Experience in Genoa, Italy by Jason

What is it like to live in Génova? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Genova is peaceful globally.

Except if you live in the center, transportation in Genova is very bad few buses, subway with few station useless, very hard to park your car so walking or a little scooter is the best option. The city is also expensive with very few entertainment that why my team and I are here. Alabro part in very nice for ridding bike or running along the sea. Unfortunately it’s very complicated to go to the sea because all the beaches are private and you must go to Bocadasse which is around 5 km from the historic center. If you like architecture and history you ll love the city which is an incredible middle age city with the golden age history of the city.

What is the student lifestyle like in Génova?

The student life is cool Genova has a great university especially in science. During the night there are many bars where all the student go like in San Bernardo street for drinking. Prices are ok not so cheap but not too expensive. There are also exhibitions and some culture event but of course like a student if you want more you must take the train around 1:30H to Milano. Don’t except too much because the city is not so big as Milano or Roma Of course. But the location close the sea is great for student who wants to breath between exams.

How much does it cost to live in Génova?

Genova is not cheap around 300€ monthly for a little flat (20/30sq2) or a flat sharing and sometimes 400€ to 500€ in the center. For cheaper price you must go to Dinegro or Sampierdiarena around 15/20min by bus from the center. Btw the city is safe so for student it’s not a big deal. Food is not so cheap also, I mean foccacia is ok around 1,3€ to 2€ For the piece and a normal pizza is around 5€ to 10€ for the luxury one.

All the shops in the historical center are more expensive than in the university area for example so better to shop around.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Génova? Is there any advice you can give?

Finding accommodation is not so complicated but as usual you need 1 month to pay in advance 2 months like deposit and 1 month around to pay the real easte broker except if you find independent people who wants to deal directly with you like that you won’t pay the real estate broker. You have also a lot of big flat in Genova and many owners accepted flat sharing with student. So you can find a roommate and deal with him. Don’t forget also the famous Italian Codice Fiscale without it impossible to do anything in Italy and maybe more in Genova like accommodations, mobile etc etc...

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In Genova like it’s a seaport city, fish are very fresh and good quality. Of course you have many nice restaurants with Italian food but you have also Asian all you can eat which are very good and not so expensive place to eat all asian food all inclusive. Of course ice cream in Genova are great you ll find the best in the center piazza dell Erbe.

What places would you recommend visiting in Génova?

Make a tour to Genova from Castelletto to the historical center by passing Foce, Albaro and Bocadasse

Also Nervi is a great place where you can walk along the sea and eating a very nice ice cream in one of the most famous gelateria.

Be ready to walk start from all the tourist place like the house of Colombo, piazza Ferrari, via xx, the Aquarius of Genova etc... then find your own best place to live.

Is it good to eat out in Génova? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Globally I can say service in Genova is not good waiter and waitress are most of time unsympathetic but I like few place for the spot or the food

Close the magazzino del cotone you have many nice restaurants and bars with a view on the seaport and beautiful boat.

All you can eat many asian food in Foce the food is good quality one also in via XX at the 4 floor of a beautiful building with a nice view on Piazza Ferrari

Piazza dell Erbe a nice place to eat or drink something many people during the night.

Is the nightlife good in Génova? Where is good to go?

Nightlife in Genova is not so great because the city is not like in Napoli for example. People in Genova wake up early and sleep early globally.

But you have Mako in Albaro a night club with a sea view.

But the best area for nightlife is still the historical center with many little bar and also many people.

What advice would you give future students heading to Génova?

Future student in Genova I can say enjoy the city which is beautiful, enjoy the sea and also the mountains because in Genova you have the sea part and also the mountain part which beautiful too. Enjoy also the most interesting part the history of the city.