Piacenza

Quite, little town . 3 Universities. A lot of foreign students. Best area , near Polimi and centre. Ucsc  far from centre in the middle of nothing .Do not choose accomodation near UCSC you are far from everything ( except uni) and after 8 pm no bus to the centre. 

Goid connected to many places. 55 mins by train to Milan, 40 to Parma. 2 hours to Genova and the ser snd seaside.

3 hours to the mountains and ski places

In 15 to 30 mins u are outside the town , in summer very nice the valleys and rivers. 

For accomodation 

Best rooms in shared flats or uni residence ( single room in uni residence 420 and double 380 each) there is also something brandnew.

Private rooms are cheaper from 270 to 380 for large, single rooms.