I want find somewhere to rent in Madrid. Should I look now or when I arrive?

This is one of the biggest questions that we will all have before we go anywhere in the world of exchange. This decision depends on your priorities: if one of your priorities is to get to Madrid and start getting to know it at once, or to travel while classes start, then you should look for an apartment first. If, like me, you prefer to arrive and look for a cheap option that suits your needs and tastes, then I would recommend for you to look for an apartment there.

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One of the things I hate most is uncertainty, and although many of the companies or websites that help you find an apartment send you photos, videos and even a map of the apartment, there are things that you can't see - like the street noise, the cold, or the security of the area where you are. You won't know which is the best area to live in until you get to the city, so, as a personal recommendation, I think it's better to hang on and spend the first few days getting a home.

Erasmusu

Initially, I knew this website because I wanted to look for a roommate, and little by little I realised that there are many options that not only offer houses or rooms, but job advertisements to earn money, published blogs, place reviews and experiences of other students.

The good bits

The good thing about pages like Erasmusu is that many of their accommodation advertisments are verified, which means that they check the houses or apartments to ensure that they are in the condition that is promised, and to verify that the person who rents it out is really who they claim to be. Another thing that I like is that once you pay, the money stays at Erasmusu (like a middleman) and it is only given to the owner at the time when the contract is accepted. If it is not accepted within 48 hours, the money is returned to you in full. In addition to this, if the student or owner asks them to make a visit, they can provide you with the details, which the competitors don't really do (in their verified accommodation). If you decide to have a Premium account, which is very recommended because it gives you a lot of benefits, you will also be able to have access to their personal data so you can communicate with them.

Link of the website: www.erasmusu.com

Idealista

Idealista was what I used to get a room in Madrid, but this page is for people who prefer to first arrive in Madrid, pay for a hotel in the meantime while looking for an apartment, going around the city to see them and making sure that they like it completely. Idealista has a lot of filters, more than other pages. It has the essential ones: budget, type and location; but it also has more detailed filters such as: if you are a smoker, if you are pet-friendly or gay-friendly. Because this page is quite widely used and not regulated, you will find many offers, as well as many options from which to choose from. Not only to rent but to buy, but you can also rent with a family, with women, with men, something for yourself alone or mixed.

(First you select the city, and then on the map you select the area. On the left you will see the filters and on the right your options in order of relevance with their respective characteristics and contact numbers)

(The owner of the advertisement decides how many photos to upload and their quality, there are ads that have many photos and others with none)

The good bits

The options I have found on here are the cheapest in comparison with those I have found on other pages that are more regulated. There are also so many options to choose from, you can set alerts in case the price goes down and contact the landlord directly to maybe get a better deal.

The not-so-good bits

Due to the site not being regulated, there is a risk that the photos don't show what the place is really like. Also, many people who publish on Idealista can be sub-lettors and that is illegal. If you are here for less than six months and don't have a visa, you won't have any kind of problem renting without a contract, but if you are here for more than a year (like me), you are going to have to be registered by the owner (who don't always want to) or get a contract. Also, consider that you have to give the money to the owner without a receipt or anything, so your money is not as safe as it would be renting otherwise.

Personally, I've never had a bad experience renting like this, and neither have my friends, but you have to take into account the risks involved, even if the option is quite cheap and attractive.

Advertisements from the University City

When you arrive in Madrid and take the subway to the University City, you will notice that once you get off the bus, the ad posts and any bulletin boards will be completely covered with ads on white paper. The students who need to look for a roommate for their flat usually use these type of ads to find the right one. You'll be able to see hundreds of papers, one on top of the other and you can choose between them the option that suits you best and the one you like the best.

The good bits

They will usually be much cheaper than on the internet as they advertise on their own and don't have to pay anything for it.

The not-so-good bits

You won't be able to see pictures of the apartments that they offer and the only way to make sure you like it is to go and visit, which I would personally consider dangerous for a person who has just arrived in a new city where they don't know anyone. Apart from this, there is no way to update you if the apartment has been taken or not, so you can call several of them to make sure if they are already occupied or not. Honestly, out of all the options, this one is the one I prefer the least. Although, I do understand that Spaniards who come from other cities to study here do make use of this technique.

"Convive" Program

This is a "win-win" concept, but it is not for everyone. The "Convive Program" organises for a student to live with a person over the age of 65, in order to accompany them in their day-to-day life in exchange for a very small payment to the services. The good thing about this is that people don't need special attention, because they can fend for themselves. Consider that you will be given your own room and that the house will be in a good, hygienic condition. If you're a student who won't be so busy and can spend a few hours a day accompanying someone who doesn't want to feel lonely, it's definitely for you.

The good bits

Your expenses are going to be quite reduced, this is the type of program designed for those who are a bit short of money. You'll contribute only what you consume in terms of light, gas and water (maximum 70 euros per month) and also what you consume in food. Apart from the above, you will not have to pay any rent.

The not-so-good bits

You can't be as absent as an Erasmus student who loves to party. You only have one day a week to go out all night and you can only be absent for more than 48 hours once a month and during academic holidays, so it won't give you much time to go travelling around Europe. Consider that you have to return home before 10:30 at night, which doesn't leave much room for parties and that you have to spend at least two hours a day with the elderly person, so if you study medicine it won't give you time to do your homework.

Link: https://www.uam.es/ss/Satellite/es/1242652012634/contenidoFinal/Nuevo_Programa__Convive_.htm

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