Ponti Vecchio and the Arno River
Finding Housing in Florence
Students may live wherever they choose in Florence. We suggest that because you are only there for a short time, it is best to live either within walking distance or easy commute by bus from school. Living further away may save on rent, but it may both increase your commuting expense and take valuable time that you would rather spend on other things.
The Institute at Syracuse University Florence is located in Piazza Savonarola, which is just north of the Centro Storico. Walking there from the center of Florence is uphill. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the Duomo, and about 25 minutes from either Santa Maria Novella on the west or Santa Croce on the east. Students who want to live in a lively area often live in the Oltrarno south of the river, though it is either a very long walk or an inconvenient bus ride with a change of buses.
Most students rent apartments. Occasionally we have had students living with a family.
It is impossible to describe a typical Florence apartment. Most of Florence was constructed between 1400 and 1700 in large family homes that have now been broken into apartments, so it is difficult to make any general statement that will be meaningful. Nonetheless, we will try -----
Getting to your apartment often involves climbing many steps. Most rental apartments have real beds, not just mattresses on the floor (though we have seen some of those also). The bathrooms are usually relatively nice, though the shower curtain arrangements can be creative. Kitchens are often quite small, and sometimes just the necessary appliances along a wall in the living room. Many apartments are air-conditioned, but many are not. Those with air conditioning are likely to rent at a higher rate than those without. Apartments without air conditioning usually have fans.
As short-term rental of apartments is a booming business in Florence, you may be able to make arrangements over the internet, though many of the places offered are far beyond the budget of the typical student. Some of those places might be priced more reasonably when the tourist trade is suffering. Likewise, arrangements with families can be hard to make over the internet. For that reason, we have made arrangements with a real estate person in Florence who has helped students find housing over the last several years for USD. Her name is Carla Fioravanti, and you can contact her at cfioravanti@dada.it tel/fax 011-39-055-24-03-29. Ms Fioravanti speaks English. Please contact her directly with your requirements. Please allow 5 business days for a reply.
Here are some sample apartments of Carlas clients, which may or may not be available next summer, probably at increased prices. Except as indicated, all prices include gas and electric charges, but do not include her 10% commission:
1. Via Giotto (Piazza Beccaria area), 2 bedrooms, kitchen-living room combination, back yard, 1200 euros.
2. Via Venezia (San Marcos area), 1 bedroom, loft, living room-kitchenette, washing machine, 1100 euros.
3. Borgo San Iacopo (Ponte Vecchio/Oltrarno area), l bedroom, living room, entry, kitchen, 5th floor with elevator, 1100 euros.
4. Borgo San Iacopo (Ponte Vecchio/Oltrarno area), 2 corridors, combination bedroom-living room, kitchen, in patrician palace with elevator; air-conditioned; fine furniture; 1000 euros + cost of air conditioning.
5. Via Dante Alighieri (Bargello area), 2 bedrooms, kitchen-sitting room, 1100 euros.
6. Viale Antonio Gramsci (Piazza Beccaria area), small house with table outside in a villa, 1000 euros.
7. Piazza Ciompi (N of Santa Croce), 2 double bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen-living room, view, 1600 euros + utilities
8. Via dellAgnolo (Piazza Ciompi area), 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen-living room, washing machine, balcony overlooking gardens, 1150 euros.
9. Via Lambertesca (Piazza della Signoria area, one block N of the Arno), 2 bedrooms, kitchen-living room, simply furnished apartment in a tower, 1100 euros.
10. Piazza Frescobaldi (Oltarno at Ponte Santa Trinita), 1 bedroom, living room overlooking piazza and bridge, kitchen, 900 euros.
11. Borgo S.Croce, by the Basilica of S.Croce, good apartment for two persons in large, comfortable living, kitchinette/ washing machine, shower bathroom and a large, elegantly furnished bedroom. Priced Euros 1000 plus utilities.
12 Via Ghibellina, good for two persons Kitchen/washing machine, corridor and good bedroom Shower bathroom newly restored. costing Euros 700 plus electricity.
13 Via San Gallo, S.Marco area, near School. In this beautiful palace, several apartments are available. The place dessigned by Raffaello.
The first is small but very important, most elegant with original furniture dating the XVI century, costing a lot of course: 2.500 euros + utilities.
The second is a good monolocal, good for one or two persosns, from where people can enjoy a wonderful view of Florence, 800 euros.
The third is a large and good apartment good for four persons: large living with 2 couches, large bedroom with two beds and shower bathroom; kitchinette, 1.200 euros.
The fourth is also a large and good apartment good for four persons: large living with 2 couches, large bedroom with two beds and shower bathroom; kitchinette, 1.200 euros.
The administration of this palace is very good and offers the apartment cleaning, as well as the change of laundry every week included in the price. It is a lush treatment, though inexpensive.
14 Via dei della Robbia, near School, elegantly located and furnished, with elevator and porter. Large entry, large shower bathroom/washing machine, large kitchen with all facilities, bright and comfortable living with a couch, bedroom with twin beds large and comfortable. Air conditioning. Priced 1000 euros a month including utilities, except air conditioning. Upon request Landlady offers one hour per week her cleaning person, included in the price.
15 Beyond Ponte S.Trinita, the fine renaissance palace. for single persons and two persons starting Euros 1.300 price includes utilities and cleaning service every week and change of linen and towels as well.
16 Via dei Pandolfini, newly restored, wonderfully located, with a garage near. 900 for two people, 1.200 for three people.
We have received an unsolicited listing from English-speaking Ms. Tatiana Fedotova Perugini, cellphone +39(335)48-70-70. She did not provide an e-mail address. She calls it the Apartment San Giovanni: 2 bedroom apartment near Duomo, living room, kitchen, washing machine, 1200 euros + utilities.
Ms Parul Chokshi F01 recommends Natipoltri Lodgings
Below are other bits of housing information:
"After you have done your search you should sort through them by "rating." It will sort by highest rated first, then if you click into the hostel and scroll to the bottom it will give you a breakdown of their ratings, and if you click on "click here to view ratings and reviews" then you can read what people have said about the hostel. I wouldn't go through Europe any other way." ...........Jessica Schroeder-USD student
Flash Booking -- Hostels to Hotels with pictures of available places and pricing. Do a search for places in Florence. Information on all places available will come up.