Experience in Reykjavík, Iceland by Steinunn

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

It's a nice, small city and the nature surrounding the city is beautiful. There's generally a good atmosphere and the city has all the necessities needed.

What is the student lifestyle like in Reykjavík?

The universities are generally well organized and your education will be good. In general there are a lot of activities available for students, organized by the student unions. They have something called a vísindaferð (directly translated as "science trip" but generally referred to as a buffalo) where employers invite students to their companies, introduce their work and generally serve free alcohol. The universities have a good communication system and everything school related is pretty straight forward. Public transportation is crappy if you don't live in the city center.

How much does it cost to live in Reykjavík?

Iceland in general is very expensive, the price of accommodation, food ect. is quite high. The rental market is also very pricey. Alcohol is only sold in government run shops and in bars where the price is so high people generally try to drink before they go out rather than in the actual bars.

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

It's very difficult to find accommodation unless you can get it through Félagsstofnun stúdenta (the student housing). The general rental market is horrible and it will cost a lot to rent no matter if it's a room or an apartment. There are several groups on Facebook you can use to find accommodation (search for leiga and you will find them) as well as bland.is.

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

There are restaurants from pretty much any direction of the world and you will find more or less any food you might want if you're willing to pay for it in a restaurant. It's cheapest to shop for groceries in Bónus or Krónan, Krónan generally has better selection. For Icelandic food, I recommend kjötsúpa (meat soup) or slátur (a kind of blood pudding made from sheep, similar but not the same as haggis). The Icelandic hot dog is also well known to be excellent.

What places would you recommend visiting in Reykjavík?

Austurvöllur is the obvious choice for good weather, smack down in the city center with restaurants and bars all around. Nauthólsvík is a man-made beach which is fun to visit during hot days. If you enjoy hiking there are several hiking spots near the city, for example Esja and Úlfarsfell. Gaukurinn is a bar where you can go to "underground" concerts, good for rap and metal.

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

In general very expensive, but a big selection of restaurants is available. Matarkjallarinn and Grillmarkaðurinn are quite nice but expensive, Grillhúsið is less expensive but less fancy and for cheap food I suggest getting a hot dog at Bæjarins bestu.

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

The nightlife is very active during the weekends. Bare in mind that it's a night-life though, people generally don't go out until around midnight as they will be drinking their cheaper government-shop-bought alcohol at home before they go out. Almost all nightlife will be in the city center where you can easily walk between bars.

What advice would you give future students heading to Reykjavík?

Start looking for accommodation as soon as possible and the minute you have received admission results from the university, apply to student housing at studentagardar.is. Use any student discount you can get. Go to Stúdentakjallarinn for cheap beer and food. Try to live close to the university if you possibly can, as public transport isn't the best (although not impossible). Go to vísindaferðir.