Shared apartments, spare rooms, and roommates in Cork

Wondering if living with roommates is right for you? We assure you that living with other young people will make your experience more fun and ensure you feel accompanied throughout your stay.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Cork

Here are some of the pros and cons of living in shared flats in this Irish city.

Advantages of sharing a flat in Cork

• You can choose between single spare rooms and shared rooms. Shared rooms are usually cheaper, but make sure to check if the price listed is per person.
• Cork has a perfect size for walking or cycling everywhere. This makes it easy to find accommodation in convenient neighbourhoods like Cork Centre, Bishopstown, South Gate, and Evergreen.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Cork

• Some apartments might not be well insulated or heated for winter. Keep an eye out for this, as it can get pretty cold, around 4-5ºC.
• Disagreements can happen if house rules aren’t clear. However, this can be avoided by setting clear guidelines from the beginning.

Apps for your international exchange in Cork

Using apps designed for international students can make your experience in Cork much smoother. These apps provide advice and information about the university, necessary exchange procedures, and living in the city. For example, a common tip is to travel as much as you can and explore everything Cork and its surroundings have to offer, including beaches, cliffs, picturesque towns, castles, and national parks.

How to meet people in Cork

To avoid feeling lonely at the beginning, share a flat and make friends with your classmates. Here are some other ways to meet people in Cork:

Student associations in Cork

Just like in other universities in Ireland, Cork's institutions have a wide range of societies and clubs you can join. One notable example is the International Students Society at University College Cork. You’ll also find others focused on different sports, nationalities (Pakistani, Korean, Italian, etc.), religions, and hobbies such as maths, orchestra, and photography, among others.

Facebook groups for international students in Cork

On Facebook, you can find several groups for international and Erasmus students. Most of them are organised by academic year, making it easy to meet other people who will be in the city at the same time as you.

WhatsApp groups for international students in Cork

From Facebook groups, societies, and clubs, many students create WhatsApp groups and use other messaging services such as Telegram and Discord. Join these groups to share your interests and meet other young people with similar interests.

Tips for living in a shared apartment in Cork

Here are some tips to keep in mind when sharing a flat in Cork:

• If one of your flatmates is from Cork, don't worry if you don't understand their accent at first! The Cork accent can be quite different and strong, so it might take a few days but you’ll get used to it!
• During your stay, take the opportunity to enjoy some of the city’s annual festivals like the Cork Folk Festival, the International Choral Festival, and the Cork Jazz Festival.

Frequently Asked Questions about sharing a flat in Cork