Dorms, Flats, and Roommates: Adulting 101 in Prague

I've been living in a university dorm for over a year, and honestly, I love it! But hey, dorm life isn't for everyone. Dorms are a great option if you're on a budget and want to ease into adult life without the stress of bills. Most university dorms have everything you need - study rooms, laundry, cleaning equipment, and sometimes even gyms, music rooms, and cafés (some even throw in a bar, because why not?). Plus, living in a dorm makes meeting students from your uni easy. They'll even take care of your registration with the Ministry of Interior (a big plus since otherwise, you'd have to register within three days of arriving in the country).

One thing to keep in mind, though, is the Czech language. University dorms usually have staff that mainly speak Czech. But don't freak out. If you know some essential words and gestures, you'll survive. Plus, Google Translate is your best friend. However, private dorms are a solid alternative if you would rather avoid the language barrier.

Private dorms give you the same comfort with a bit more luxury for a slightly higher price. The rooms and facilities tend to be newer, and best of all, they often have English-speaking staff, which can make your life easier in those first few months when you're still figuring things out. Another bonus is that private dorms aren't limited to students from just one university so that you can meet people from different schools and faculties.

Private dorms don't handle your MOI registration, so you'll have to deal with that part independently. But really, it's not that bad. (Think of it as your first adult-level mission abroad - you've got this!)

You could consider renting a flat if you're rolling in a bit more cash. The real estate market in Czechia is heating up, with rent prices climbing every day, but it's still way more affordable than most big cities. You'll need to brush up on the Czech real estate lingo, though:

1+kk = One room with a kitchenette

1+1 = One room + separate kitchen

The first is the number of rooms, and the second refers to a separate kitchen or kitchenette. Renting a flat comes with the full-grown adult package - bills for water, electricity, and Wi-Fi - but the perk is having your own space to decorate however you want (get that Pinterest board ready!).

Of course, there's the roommate option, too, but what is my advice? Only do this if you already know and trust the person, or maybe wait until you've settled in. The last thing you need is to deal with weird roommate habits while adjusting to a new country.

For more info on dorms, check out our portal or contact your university's accommodation office. They're a great resource if you want to rent, hop online, or join city-specific Facebook groups!