Student blogs

Finding housing as a student can really be a struggle. That’s why the KI digital ambassador bloggers will be having a housing series! We will each discuss our own living situations and how we found them. Here is mine! 

My experience with housing

I have moved twice during my time in Stockholm I found my first accommodation through Facebook, and ended up living in a big three-story student house in the outskirts of Stockholm (meaning my commute was also around 40-50 minutes to KI). You can read more about the tips I have for my housing in my blog: Navigating housing in Stockholm (as an incoming student). After living there for around six months, I decided I wanted a change, and started looking for housing closer to KI, leading me to DIS housing.

How I got the housing/requirements?

DIS is an institution that hosts American exchange students in Stockholm and they also happen to have student housing for local students. When I was looking to move, I was searching a lot on Qasa (a popular housing website) and on Facebook, and I ended up finding a post on a DIS apartment that was available. The post led me to the DIS housing website, where I applied, got an interview with the housing manager to make sure I met the requirements, signed the contract and ended up moving in!

The requirements for the housing include: being a full-time student at a Swedish university.

Time it took?

The first time, it took me around two to three months to find housing before I had moved to Sweden, where I was mainly looking on housing websites Qasa, Facebook and some of the private student housing platforms (Allihoop, CoLive, UNITY Living, Spånga Campus Stars). When I was living here in Stockholm and looking to move, it took me around one to two months since I already knew a bit more about the city and the housing options. The process was fairly easy, and I’m very glad I ended up moving in the end. This goes to say, even if you move here and don’t have the best housing situation, it’s usually much easier to find something you like once you’re here and know the area.

Accesibility to campus

DIS housing has three different locations: Södermalm, Årsta and T-centralen. I’ve been living in the T-centralen location and have really enjoyed living here! I live very central which means that my commute time (relative to others) is quite short! It takes around 30-35 minutes during rush hour, but by bike, it takes 15 minutes (although I myself do not have the courage to bike through Stockholm – which after living in Utrecht, I don’t consider the most-bike friendly).

Housing layout/living arrangements

The apartment is made up of two bedrooms, a living space (kitchen + dining table) and bathroom. My apartment’s layout doesn’t have enough space for a couch, but other apartments in the DIS building are slightly bigger. It is functional (has a lot of storage space), very modern and has big windows!

I live with two other roomates (American exchange students) who share a room, so in total its the three of us in a small but cozy space.

The apartment comes with a large communal area on the 11th floor for all the students living there: there’s a room called the creative space, a study room (with the cool desks that slide up and down), and a common/shared kitchen and TV area. This is one of my favorite parts of the accommodation as you can easily host a lot of friends, and meet up with other people in the building too! There is also a laundry room on the 2nd floor, however, the bathrooms in the communal area also have laundry machines.

I hope this housing series gives you insight into housing in Stockholm and helps you find accommodation that is the right fit for you!