Experience in Odense, Denmark by Maria

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

Odense is a great city to live in as a student! There are a lot of things to do both culturally and in a social context. Odense is the hometown of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen, which are represented in various forms throughout the whole city - You can walk in his footprints where you can see some of the places that had a significant meaning in his life and there are a lot of decorations made by Hans Christian Andersen as well.

Odense is the best city from April - October where the weather is warmer and therefore there are a lot of different festivities you can't miss out on!

People here are very nice - Danish people are known for their courtesy and to be the happiest people on earth and this can be felt here on Fynen (the island in the middle of Denmark where Odense is located)!

I would certainly recommend Odense as a place to study and live!

My hometown is in the south of Denmark in the City called Soenderborg - really nice city! But when i started to study I moved to Odense and I have not regretted it - I really don't think I will move away from Odense again!

It's in the middle of Denmark - So it's very easy to go to Copenhagen or Aarhus (the two biggest cities in Denmark) or home to Soenderborg to visit my family!

The city is big - but not too big! It's not far from beaches, beautiful nature and Odense is known for its stream that goes through the city (really beautiful)!

Overall one of Denmarks most beautiful big cities!

What is the student lifestyle like in Odense?

It's really casual - there are a lot of cafés made for students where you can do your homework or just chill!

There are also a big university and a business school - both places have a really nice student life with various and exciting activities you can be a part of - from parties to sport events!

How much does it cost to live in Odense?

Denmark is more expensive than other European countries - it's because we have a welfare government and pay lot more in taxes. Therefore it cost maybe 10 % more than other countries (depends where you come from)!

I live with my partner in a 73 squaremeters apartment right across from the station - it cost 6000 kr. ( 810 euro) - that's in the cheap end!

We eat for about 500 kr. (70 euro) for a week (two persons) - and if you are out eating it will generally cost about 200 kr. (25 euro pr. mand). But again, it depends on where you eat and what you are eating.

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

It is always difficult to find accommodations in Denmarks three biggest cities Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense - but Odense is the easiest of those three cities.

You have to be in good time - I would say 6 month before you move to Odense you have to begin to look for apartments/rooms!

If you just have to be here for one semester i would recommend to rent a room. If you move here for a longer period of time I would recommend an apartment...

If you want to live very cheap you can live in the suburbs of Odense or in Odense W, Odense S, Odense N or Odense E - It's always more expensive to live In the centrum of a city.

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

The food is very different from restaurant to restaurant - you can buy traditional danish food at Klosterkroen and Groenttorvet (really nice places and medium prices) - but you can also eat Scandinavian, Italian, Spanish, Mexican etc. here as well.

I don't have a favourite dish - i'm a foodie so I like almost everything!

What places would you recommend visiting in Odense?

There are a lot of places and things you have to try and visit!

For example you have to try:

-The pedalboat on Odense stream and the Odense Aafart (a bigger boat sailing up and down the stream - really cozy).

-Go to the "Mosen" (a park where all the students gather to have a nice time, hear music, drink some beers, play with some ball etc)

-Go to the harbour where there is a swimming pool ind the water (sounds weird but it's really cool).

-Go to the amazing ZOO - named Europes Best ZOO twice!

-Go to the countless interesting museums (Hans Christian Andersen museum, Møntergården, Brandts 13, Brandts, railroad museum, The Funen Village etc. )

-Take a walk from Odense centrum and go along the stream to "Fruens Bøge" where there is delicious danish ice cream.

-Go to Stige island - It's an old junkyard where they have covered it with dirt and made it to a whole island where many from Odense is training. It's really interesting!

-Go to Odense many festivals (Tinderbox, Karrusel, Hans Christian Andersen festival, Mix festival, Movie festival, Harry Potter festival and I could go on... ). Odense is really good to make festivals!

-Go to the many castles.

-Go to the botanical garden.

- I could go on...

There are so much to see and so much to do here!

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

It's amazing!

You have many cafés and restaurants to choose from in every price range!

I love:

-Chinos (Café - really cozy - cheap prices)

-Urban One (café where you can eat everything from a burger to fancy dinners - medium price)

-The Balcony (outstanding gastronomy - expensive)

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

It's really good - Odense have sports bars, pubs, bodegas, dancing bars, cocktail bar, beer bar and so on!

There is a lot of places - and in many of the bars you have to be 21 years old or over - some places 18 - and some places 24 and over!

But in Denmark you can drink from the age 16 - but you can only buy drinks with a low alcohol percentage. When you are 18 you can buy all sorts of alcohol!

What advice would you give future students heading to Odense?

I would say - be in good time when you search for accommodations.

And you have to be open to the danish culture and respect it as well - both in social way and a study way.

But here in Denmark we are very open and therefore you can be who you are.