A Guide to Apartment Renting in St. Petersburg

Prefer to rent an apartment while studying in St. Petersburg? Great choice! Now, the next thing you must do is plan a course of action to secure the right place for you.

In this blog, we’ll run through the basics of apartment renting in St. Petersburg. We’ll list various types of student accommodation apartments in the city plus their costs.

Of course, we added additional tips so you’ll know where and how to find the best apartment for you.

Types of Apartments in St. Petersburg

Apartments vary depending on the level of furnishing they have, size, and the number of rooms. Depending on your taste, you can get a fully furnished apartment or an unfurnished one.

• Kommunalki – these are communal flats located in the suburban zones. This is great for long-term stays on a budget, but the building quality isn’t top-notch. The facilities and furnishing offered aren’t the best but if you’re willing to compromise, feel free to do so.

• Standard Apartments – these may be your best choice when it comes to private renting. These homes are renovated to meet Western household standards. Plus, these places are usually fully furnished and equipped with Wi-Fi services and other utilities.

• High-End Flats – these aren’t exactly luxurious dwellings, but they offer enough amenities to make you feel like royalty. These places usually have first-class interiors with small open balconies outside. The range of kitchen equipment is also top-of-the-line, fit for making home-cooked meals.

Cost of Apartment Renting in St. Petersburg

Communal flats are naturally the cheapest ones, but as we said, building standards tend to be low. High-end flats can give you enough comfort, but they can be too lavish for a student lifestyle.

Still, it all depends on what you want and what your needs are at the moment. Just make sure that the apartment you choose is close enough to recreational areas and your campus.

If you are within the city center, a one-bedroom standard flat will cost around $549. A three-bedroom one will cost you $1,068 per month.

Outside the city center, rent is cheaper. For a single bedroom flat, you’ll only have to pay about $350 per month. A three-bedroom flat is also relatively cheap—$660 per month.

How and Where to Find an Apartment in St. Petersburg

It’s best to secure an apartment even before you fly out for Russia. Apartments near campus squares also tend to run out fast so it’s best to process everything as early as possible.

Below is a list of websites where you can find available apartments in St. Petersburg:

• Avito
• Cian
• Airbnb
• A Cozy Nest
• RoomMate and Flat Finders, SPB (Facebook Group)

See some of our common tips below to secure a nice flat:

• Set a budget
• Consider the location
• Ask for help
• Check the apartment for any potential issues (e.g. water leaks)
• Speak to the landlord to discuss bills, furniture, obligations, etc.

Renting an apartment in St. Petersburg is a fantastic way to take command of your privacy and freedom. Read more about student accommodations in Russia at MSM Unify.