Experience in Milano, Italy by jole

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

Milan is a very interesting city where to live: many universities and post-graduated schools, many companies (Italian and foreigner). It is considered the economic capital of Italy, its cultural offer is huge: many theatres -not only The Scala-many cinemas sending also English movies, many concerts,many places where to listen different kinds of music ....I
n Milan there are also many restaurants offering the different kinds of Italian cooking and from some different parts of the world too. Many discos, pubs, parties...

What is the student lifestyle like in Milan?

I'm not the best person for answering such a question... but I know there are still many parties usually on Thursday ( the so called Giovedì universitario) where you can enter many discos or pubs for a low price, Then a very useful thing is... the happy hour ( usullay from 18.30-19 until 20.30-21. In Milan we call it Aperitivo): many bars ( more or less the equivalent of English pub) offer for a low price (between €5-10) a drink and then there's buffet food.

How much does it cost to live in Milan?

Milano is quite an expensive town to live in. The medium price for a single room in a shared apartment (with minum another 2 people) is from €350 to € 500. Sometimes to this amount you hav eto add also the utilities ( which are: water, gas, electricity and-sometimes- the communal expenses. I mean money which is paid by all people living in a buildig in order to maintain it clean, to have the rubbish taken away, to have a porter(not in all bulindings) and so on....
To rent an flat only for yourself is around : € 700-800 ( lowest price) for a small place...let's say 1 room around 30 square metres.
Last... the nearer to city centre you want to live.. the more it costs!

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

It's quite difficult to find a GOOD accomodation. I mean a clean place with a reasonable price and near to public transports. My advice is:
1) don't wait until September-October because it's the same period during which Italian students begin. Begin searching your accomodation already in June-July for September. For February.... begin as soon as you can
2) see many flats/rooms (at least 3), compare them( cleanliness, prices and what it is included, if furnished: what it's included and how good is the condition of furniture, nearness of public transports, supermarket and/or other shops)
3) take your time to decide: 24/48 hours are a reasonable time to consider if you like the accomodation and then give a reply
4) in Italy there's the habit of asking for a deposit plus one month'rent in advance. Consider that: if you stay for a short period ( 3 months for example) I think that a reasonable compromise is 1 month rent plus the half of one month as deposit. For 6 months or longer: usually 1 month rent plus -minimum- 2 months as deposit.
In any case the deposit must be given back at the end of the rental period if you live the flat/ room in the same condition you found it. That means also: when you receive the keys make photos, ask to the person renting you the room /flat to check together the place and its properties (for ex. dishes. glasses and so on).

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

the food is good. You find many Italian restaurants and pizzeria as many restaurants offering food from almost all the world, expecially Chinese,Japanese, Mexican, Spanish and Indian.Then you find also many kebab-shops, many pizza to take away.

What places would you recommend visiting in Milan?

Duomo cathedral, castello sforzesco, La scala theatre and/or museum,Leonardo'Last supper ( reserve a ticket quite in advance!) the church of Saint Ambrogio (near university"Cattolica). Brera art gallery or the new galleries of modern art near Duomo...
These are a must, according to me.Then there're so many other places... it depends what you're interested in... I like a lot the area of Porta Venezia and Corso Buenos Aires and the adjacent streets : there are some Liberty facades worth of being seen or the Bagatti-Valsecchi museum, again a walking trough Sempione park (immediately behind Castello Sforzesco), during the daylight or the museum dedicated to science and technology and much more...

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

Eating out in Milano is a nice exeperience if:
1) you don't have a very low budget. The average is around minimum €30 per person
2) during the weekend (Friday evening-Saturday and Sunday) is always better to reserve a place

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

The nightlife is good: almost everyone finds a place where to go and something to do.
If it's your first time in Milan I think a must is a visit to Navigli district. There you find many restaurants and pubs and a lot of nightlife. Another good area is : Corso Como.

What advice would you give future students heading to Milan?

behave as you'd do in your country and everything should go well :)