Student housing in São Paulo

São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil and one of the main academic centres in Latin America, attracts thousands of national and international students every year. With renowned universities such as the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and the Universidade Paulista (UNIP), the city offers a vibrant university and cultural life.

Student apartments for rent in São Paulo

Are you looking for a flat in this Brazilian city? Student apartments for rent in São Paulo include several options. On the one hand, there are studio apartments, which are individual and ideal for those seeking privacy. They usually include a room with a bed, desk, small equipped kitchen, and private bathroom. On the other hand, there are one-bedroom apartments, for those who also want privacy but more comfort due to having a larger surface area.

Finally, there are the shared apartments, which have two or more bedrooms and are popular among students who want to live with roommates, share expenses, and socialise. Each tenant has a private room and shares common areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.

The cost of rent varies depending on the type of apartment, the location, and the amenities offered. Generally, the cost per person of shared apartments is cheaper than the other options.

You should pay attention to the characteristics of each apartment and the building or complex it’s part of, since it may have access to common areas such as a gym, terrace, or outdoor swimming pool. Also, keep in mind that it’s common for flats not to have their own washing machine, but there may be a space within the building or complex with washing machines and dryers to use.

Student rooms for rent in São Paulo

Do you prefer to rent a room? In São Paulo, there’s a wide variety of rooms for rent, both individual and shared. Some of them are part of shared apartments between students or residences, while others are hosted by families. It's true that the first option tends to have a livelier and more youthful atmosphere, but living with a local family certainly makes your experience more authentic and gives you a deeper understanding of Brazilian culture.

An important detail to keep in mind is that, in some cases, only women are accepted to move in, and in others only men, so you have to pay attention to that to make sure you meet the requirements.

Common features of student rooms for rent in São Paulo are Wi-Fi connection and access to a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room. In addition, some may have extra features that can make the difference in your choice, such as: 24-hour security, gardens, gym, heated or outdoor swimming pool, sauna, sports courts, game rooms, and grocery shops.

Student accommodation in São Paulo

Some of the most popular areas to find student accommodation in this Brazilian city are:

Flats for rent in Vila Mariana

It’s a residential neighbourhood but it has several apartments for students, especially thanks to its proximity to one of the campuses of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). It has plenty of restaurants and bars, many of them chosen by students to spend their afternoons or evenings.

Vila Mariana has one of the most beautiful parks in the city, the Parque Ibirapuera, ideal for nature walks. It also has many interesting sites including several museums and cultural centres, and is well connected to the rest of the city, especially through metro lines.

Apartments in Pinheiros

This neighbourhood attracts students for its alternative lifestyle, cultural spaces, cafes, and bars. There’re also plenty of live music venues and art galleries.

Pinheiros is a safe neighbourhood and has good connections to other areas of the city. It’s also home to several university campuses, including the Universidade Paulista and the Universidade de São Paulo. Thanks to that, there are a lot of students in this neighbourhood and apartment alternatives for them.

Rooms for rent in Bela Vista

Living in Bela Vista is ideal for those who want to be close to the centre and the Avenida Paulista, one of São Paulo’s main avenues. The Bixiga area has a more bohemian atmosphere, and there are also plenty of bars and restaurants in this neighbourhood.

In this central area there are several rooms for rent for students. In fact, there are several student residences here.

Accommodations near the Universidade de São Paulo

The main campus of this institution is located in the area of Cidade Universitária (University City), in the Butantã district, west of the city centre. Living there is ideal to be close to classes, although the areas of Pinheiros, Vila Indiana, and Jardim Bonfiglioli are other good alternatives for students to live.

Student residences in São Paulo

Are you considering living in a student residence? In this Brazilian city, there are two options: private student residences and university residences, which are offered by the universities themselves. The private halls of residence are usually located in more central neighbourhoods and have good connections to different institutions, while university residences are usually located on the campus of the institution to which they belong, or very close to it.

International exchange and Erasmus programme in São Paulo

Do you want to do an exchange or an Erasmus programme in São Paulo? There are several options to choose from. For example, the Erasmus+ programme, although usually focused on mobility within Europe, also offers academic agreements between European universities and other regions, including Latin America and Brazil. In São Paulo, institutions such as the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) stand out, maintaining partnerships with European universities within Erasmus+ and research projects. If you're European, you can apply to study or do an internship at these institutions through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters or other programmes. But do it as soon as possible, because places are very limited!

FAQ about studying in São Paulo