Find the best rentals in Florence
If Florence is on the list of your favourite cities in Italy, you will surely be interested in knowing more about life there. Florence is one of the most beautiful places in Europe for many reasons. It goes without saying that there is an abundance of cuisine that is characterised by fresh food and dishes that are very famous all over the world, for example, the ''bistecca alla fiorentina'' or the ''tagliata con rucola''. Also there is the beauty of the landscapes to take into account, since Florence, having a river that runs through it and being surrounded by three hills, has very interesting views. On top of that there is so much art to take in. It doesn't matter if you prefer music, painting, sculpture or fashion, Florence has it all.
The city is small and very densely populated, if you choose to live in an area close to the centre, to get to your university or your workplace, you will have the opportunity to walk in front of the Duomo and to go out partying and you will not need a taxi, so get ready to walk and find an instagrammable corner every day!
What is it like to live in Florence?
Despite not being a big city, you will find everything you need. You can tour the city by bicycle, or if you prefer the Italian tradition you can opt for a Vespa, and thus get around without problems.
Art plays a very important role, because wherever you go you will find Renaissance art and architecture that gives the city a special atmosphere. You will also find a lot of variety in terms of food. You will have a great selection of Italian restaurants, but also Japanese, Arabic or Latin food.
Getting bored is practically impossible. Even an activity as simple as watching the sunset will be very special. You also have a large number of libraries, cinemas and museums at your disposal.
If the weather is something that makes you curious, you should know that in Florence the summers are short but warm, and the winters are long and cold. The benefit of this city is that it is surrounded by very interesting places to visit. For example, you can get to Pisa in an hour by train, or to the Cinque Terre in a very short time.
Where should I live in Florence?
Choosing the best neighbourhood to live in Florence will depend a lot on the activity you are going to do in the city and the budget you have planned for your stay. Sant'ambrogio, is a very popular neighbourhood among students because the rent here is very cheap. But you should know that it is a neighbourhood that has no tourist attractions and is quite far from the centre. The good thing is that since Florence is a small city, you won’t have to travel long distances.
Another neighbourhood with similar characteristics is Novoli, a residential neighbourhood, quite far from the centre, but with affordable prices and a very quiet place to live. If you prefer a neighbourhood with a little more life, we recommend Santa Croce, which, being close to the basilica, has many bars, cafes and museums around it, as well as a very active nightlife.
Last but not least, Via Faenza and Santa MarĂa Novella are sectors that offer prices that are not very cheap but not very expensive either, and they have a good connection to public transport and commercial establishments, which makes them neighbourhoods with a lot happening.
What is the average price of a rental in Florence?
As is common, prices depend on the area, the neighbourhood, the age of the buildings and the type of property, which is also what defines the number of people you choose to live with. It could be a room or a studio, better known as monolocale in Italy.
In general terms, a monthly rental of a room in a shared flat, in an area far from the centre, could cost €400 a month, and in a slightly more central area, approximately €550.
If you prefer to rent an entire apartment just for yourself the price could be around €900 per month, and if you prefer to rent a larger one to share it with your friends, it will be approximately €1450. It is important to take into account the services that are included in the rental price. In Spotahome you can control, through the filters, the most important characteristics for you when looking for a house. In general, the best option is a flat that has electricity, water, etc, included in the rent or at a fixed price.
What is the cost of living in Florence?
Florence is a city that can be very expensive for tourists, but for residents who know it and know the best places to eat, shop at the supermarket, get around, etc, it's an affordable city.
For transport, a good way to save is to use a bicycle, but if you prefer public transport, the cost of a regular ticket is €1.20. If we talk about food, a simple breakfast in a cafeteria will cost a maximum of €3 and a meal in a quiet restaurant for one person could cost €16.
Is it difficult to find an apartment in Florence?
It could be difficult if you don't have the right tools and if you do it last minute. The most important thing when looking for a home in a new city is to plan ahead. A good way to plan is to start to get an idea of ​​the type of apartment and the area where you would like to live and start looking 3 or 4 months before the move-in date. Activate the "alerts" option offered by Spotahome, so that room options that have what you're looking for arrive in your email and you can choose the best one.
How often is rent paid in Florence?
In Florence, as in other parts of Italy, rentals work like in almost all of Europe. In other words, you pay the monthly rent and when you enter the apartment you must give the landlord the amount of one or two months of rent as a guarantee, that he will return to you when you leave the apartment, discounting repair or maintenance values ​​in case of damage to the walls or furniture, etc. It may be that the landlord would prefer to receive the payment every three months, but it is not very common. Also, if it is difficult for you to pay three months of rent (including rent and guarantee), in a single payment, Spotahome has a filter to find properties "without deposit", which can be very useful.
What documents do I need to rent an apartment in Florence?
The documents you need to rent an apartment in this city generally work the same as all of Italy, but It may be that some landlords ask you for specific documents, however it will depend on their requirements.
We advise you to prepare an identification document. Most of the time your passport is required, the residence permit for Italy, which can be for study or work, depending on your situation. Also your fiscal code for the registration of the contract. This is a code that you will be able to obtain once you enter Italy.