There’s something special about 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.
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.
University towns tend to have a vibrancy and a strong cultural cachet. They can also be disarmingly beautiful, like the historic city center of Lublin in Poland.
Of course, in some of the 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 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.
Check out the listings below…
Montpellier, France
Listing price: €250,000 ($283,300)
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.
Montpellier’s vibrant tramways weave through a city where tradition meets innovation.
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.
This two-bed duplex in the heart of Montpellier spans 797 square feet. The exposed beams, floor tiles and stone walls lend it considerable character. The rustic living room has a fireplace and opens onto a kitchen area, and the duplex also has a veranda offering stunning views of Montpellier.
It’s on the market for €250,000 ($283,300). Read the full listing here.
This charming duplex is in the heart of Montpellierand comes with a terrace offering views of the city.
Granada, Spain
Listing price: €180,000 ($204,600)
In Granada, grand palaces and student tapas bars coexist in harmony. This city was the last Moorish stronghold in Spain—evident in the Alhambra, the famed medieval palace complex overlooking the town.
The University of Granada was founded in 1531. With about 47,000 students, the university keeps the city cosmopolitan and lively. In the evenings, locals and students mingle in the plazas and tapas bars. In Granada, every drink comes with a free tapa, a beloved tradition.
The Alhambra stands as a testament to Granada’s rich Moorish heritage.
Wandering the narrow lanes of the historic Albaicín district of Granada, a corner of the city on the hillside opposite the Alhambra, you’ll find whitewashed houses and flower-draped balconies.
This charming one-bed, one-bath home offers stunning views of the Alhambra. The single-story property spans 517 square feet and presents an opportunity for renovation. Nestled behind the Camborio venue, it enjoys a location in one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.
This property is on the market for €180,000 ($204,600). You can see the full listing here.
In Granada’s historic Albaicín district, this charming one-bed, one-bath home comes with views of the Alhambra.
Bari, Italy
Listing price: €379,000 ($430,222)
On Italy’s Adriatic coast, Bari is both a university town and the legendary city of Saint Nicholas. In the maze of Bari Vecchia (the old town), stone arches lead to lively squares, and you might see nonnas (grandmothers) making orecchiette pasta by hand as students wander past.
The 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, which holds the relics of Saint Nicholas, anchors the old town.
Thanks to the University of Bari and other colleges, the city’s streets teem with young people who keep its cafés, pizzerias, and music clubs bustling. The piazzas are full of life by day, and by night students gather along the seafront promenade or in wine bars tucked down narrow alleys.
Bari’s sun-kissed promenade is a popular place for students to gather
This beautifully restored home is in the heart of Bari’s atmospheric old town. Spanning 1,022 square feet across three floors, it features a ground-floor living area, a first-floor kitchen with balcony, and a second-floor bedroom with its own balcony and a modern bathroom.
A rooftop terrace with motorized awning offers a private outdoor escape. It’s only steps away from shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks. This property is on the market for €379,000 ($430,222). Read all the details here.
A home set over three floors in the charming heart of Bari’s old town is on the market now.
Lublin, Poland
Listing price: $247,725
In eastern Poland, Lublin is a city where medieval charm meets youthful creativity. Its old town, with ornate facades and a hilltop Royal Castle, feels like a step into the past. Once a busy crossroads between East and West, today the city buzzes with a large student population that brings fresh energy to its Gothic arches and Renaissance courtyards.
Several universities call Lublin home, including Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Catholic University of Lublin. Students make up roughly one-third of the city’s population, fueling a lively array of cafés, pubs, and cultural events.
The old town of Lublin in Poland is picturesque and historic. This city has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2029.
On a given evening, you might stumble upon a poetry slam in a cellar pub or an open-air concert in one of the squares. Lublin proudly brands itself Poland’s “Capital of Festivals,” hosting everything from street art celebrations to medieval fairs. And it has been selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2029.
Located in the residential Sławin neighborhood, this detached house comes with 1,722 square feet of living space across two floors, plus a utility basement and private garage. Built around 1978, the house’s ground floor includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and entrance hall, while the first floor offers three bedrooms and another bathroom.
The 5,350 square feet plot includes a fenced yard and a separate outbuilding.
This property is on the market for $247,725. Read the full listing here.
This house in Lublin, Poland, has 1,722 square feet of living space plus a basement and garage.
Stay tuned for listings in university towns in Latin America…
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t 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 Instagramaccount.
