Experience in Riga, Latvia, by Rigaapartment

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

Small and quite city with calm people. Bit like life in country side comparing with cities like London or Madrid. But nice people, deliciousness healthy food and good place for study. No distractions.

Source

People here like good coffee and going out cinema, theater or museums. Here a lot of cultural places and restaurants. Prices are similar to many Europe cities.

Rental prices are very cheep here and a big choice of accommodation for students; rooms, apartments, hostels, etc.

Student friendly public transport and there are a lot of special small places to visit, only locals do know about them.

What is the student lifestyle like in Riga?

It is very decent. Good affordable accommodation, planty places to stay, cafés, open and share co-offices, bibliothec... People are student friendly.

Source

Public transport is for good value of money with Isic card. You can use bike to ride to university, the weather allows to use it till December and start from March.

A lot of young students are in Riga to socialise and they have "internations": special social group to join in. This is all not local and local people social community.

How much does it cost to live in Riga?

It will be ok to have a minimum budget of 400 eur per month. Between 150-200 euros will be accommodation and transport expenses. And rest will go for food and other issues. If you have more than you will feel very comfortable here.

Coffee cost 1 euro around city center, dinner meal in cafeteria around 3-3,5 euros... Nice meal for nice price.

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

It is take a time to find quality and good value of money accommodation. And you should register your address in migration aughtority, so private apartment room is not good advise, as owners do not register students as they rent property in not ofisial way (without tax paying).

So it is better to stay with registered companies that work with rental and accommodation and can help with the legal side of your stay in Riga.

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

Very healthy, fresh... Latvians do like they food. Some dishes are strange way cooked or have strange taste. But is everywhere across the world, although there are some specific local products.

You definitely should try "dark" rye bred, cold beatroot soup and fresh saltry salmon.

What places would you recommend visiting in Riga?

Skyline bar in hotel Latvija in Riga, city Sigulda, Kangale beach with lovely sunsets..., and if you like hiking visit sea side to explore beatiful nature here.

Source

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

It is a lot of places to eat out. But they work only 10 or 11pm!, so hurry up not be late. Good place to eat is Lido restaurant chain across the city. And also Terra restaurants, very healthy place to eat.

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

It is a quite city. Here it is not much of real night life. But at weekends you can visit old town area, there is a lot of bars and clubs to chill out.

What advice would you give future students heading to Riga?

It is might be cold here between November and March time. You should prepare to study hard, as expectations are high, that's is good. Not much nightlife here, so it's a very calm place to be.

Try to spot profesional and tax registered landlord or company to help you with legal and accommodation.

Source