THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN CÓRDOBA!
WHY STUDY IN THE CITY AND WHERE TO STAY?
Studying in Córdoba is an excellent choice, whether you are here for a semester or more, you will not regret choosing this city to study. Córdoba is an extremely dynamic city; it is the capital of the province of the same name. It is the largest city in Argentina with an area of 576 km2, and the second largest in terms of population, after the country’s capital, Buenos Aires. It is an important cultural, economic, educational, financial and entertainment center in the region. It is also known as «La Docta» («The Scholar»), and «La Ciudad de las Campanas» («The city of the bells»).
BRIEF HISTORY
The University of Córdoba is the oldest in Argentina, founded by the Jesuits in 1613, well before all the universities in the United States and twenty-three years before Harvard! It is considered one of the most prestigious institutions in the country and enjoys a strong international reputation.
Some of its buildings (such as the General Library, the main headquarters of the Faculty of Law or the College Monserrat) are located in the «Manzana Jesuítica», the Jesuit quarter, one of the most historic places in the city of Córdoba. The National University of Córdoba has played a very important role in the history of the city and its development over the centuries.
Indeed, the city of Córdoba is called «La Docta»: «the scholar», referring to the fact that for more than two centuries, its university was the only one in the country. It is considered one of the three most recognized educational institutions in the country, also recognized internationally.
Welcome to Córdoba! Far from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, you will find a pleasant city, very lively and full of students from Argentina, Latin America, and all over the world, with the opportunity to study in the best conditions, but also to learn a lot and have fun… But before all this, you have to find where to stay! The city offers many possibilities, do not worry about it.
WARNING: In order to remain completely neutral and objective, this site does not promote residences, accommodations or addresses in particular, for this, we suggest to rely on the lists provided by your university, the experiences of other students who have stayed in Córdoba, or on the page roomgo.com.ar which offers a lot of rentals direct from owners (or agencies, but it is better to avoid them and thus save on commissions), and you will see, it will not be very complicated to find your happiness.
THE CENTRAL ZONE: THE GOLDEN SQUARE
As its name suggests, this is the very center of Córdoba. In this district there is not only the most important commercial area with several pedestrian streets, and a large part of the tourist attractions, including the famous «Manzana Jesuítica» with, among others, the Cathedral, but also a good offer in terms of gastronomy and nightlife, part of the faculties of the National University of Córdoba and other educational institutions. This is the perfect place for anyone who wants to be in the middle of the racket of a big city without having long distances to go from one point to another. Very few green areas but still some places to picnic or spend the afternoon with friends, such as the Plaza de la Intendencia.
Centro: the city that never sleeps!
Reasonably priced rentals.
Proximity to the commercial area.
The area of La Cañada with its outdoor bars
Proximity to several UNC faculties.
Excellent connections to public transport .
Rich cultural offer: theatres, museums, and art galleries.
Ciudad Universitaria reachable by bike lanes.
Nightlife: the “Abasto area” in the north of the center and the La Cañada area in the southwest.
Little green space.
Lots of traffic and noise, especially during business hours.
The north and east are less lively and therefore less safe at night. Avoid empty pedestrian streets at night.
Alberdi is in fact the continuation of the Centro, with the same benefits of connectivity and proximity, but with much more green areas and quality of life. It is a large neighborhood, with a lot of animation in its main avenues, which makes them very safe: Colón, Duarte Quirós, San Juan, 9 de Julio, are full of shops, restaurants and various services. The area has a rich heritage: historical and cultural monuments, as well as one of the headquarters of the Faculty of Medicine, a large Shopping Mall, good gastronomy and even a football stadium: Club Atlético Belgrano (the experience of attending a game there is priceless!). It is a very lively area, with an interesting accommodation offer, apartments and houses with yards (Perfect for «asados», the national barbecue!), for reasonable prices.
This neighborhood is a true gem!
Student accommodation with the best quality/price ratio.
Excellent public transportation to all points of interest.
The largest shopping center in the city, the Nuevocentro Shopping: with supermarket, pharmacy, hairdresser, restaurants, cafes, cinema, bookstores, banks, clothes etc.
Plaza Colón, one of the most beautiful squares in the city.
The Plaza de la Música (ex Vieja Usina), with many shows.
Good student and cultural offer: bars, restaurants, theatres, museums and cultural centers.
Possibility to practice sports in the green areas along the Suquía River.
Few clubs, it is rather a neighborhood of bars, cafes and restaurants.
As the neighborhood is very large, it is better to choose housing that is not at the far west of it, a bit far. The ideal is to stay between the Nuevocentro Shopping and the Arturo M. Bas Street, the most central part next to the Centro and Nueva Córdoba.
A very urban atmosphere, with high buildings while maintaining a friendly and wooded character distinguish this neighborhood located immediately south of the center of Córdoba. Due to its proximity to Ciudad Universitaria, Nueva Córdoba is the most popular neighborhood among UNC students. During the day it is quieter than the Centro, but at night it presents good dining and nightlife options, with countless small bars and a few clubs. It is also distinguished by its small shops focused on the young public. That said, finding a supermarket or even a minimarket with reasonable prices can be a challenge.
In short, the classic neighborhood for students and parties!
Close to Ciudad Universitaria, easily accessible on foot and by bike.
Rich student life.
Several university residences.
Good offer in gastronomy and nightlife.
Nearby parks: Parque Sarmiento and Parque de las Tejas.
Good connections to public transportation.
Interesting cultural offer: The Museo Caraffa and the Palacio Ferreyra.
Offer of rentals for students saturated, expensive, often outdated and poorly maintained housing.
The neighborhood where thieves run rampant, students being their favorite victims. Be careful not to have the smartphone or wallet in hand (or placed on a table outdoors) on the street, the best way to get them ripped off.
Few supermarkets and minimarkets.
Noisy, especially at night: depending on the streets, it’s hard to sleep.
Güemes is a district with bohemian and outdated charm, it is nicknamed the “San Telmo” of Córdoba thanks to its antique shops, bars and Paseo de las Artes: an eclectic flea market. Güemes is located south of Alberdi and west of Nueva Córdoba. Here the atmosphere is alternative and open to cultural diversity. It is a multifaceted neighborhood: while the north has housing that is similar to Nueva Córdoba, the south is much more humble and still has really poor areas. The Pueyrredón Avenue, unfortunately famous for its various acts of aggression, separates these two well-defined areas. It is safer to stay north of the neighborhood, closer to Alberdi and Nueva Córdoba.
For lovers of alternative atmospheres!
Cultural and student life, small theatres, galleries, and museums.
Close to Ciudad Universitaria
Many bars and clubs.
The Paseo de las Artes.
Almost non-existent green spaces.
The south is little animated and therefore not very safe especially at night.
Student housing often outdated.
THE SOUTH OF THE CITY: LA ZONA SUR
These residential areas will suit those who prefer tranquility over the bustle and noise of the center. Although this is a family area, there is some cultural and student activity and rentals that are reasonably priced. The Jockey Club area offers a touch of glamour, with a theatre, bars and clubs. It is also an ideal area for sports fans: green spaces nearby, several football pitchs and two swimming pools, in addition to the stadium of the legendary Club Atlético Talleres.
Ideal area to focus on studies, while not neglecting relaxation!
Close to Ciudad Universitaria
Tranquility.
Reasonable housing rates
Gastronomic and commercial offer.
Green spaces nearby.
Little nightlife and cultural
Little urban life, residential and family atmosphere
Further from the center
The most populated area of the southern area of Córdoba is distinguished by cheap rents, but also by its proximity to some buildings of the Catholic University (UCC). There are shops and cultural life as well as good transportation. Villa El Libertador is the seat of the largest flea market in the city, where all types of second-hand products are sold at very affordable prices, also playing an important social role. Many restaurants run by Bolivians and Peruvians with specialties of these countries. An option to consider for the low budget student. It is true that the neighborhood does not have the best reputation, but the problem of insecurity is not as big as is often believed, especially in the central area of the neighborhood around Avenida de Mayo where there is always movement. It is best to avoid the south and northeast of the neighborhood.
For adventurers and tight budgets!
Very accessible rentals.
Close to UCC.
Good public transportation.
Cycle path.
Shopping.
Flea market.
Far from Ciudad Universitaria.
Far from the center (about 8 km).
Little nightlife.
Remote areas of the center of the neighborhood are a bit dangerous at night.
NORTH & NORTHWEST
Alta Córdoba is one of the great traditional neighborhoods of the city. Characterized by a mixture of ancient mansions and modern buildings, it has everything a student needs: a good offer of apartments, gastronomy, a lively nightlife and some shops. However, the remoteness with almost all educational institutions and universities is a negative: you will spend much more time in transportation by staying here.
However, there are good bus connections to the center and the Ciudad Universitaria.
Good compromise between tranqulity and agitation.
Vibrant nightlife, bars, restaurants, clubs.
Cultural offer: theatres.
Relatively accessible rentals.
Good public transportation.
Far from Ciudad Universitaria.
Low student life.
Little green space.
Some areas away from the main avenues are unsafe at night.
Although a little quieter than Alta Córdoba, you will find a similar profile in these two neighboring areas: General Bustos (towards the east) and San Martín (towards the west). Both are traditional neighborhoods, and each has its own small center. San Martín is a little more densely populated and has an area of high buildings with a lot of animation around Plaza Rafael Núñez and Avenida Castro Barros. General Bustos, on the other hand, is more residential and family oriented. In both, reside some students, but much less than in the central area of the city.
Accommodation is a little cheaper than in Alta Córdoba.
Tranquility
Accessible rentals
Shops on the main roads
Cultural and night offer
Good transportation, especially with the Universidad Siglo XXI, but also with Ciudad Universitaria and with the center.
Far from the Ciudad Universitaria and the center of the city.
Few large green spaces.
The Cerro de las Rosas is one of the most prestigious residential areas of Córdoba and looks like a of mini Beverly Hills, relatively speaking. It is a hub of gastronomy and nightlife, with many outdoor bars and restaurants. It is not a traditional university district and is located far from the main university buildings. But for the student who loves chic neighborhoods, who has the budget that goes with it and its own car, the Cerro can be a good choice with an excellent quality of life. There is even culture and nightlife around the Rafael Núñez Avenue. Argüello, located west of the Cerro, is a bit quieter and more affordable. And it has one great asset: the mountains of the Sierras de Córdoba are very close.
Quiet and family atmosphere
One of the best gastronomic areas in the city
Culture and nightlife
Good public transportation, although few bus lines lead to Ciudad Universitaria
Several green areas, including the beautiful Parque de las Naciones with one of the best views of Cordoba.
EAST & SOUTHEAST
The districts located north-east of the Suquía River have experienced a special boom in recent years. Formerly traditional residential areas, they now have many high-rise buildings and a varied offer of apartments. Especially General Paz is a good choice for the student who loves good food: It is one of the poles of gastronomy, with some of the best restaurants in the city, and it has an atmosphere a little like the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Ideal for a romantic dinner. There are also some bars, galleries, and cultural centers.
Pueyrredón and Juniors are a bit quieter and accessible, but they also have everything you need.
Good compromise between calm and animation.
Excellent gastronomy.
Green spaces: Parque General Paz.
Connection with Ciudad Universitaria by bike.
A bit of cultural life
Student life in development.
Low nightlife.
Few stores.
Remote area and rather poorly connected by public transportation with Ciudad Universitaria.
Rents are quite expensive.
Another traditional neighborhood dating back to the 19th century, San Vicente was somewhat forgotten by the boom of its neighbor General Paz. However, it is also a good option for those who wish to study in Córdoba. It offers affordable rentals, the lively shopping area of San Jerónimo Street, bars and confectionery, and a municipal cultural center. A little-known architectural gem is the Kronfuss district in the west of the neighborhood. The bus terminal is nearby, which can be convenient for visiting the Sierras and the rest of the country. San Vicente has a very strong identity, having once been a separate locality of Córdoba, and traditionally its inhabitants call it «La República». Beware, the northeast of San Vicente and especially the neighboring district, Müller, are areas of bad reputation with a high rate of aggression. The center of the neighborhood, on the other hand, is rather safe.
Close to the bus terminal.
Cheap shops.
Quiet area.
A little cultural offer.
Little student life.
Not very well connected by public transportation with Ciudad Universitaria.
The north-east and far south are risky at night.
That’s all folks! Just kidding… there are still options off the beaten path…
This guide obviously cannot list all the neighborhoods of Córdoba because there are a lot of them! We have introduced you to the ones that are most interesting for students who settle in the city for a few weeks, months, or even for life… It happens more often than you think!
Among the other neighborhoods, most are purely residential areas, with little commercial life – not to mention nightlife – and a generally family atmosphere, with little accommodation available for rent.
Here are some that may be of interest:
In the West: Paso de los Andes, Alto Alberdi, Observatorio, and Quinta Santa Ana; middle class neighborhoods, close to the city center, well connected to Alberdi, Centro, Güemes and Nueva Córdoba.
In the South: Colinas and Parque Vélez Sársfield are not very far from Ciudad Universitaria and are attractive residential areas, but with little animation. A little further south, Las Flores, Ciudadela and San Daniel have a lot of shops and are not too far from Ciudad Universitaria.
In the East: Talleres Oeste/Este, Nueva Italia and Yofre, are close to Avenida Las Malvinas with some commercial life.
In the North: Cofico and Providencia, close to the center of Córdoba, Villa Cabrera and Alto Verde, are near San Martín. In addition, for students of the Universidad Siglo XXI: Barrio Los Boulevares, is located south of the university, near the airport.
In the South-East: especially for art students, the neighborhoods Crisol Sud, San Carlos and Rogelio Martínez are close to the Ciudad de las Artes, are not too far from the Ciudad Universitaria and offer a lot of green areas as located a few blocks from the Parque Sarmiento.