Finding Accommodation in Lisbon and Portugal

So first of all I'd like to mention that Lisbon is a number one destination for Erasmus students. This means 2 things:

1. There are plenty of services and organisations that help students to find accommodation and socialize
2. There are so many students that good rooms and apartments disappear in minutes 

Start from joining Erasmus students Facebook groups. Every day someone posts advertisement about the room or even apartment for rent. You can also request what you're looking for.

List of groups:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/erasmusinlisbon2016/  
• https://www.facebook.com/ErasmusStudentNetworkLisboa/ 

There is also a students organisation (quite popular here) called Erasmus Life Lisboa (ELL)

•  https://www.facebook.com/erasmuslifelisboa/ 

In their office (in Bairo Alto) they can offer you some accommodation options.

Some more groups on Facebook with advertisements about rooms and apartments in Lisbon:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/446389568835970/  
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/159234807548975/  
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/936444903032954/  
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/741589185948931/ 

Don't forget to check Uniplaces website

• https://www.uniplaces.com/ 

They have lots of options and for different price ranges (from rooms to whole apartments). The only downside of this service is that you cannot see the apartment before paying for it. Neither you can meet your future flat mates. However, more often than never people post pics of the selected apartments on Erasmus Facebook groups and ask if anyone currently lives there. Like this you can get some feedback  and recommendations.

And finally, if you come with your family or friends, you can always rent an apartment. Sometimes it's much cheaper than renting a room. Good thing about Portugal (or at least Lisbon) is that you don't need to pay for the real-estate agency's services. You just come and ask what you want. They will offer you plenty of options on your choice. No additional payments to the agent or landlord. I rented a nice apartment next to IST with the help of REMAX agency. They are on every corner in Lisbon. Just go there and ask. Chances are people speak English there or at least try. Check out their website as well.

• http://www.remax.pt 

Some more websites I've used:

• http://bpiexpressoimobiliario.pt/  
• https://olx.pt/i2/?category=16  
• http://www.idealista.pt/arrendar-casas/lisboa/  
• http://casa.sapo.pt/EN/To-rent/Apartments/2-Bedrooms-to-3-Bedrooms/Lisboa/?sa=11&gp=850&or=10  
• http://www.century21.pt/pt/imoveis/  
• http://bpiexpressoimobiliario.pt/pesquisa
• http://www.custojusto.pt/lisboa/lisboa/apartamentos-arrendar?pe=7&ros=5&roe=6  
• http://www.arrendacasa.pt/anuncios/apartamento/lisboa/lisboa/:t.4  
• http://www.cobertura.pt/ 

I have to say that knowledge of Portuguese (at least basic) helps a lot. Sometimes it's hard to communicate with the agent in English. But you can always switch to emails and use Google Translate when needed.

Credits: Guest post from a friend

The post also appears on Facebook here: http://i.aminmkhan.com/2cnWryJ