Shared apartments, spare rooms and roommates in Groningen

If you want to live for a while in the Netherlands, you have to know that in Groningen you can choose to do an exchange at both the University of Groningen and the University of Hanze.

Living in a shared apartment is usually the ideal option for students and when you enter them you have to consider who your roommates are going to be. Ideally, everyone's lifestyles should be compatible, even if their nationalities are different. In fact, by living with roommates you will be able to learn about each other's culture, as well as a bit of their language.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Groningen

Here are some of the pros and cons of living in shared flats:

Advantages of sharing a flat in Groningen

• It is one of the cheapest cities in the Netherlands, and living in a shared apartment you will be able to save even more on the monthly cost of rent since it is divided among all those who live there.

• Most of the shared accommodations are located in areas packed with students, such as the centre of Groningen, Paddepoel and Korrewegwijk.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Groningen

• If you choose a room that is part of a residence, you will have to comply with the imposed schedules and rules.

• Many students choose this city for their exchange, so you should start your housing hunt well in advance, you have Erasmus Play at your disposal to assist you.

Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Groningen

You can download various apps for Erasmus+ that will help you better plan your exchange. In these apps, you will be able to access information on procedures, the Learning agreement, discounts, requests for new mobility and even advice from students from previous years. One of them is that you take advantage of your stay in the city to taste the local gastronomy, such as mustard soup, Pannenkoeken, Rijsttafel and Stroopwafels.

How to meet people in Groningen

These are some of the ways you have to meet other students in this city in the Netherlands:

Student associations in Groningen

One of the preferred associations by students is the Erasmus Student Network, the ESN Groningen. This will provide you with the support you need when you arrive in the city and will allow you to integrate into life in the city and meet other students through a large number of activities and events.

Facebook groups for Erasmus in Groningen

Some of the groups for international students that you can join are organized per the academic year. On the other hand, you can also join the ESN Groningen to see the calendar of activities that you will be able to take part in, such as the King's Day celebration, theme parties, dinners with cuisine from different parts of the world, affordable excursions to places like Keukenhof and Leiden, among others.

WhatsApp groups for Erasmus in Groningen

If you want to be aware of the spontaneous plans that are organized among the students, we recommend that you join the WhatsApp or Telegram groups that you will be able to access from the Facebook groups for Erasmus in Groningen and the associations.

Tips for living in a shared apartment in Groningen

Here are some tips to make living in shared flats in this city better:

• Groningen is the city with the best student atmosphere in the Netherlands, so you have to take it into account if you choose to live in the centre of the city, an area where most of the busiest entertainment venues are concentrated.

• As in other cities in the country, the preferred means of transport for students is the bicycle. Keep in mind that, if you get one as soon as you arrive, you can save on the cost of public transport if your accommodation is a bit far from the city.

Frequently asked questions about sharing a flat in Groningen

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