By Georgia Michael
The safari for student accommodation for some has already started while others are preparing by budgeting until the results of the Pancyprian exams are announced. Rental prices were causing a headache even before the cost of basic goods increased which brought additional discomfort to many families.
So for another year it is expected to be... quite expensive and difficult to find student accommodation both in Cyprus and Greece. The "golden" rents combined with the inflated electricity bills and daily expenses will be a nightmare for both parents and students themselves.
Joker the... reasonable prices
Rental prices are shaped by various factors, such as increased demand, the condition of the apartment and the area where it is located. The Cyprus Times contacted representatives of student groups in Nicosia, Limassol, Athens and Thessaloniki, who have already started preliminary work to identify houses for rent to students.
As they explained to us, they are currently collecting data on the available apartments, i.e. the rental price, whether or not they are furnished, whether electricity, water or utilities are included in the price, so that when students approach them, they can help them to find accommodation according to their needs.
Regarding the price of electricity and whether it can really be included in the rent prices with the current fluctuations, we were told that few people choose to do this and as usual they put as a fixed consumption an amount of 40 euros that if the tenant exceeds it they pay the difference.
However, what the representatives of the factions in all the cities agreed on is that the cost of rent has gone up for good causing serious problems for student families. Reasonable prices combined with a well-maintained house are now a matter of... luck
[/P]Nicosia of choice
In Cyprus' perennial student city, Nicosia, the choices are a little more plentiful than elsewhere with price fluctuations alternating based on how far the apartment is from the university.
So, if one is interested in a furnished unit near the university, rents range from 500 to 550 euros. However, as we mentioned, one should consider that the academic institution is so close that one can commute and will not have fuel costs.
But in case he/she wants a more reduced rent then he/she can find one, up to 350 euros. But he/she will need transport to go to the university.
Another solution for a lower rent is... the roommate. In the capital, as mentioned, prices for a two-room apartment range from 600 to 650 euros and depending on what one wants, the cost increases.
Limassol, for those with full pockets
Things get more difficult for students in Limassol who do not have a permanent residence in the city and need to rent. Apart from the issue of availability, rental prices are "fire" considering that a studio with shared kitchen starts from 450 euros.
If you want your own kitchen, a studio ranges from 500 to 550 euros, while a good studio starts at 600 euros. In the seaside town even the solution of a roommate is not... a solution as, as mentioned, prices for a two-bedroom apartment range from 700 to 1,200 euros.
But before you panic, let us tell you that there are exceptions which, although hard to find, can bring the price of a studio down to 380 euros.
But what we were told is how the demand in general for rents is so high and the supply is not commensurate, resulting in prices making little difference whether the apartment is close or not from the academic institution.
It is worth noting that a faction representative told our website that last year there were cases of students who reside in other provinces, and while they had secured a place at the TEPAK, they turned it down and opted to attend private universities located in their province as it was more affordable.
Athens, Thessaloniki cheaper options and better public transport
The immediate next choice for Cypriots is Greece. Although those students who are already there say that rents have increased, still prices are at a better level than on our island. There is not a big discrepancy but... still about 100 euros lower!
In the centre of Athens and near the universities, we were told, rents for a furnished studio range from 400 to 450 euros while for a two-bedroom around 550 euros. If you want you can get lower prices but the condition of the apartment is probably not as desirable.
In the same or maybe even in a better pattern is the renting of apartments in Thessaloniki. For a single apartment in the city centre the prices start from 300 euros and above while for a two-room apartment from 500 up to 600 euros.
In what, however, almost all cities in Greece that accept students are superior to Cyprus is the public transport. Something that is especially important for a student who may not live close to his/her university.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
