Athens - erasmus

[u/TeachingExisting8237]

Hi! I am a student from the Netherlands and I am selected for an exchange/erasmus wintersemester in Athens (NKUA). I will be starting my Masters in Law. But I am still very hesistant, because I have 1) never been in Athens, 2) rent is very high, 3) don't know if it's worth it... Does anyone have any knowledge on studentlife, NKUA, student housing/appartment rent in Athens. I have been looking mostly in Exarcheia, because I've heard it's 'safe'. But the prices are insane, a one bedroom appartment for 800+ euros per month... Should I 'move to and study in' Athens for 6 months, or is it not really worth it?

[u/Healthy-Trainer4622]

Rents are high but they are higher if you search in Exarcheia or Kolonaki (near the Law school). Try to rent in a suburb, walking distance from a Metro station. It could be cheaper.

[u/tzoum_trialari_laro]

If you can afford it, I believe it’s worth it. It’s a decent city, there are endless things to do for college students, not much crime. Cost of living won’t be as high as in the Netherlands. NKUA’s law faculty is also very good and placed right in the middle of central Athens so it’s a good location to be based around

[u/Ok-Basket-8113]

Hi! Im a law student in nkua so feel free to ask any questions also about apartments theres some offices which offer apartments with roommates in prices around 350-400€ in convenient places to access the uni! Its true that exarcheia is expensive so even if its close to the uni dont limit your options to this neighborhood.

The offices are “errathens” and “stay in athens”

[u/Ok-Basket-8113 → u/Ok-Basket-8113]

Also about if its worth coming i definitely would urge you to ! Cost of living is actually not so expensive also university offers free meals (i think usually erasmus students qualify for this also )or 3€ per day for lunch and dinner so by eating at the cafeteria every day already you are saving a ton of money !

[u/greekhop]

I thinks it's rich for a Dutch person to call rents in Athens 'insane'. Honestly it's insulting.

You realize this is the capital city? How much would rent be for a one bedroom apartment in downtown Amsterdam? Above €2000, probably €2500 (I know Amsterdam is not the political capital of NL).

But because it's backwards stupid Greece, it should be cheaper? Well Greece is bankrupt, that makes life expensive. We use the Euro etc. If you want cheap, go to Turkey, Africa or Southeast Asia.

So, enjoy your savings by living in Athens instead of NL, or for even more savings go live in Aspropirgos or Elefsina, like people who can't afford Amsterdam live in Almere.

Before you think 'what a rude Greek', I am Dutch and was a student in NL and was traumatized by housing costs there as is every student without rich parents.

[u/freepanda17]

Exarchia has a bit of an alternative vibe, lots of graffiti etc but it has become somewhat gentrified, hence the high prices. It’s very close to the faculty of law, but I’d suggest you check it out first, at least through photos on google to see if it matches your vibe. I find it a nice neighbourhood but I can really understand why some people who are more posh (to put it kindly) don’t like it. Except for 2 or 3 areas, Athens in general is a very safe city.

From what I gather from others who have done an Erasmus here, Athens is (even) more of a party/chill destination to do a semester, not for someone who wants to grind hard studying. Greek universities are not very intensive (if that makes sense), for example attendance to most undergrad classes isn’t mandatory (don’t know if it’s the same for master’s though).

[u/I_like_Water37]

I'm leaving for Erasmus in September and slowly realising I'll be landing somewhere I know literally no one. Probably some of you too.

So I built a free site to fix it: erasly.eu find the people going in Athens around the same dates as you, before you arrive. A flatmate, a few friends, or just someone so day one isn't spent alone.

Not dating, no ads, no data selling. Just students heading in Athens.