Best student neighborhoods in Rome: where to live as an (international) student

My dear readers, maybe you already saw it on my Instagram, but since last week, I am officially no longer a student. I graduated from Sapienza with a 110/110, and I am now the proud owner of a Global Humanities degree. While I don't fall into the student category anymore, I lived the student life (minus the drinking) for three years here in Rome, and I can tell you all about the best student neighborhoods in Rome. Depending on which university you are going to attend, there are some amazing neighborhoods where students are concentrated, and if you find an apartment in one of these areas, I am sure you are going to have a great time.

Tip: In the future, I will write more articles about student life in Rome, such as how to find an apartment, my experience at Sapienza, and certain apps you might need while living here. If you want to stay up to date, feel free to subscribe to my free newsletter and follow me on Instagram. 😊

San Lorenzo

Best for: Sapienza students and cheap nightlife

Budget: €€

Safety: 6,5-7/10

First on the list is the wonderful San Lorenzo. While this place gives me a slight version of PTSD now (something about dating Italian men), it is still one of the best student neighborhoods in Rome.

San Lorenzo is basically located right next to Sapienza, so if you have early classes, it is going to be just a five-minute walk for you. The neighborhood is very artsy, and there are loads of street art murals and galleries around. Because it is a student area, you can also find cheap food and drink spots everywhere, along with all the student necessities, such as print shops where you can print your papers or buy books.

During the evening, San Lorenzo becomes really cozy, especially in spring and summer. The terraces are packed, and I have spent many evenings here. During the World Cup, I watched football matches here, as many bars put up big screens.

For me, the only downside to San Lorenzo is the safety. I have heard from many people that their phone or something else got stolen in this neighborhood (even though it can happen anywhere, of course). Also, sometimes there are some creepy people around, and I feel like I should mention that. Sadly, in a big city, as a woman walking alone, you should always stay aware of your surroundings.

Bologna

Best for: Sapienza students and convenience

Budget: €€/€€€

Safety: 8,5-9/10

One of my favorite areas in Rome is the area around Piazza Bologna. While some parts can get quite crowded with traffic, to me it is almost the perfect neighborhood. The area is very different from San Lorenzo, as it is more elegant and less creative. There are no street art murals or anything like that, but it is definitely not boring. The area is quite hilly, so prepare to carry your groceries up a hill, but I think it adds to the charm of the experience.

Since Piazza Bologna is also very close to Sapienza University, you can find loads of cafés, aperitivo spots, and cheap takeaway pizza here. While San Lorenzo screams "alternative student neighborhood," the area around Piazza Bologna is more demure, and if you want to experience a calmer, more local Italian lifestyle, this is the place to be.

In the future, I will definitely write a more extensive article about this area of Rome because I simply love it. There is also a great market here that I visit often, and in general, I am just a big fan. A downside is that this area is more expensive than San Lorenzo, but on the plus side, it is also much safer.

Pigneto

Best for: Sapienza students and a creative vibe

Budget: €/€€

Safety: 6,5-7/10

Fun fact: I was actually in Pigneto today because I went to my favorite store on earth, Action, which is located near Malatesta Square. If you have been following this blog, you already know that Pigneto is great for students, since I have written a guide to the best cafés in Pigneto for studying or working. My favorite specialty coffee shop in Rome is also located in Pigneto.

Tip: If you want access to all my favorite spots in Rome, you can support me by buying my Day Trips from Rome Guide! It includes several maps with my favorite places in Rome, so you can make the most of your time here.

Pigneto was the first neighborhood I ever lived in in Rome, and because of that, it holds a very special place in my heart. It is one of the most creative neighborhoods in Rome, with amazing street art, concept stores, cute cafés, and an overall great vibe. It is located on Metro Line C, which is my least favorite metro line. However, with the new connection to the Colosseum, it is not as bad as it used to be. If you want to know more about Rome's public transportation system, feel free to read my extensive beginner's guide!

Pigneto is a relatively cheap neighborhood to live in. For example, I paid €400 per month, all-inclusive, for a very large room, which is quite a good price in Rome. Obviously, the farther you live from the main street of Pigneto, the cheaper it generally gets.

A downside to Pigneto is, in my opinion, the safety. Just like San Lorenzo, I would give it about the same safety rating. I have heard some creepy stories from friends, even though nothing ever happened to me while I lived there.

If people are wondering why I moved, it had nothing to do with Pigneto itself. I simply felt like I had too many roommates, and I wanted to live in a smaller household.

Ostiense

Best for: Roma Tre

Budget: €€

Safety: 8/10

While the previous three neighborhoods are perfect if you are a Sapienza student (although, of course, they are still a great choice if you attend another university), Ostiense is the perfect neighborhood for Roma Tre students, another very large university in Rome. I have written several articles about the Ostiense neighborhood, and I can highly recommend reading them if you are interested.

Ostiense is Rome's industrial and trendy neighborhood, and it is also a great place for students. It has plenty of great study spots, and the vibe is always inspiring. I would say it is a little more expensive than San Lorenzo and Pigneto, probably more in the same price range as Piazza Bologna, depending on the street, but it is definitely worth it, especially if you study at Roma Tre.

Prati

Best for: LUMSA students, a quieter lifestyle, and safety

Budget: €€€

Safety: 9/10

You might think Prati is an odd choice for a student neighborhood, but since LUMSA University is located here, it can actually be a very convenient place to live. Prati is probably one of the fanciest neighborhoods in Rome and is located close to the Vatican. While there are more tourists here than in the other neighborhoods I mentioned, it still has a quiet atmosphere and feels very safe.

Prati is one of the most expensive areas in Rome, but if you can afford it, I think it might be worth it, especially if you are going to LUMSA. It is an elegant part of the city, so if that is your vibe, I think Prati might be the place for you.

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you find the perfect student neighborhood in Rome! There are many more useful articles to come to help you on your Rome journey, whether you are a tourist, a student, or an expat, so feel free to subscribe to my newsletter!

Now that I have graduated, I have more time to work on my blog, and I am very excited for the future! If there is something you need help with or a specific topic you would like to know more about, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email!

Talk to you soon, my loves,

Juliette