Life in a Teknikringen shared apartment
Recently, the other bloggers have posted reviews of their experience in different types of student accommodation around Stockholm. Valerie wrote about her Malvinas väg studio apartment. Declan talked about shared corridor living in Kungshamra. And I’m going to wrap things up with a pros/cons review of my shared 3-bedroom apartment in Teknikringen.
Teknikringen, or “Tekni,” includes five recently built student accommodation buildings on KTH campus with single one-room apartments, shared two-bedroom apartments, and shared three-bedroom apartments. It comes furnished with the basics: A table with chairs for the kitchen; a desk, bed, and chair for the bedrooms. Wifi is not included, but indoor bike storage and laundry are included. The nearest subway/bus station is Tekniska högskolan, just 600 metres away (roughly 6-minutes walking).
Tour time!
Scroll through to see the residence from the outside, our shared living space, our kitchen setup, my bedroom, and one of my favorite views…
Pros
- Location, location, location
I say it three times because I mean it! My apartment is on campus, near central Stockholm, and next to a huge nature area. For me, this has been a perfect spot. I walk 2-10 minutes to my classes and favourite study spots, I can bike nearly anywhere in the northern half of central Stockholm in under 15 minutes, and there are gorgeous forest trails for running right out my door. If you’re someone who likes a little bit of everything, this place may also be right for you.
- High value for the price
Given the location, amenities, and rent, I think the Teknikringen apartments have a great value for the 5500 SEK monthly expense per person. This expense is higher than corridor living, but significantly lower than studio apartments on campus. Overall, I think it is well worth the convenience and quality.
- Is it weird to say the windows?
I love the windows in our apartment. They are big and square, with blinds built in between the panes of glass. They’re typical European “tilt and turn” windows, so you can tilt the glass inward to vent some air or swing it open like a door. It brings tons of fresh air and natural light into our upper floor apartment. Plus, being high up means these big picture windows are great for appreciating the beautiful forest view and sunset skies.
Cons
- Random flatmate(s)
If you aren’t much for surprises or shared living, this style of living might not be for you. KTH randomly assigns your flatmate(s), so the experience is highly dependent on who you are paired with. I say this as a “con” because I know people whose experience was greatly affected by their flatmate(s). But lucky for me, mine flatmates have been amazing! One is from Greece, and the other is from Spain. They are both open-minded and kind, and they have a great sense of humour. Aside from them being nice people, I think the success of our shared home environment is thanks to (1) open and honest communication, (2) teamwork for household duties, and (3) genuine care of and respect for one another.
2. Storage space
If you’re the type of person that takes a large, fully-packed suitcase for a 1-week trip, this might be an adjustment for you. The bedrooms in Teknikringen have a small two-door wardrobe, but it’s not necessarily huge. The common area has a small coat rack and storage closet for the vacuum and cleaning supplies, but there’s not too much external storage space beyond that. Overall, I’ve found the amount of space sufficient; it’s enough for my clothes, sports equipment, shoes, books, etc. But, I’ve always been interested in a more minimal style of living, and I appreciate that the space encourages me to keep it that way. That might not be for everyone, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!
In conclusion…
As incoming or interested international students, you lucky ducks have the support of KTH Accommodation, and some international student groups are even guaranteed housing. This is something to appreciate; the housing market in Stockholm is known for being pretty competitive.
We hope you find our reviews helpful in understanding some of the accommodation styles and locations in Stockholm for international students. And remember – although each of us bloggers lives in a distinct type of housing, there are even more options to suit different lifestyles and preferences. For all that KTH Accommodation has to offer, see here.
// Claire