0 Student halls of residence in Reykjavík

If you’re going to study in Iceland for a while and are considering living in student residences in Reykjavik, but still have doubts about whether it’s the right option for you, this article will help you! We’ll start by looking at the pros and cons, review the differences between private and university residences, give you some tips for renting affordable options in the city and FAQs. Here we go!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Reykjavík

Characteristics of this type of accommodation are:

Pros of living in student residences in Reykjavík

• Most residences are in neighbourhoods such as Vesturbær or Hlíðar, close to Universities and well connected to the rest of the city.
• Reykjavík is a city with a constant flow of international students, and living in student residences makes it easy to meet people from different cultures.
• Living surrounded by other students makes it easier to adapt to life in Reykjavík, where winter is long and social life depends a lot on these circles.
• Heating is often included in the price! This is very important in Reykjavík, where winter temperatures are often below 0ºC/32ºF.
• Rents in Reykjavík are high, and residences offer a more affordable alternative, especially in areas near Universities, which are often expensive for private rentals.
• Some residences organise social activities and cultural events.

Cons of living in student residences in Reykjavík

• In some private residences that also work as hostels, roommates change frequently. This means you may not have stability and a sense of home.
• Common areas, such as kitchens and laundry rooms, can be crowded at peak times.
• Rooms in residences are often shared or small.
• Many halls of residence, especially furnished ones, restrict changes in decor or furnishings.
• When surrounded by other students, it can be difficult to avoid noise and interruptions, especially in a city where indoor social life is common in winter.
• They often have specific rules on visiting hours, use of facilities and noise limits.
• Given the high demand, it’s common for residences to have waiting lists, especially at the beginning of the academic year. In addition, some have restrictions on the length of stay.

Private student residences in Reykjavík

Private student residences aren’t very common in Iceland's capital city. However, there are some options available (which sometimes also work as hostels). These are the ones we’ll describe in this section.

Student residences in Reykjavík tend to be located in key neighbourhoods such as the city centre and areas close to Universities, such as the Vesturbær district. These locations offer easy access to Reykjavík's main cultural and academic attractions, so they are good areas to live in as a student.

Types of accommodation vary from private rooms with shared bathrooms to full flats, ideal for students looking for more privacy. Students usually choose shared rooms, because the cost of rent in Iceland's capital city is often very high, and living in a room for two means you can spend less on rent. However, if you live in a shared room you won’t have any space of your own.

Common facilities usually include study areas, living rooms and laundry spaces, as well as fully equipped shared kitchens. Dining and recreation areas for socialising and group activities are also common. In some cases, there’s a gym, computer rooms and even gardens or terraces with panoramic views of the city or the ocean (the scenery in Iceland is always surprising!).

As for the services, they usually include internet access, heating and maintenance of the facilities. Some residences offer additional services such as room cleaning and linen change, although these may carry an extra cost. In addition, it’s common for residences to offer a 24/7 security system, providing a safe and secure environment for all residents.

University halls of residence in Reykjavík

In this section we’ll talk about residences offered by universities. University residences in Reykjavík are usually located in neighbourhoods such as Hlíðar, near Reykjavík University (RU), and in Vesturbær, near the University of Iceland (HI). These districts are residential areas with shops, restaurants and leisure activities nearby, facilitating a complete university experience.

The types of accommodation in these residences range from single rooms to shared flats, with both furnished and unfurnished options. Bedrooms usually include a bed, desk and storage space in furnished options, while unfurnished flats offer greater flexibility to customise the space, but mean a higher investment. Think about whether it’s worth depending on the time you’ll spend there.

Common facilities include shared kitchen and dining areas, where students can prepare their own meals. In addition, residences often have laundry rooms with washing machines and dryers, study rooms and lounge areas. Some offer recreation rooms and gyms, which facilitate interaction among students, developing a sense of community.

Services included are generally internet access, heating and basic maintenance. In some cases, students have to pay extra for services such as cleaning and linen change. However, most of these residences have 24-hour security, both in person and by video surveillance.

University Residence Halls of Reykjavik University

The RU has its own residences: single rooms, one-room flats and family flats. However, many of them are unfurnished. You need to think about whether it’s worth the cost of furniture for the time you’ll be there.

If you want to know about accommodation near the University of Reykjavik, read this article.

University Residence Halls of the University of Iceland

This institution has some residences of its own. However, the institution itself says that their places are very limited and sell out quickly, so students are encouraged to look for private accommodation.

If you want to know about accommodation near the University of Iceland, read this article.

University Residence Halls of Iceland Academy of the Arts

The Iceland Academy of the Arts doesn’t offer university residences to its students. Therefore, if you're going to study there you’ll have to look for accommodation in halls of residence or private flats.

If you want to know about accommodation near Iceland Academy of the Arts, read this article.

Rent cheap student residences in Reykjavík

If you’re looking for cheap student accommodation in Reykjavík, we recommend you use the Erasmus Play search engine! Our platform allows you to compare different types of accommodation and find the one that best suits your preferences, such as price, location and services included. It’ll be much easier for you to find the ideal accommodation and make the booking quickly and online.

FAQ about student residences in Reykjavík