Accommodation in Aachen
Finally your own digs! Whether a room in a dorm, sharing an apartment, or an apartment just for you – If you are going to study in Aachen, you need to start looking for a place early on.
Registering in Aachen - Services
The City of Aachen intends to keep wait times for newly arrived students down when they register with the Aachen Residents’ Registration Office. For this reason, students have the opportunity to register their address also in the city district offices.
In addition, until mid-November, students can arrange an appointment for registering their address with the district office of their choice. Further information:
Aachen is exceedingly popular as a college town, and the numbers prove it. RWTH Aachen had a record high number of enrolled students for the Winter Semester 2011/2012. That means that the number of people looking for a place to live is equally high. As late as March and September, there are lines of students in front of studios, apartments, and dorms, who still need a place to live. And honestly, the chances of finding a place to live long-term don’t look so good so soon before the beginning of the semester.
Thus, we recommend that you start looking for a room at least two to three months before classes start. Even if you have to pay one or two months’ rent deposit, the bottom line is that it will probably be cheaper than something as an emergency solution. Those looking for a room last minute, often have to take into consideration, what is left over, such as rooms in hostels.
Dorms
Social, comfortable, convenient – these characterize the accomodations in the 22 Aachen Student Services dorms. Those interested in moving in here should plan far in advance: Student Services currently recommends applying at least six months before you plan on moving in.
The Aachen Protestant Student Organization and the Aachen Catholic University Community both offer dorms for students as well.
Housing Advice
RWTH Aachen General Student Council (Allgemeine Studierendenausschuss: ASta) holds information sessions and free advising on Living in Aachen.
Apartment Listings in the Newspaper
It is worth checking in newspapers, especially Wednesdays and Saturdays, such as Aachener Nachrichten, Aachener Zeitung, Super Sonntag und Super Mittwoch or the Anzeigenblatt „Annonce“.
Housing Hardship Certificate
Individuals with a low income can find out at the Wohnungsamt der Stadt Aachen (Housing Office of the City Aachen), whether they can obtain cheap housing through a housing hardship certificate.
Rent Index
The cost of rent varies greatly within various parts of Aachen. An overview of the typical cost per square meter is available through the city administration rent index - Mietspiegel der Stadtverwaltung.
Alternative Housing Projects
WOHNDUO - Accomodations for Help
Aachen students, who found housing through the “WOHNDUO” project, pay a particular price per square meter: Here, you only pay half of the typical price per square meter for rent, and “pay” the other half, through help/labor. A square meter per hour per month. Whether you take care of a pet, help in the garden, or assist the landlord with shopping, can all be arranged individually by you in the rent agreement. Allocation of WOHNDUO-rooms takes place through the Aachen Student Union.
Crossing Borders
Studying in Aachen and living abroad? If you’re looking for a change in culture, just look on the other side of the German border for a place to live. Also, the cost of rent is often cheaper in the Netherlands or Belgium than in Aachen. You can quickly and regularly reach both neighboring countries from Aachen with the bus, train, or a bike.
Fleeting Campus Visit
Parents look out! Your child has left the nest and has settled down in Aachen? Come by some time – get to know the historical imperial city of Charlemagne, visit RWTH Aachen, and breathe in the fresh air from this bordering region. Aachen Tourist Service created the packaged deal Fleeting Campus Visit (Stippvisite Campus) for students’ parents including a hotel stay and an entertainment program.