Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? In my opinion, there is simply no cost to independence. The university dormitory has everything that a student needs: security, a strong wifi connection, interaction with the local populace, an ever-present service crew, dorm parties. However, visitors are not allowed to go to rooms from 22h to 7h in the morning; this can be a real drag, you don't want to have to constantly bunk at your friends' place come those overnight parties. The university dorm is extremely cheap for European prices (I believe it was 190 Euros per month by the time I left). However, on a personal note, I'd gladly pay 100-150 extra just to get that extra level of privacy.

Personal comments:
The uni. residence is relatively close to all the university faculties (it is within the campus grounds that house the Law, Statistics and Economics faculties). Lisbon is a walking city, so unless you study at the science faculty on the other side of the river. I suggest you avail of the accommodations at the Residencia Alfredo de Sousa for convenience's sake. You will get to not only meet Portuguese residents here, but also other exchange students (from North and South America, Australasia and Africa). Living in this dormitory was indeed a great cultural experience. There never was a dull night whenever I stayed in the dorm. The residence committee also organizes in-house parties. Security and service is extremely efficient and amiable to boot (but you must speak Portuguese or get a friend to mediate). The Wifi is VERY STRONG (note that Koreans, Taiwanese and Singaporeans will find this comment laughable :D). The residence also boasts the cheapest meal available for those on a tighter budget (2.15 Euros a meal!). As far as the peripheral establishments are concerned, there is a bus stop just outside the residence. 2 Metro/underground train stations are also within walking distance. For those who love to shop, there are 2 malls that are within walking distance: the El Corte Ingles department store, and Amoreiras Shopping Center, both of which have their respective Metro stations. Overall, I really recommend that you accept the offer of the Erasmus office to stay in this residence if you do not have the luxury of immediately finding flat-mates who eventually should share in your rent expense. Ideally, you will only do this for the initial semester. Afterwards, go hunting for flats for your 2nd semester to be more liberated. By this time, you would not have only been exposed to the daily grind of life, but would also be able to AVOID the hassles met by your peers who decided to get a flat for the first semester of ERASMUS.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I prefer to stay with other students to exchange experiences and also spent spare time together. And furthermore I need to live on my own without having to depend on others (like parents or host family).

Personal comments:
The housing facilities the university organizied for the students was quite unappropriate. Most of the room were either too expensive or too small - at least for my feeling. I preferred to make concessions concerning facilities. Furthermore, our coordinator was not very helpful in finding and choosing an accomodation.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I love my indipendence and living without controls, timetable, rules different from normal pacific life-rules.

Personal comments:
The first accomodation was terrible, for cleanless and for language problems. The second was perfect. Probably it's easier for girls to find single accomodation and almost impossible for guys, that have to find at least 2 other people for sharing a house. The university is 10 kms. far from Lisbon and not good linked, especially in the night. The best chioce is to carry your own car.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? There´s almost no other opportunity to live in lisboa as a foreign student.

Personal comments:
All the students had to find their accommodation independently - which wasn´t that easy, because nobody had the knowledge in the foreign language portuguese at the moment of arriving in lisbon. There were no special student-apartments on the campus or help from the university.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You are more independent and you have the possibility to invite people and to have guests from your home country.

Personal comments:
All my erasmus collegues lived in appartments with other erasmus students or with portugese people. An advantage of living with portugese people is the possibility of practicing the language more than living with erasmus students.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because it is best to live with different nationalities and to experience the cultures of other countries first hand.

Personal comments:
There is housing on campus at the residencial housing but I would not recommend it as it is shared rooms and rather far away from the center.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Living in a apartment was really nice.

Personal comments:
I think they could have done more for finding me a place where to stay: it took them a lot of time (I had to stay in a hostel 15 days) and it was pretty expensive for a Lisbon flat

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? An apartment together with other (erasmus) students is the best solution in my opinion.

Personal comments:
The university offers also a students residence. But this offers only space for students f.ex. from rumania.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? independent, you can live with other students from same university

Personal comments:
it is quite easy to find an apartment in Lisbon, difficult for studentes from "richer" countries to get into a students residence

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? it is nice and fun to live with other people from different countries and you get to know other lifestyles

Personal comments:
there was a students dorm at the campus which was very cheap but with double rooms

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because I would like to have a room just for myself and not share it with some other room-mate

Personal comments:
It was pretty good, the best thing was the fact that I was very close to my university

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? For independence purposes

Personal comments:
It is none existent. Each student finds their own. The majority have family in the same city as they study making a search for housing unnecessary.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I enjoyed living together with people from other countries....

Personal comments:
It is quite easy to find a nice apartement, but you have to care by yourself to find one!

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because this was a great opportunity to live with people from other countries.

Personal comments:
The addresses that were given were houses in the red light disrict.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I like live together with another people and to share experiences.

Personal comments:
I was living in the center of the city.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? It gives you the opportunity to be more integrated in the Portuguese life

Personal comments:
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Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You are more free, have less rules and can choose your location easier.

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I really enjoyed living in that house and living independently

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? On the campus it is not possible for Ausrian students and so an apartment is the only possibility.

Personal comments:
the university gave us a list with apartments, and you can find more if you search at other universities. If you want to learn portugues you should live together with portugues students.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You can choose a place in the center. And you'll get to know some great portuguese or erasmus people!

Personal comments:
I found a great appartment in the center (and also not too far from university) with a fantastic portuguese girl!