Barcelona is a mid-big city which is all contained between sea and mountains and two rivers: Besos and Llobregat. if you come from a flight and you are landing the Areopuerto del Prat you can spot the whole city at the first sight.
This means that Barcelona is a human-size city and is also very well connected by metro and buses. You can find Rooms for rent in Barcelona and enter our facebook group.
What do we mean with this?
In Barcelona you will have the feeling that everything is near, as long as you live in the metropolitan area. So our suggestion is to don't worry if you don't find accommodation in the center, you can enjoy the city and move by metro and reach any place in few time.
Where the best to live?
Around the center
The Eixample is where everybody wants to live. Is divided in Eixample Esquerra and Dreta ( in Catalan means left and right ), but there are other areas that are really good around the center: the area around Marina Metro station, Poble Nou, San Antoni.
Out of the center
Not very centric areas but recommended: Gracia, Les Corts, San Gervasi / Sarria, Vila Olimpica
City center (Historic center):
Considering that the real center is Plaza Catalunya, if you want to live the experience to stay on the rambla or some peculiar old district of Barcelona is also a good choise and is an authentic experience. But mind this pros and contras about living there:
Contras
Is noisy
Is dirty
Is stinky
Homeless around
Pickpockets also finding some opportunity around
Pros
You feel in the authentic Barcelona
Lot of people everywhere
You can go out every night and day
Shops, bars, restaurants
It make you feel alive
Where is safe?
In general everywhere is quite safe, is very difficult to get involved in some aggression. The main danger in Barcelona are pickpockets.
Safest areas: Eixample and Sant Gervasi
Safest city center areas: Arc de Triomf, Pl. Uquinaona, Pl. Universitat, San Antoni
.
Is it city center unsafe?
In our opinion everybody can live in the center and feel safe but you should always be careful at some hour of the night in some specific area (Ciutat Vella): Raval, Ghotic, Born and Barceloneta and specially for girls. If you are a girl and you are afraid better not take accommodation in Raval, Gothic or Poble Sec
Is also recommended avoid peripheric districts like Santa Coloma, Hospitalet, El Carmel.
Universities and metros
Most of students chose the flat according to where they study.
Where to live if I study in UAB?
UAB is located outside the city, at 45 minutes away from Plaza Catalunya (the center of Barcelona). The reach the UAB you need to take a train called Ferrocarril FCG and you can take two lines to go there, the S2 or S55, direct to UAB.
A second option for those who study in the UAB is live in "La Vila". Is a student resindece near the University, located in Bellaterra, at one train stop away to UAB.
if you want to leave near the Ferrocarril you have to spot the stops in Barcelona that the train does: Plaza Catalunya, Provença, Gracia, Sarria, Muntaner. If you find some flat in this areas you will be well connected with your campus
Where to live if I study at UB Filosofia and Literature ?
This campus is right in the city center at Plaza Universitat so everything around the center is good. The metro line is L1 (red) and L2 (violeta).
Where to live if I study at UB (Economia y Empresa)?
This campus is one of the biggest and is located at "Zona Universitaria". Metro line is L3 (green) and is well connected with any metro station.
Where to live if I study at UPC ?
This campus is olso in "Zona Universitaria". Metro line is L3 (green) and is well connected with any metro station.
Where to live if I study at UPF (Comunicación)?
This campus is in Glories / Poble Nou. You can be well connected if you live near Poble Nou, or Metro Marina, Metro Urquinaona, Clot, Plaza Catalunya, Plaza Universitat, Urgell, Rocafort, Plaza Espanya, Sants
Where to live if I study at UPF (Economy)?
This university is in Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, on the Yellow Line L4. you can be well connected if you live near Marina Metro Station (You can reach it walking), Barceloneta, Born, Plaza Urquinaona, Passeig de Gracia or any stations on the L4.
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