{"id":66122,"date":"2026-07-30T09:34:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T09:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T09:34:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T09:34:54","slug":"student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Housing in Donostia: Shared Apartments vs. University Halls. Myths and Realities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing where to live whilst studying at university in Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n is just as important as choosing your degree course. For years, the preferred option was a shared flat, as it offered greater independence and was the most economical choice. However, the property market has been through a structural transformation, and the housing crisis in the main cities of the Basque Country, in terms of availability and prices, has also affected the student accommodation sector.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, Generation Z and their families are no longer just looking for a place to sleep; they want a living environment tailored to their needs, flexible, safe, that looks after their emotional wellbeing and academic performance, and with no nasty surprises at the end of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we explore why the argument that \u2018a flat is cheaper\u2019 no longer stands up to scrutiny, and we debunk the myths about today\u2019s university halls of residence that go beyond purely financial considerations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/#The_paradigm_shift_why_is_the_gap_between_university_halls_of_residence_and_shared_flats_narrowing\" >The paradigm shift why is the gap between university halls of residence and shared flats narrowing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/#Myths_and_realities_of_university_accommodation\" >Myths and realities of university accommodation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/#Final_Checklist_What_to_compare_before_making_a_decision\" >Final Checklist What to compare before making a decision<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/#Come_and_meet_us\" >Come and meet us<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_paradigm_shift_why_is_the_gap_between_university_halls_of_residence_and_shared_flats_narrowing\"><\/span><b>The paradigm shift: why is the gap between university halls of residence and shared flats narrowing?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifteen years ago, the price gap between a room in a shared flat and one in a hall of residence was significant. Today, the structural transformation of the rental sector has narrowed that gap to a minimum. According to data from the property sector, the price of a room in a shared flat in Donostia averages around \u20ac600 per month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not just the rent that determines the final cost. Market research reveals that additional flat expenses, such as electricity, water, gas, internet and cleaning, add up to between \u20ac150 and \u20ac250 extra per month. If we also add to these \u2018hidden costs\u2019 the cost of weekly shopping, which has skyrocketed in the Basque Country, travel expenses if you\u2019re not living near your study centre, and the time spent on logistics, student halls of residence become the most efficient option and allow for a more realistic cost estimate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What are families and students looking for when choosing university accommodation?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s students are no longer just looking for a room; they demand a holistic experience that combines an active community life, sustainability and connectivity. For every student and their family, it is important to make the most of their time and eliminate financial uncertainty, with fixed-fee models that cover all their needs without any surprises at the end of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To meet this demand from today&#8217;s students, some university halls of residence, such as Olarain, are moving away from the conventional model to offer an environment characterised by high achievement, support and community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the key elements that the younger generations prioritise and which define our day-to-day work:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Logistics to free up time:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> During a period of intense academic demands, delegating domestic tasks is key. We provide room cleaning twice a week, a laundry service and full maintenance with our own kitchen and locally sourced produce.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic location and mobility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Living in the heart of the Ibaeta campus means you\u2019re just a stone\u2019s throw away from the UPV, Tecnun and Musikene. Furthermore, we provide easy access to other centres such as the Basque Culinary Centre and the University of Deusto via our own transport service.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Facilities for talent and leisure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We understand that every academic career is different. That\u2019s why we have specialised study rooms, such as soundproof music rooms and a technology workshop, alongside spaces to unwind, such as the gym, sauna and Japanese garden.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Support and Mental Health: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast to the loneliness of a shared flat, with Olarain Care we offer personalised support through our team of tutors and psychologists, fostering a safe environment and a healthy adaptation to university life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>24\/7 Security and Respect: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have our own staff on 24 hours a day, whose role is not only to keep watch but also to provide assistance where needed, as well as ensuring that, from dusk onwards, an atmosphere of silence and absolute respect for residents\u2019 rest prevails.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Commitment to the future and sustainability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> As \u2018climate natives\u2019, today\u2019s students value living in environments that align with their values. Olarain holds the European Ecolabel, integrating sustainability into its energy, recycling and food policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, what students are looking for is a partner on their journey who can turn their accommodation into a springboard for personal and professional success.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myths_and_realities_of_university_accommodation\"><\/span><b>Myths and realities of university accommodation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Myth 1: \u201cYou have less independence in a hall of residence\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The reality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There is a misconception that a hall of residence restricts your freedom. The reality is that living in a hall of residence gives you logistical independence. By leaving the cooking, cleaning and maintenance to others, you free up time for what really matters: your studies and your social life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2192 At Olarain:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We offer maximum privacy with exterior single rooms and private bathrooms. You have your own personal refuge in the heart of the Ibaeta campus. And, whilst we ensure that certain rules of co-existence are followed, residents enjoy greater flexibility and independence than is commonly believed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Myth 2: \u201cRenting a flat is easier to manage\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The reality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> People often overlook the financial barrier to renting a flat: several months\u2019 rent as a deposit and, often, estate agent\u2019s fees, which can amount to an initial outlay of over \u20ac1,500. Furthermore, utility bills for a flat can be unpredictable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2192 At Olarain:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We are committed to a fixed \u2018all-inclusive\u2019 rate and total transparency. We do not charge a registration fee, only a deposit which is either refunded or reserved, eliminating any surprises on the bill at the end of the month. We also offer flexibility when it comes to choosing a rate or changing it during the academic year. For those who go home at the weekend, we offer a Sunday to Friday option. And for those coming to San Sebasti\u00e1n to study a master\u2019s degree or undertake a research placement, we offer a short-stay option.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Myth 3: \u201cFood in halls of residence is boring or mass-produced\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The reality: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families worry about whether their sons and daughters will eat properly whilst at university. As well as offering healthy menus, the halls of residence canteen is the heart of community life \u2013 something university students consider essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2192 At Olarain:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 We have our own kitchen and an on-site grill service. We focus on healthy set menus, a salad buffet, a variety of starters and main courses, locally produced ingredients, and complete flexibility for special dietary requirements. And when the weather is fine, being able to have lunch under the outdoor marquee is a real plus.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Myth 4: \u201cHalls of residence are just for sleeping and studying\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The reality: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Modern halls of residence are centres of high performance and connectivity. A shared flat rarely offers the motivating environment and facilities, such as a gym, study rooms and 24\/7 security, that students now demand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u2192 At Olarain:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We are an ecosystem for personal growth through our Care, Nature, Impact and Explore programmes. Here, you\u2019ll live alongside international students and elite athletes, enriching your network from day one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-66117 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-300x200.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-300x200.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-1024x683.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-1536x1024.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-2048x1365.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-350x233.jpg.webp 350w, https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/52A8038-scaled.jpg.webp 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Checklist_What_to_compare_before_making_a_decision\"><\/span><b>Final Checklist: What to compare before making a decision<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t just compare the basic rent; compare <\/span><b>the total cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the services that help you make the most of your talents:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Key question to help you decide<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Shared flat<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Olarain<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the price all-inclusive (electricity, Wi-Fi, water)?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initial costs (agency fees + high deposits)?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u26a0\ufe0f Very high<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>No enrolment fee<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Single room with en-suite bathroom?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2753 Difficult<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large bed (1.35m x 2m)?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Rare<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private kitchen with healthy, locally sourced meals?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sports and study facilities included?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-hour security?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychological support\/mentoring?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Yes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Come_and_meet_us\"><\/span><b>Come and meet us<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re coming to Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n to study at university next academic year and are still looking for accommodation, don\u2019t make a decision without meeting us and discussing your concerns with us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to dispel myths is to come visit us. We invite you to a personalised tour with your family so that you can explore our facilities and meet the team who will be your companions on this journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Shall we have a talk? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book your visit or get in touch with our welcome and support team:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Igor Urbizu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; igorurbizu@olarain.com<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Javier Mar\u00edn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; javiermarin@olarain.com<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Telephone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> +34 943 00 33 00<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing where to live whilst studying at university in Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n is just as important as choosing your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":66114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,131,133],"tags":[172,188,192,193,194],"class_list":["post-66122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-olarain","category-donostia","category-alojamiento","tag-student-residence","tag-accommodation","tag-donostia","tag-san-sebastian","tag-shared-flat"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Student Housing in Donostia: Shared Apartments vs. University Halls. Myths and Realities - Colegio Mayor Olarain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing where to live whilst studying at university in Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n is just as important as choosing your degree course. For years, the preferred option was a shared flat, as it offered greater independence and was the most economical choice. However, the property market has been through a structural transformation, and the housing crisis in the main cities of the Basque Country, in terms of availability and prices, has also affected the student accommodation sector. Furthermore, Generation Z and their families are no longer just looking for a place to sleep; they want a living environment tailored to their needs, flexible, safe, that looks after their emotional wellbeing and academic performance, and with no nasty surprises at the end of the month. In this article, we explore why the argument that \u2018a flat is cheaper\u2019 no longer stands up to scrutiny, and we debunk the myths about today\u2019s university halls of residence that go beyond purely financial considerations.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Student Housing in Donostia: Shared Apartments vs. University Halls. Myths and Realities - Colegio Mayor Olarain\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Choosing where to live whilst studying at university in Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n is just as important as choosing your degree course. For years, the preferred option was a shared flat, as it offered greater independence and was the most economical choice. However, the property market has been through a structural transformation, and the housing crisis in the main cities of the Basque Country, in terms of availability and prices, has also affected the student accommodation sector. Furthermore, Generation Z and their families are no longer just looking for a place to sleep; they want a living environment tailored to their needs, flexible, safe, that looks after their emotional wellbeing and academic performance, and with no nasty surprises at the end of the month. In this article, we explore why the argument that \u2018a flat is cheaper\u2019 no longer stands up to scrutiny, and we debunk the myths about today\u2019s university halls of residence that go beyond purely financial considerations.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colegio Mayor Olarain\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CMOlarain\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-30T09:34:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-21T09:34:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/52A7456-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Olarain-admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@CMOlarain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CMOlarain\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/student-housing-in-donostia-shared-apartments-vs-university-halls-myths-and-realities\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Olarain-admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/colegiomayorolarain.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/b60125578a1b63478618e43901a82660\"},\"headline\":\"Student Housing in Donostia: Shared Apartments vs. University Halls. 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