Living in a shared apartment in Riga offers a multicultural environment with fellow Latvians and other nationalities, making the experience much more interesting.
Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Riga
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in this Latvian city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Riga
- Riga is a very safe city with a variety of neighbourhoods to choose from. Some popular neighbourhoods among young people include the historic centre, Centrs, Vecrīga, and Āgenskalns.
- In Riga, it’s easy to find good accommodation with a reasonable price, location, and features. Using the Erasmus Play housing search engine makes it even easier to compare the available rooms.
- In shared apartments, you can choose between single and shared rooms, helping you save even more on rent.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Riga
- If you have a Latvian roommate, making friends might be challenging at first as they tend to be reserved. However, young people are often more open to living with international students, so friendships can develop over time.
- The cost of utilities in Riga is usually very high. Make sure that your rent includes water, electricity, internet, heating, and garbage collection. Otherwise, you’ll need to budget extra to cover these costs each month.
Erasmus Apps for your exchange in Riga
There are several apps for Erasmus+ students that can simplify your exchange process. These apps offer useful information from universities and other students, as well as practical advice. For example, many recommend taking advantage of your stay in Riga to taste the local cuisine, such as sachertorte, piragi, skaba putra, or karbonades.
How to meet people in Riga
Consider these options to meet other young people in the Latvian capital:
Student associations in Riga
ESN Riga is a favourite among international students for meeting other students in the city. You can join affordable trips to cities like Jelgava, picnics, exercise afternoons, and theme parties, among other activities.
Facebook groups for Erasmus students in Riga
Facebook groups are great for connecting with other students in the same academic cycle and staying updated on activities organised by students and ESN Riga.
WhatsApp groups for Erasmus students in Riga
You'll likely find WhatsApp groups to join, where communication is more direct. You can join these groups to stay connected and even propose your own plans and meetings with other young people.
Tips for living in a shared apartment in Riga
Keep these tips in mind when living in a shared flat in the Latvian capital:
- Winters in Riga are long and cold, with average temperatures around -5ºC. Check the heating system in your apartment and whether its use is included in the rent, as this can significantly increase your monthly costs.
- Use the extra budget that comes from saving on rent to travel to other cities in Latvia and also to Estonia, Lithuania or Russia. Erasmus people often find ways to make their trips affordable!
Frequently Asked Questions about sharing a flat in Riga
| How much does a shared flat cost in Riga? |
| The average cost of a single room in a shared apartment in Riga is €300 per month. A shared room usually costs around €180-200 per person. |
| Where to look for shared flats in Riga? |
| Use the Erasmus Play housing search engine to easily compare single rooms, shared rooms, and full apartments that can accommodate several students. |
| How to meet people in Riga? |
| One of the easiest ways is to befriend your roommates. Also, you can join ESN Riga and participate in their activities to meet new people through various events. |
| Why share a student flat in Riga? |
| While rent in Riga is usually cheap, utility bills can be high, so sharing these costs with flatmates makes it more affordable. Plus, living with others in a multicultural environment makes the experience more fun and enriching. |
| What to ask before moving into a shared flat in Riga? |
| Ask if utility bills are included in the rent, as these costs can be high and significantly affect your monthly budget. |
