Turin Treasures: Your Guide to Student Accommodation (Indian Students Welcome!)
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Feeling overwhelmed by the Turin housing hunt? Relax, fellow Indian student! This blog is your one-stop guide to navigating the vibrant student scene in Turin. We’ll cover various housing options, average costs, saving tips on forex, the on-campus vs. off-campus debate, and even finding Indian flatmates. Plus, we’ve got safety tips to avoid scams and suggest the student-friendly neighborhoods. Get ready to find your perfect Turin nest and kickstart your Italian adventure!
Turin Treasures: Your Guide to Student Accommodation (Indian Students Welcome!)
Congratulations on securing your spot at a university in Turin! The “Automobile Capital of Italy” awaits with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant student life. Now comes the exciting but sometimes daunting task of finding your student accommodation. Fear not, this guide equips you with all the essentials to navigate the Turin housing market as an Indian student.
The Turin Student Housing Landscape
Types of Student Housing in Turin
- On-campus accommodation: Some universities in Turin offer student dorms, a convenient option with built-in social interaction and university support nearby.
- Student apartments: Purpose-built student apartments offer a mix of single rooms, studios, and shared apartments, often with amenities like gyms and laundry facilities.
- House shares: Sharing an apartment or house with other students is a popular and affordable option. You can find shared accommodations through online platforms or student unions.
- Homestays: Living with a local Italian family can be a unique cultural experience, offering insights into Italian life. Homestay options can be found through agencies or university resources.
How to Find Student Housing in Turin
Finding your perfect Turin student haven is easier with the right resources at hand:
- University Accommodation Offices: Reach out to your university’s accommodation office – a great starting point, especially for on-campus options.
- Online listing platforms: Popular websites include Casa.it and Bacheca.it, featuring a wide range of student accommodation options in Turin.
- Niyo can also be a valuable tool. The app allows you to explore student housing options worldwide, including Turin. You can filter properties by preferences, browse listings, and even connect with potential landlords or roommates – all in one convenient place!
- Student union noticeboards: Check noticeboards at your university for student housing advertisements. You might find hidden gems or listings from fellow students looking for flatmates.
Average Cost of Student Housing in Turin, Piedmont, Italy
How to Save on Forex Charges While Paying for Your Housing Booking in Turin
- Wise: Wise is a popular option for international money transfers, often offering competitive exchange rates and low fees.
- Prepaid cards: Consider using a student-friendly prepaid card to manage your accommodation payments and avoid currency conversion charges.
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing in Turin, Piedmont, Italy
On-campus:
- Pros: Convenient, social atmosphere, university support nearby, often includes bills in the rent.
- Cons: Can be more expensive, limited room options, less privacy.
Off-campus:
- Pros: More affordable options, greater privacy, wider variety of housing options.
- Cons: Requires longer commutes (especially if living outside city center), may require setting up utilities.
Homestays (unique to Turin):
- Pros: Cultural immersion experience, opportunity to practice Italian, potentially lower costs compared to city center apartments.
- Cons: Less independence, may have house rules or curfews, shared living spaces.
Documents Required for Renting an Apartment in Turin, Piedmont, Italy
- Valid passport
- Student visa
- Proof of income (student loan documentation or sponsorship letter)
- Reference letter from a previous landlord (if available)
- Codice Fiscale: This Italian tax code is necessary for many official procedures, including renting an apartment. You can apply for it at the Agenzia delle Entrate upon arrival in Italy.
How Can I Find Indian Roommates in Turin, Piedmont, Italy
- Facebook groups: Join Turin-based Indian student groups on Facebook to connect with potential roommates.
- University associations: Many universities have Indian student societies that can help you find fellow Indian students looking for flatmates.
- Online platforms: Some online listing platforms allow you to search for roommates based on nationality.
Which are the Best Areas for Indian Students in Terms of Housing and Affordability in Turin?
- Crocetta: A popular student district known for its lively atmosphere and proximity to universities. While convenient, it can be competitive for housing.
- San Salvario: A trendy and multicultural neighborhood with a good mix of affordability and accessibility. It offers a vibrant atmosphere, cafes, and restaurants.
- Cit Turin: A developing area with a mix of students and young professionals. It offers a more modern vibe and potentially lower rents compared to central Turin.
- Barriera di Milano: A historical district with a strong student presence and good public transport links. It can be a good budget-friendly option.
Safety Tips to Avoid Scams for Indian Students Looking for Housing in Turin
- Never pay a deposit without viewing the property in person.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Use reputable listing platforms and verify landlord information.
- Always sign a written tenancy agreement in Italian (get a translation if needed).
- Be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Italy. You can find more information on the SUNIA Torino website http://www.comune.torino.it/torinogiovani/luoghi/sunia-sindacato-nazionale-unitario-inquilini-e-assegnatari (Italian language).
Is it Better to Book Housing Before or After Arriving in Turin?
Booking Before Arrival:
- Pros:
- Secures a place, especially during peak seasons.
- Reduces pre-departure stress.
- More options to choose from.
- Cons:
- Limited flexibility if plans change or dislike the area.
- Unfamiliarity with the neighborhood.
Booking After Arrival:
- Pros:
- Get a feel for the city before committing to a long-term lease.
- Greater flexibility to change location or type of accommodation.
- Cons:
- Limited options, especially during peak times.
- Potential stress of finding suitable accommodation upon arrival.
Summary
Conclusion
What is Niyo-
Why Choose Niyo for Your Study Abroad Journey?
- Save Up to ₹1 Lakh per Year: With zero forex markups, you keep more of your money for tuition, living expenses, and adventures.
- Fastest Way to Get Money from India: No extra charges for international transactions, making it a breeze to manage your finances abroad.
- Free Cash Withdrawals: Access your funds easily for daily expenses, wherever you are.
- Earn Up to 8% Interest: Grow your savings while you study with Niyo’s high-yield savings account.
- 24/7 In-app Chat Support: Get assistance whenever you need it, right from your phone.
What is the Niyo Card?
Niyo Debit Card is a debit card that comes with the Niyo savings account opened at one of Niyo’s partner Banks ( DCB, SBM, and Equitas). This account and card functions similar to any other Indian savings account and debit card with standard features. The unique aspect of Niyo card is that it can be used in 190+ countries without incurring any forex markups or other charges.
Problem with other cards
Generally, if you get the money transferred abroad with a forex card or bank transfers you will have to pay heavy forex markups, taxes and other hidden charges every time. All these are waived off in this card for lifetime.
Example: Suppose you are studying in USA and let’s say the current Dollar to INR rate is ₹80 per dollar. You swipe your Niyo card at coffee shop for $10. Only ₹800 (80 x 10) will be deducted from your Niyo account – that’s it! No hidden fees or markups.
This will help you save at least up to 5% on your entire education budget.
Key Features of Niyo
- 💁Zero Forex charges on all International spends in foreign
- 🙅No Joining Fee or Minimum Balance required
- 📖Free ATM Withdrawals Abroad ( withdrawal fee reversed in form of Niyo Coins )
- 💮Free Airport Lounge Access across the globe ( on spending more than 50k with Niyo Card)
- 💸Load and unload money with Gpay/PhonePay/UPI 24×7″ without any charges
- ⌚24 x 7 In-app chat support
How to get the Niyo Card- Its 100% digital
- Download the Niyo app.
- Fill in your Adhar, Pan and Passport Details
- Complete VKYC
- Your free Niyo card will be delivered to your mentioned address within 3-5 working days
How to add money to your Niyo Card?
Just like you add money to your savings account via UPI, Bank transfer, in the same way you will get Niyo account details in the niyo app and you can withdraw or deposit money to the Niyo account 24×7 without any charges.
You’ll also earn upto 8% interest on the account balance
Exclusive offers with the Niyo Card for Indian students
- ISIC card worth 999 that gets you student discounts across the globe for free
- Free airport lounge access at international terminals in India on referring 5 friends.
- In app offers on multiple brands