Sao Paulo Housing Guide for Exchange Students

1. Welcome to São Paulo (and why housing matters so much)

Landing in São Paulo feels a bit like zooming into a giant circuit board: lights everywhere, endless towers, cars going in every direction, and somehow everyone still finds their way.

You’ll hear completely opposite reactions from students:

“It was probably the best experience of my life.” — Annabelle, ESPM (Share Butantã)

“I personally didn’t enjoy living in São Paulo… it’s a very business city.” — Sirine, Insper

The difference is rarely the university. It’s where they lived, how they moved around the city, and who they lived with.

This guide is here so that, by the time you board your flight, you already know:

• Which neighborhoods actually work for exchange students
• Which housing options make it easy to make friends
• How to avoid the classic São Paulo housing traps
• What to budget, what to bring, and what to expect on day one

And of course, how to use Studcasa and previous students to shortcut the whole process.

Take a breath. São Paulo is huge, but your world here will be a handful of streets, friends, and routines. Let’s design that world properly.

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2. Understanding São Paulo: size, safety & getting around

2.1. The scale problem

São Paulo has more than 12 million people in the city and around 20 million in the metro area. Distances that look “walkable” on Google Maps can be 45+ minutes in traffic. Students repeat the same message:

“The city is very very big, you need to take Uber every time, don’t think you will walk 30 min.” — Titouan, ESPM

“São Paulo is gigantic… one of the main ‘problems’ of the city.” — Simon, ESPM

So when you pick housing, you’re not just picking a cool street. You’re choosing your daily commute, your going-out area, and sometimes your friend circle.

2.2. Safety: realistic, not paranoid

São Paulo is not a war zone, but it’s also not a place where you walk around with your phone out at 3 a.m. and forget your bag on a chair.

Travel safety sources say São Paulo is generally safe if you stay alert, avoid a few high-crime areas and use common sense. Upscale areas like Jardins and parts of Vila Olímpia are widely considered among the safer parts of the city.

Students confirm the nuance:

“You have to be careful, it’s dangerous… globally dangerous everywhere (except Vila Olímpia).” — Aurélie, Insper

“It’s dangerous, always walk with a belt bag under your clothes, but it’s less bad than what people say.” — Hadrien, ESPM

“You can use Uber and scooters everywhere. You must stay careful but it’s mostly safe.” — Louise, Insper

The pattern:

• By day in good neighborhoods → generally fine with basic precautions.
• By night → take Uber/99, don’t flash your phone, avoid the old city center (“Centro”) and some favelas/edges unless you’re with locals.

You’ll see repeated warnings about phone theft. That’s by far the #1 “crime” students actually experience.

2.3. Transport in real life

• Uber / 99 – your best friend. In group, rides feel absurdly cheap compared to Europe. Many students say they hardly use anything else.
• Metro – clean, efficient, and safe in the main lines. Great in rush hour when traffic is crazy.
• Bus – useful for USP and some commutes; big network but slower.
• Walking & bikes – nice inside some neighborhoods (Pinheiros, Vila Mariana, Jardins), but you normally won’t walk between neighborhoods.

The conclusion for housing: 👉 Being near a metro line or close to your campus is worth a lot more than a slightly cheaper rent far away.

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3. Where students actually live: main neighborhoods

You’ll read about 200 neighborhoods, but exchange students cluster around a few. Let’s map them by vibe.

3.1. Quick neighborhood overview

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Pinheiros & Vila Madalena

Vibe: Super lively, safest “cool” area, tons of bars & nightlife.
Typical match: Insper, USP, FAAP/FECAP, “I want nightlife & young people”

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Vila Mariana & Paraíso

Vibe: Student-friendly, safe, close to Ibirapuera Park, cafés, metro.
Typical match: ESPM, FAAP/FECAP (ok commute), balance of calm + life

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Butantã / Cidade Universitária

Vibe: Near USP, many student residences, more residential.
Typical match: USP FEA / FAU students

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Vila Olímpia / Itaim Bibi / Vila Nova Conceição

Vibe: Business + nightlife near Insper, modern, safe, $$$.
Typical match: Insper, students who want to walk to class

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Jardins / Paulista (Bela Vista, Consolação)

Vibe: Central, upscale, next to Avenida Paulista, great transport & safety.
Typical match: ESPM, Insper, FAAP/FECAP, metro commuters

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Brooklin / Vila Olímpia (South)

Vibe: Corporate + safe, close to Insper & offices.
Typical match: Insper

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Santa Cecília / Higienópolis

Vibe: More traditional, central, close to FAAP.
Typical match: FAAP students

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Centro / Sé / República

Vibe: Cheap rooms, historic center, but avoid at night if possible.
Typical match: Only if you really know what you’re doing

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Now let’s go through them with real voices.

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3.2. Pinheiros (& Vila Madalena nearby)

Pinheiros appears in a lot of stories.

• Violette (Insper) lived in a student residence in Pinheiros and calls it a “very good neighborhood” with lots of bars and nightclubs.
• Leo (Insper) describes his street in Pinheiros as “the safest street in São Paulo but expensive”.
• Many ESPM, Insper and USP students lived around Uliving Pinheiros or colivings there.

Students love:

• Tons of bars (Rua Guaicuí, Bela Jau, etc.), clubs like Meow, Le Club, D-Edge, Amata.
• Lively but still considered one of the safest central areas.
• Easy to meet other internationals because several residences are there (Uliving, etc.).

Downside: rent is higher, and for some universities (ESPM, USP, FAAP) you’ll still commute 20–45 minutes.

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3.3. Vila Mariana (plus Paraíso / Ibirapuera area)

If you’re going to ESPM or FAAP/FECAP and you like a student area over a party district, Vila Mariana is golden.

• Several ESPM students lived at Share Vila Mariana, 3–5 minutes’ walk from campus. They highlight the rooftop pool, gym, BBQ area, and very easy social life.
• Pierre rented an Airbnb near Parque Ibirapuera and walked 10 minutes to ESPM, calling the neighborhood very safe.
• Articles about Vila Mariana describe it as a well-located, middle-class area, close to metro and Ibirapuera Park, mixing residential calm with good services and culture.

Many students say: if your uni is ESPM, life is much easier if you live here instead of far north or west. You can pop home between classes, go out near school, and avoid 1h Uber trips for 8 a.m. lectures.

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3.4. Butantã & Cidade Universitária (USP area)

This is USP land.

A big chunk of USP FEA / FAU students choose Share Butantã or other residences there:

• Juliette (USP) loved Share for the social life and rooftop/pool, but warned that apartments aren’t equipped at all when you arrive.
• Inès (ESADE at USP FEA) lived in a student residence 15 minutes from campus and loved the campus and the travel flexibility (few days of class).
• Some Insper students also choose Share Butantã because it’s cheaper and super social, and they accept the 20–30 minute commute by Uber or bus.

Butantã itself is more local and less fancy than Pinheiros or Jardins, but several students find it “cool” to walk, with supermarkets, friperies, etc. It’s also on the Yellow metro line, which is handy.

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3.5. Vila Olímpia, Itaim Bibi & Vila Nova Conceição

This is where Insper is: on Rua Quatá, 300, in Vila Olímpia.

Living close by means:

• You can sometimes walk to campus in under 10 minutes.
• You’re in a more upscale, business-y area, with lots of offices, malls, and bars.
• Rents and prices are higher.

One Insper student described Vila Olímpia as “the safest neighborhood” they knew, 5 minutes from school, and another lived in a co-living right next to campus and loved being 2 minutes away on foot.

If you hate commuting and you’re okay with a bit less “bohemian” vibe, this area is great.

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3.6. Jardins / Paulista / Bela Vista / Consolação

This cluster is around Avenida Paulista, the city’s symbolic avenue. Travel guides usually recommend this area to visitors because it’s central, safe, and has good access to public transport, restaurants and culture.

Several ESPM and Insper students lived in Jardim Paulista and appreciated:

• Nice buildings, tree-lined streets, shopping, fast access to Paulista.
• Still relatively close to Vila Mariana and Pinheiros by metro or Uber.

It’s a good compromise if you want both a central location and reasonable safety.

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3.7. Other names you’ll see

• Vila Madalena – next to Pinheiros, more artsy, full of bars and blocos at Carnival. Students often go out there, even if they don’t live there.
• Santa Cecília / Higienópolis – where FAAP is based (Higienópolis). Traditional, central, but depending on the exact street, safety can vary a bit.
• Brooklin – modern business area in the south, one student lived in an Airbnb in “Brooklyn SP” and found it safe with good buildings.
• Vila Olímpia vs Centro – multiple students say they avoid the historic downtown (“Centro”) at night; it can be rough, even if there are cool daytime spots.

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4. Housing options: residence, coliving, flat… what actually works?

In São Paulo, what you choose matters as much as where.

We’ll go through the main options, with real pros/cons from students.

4.1. Student residences

These are by far the most common choice in your cohort.

Main brands students mention:

• Uliving – large student housing network in Brazil, with units in Pinheiros and Paulista. Rooms are furnished, buildings have shared areas, Wi-Fi, security, and contracts designed for students.
• Share Student Living – residences in Butantã, Vila Mariana and other areas with furnished studios/apartments, rooftop pools, gyms, coworking, electronic access and 24h reception
• Smaller co-livings like Kasa Co-Living or other private residences.

Why students love residences

“It’s a very good option if you don’t want to live alone. Many events are organized every week, you meet people and especially other internationals.” — Blandine, Uliving Paulista

“Uliving Pinheiros was great to meet people in an amazing neighborhood.” — Fanny, Insper

“Share Butantã is the best value for money… rooftop, pool, gym, very social, and lots of Brazilian students.” — Alexine, Insper

Pros (from both students and the residence websites):

• Fully or mostly furnished (bed, desk, sometimes kitchen).
• All-in price: rent + internet + some utilities + security.
• Many have pool, gym, BBQ area, rooftop, study rooms, coworking, etc.
• Packed with other exchange students and locals, so social life starts on day one.
• Often no Brazilian guarantor required and contracts are much less bureaucratic than classic rentals.

Cons (straight from students):

• Price: most pay €480–900/month depending on room type and location.
• Several complain about maintenance issues (broken showers, electricity, bad Wi-Fi) and slow/unhelpful administration.
• Almost all say nothing is provided when you arrive: no pillow, sheets, pans, etc.
• Some residences are far from their university (e.g. living in Pinheiros while studying at ESPM in Vila Mariana can mean 40–60 min each way with traffic).

When a residence is a great idea

• You’re coming alone and want an easy social life.
• You don’t speak much Portuguese yet.
• You’re okay with paying a bit more for security + community.
• You’re staying one semester and don’t want long contracts or heavy paperwork.

When you might want something else

• You’re coming with a group of friends and want a big shared flat.
• You’re very sensitive to noise and constant parties.
• You’re on a very tight budget and want to stay closer to €350–500/month.

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4.2. Coliving / “repúblicas” / shared houses

These are shared houses or apartments, sometimes organized as co-living brands, sometimes just “repúblicas de estudantes” found through platforms like WebQuarto or local groups.

WebQuarto is a Brazilian platform specializing in shared rooms and student “repúblicas” across Brazil, including São Paulo, where you can search by neighborhood and near universities.

Examples from students:

• Juliette (USP FAU) rented a coliving in Pinheiros via WebQuarto for ~€250/month: cheap and well-located, but she felt it was harder to build close bonds because most roommates were older workers.
• Aurélie (Insper) shared an apartment in Vila Olímpia with Brazilians via a local company and paid R$2232 (€360). She found it super useful to live with locals, but the social atmosphere was “so-so”.
• Joseph (USP) stayed in a coliving in Pinheiros for €650 and simply “wouldn’t really recommend it”.

Pros:

• Cheaper than residences for central locations.
• Often more space (living room, real kitchen).
• You live with locals or a mix, great for practicing Portuguese and understanding daily life.
• Contracts sometimes more flexible than classic rentals (especially techy coliving brands).

Cons:

• Quality varies a lot (from great to very basic).
• You may arrive to an older house with shared bathrooms and minimal privacy.
• Social dynamics depend entirely on who happens to live there.
• Some require a CPF or Brazilian guarantor.

This option works best if:

• You’re comfortable with uncertainty and shared living.
• You’re okay doing more research and visits.
• You’re not obsessed with rooftop pools and fancy lobbies.

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4.3. Classic apartments & Airbnbs

Several students booked Airbnb or furnished apartments via Tabas/Tabas-style platforms.

• One student lived in Brooklin SP via Airbnb: loved the safe neighborhood and building with a pool.
• Others booked around Pinheiros, Vila Mariana, Jardins, Bela Vista via Airbnb or Tabas and appreciated the comfort and privacy.
• A couple of students strongly warn that many random Airbnbs in São Paulo have cockroach or cleanliness issues, and that agencies can be expensive and bureaucratic.

Platforms like Tabas and similar offer fully furnished, nicely decorated apartments for medium-term stays (1+ months) in prime neighborhoods, with cleaning and support.

Pros:

• Maximum independence and comfort.
• Great if you’re a couple or a tight group of 2–3.
• Often really nice interiors and quieter than residences.
• On platforms like Tabas, contracts and support are in English / very foreigner-friendly.

Cons:

• Price: usually higher than a room in a student residence once you include all costs.
• If you book a random Airbnb, quality can be hit-or-miss.
• Social life does not come “built-in”: you’ll rely more on university & Studcasa.

This shines if:

• You come with a partner / close friend and want your own space.
• You value peace + quality over constant social buzz.
• Your budget allows €600–900+ per person for a nice central area.

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5. Matching housing to your university

Let’s be very practical. Where should you live depending on your uni?

We’ll keep it simple: green = great, yellow = OK but commute, red = avoid unless you know why you want it.

5.1. Insper (Vila Olímpia)

Campus: Rua Quatá, 300 – Vila Olímpia.

Best fits (green):

• Vila Olímpia / Vila Nova Conceição / Vila Olímpia side of Moema
• Vila Olímpia-adjacent parts of Vila Olímpia/Brooklin

You can walk or have a 5–10 min Uber. One student literally lived 2 minutes from Insper and absolutely loved it.

Great but commute (yellow):

• Pinheiros / Vila Madalena / Itaim Bibi / Jardins / Paulista

  • 20–40 min by Uber without crazy traffic, more during rush hour.
  • Many Insper students choose Uliving Pinheiros or Share Butantã and accept the commute for the social life.

• Butantã (Share Butantã) if you value price + rooftop + community more than being close.

Tricky (red):

• Far north or east of the city, or deep south where you’d depend on 1h+ commutes each way.
• Old Centro if you don’t already know it well.

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5.2. ESPM (Vila Mariana)

Main campus: Vila Mariana, near Rua Dr. Álvaro Alvim & Rua Joaquim Távora.

Best fits (green):

• Vila Mariana / Paraíso / Ana Rosa / Ibirapuera area
• Student residences: Share Vila Mariana, nearby colivings & apartments.

Students highlight that living near ESPM:

• Saves you from brutal traffic.
• Lets you go home between weirdly timed classes (they can run late into the evening).
• Keeps you in a very safe, student-heavy area.

Great but commute (yellow):

• Pinheiros / Vila Madalena / Jardins / Paulista

  • 20–40 min by Uber/metro.
  • Many ESPM students do it because they want the Pinheiros nightlife vibe.

• Itaim Bibi / Vila Olímpia – doable but not necessary unless your friends are mostly there.

Tricky (red):

• Far west (Butantã) if you hate commuting.
• Deep north/east far from metro.

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5.3. USP (FEA, FAU, etc. – Cidade Universitária, Butantã)

Campus: Cidade Universitária, Butantã district.

Best fits (green):

• Butantã – especially close to the campus or metro.
• Share Butantã and other residences in that area.

USP even provides a free or cheap bus card for students commuting from Butantã area to campus; several students mention 15 min bus rides.

Great but commute (yellow):

• Pinheiros / Vila Madalena – close by Uber/metro, and many USP parties actually happen in those neighborhoods.
• Itaim Bibi / Vila Olímpia / Jardins – possible but longer.

Tricky (red):

• Far south or east; your bus ride becomes a mission.

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5.4. FAAP (Higienópolis), FECAP, others

• FAAP main campus: Higienópolis, central but residential, near Santa Cecília & Consolação.
• FECAP: near Liberdade / central area (students often choose Paulista, Vila Mariana or Pinheiros).

Good choices:

• Higienópolis / Santa Cecília / Consolação / Paulista / Vila Mariana – all reasonably central with metro access.
• Many FAAP/FECAP students still choose Pinheiros or Vila Mariana for social life and accept the commute.

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6. Budget: what does housing actually cost?

Let’s convert the stories into something concrete.

From student experiences:

• Student residences (Uliving, Share, other brands): 🔹 Roughly €480–900/month depending on:

  • Single vs shared room
  • Location (Pinheiros/Paulista more expensive than Butantã)
  • Extras (bigger studios, newer buildings)

• Colivings / shared flats / “repúblicas”: 🔹 Around €250–600/month

  • Cheaper if you share with 3–4 people in more local areas (Butantã, Vila Mariana, Vila Olímpia with locals).
  • More expensive in Pinheiros, Jardins, Itaim.

• Airbnb / Tabas-style serviced apartments: 🔹 Usually €600–1,000+ per person, depending on apartment size and neighborhood, but you pay for comfort and flexibility.

Beyond rent, plan for:

• Deposit / booking fee – residences & platforms usually charge 1 month deposit or a booking fee.
• Starter kit (first month): pillow, duvet, sheets, towel, kitchen basics, cleaning products → €60–120 if you buy everything new.
• Uber/transport – if you’re far from campus, this adds up fast, even if each ride is cheap.

Most students in your feedback fall somewhere between €350–750/month for housing, with Pinheiros and top-end residences at the top of that range.

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7. Safety & everyday habits (especially around housing)

Housing and safety are deeply linked here. A few patterns from students:

“Be careful with your valuables. Don’t use your phone in certain neighborhoods.” — Hippolyte, Insper

“At night, take Uber and avoid the historic center, but during the day it isn’t as dangerous.” — Juliette, USP FAU

“Security: no problem for me, just your phone: a lot of thefts, even in ‘safe’ places or at uni parties.” — Isaure, ESPM

Very practical housing-related tips:

• Pick a building with doorman / electronic access if possible. Residences, modern colivings, and newer condos almost always have this.

• At night:

  • Order Uber/99 from inside the building lobby when you can.
  • Don’t walk home alone, especially after parties.

• Don’t keep your phone in your back pocket or in your hand on the street; use a small cross-body or belt bag and keep it in front.

• Avoid flashy jewellery and watches, especially in busy areas.

• In student parties and clubs, keep your phone zipped away ― theft happens even there.

Travel resources emphasise that São Paulo is manageable when you stick to these basics and choose safer, central neighborhoods.

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8. CPF, paperwork & what to expect from landlords

You will hear about CPF a lot. It’s the Brazilian personal tax ID (“Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas”), used for almost everything: bank account, phone plan, online purchases – and often renting an apartment.

Several students insist:

“Super important before coming to Brazil is to do your CPF number (you cannot do anything without it).” — Inès, USP FEA

“Do your CPF before coming to Brazil.” — Titouan, ESPM

Good news:

• You can often get it at a Brazilian consulate in your country or once you arrive, either online or at a Receita Federal office/post office.
• Some residences or short-term platforms don’t require it, but having one makes your life much easier.

For classic rentals or some colivings, expect:

• Copy of passport
• CPF
• Sometimes proof of income or a guarantor (fiador). Residences and platforms like Uliving, Share, Tabas, WebQuarto are usually more flexible with foreigners than traditional agencies.

For residences, the process is simpler:

• Online form + deposit or booking fee
• Contract in Portuguese (use translation tools or ask a Brazilian friend / uni buddy to help)
• First payment before arrival

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9. How to actually find a place (step-by-step with Studcasa)

Housing in São Paulo is much easier when you use three channels together: ➡ previous students (Studcasa), ➡ the group, ➡ platforms.

9.1. Step 1 – Use previous students smartly

On Studcasa:

1. Go to the Feedback tab for your destination.

2. Filter by your university (Insper, ESPM, USP, FAAP, FECAP…).

3. Open 3–5 housing reviews from students whose profile looks similar to you (same uni, semester, budget).

4. Message 2–3 of them directly. Ask very specific questions, like:

   • “Would you pick the same neighborhood again?”
   • “How long was your real commute door to door?”
   • “If you had to do it again, which residence or area would you choose?”

Many of them explicitly say: “Feel free to message me, I’m happy to help.” Use that. That’s exactly why Studcasa exists.

9.2. Step 2 – Use the group to find flatmates & compare options

In your Studcasa / WhatsApp / uni group:

• Post your profile + what you’re looking for (neighborhoods, budget, residence vs flat).
• Ask: “Is anyone already booked at Share Butantã / Uliving Pinheiros / around Vila Mariana?”
• See who has similar timetables or same uni, and create a small group to hunt together.
• If 3–4 of you align, consider renting a bigger apartment via Airbnb, Tabas or local platforms.

Remember: the group is the public square, but most deals happen in private DMs. The more you post, the more likely you are to get those DMs.

9.3. Step 3 – Explore platforms (without getting lost)

Residences

• Uliving – student housing in Pinheiros, Paulista and other areas.([uliving.com.br][8])
• Share Student Living – units in Butantã and Vila Mariana, among others, with rooftop pools, gyms, study rooms and 24h reception.([sharesl.com.br][9])

Colivings & shared flats

• WebQuarto – Brazilian platform for rooms and student “repúblicas”, with many options in Pinheiros, Vila Mariana, Butantã, etc.

Furnished apartments & Airbnbs

• Tabas or similar – medium-term fully furnished apartments in central neighborhoods with support in English.
• Airbnb, Booking, and other international platforms.

When you compare options, don’t just look at pictures. For each place, write down:

• Neighborhood & nearest metro station
• Commute to uni at rush hour
• Total price per month (including fees & utilities)
• What’s included (furniture, Wi-Fi, gym, cleaning…)
• Who else lives there (students? locals? age?)

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10. What nobody tells you about moving in

Every single student in your feedback mentions surprises about what wasn’t included.

Expect that, when you arrive, your room may have:

• A bed structure and mattress
• Wardrobe
• Desk & chair
• Maybe a small fridge / kitchenette, depending on the residence

And that’s it.

You’ll likely need to buy:

• Pillow, sheets, duvet/blanket, towels
• Kitchen basics: plate, bowl, cutlery, pan, spatula, mug
• Cleaning stuff: sponge, soap, trash bags, etc.

Good news: you have cheap options near most residences (Carrefour, local department stores, sometimes even kits sold by the residence). Do a big first shop with other exchange students; it’s fun and you can share costs for some items.

Also prepare for:

• Maintenance hiccups – things break. Showers, Wi-Fi, electricity. Residences vary a lot in how quickly they respond.
• Humidity & rain – São Paulo can be very humid with strong storms. A dehumidifier or at least good ventilation helps. Students mention a lot of rain; don’t be shocked if your “Brazil = always sunny” fantasy is slightly off.
• Noise – If your room faces a busy street or common area, bring earplugs. Residences can be noisy on weekends.

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11. Balancing housing with the main reason you’re here: life

Housing isn’t just about walls. It shapes your entire exchange:

• Living in Share Butantã or Uliving Pinheiros might mean:

  • Rooftop pool parties
  • Instant group of 30+ people
  • Slightly longer commute to uni

• Living in a quiet Airbnb near Vila Mariana or Vila Olímpia might mean:

  • Peace, good sleep, and easy study time
  • More effort to build a social circle (so lean harder on Studcasa & uni clubs)

Students keep repeating a few keys to a “top” exchange:

“Try to condense your classes to 2–3 days to travel a lot.” — multiple Insper & USP students

“Talk to Brazilians as soon as possible, or learn Portuguese, because almost nobody speaks English.” — Sirine, Insper

“The best part is the trips: Rio, Ilha Grande, Paraty, the islands, the Nordeste…” — basically everyone

So when you choose housing, ask yourself:

• Will this location let me travel easily on long weekends (close to bus station/airport, flexible schedule)?
• Will I have people to do things with in the first weeks?
• Will my budget still allow trips after paying rent & Ubers?

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12. A simple decision path (if you’re still lost)

If you’re staring at 20 tabs and feeling overwhelmed, try this little script.

1. Pick your 2–3 favorite neighborhoods

   • Insper → Vila Olímpia, Vila Nova Conceição, Pinheiros
   • ESPM → Vila Mariana, Paraíso, Ibirapuera side of Vila Mariana
   • USP → Butantã, Pinheiros

2. Decide your housing “style”

   • “I want built-in social life” → residence (Uliving / Share / similar)
   • “I want locals & cheaper” → WebQuarto / coliving / república
   • “I want comfort & privacy” → Airbnb/Tabas-style furnished flat

3. Set a realistic budget range

   • Tight budget → aim for €350–550 and accept being a bit further or in a shared room.
   • Comfortable → €550–750 opens nearly all residences and good flats.
   • Higher → €750+ and you can prioritize comfort and location fully.

4. Use Studcasa

   • Message 2–3 alumni from your uni who chose each option you’re considering.
   • Ask: “If you had to re-do your exchange, what would you book now?”

5. Book something flexible for the first 1–2 months (optional)

   • If you’re nervous, you can take a residence or Airbnb for the first months and, once in São Paulo, visit other options in person before committing for the full semester.

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13. Final words from the Studcasa Team

You don’t need the “perfect” apartment to have an amazing exchange.

You need:

• A neighborhood where you feel safe walking around your block.
• A commute that doesn’t destroy your motivation to go to class.
• A housing setup that makes it easy to meet people (residence, shared house, or being active in the group).
• Enough budget left after rent to travel, go out, and say yes when people invite you.

Use the Feedback tab. DM the students who sound like you. Post in the group. Let their lived experience save you weeks of anxiety and dozens of bad tabs.

And if you’re hesitating between two decent options?

Pick the one that will give you more stories, not more square meters. That’s almost always the right choice in São Paulo.

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Made with ❤️ by the Studcasa Team