There’s something special about Europe’s university towns.
These towns have an energy, vibrancy and sophistication that’s hard to find anywhere else.
They derive this electric atmosphere from their rich history and from the students who come from all over the world, mingling with locals to create a sense of openness and inclusion. These are places where you’ll feel welcome.
Having a good university on your doorstep also means a vibrant community interested in the arts and culture. There’ll always be plenty to do from concerts and art exhibits, to theater performances and lecture series. Also depending on the university, you may even find good sports facilities…and a decent local team to support as well.
Europe’s university towns also tend to feel contained and manageable. They’re generally small enough that you don’t need a car. These are places for strolling and riding bikes, usually with good public transportation.
University towns, then, can offer a great quality of life.
Of course, in Europe’s most famous university towns like Paris…or Oxford…or London…or Heidelberg in Germany, real estate prices can be very high. The demand for student accommodation pushes prices up, so affordable real estate is a rarity.
But if you look to Europe’s smaller, less-well-known university cities, not only will you still get the lively atmosphere of the more famous (and expensive) student cities, you’ll also find far more affordable homes.
This week, my team have been digging into listings in some of these under-the-radar university towns.
All the homes below are in towns with universities that are at least 600 years old, meaning they rank among the very oldest in Europe and have incredible history. Check out the listings below…
Montpellier, France
Listing price: €190,000 ($198,450)
As well as being home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Montpellier is also one of the leading cities in France for violin making.
Despite its location in the South of France, Montpellier doesn’t get the crush of tourists that its more famous southern neighbors do. Which means prices here are much more affordable.
There’s a lot to love about this city…
It gets 300 days of sunshine a year and offers the strolling visitor a mostly pedestrian old town of winding lanes amid Renaissance-era mansions.
Its French nickname is the “surdouée” (the gifted one), and it’s well deserving of it. You’ll find avant garde architecture, art galleries, museums, superb nightlife and dining. The city even has its own arc de triomphe.
Then there’s the beach. It takes just 20 minutes or so on public transport to leave the compact city center and have your toes in the sand looking over the Mediterranean.
Today, Montpellier is one of France’s fastest-growing cities, if not the fastest. In the early 1960s the city had a population of around 119,000. Today it’s closer to 300,000. It’s also a huge center of third-level education. Montpellier’s university was founded in 1289 and it has one of the oldest and most distinguished medical schools in the world.
In the heart of Montpellier, in the l’Ecusson neighborhood, is this two-bed, one-bath apartment. There’s a kitchen/dining area and a separate living room, and the building has a wine cellar. This area is the historic center of the city and is known for its medieval streets, vibrant squares, and historical landmarks like the imposing Saint-Pierre Cathedral. It’s priced at €179,000 ($198,450) and the full listing is here.
Coimbra, Portugal
Listing price: €220,000 ($243,850)
With over 21,000 students attending Coimbra’s famed university, the town has earned itself the moniker of “the city of students.”
Home to the oldest university in Portugal, and one of the oldest in Europe (it was founded in 1290), Coimbra has been attracting students for well over seven centuries. The university dominates both the skyline—it sits majestically atop a hill overlooking the old town—and the atmosphere here…This is a trendy little city with plenty of culture, history, and color.
Coimbra, Portugal’s fourth largest city, sits on either side of the Mondego River. It has an attractive riverfront with a series of parks and green areas, as well as outdoor restaurants. In the old town, you can explore narrow labyrinthine streets that open into grand plazas. Everywhere you go there are plenty of sidewalk cafés, where you can enjoy an expresso and pastel de nata (custard tart).
While Coimbra is historic‚ this is no museum. It’s a living, breathing city with everything you need for a comfortable life.
About three miles from the center of Coimbra is this spacious four-bed apartment. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a laundry room, two bathrooms, and a large living room that has two balconies with views over the fields that surround the nearby Mondego River. The master bedroom also has a private balcony.
Nearby you have supermarkets, restaurants, and cafés, and it’s a quick drive into the center of Coimbra. The listing price is €220,000 ($243,850) and you can view the property here.
St. Andrews, Scotland
Listing price: £210,000 ($273,100)
Founded in 1413, St. Andrews University is the third-oldest English-speaking university in the world.
Although St. Andrews is best known for being home to one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, the town is also the location of Scotland’s oldest university. In fact, it was at this university that Britain’s Prince William met his wife, Kate Middleton.
St. Andrews is a seaside town and sits on a beautiful stretch of coast. There are coastal paths you can hike and plenty of stunning beaches to explore. The town also boasts a medieval center as well as the ruins of the imposing St. Andrews Cathedral, once Scotland’s largest church.
With a constant flow of students, golfers, and visitors to the town, St. Andrews has a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere that contrasts with its historic past.
Just under a 10-minute walk from the center of St. Andrews there’s a two-bed apartment for sale. This home also has one bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and the living room has large picture windows for maximum light. There is also private parking and a communal garden. The list price is £210,000 ($273,100). See the full listing here.
Bologna, Italy
Listing price: €280,000 ($310,300)
Bologna University is the birthplace of the world’s first ever medical school and today is a pioneer in the field of healthcare.
Bologna is the capital of Italy’s northern Emilia-Romagna region. With a population of about 1 million people, it often ranks as having one of the best quality-of-life ratings in Italy. It’s also home to the world’s oldest university. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and counts Dante Alighieri (author of the famous poem, The Divine Comedy) among its alumni.
The 340-acre historic city center, much of it pedestrian-only, is meticulously maintained. It comprises centuries-old piazzas, surrounded by churches, towers, and porticoes topped by terracotta tile roofs.
Bologna is also one of Italy’s finest culinary destinations and is of course famous for the meaty and hearty Bolognese sauce. The lively city center is full of trattorias, sidewalk cafés, markets, and museums, and its modern outskirts offer every comfort.
In a quiet, leafy neighborhood, about a 20-minte drive from Bologna’s center, is a two-bed, one-bath apartment. It’s recently been renovated and has a kitchen/living room, laundry room, and the main bedroom has a small balcony. There’s also a communal garden and nearby is a bus stop that will take you right into the city center. This listing price is €280,000 ($310,300) and you can view the full listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. I haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
