There are 3 main types of accommodation that students will stay in outside of the university hostel.
Host Families
Living with a host family is a good choice for a number of reasons. It is a great way for you to learn the language and gives you a great way to lean the Russian customs and traditions. Living with a host family will also teach you what Russian hospitality really means! This is that if you need any help at all the hosts will never say “no”. If you want to stay with a host family you will be matched via the university and meals (breakfast and dinner) are usually included. If you want to apply to live with a host family, you should give us as much information as possible, by that we mean your hobbies, favorite sports, any special needs you have including your diet.
Dormitory
These will lack the comfort of a hotel or private apartment, but they do have their advantages. As an example it is easier to adapt to the new conditions you are living in there. Your neighbors will also be able to help you with things you need. The costs of a dormitory is considerably less than a hotel. A bedroom/study is also usually shared with a room mate, bathroom and toilet facilities are usually shared as well.
Private apartment/hotel
If you want to be more independent, you can choose a hotel or private apartment. The university can help you choose the best one to suit your needs. The university is responsible for providing international students with accommodation, this means that you can have a private flat not far from the university with all facilities. In general, hotel prices in Russia are relatively low (unless you are in Moscow or St Petersburg). Hotel rooms are inexpensive with the cost being around a maximum of $85 a day. You can find a good quality room with a shower, toilet, TV and telephone for about $60 a night.
Finding the most suitable place to live can sometimes take a small while, so you should give yourself plenty of time to make all the necessary arrangements before leaving for Russia.
If you are a student in individual program you will probably receive assistance with accommodation arrangements from the host academic institution. Be sure to confirm this with your contact person before traveling to Russia.
International Students in Russia
If you are a person applying on an individual basis, or if you need to arrange your own accommodation for any other reason, you should keep a few things in mind:
There is no national system, which handles requests for student accommodation.
The availability of accommodation varies considerably from place to place. Usually, there is plenty of accommodation available in smaller and middle-sized cities or towns. Unfortunately, the situation is more difficult in the larger cities, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in the traditional student cities . Often, the number of students exceeds the number of rooms that universities and university colleges have on offer and waiting times are long. However, there are alternatives.
To sign a lease for student accommodation, you must be able to prove that you are already studying or that you have been admitted to an academic institution. When you want to move out you must give at least one month’s written notice. Other rules may also apply.
Depending on availability, you can choose to live by yourself or in a shared student flat where you will have your own room but share a bathroom/toilet. Flats can be furnished or unfurnished.
You can also rent a flat in the private market. Though usually more expensive, it is a viable option for some students. It is not uncommon for students to share a bigger flat with several rooms. You may also be able to rent a single room privately. Other sources of information are local newspapers and message boards at your university.
Russia Student dormitories
Many students prefer to live in a student dormitory. This can be an enjoyable experience as it gives students from around the world an opportunity to get to know each other and make friends.
But it can also be demanding. Students living in the same corridor may have very different cultural backgrounds, different habits and ideas about how to do things. Most dormitories have 10–15 single rooms in each corridor. Female and male students live in the same corridor. Often there is also a communal television room.
A single room must not be occupied by more than one person – a rule which is strictly enforced. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and the communal kitchen. Although rooms are let with basic furniture, there are no blankets, pillows, sheets, towels or light bulbs.
Some utensils may be available in the communal kitchen but you will usually have to bring your own plates, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. Some student rent these. Most student housing areas have launderettes. There is a booking list and a small fee is payable for the use of a washing machine. Rent for accommodation must be paid in advance.
How much do I have to pay?
Below are some examples of the average monthly rate for student accommodation (Prices in USD $. Please note: due to the shortage of student housing in the older university towns/cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg) prices in the private market are likely to be higher there.
For universities located in smaller towns, accommodation prices range from 650$ USD to 850$ USD for a room per year.
For universities located in medium-sized towns, accommodation prices range from 750$ USD to 1200$ USD for a room.
For universities located in big cities, accommodation prices range from 1200$ USD to 2800$ USD for a room.
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