. Private apartments need a guarantor.
South Korea
Dorms are the move. Goshiwon is a last resort.
Malaysia
On-campus or condominiums near campus; cheap versus the West.
Finland
HOAS and campus housing — apply early.
Switzerland
The constraint after admission. ETH/EPFL help — use it.
Spain
Barcelona old town looks romantic and is a tourist trap. Use university lists.
Hong Kong SAR
Halls if you can. Private flats are tiny and dear.
Belgium
Kot (student room) market is tight in Leuven — apply early.
Denmark
Copenhagen housing is the silent condition of enrolment. Use university halls.
Norway
Student welfare housing is worth taking.
Austria
Studentheim first year. Private market is picky about contracts.
Poland
University dorms are basic and worth it in year one.
Portugal
University residences first. Lisbon old-town lets can be scams — use official listings.
Taiwan
University dorms are the correct first year.
China
On-campus international dorms are the correct default.
Czechia
University halls. Private lets in Prague old town are a tourist market.
Hungary
Dorms or a proper contract. Facebook groups are how people get robbed of a deposit.
Saudi Arabia
Usually provided on funded files.
Qatar
Usually campus or sponsored.
Thailand
Condo near campus is the standard. Contracts in writing.
Türkiye
University dorms or a proper contract. Avoid cash-only deals.
South Africa
On-campus or secured neighbourhoods. This is not the year to save on rent.
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Student life
Dublin, Amsterdam, Munich, Toronto, Sydney and Boston have the same subplot: the offer letter is not a bed.
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