1. What type of accommodation did you choose? (Private vs. dorms vs. hostels)
Vienna: Student housing, specifically international student housing. (OeAD in Austria) A note of caution about OeAD: they charge fees for everything, and housing assignments are done on a semester contract basis. Their fall housing contracts go through January of the following year since Austrian fall semesters run October-January. This means you are responsible for paying rent through January, even if you will not be there. If you will not be staying through January, notify OeAD as soon as possible that you will be moving out before January so they can put your room on a list for possible tenants. You’ll have to pay January rent upfront, but if they find a new tenant for your room, they are supposed to pay you back January rent. The earlier you notify them (and pay January rent), the greater the chance of them finding a new tenant. They are not very forthcoming with information, so bug them to get the full story so you know exactly what you need to do.
Groningen: There are a number of options for living in Groningen. See below for details of finding accommodation through the private market or using the University housing office (http://www.housingoffice.nl/).
U.S.:
2. Where should I begin looking for accommodation?
Vienna: The international student office website of your host institution. Side-note: Start looking early! I remember Ed Feser telling us to look for housing as soon as possible because that would be the most difficult to arrange. The application deadline for fall housing with OeAD was mid-May, so it was important to start looking for housing early.
Groningen: Finding housing via the private market is a cheaper option, but as Groningen is a college town, there is some uncertainty in terms of ensuring housing can be found. There is a Facebook group called “Free Housing Announcement in Groningen (for students)” that has postings. There are also other Internet sites with accommodation listing; you can even look for a room in a houseboat!The other option, and what seems many NEURUS participants have done, is to go through the University housing office (http://www.housingoffice.nl/). It is more expensive due to an initial application fee (a sunk-cost) and a rent deposit (which you do get returned), but does take care of details and logistics. In this option, you must apply for housing early, the deadlines is in early May. There are multiple options to choose from when you register, student dorms to private housing (an apartment in the private market, but the housing office coordinates this for you). Be specific about price-range and location (city center, near city center, etc…). For example, I gave not only a lower “max” cost than what I was actually able to pay (which is what I ended up paying) and also gave the exact neighborhood I was interested in living in (I based this off of being close to my study site as well as close to the city center and another part of the University campus).
General rent costs range anywhere between 200€– 700€ depending on what you apply for and when you apply (it is a first-come, first-serve basis, so apply early!). Also note that the housing office will only give you two options, so if you deny both, you will lose their services.
Berlin:
U.S.:
3. Should I send a deposit to a private landlord prior to my arrival in the Host city?
In either scenario presented, private market or going through the University, it should not be advised to send money directly to a landlord without legal documentation for your behalf. If using the housing office, they do require international transfers, but there is accountability to ensure against fraudulent interactions. If also going through the housing office, you will sign a rental agreement upon arrival with your landlord which will prompt you to pay your first month rent and security deposit.
4. Did you open a bank account in your Host city?
Not essential. But usually pretty straightforward.
5. Any favorite neighborhoods I should focus my housing search on?
Stay within reasonable walking distance to public transit.... Other than that it's really up to your budget and taste.
Vienna: Student housing, specifically international student housing. (OeAD in Austria) A note of caution about OeAD: they charge fees for everything, and housing assignments are done on a semester contract basis. Their fall housing contracts go through January of the following year since Austrian fall semesters run October-January. This means you are responsible for paying rent through January, even if you will not be there. If you will not be staying through January, notify OeAD as soon as possible that you will be moving out before January so they can put your room on a list for possible tenants. You’ll have to pay January rent upfront, but if they find a new tenant for your room, they are supposed to pay you back January rent. The earlier you notify them (and pay January rent), the greater the chance of them finding a new tenant. They are not very forthcoming with information, so bug them to get the full story so you know exactly what you need to do.
Groningen: There are a number of options for living in Groningen. See below for details of finding accommodation through the private market or using the University housing office (http://www.housingoffice.nl/).
U.S.:
2. Where should I begin looking for accommodation?
Vienna: The international student office website of your host institution. Side-note: Start looking early! I remember Ed Feser telling us to look for housing as soon as possible because that would be the most difficult to arrange. The application deadline for fall housing with OeAD was mid-May, so it was important to start looking for housing early.
Groningen: Finding housing via the private market is a cheaper option, but as Groningen is a college town, there is some uncertainty in terms of ensuring housing can be found. There is a Facebook group called “Free Housing Announcement in Groningen (for students)” that has postings. There are also other Internet sites with accommodation listing; you can even look for a room in a houseboat!The other option, and what seems many NEURUS participants have done, is to go through the University housing office (http://www.housingoffice.nl/). It is more expensive due to an initial application fee (a sunk-cost) and a rent deposit (which you do get returned), but does take care of details and logistics. In this option, you must apply for housing early, the deadlines is in early May. There are multiple options to choose from when you register, student dorms to private housing (an apartment in the private market, but the housing office coordinates this for you). Be specific about price-range and location (city center, near city center, etc…). For example, I gave not only a lower “max” cost than what I was actually able to pay (which is what I ended up paying) and also gave the exact neighborhood I was interested in living in (I based this off of being close to my study site as well as close to the city center and another part of the University campus).
General rent costs range anywhere between 200€– 700€ depending on what you apply for and when you apply (it is a first-come, first-serve basis, so apply early!). Also note that the housing office will only give you two options, so if you deny both, you will lose their services.
Berlin:
U.S.:
3. Should I send a deposit to a private landlord prior to my arrival in the Host city?
In either scenario presented, private market or going through the University, it should not be advised to send money directly to a landlord without legal documentation for your behalf. If using the housing office, they do require international transfers, but there is accountability to ensure against fraudulent interactions. If also going through the housing office, you will sign a rental agreement upon arrival with your landlord which will prompt you to pay your first month rent and security deposit.
4. Did you open a bank account in your Host city?
Not essential. But usually pretty straightforward.
5. Any favorite neighborhoods I should focus my housing search on?
Stay within reasonable walking distance to public transit.... Other than that it's really up to your budget and taste.