Where to live in Murcia, Spain

1. Student flats

Murcia has a population of 450, 000: it's not a very big city and you can reach most places by walking. The most interesting and attractive accommodation is, in my humble opinion, the student flats. Renting a room in Murcia costs between 150 and 250 euros a month, depending on the flat and on the area. The best student area in Murcia is in the city centre, near the La Merced faculty (Facultad de Letras). Here are some ways of finding a student flat or room:

• Formally, you can search for accommodation through the university itself. To do this, you should get in contact with the International Students service for your faculty and they will help you to search the university accommodation lists. Here's the link for UMU students: https://vimur.um.es/vimur
• You can also use these flat-searching websites:

  http://www.opau.es/

  http://www.murcialquila.com/

  http://www.fotocasa.es/alquiler/pisos/murcia-provincia/listado

• You can also look for flats informally, without using a go-between such as the university or an accommodation website. Look for 'Erasmus Murcia' groups on Facebook, since people normally post there when they have rooms to rent. Students also post there looking for flatmates.
• Check the university notice boards. It's very common for people to put advertisements for flats to rent or flatmates on the faculty notice boards. The notice boards can usually be found on the faculty corridor. Ask a member of staff or another student if you can't find them.

Neighbourhood map of Murcia

I recommend looking for accommodation in the areas of 'La Merced', 'Vistalegre' and 'La Flota', although generally any flat near to the tram lines will be well-located and well-connected.

Some tips for signing a rental contract:

• When you go to meet the owner, bring you buddy or mentor with you, if you have one. If not, always go with someone who speaks fluent Spanish so that you can communicate well with the owner.
• Don't sign anything you don't fully understand. Take your time to read the contract and if you don't speak Spanish, ask the owner to translate it into English for you.
• Ask for a receipt or confirmation letter every time you pay your rent. Never pay unless they sign a receipt for you.

2. Student Halls of Residence and Colleges

2. 1 Apartments on campus

• http://www.residencias-estudiantes.com/res3/residencias-de-estudiantes-murcia
• Situated in the university city of Espinardo, 5km and 15 minutes by tram from Murcia city centre.
• Available for both genders.

2. 2 - Azarbe College (Colegio Mayor Azarbe)

• http://www.um.es/alumnos/alojamiento/azarbe/2013-14/instalaciones.pdf
• Situated in Murcia city centre, 200 metres from La Merced and 10 minutes walk from nearest tram stop which will take you to Espinardo and the UCAM.
• Available for both genders.
• Only for UM students. You need a UM username and password to apply for a place.

2. 3 - María Inmaculada Religious Residency (Residencia Religiosa María Inmaculada'

• http://www.residenciamariainmaculadamurcia.es/
• Situated near Murcia city centre. 15 minutes walk from La Merced and another 15 minutes to the nearest tram stop which will take you to Espinardo and the UCAM.
• Girls only.

2. 4 Hermanas Oblatas Residency (Residencia Hermanas Oblatas)

• http://oblatas.com/universitaria.php?apto=5&subapt=0502&nom_sub=Localizaci%F3n&sbs=no
• Situated in Murcia city centre. 100 metres from La Merced and 5 minutes walk from the nearest tram stop which will take you to Espinardo and the UCAM.
• Girls only.

3. Hotels and hostels

• Are your family or friends coming to visit and don't know where to stay? If you already have your ESN card, you can enjoy a discount on rooms at our partner Hotel El Churra, a three star hotel in the centre of Murcia, one minute away from Plaza Circular. Here's the page which explains the discount: http://esnmurcia.es/esncard/elchurra
• More information on hotels and hostels can be found here: http://www.trivago.es/murcia-32035/hotel

4. More sources of information about accommodation

• From the UM: http://www.um.es/alumnos/alojamiento/
• From the UCAM: https://campus.ucam.edu/web/sie/residencias.php
• From the UPCT (in Cartagena):http://www.upct.es/contenido/servicios/alojamiento.php