Students Share Their Experiences Searching for Housing in Frankfurt
In many major German cities, finding a place to live becomes a significant problem for students: rents are too high, housing is scarce, and waiting lists for coveted spots in dormitories are often painfully long. While this might sound like an abstract problem to some, for many Goethe University students, it’s a daily reality. Ranked as the second most expensive city to live in Germany after Munich, Frankfurt is particularly affected. UniReport spoke with students at Westend Campus about the current housing situation. The responses paint a vivid picture: the housing market in Frankfurt is more than just tight for students – it shapes their academic paths, dictates their financial flexibility, and has a noticeable impact on their daily lives.
A Dire Situation and Financial Pressure
“The housing situation is terrible.” With these blunt words, one student sums up what many are feeling. After six semesters, she dropped out of her medical studies and switched to social sciences. Since her change of subject means she no longer qualifies for Federal Students Assistance Act (BAföG) funding, she now has to fully fund her apartment on her own. “I work so much that I barely have money left for food. I often go to my parents’ house just to eat there.” Her story highlights how deeply housing and studies are intertwined – and how financial burdens can lead to dropping out or changing paths.
Even for those who haven’t started their studies yet, the topic looms large. Two high school graduates share their concerns: “We’re still living at home, but we’ve heard from everyone that the housing situation is supposed to be really bad. We’re curious to see what’s in store for us.” Long before their first semester begins, the search for housing casts a long shadow.
Luck and Long Waiting Times
Not all students are affected equally. Law student Samet managed to secure a spot in a dormitory thanks to financial support from BAföG – but even he admits, “It took several months before I got the spot.” Dormitory spaces are scarce, waiting lists are long, and often sheer luck ends up being the determining factor.
Veronika, a master’s student from Warsaw, describes her housing search as “especially stressful”: “I searched for almost three months from Warsaw before I finally found something through a pure stroke of luck. It was also challenging because I couldn’t always be on-site.” The only way she can manage the high costs is through her own financial savings and a part-time job.
Aaliyah and Valentin, who moved to Frankfurt specifically for their Asian Studies program, share similar experiences. Aaliyah waited a year for a dorm room in Riedberg and had to stay with relatives in the meantime. “When I tried to extend my contract, it wasn’t possible because demand was too high. After that, I had to take another apartment at an outrageously high price.” Her fellow student Valentin adds, “You can’t really find anything for less than €600. That’s why I’m still living with friends in Offenbach.”
Law student Eva was also only able to find an apartment thanks to family connections. “Without those contacts, it wouldn’t have worked,” she says. Many others confirm that personal networks and random chance often end up being the decisive factors.
Between Commuting and Sacrifice
For those who aren’t lucky in the tight housing market, commuting becomes the only option. This often means long journeys and significant distances to the university. Julia and Leon, who originally planned to move to Frankfurt, currently see no chance of doing so: “Either you pay way too much for a tiny room, or you live far outside the city and spend forever getting to campus,” says Julia. Leon sums up the dilemma: “You’d have to work so much to afford anything that you’d barely have time for your studies. Or you just continue living with your parents.”
Melanie, a sociology student, also deals with a lengthy commute every day: “I’m lucky to still live with my parents. But some of my friends are really struggling to find housing.”
Sinem, who studies English, also commutes from her parents’ home: “It’s a daily burden, but for me, it’s the only solution right now.” The long commute means less time for studying and fewer opportunities to engage in campus life. This makes studying and interacting with other students – something so important for success during this study phase – even more challenging.
A philosophy and English student recounts a similar experience: “I commute an hour and a half every day. You can’t afford a room in a shared apartment in Frankfurt unless your parents pay for everything.” Despite working two part-time jobs, she still can’t afford a room in the city.
Temporary Solutions and Workarounds
Some students have found creative or makeshift temporary solutions. Finn, for example, lived with a relative in Wiesbaden during the first six months of his political science studies at Goethe University and commuted to campus before finding a small apartment in Ginnheim. “It’s nothing special, but it’s enough for studying,” he says. His fellow student Mark searched for three months before securing a dorm room in Bonames. Paul, on the other hand, had to leave Frankfurt after his apartment was renovated by a new owner and became unaffordable. He moved back to his hometown and has been commuting nearly an hour every day to study ever since.
Stories like these are far from rare. Many students rely on relatives or friends, live outside the city at first, or move multiple times after finding temporary solutions. The search for housing often stretches over months, sometimes even years.
The Faculty Perspective
The housing shortage hasn’t gone unnoticed by faculty members either. Prof. Stefan Kadelbach, a legal scholar at Goethe University, confirms: “Every year, I see firsthand how difficult this situation is for students. There simply aren’t enough dormitory spaces, and rents are just too high.”
According to official figures, a room in a shared apartment in Frankfurt costs an average of €500-600, and the trend is only going up. Dormitory spaces are not only scarce but often limited to a fixed period, forcing students to search for housing again after just a few semesters. The result: a constant cycle of housing anxiety, frequent moves, and significant financial strain.
Impact on Studies
The consequences of this precarious housing situation are severe: Some students delay their studies or stay with their parents longer, while others take on more work hours than they can reasonably handle. Some even report that financial worries overshadow their studies more than the actual learning itself. One student shared that she has to cut back on meals due to high rent costs, while another mentioned feeling disconnected from Frankfurt’s cultural and social life. “Everything goes toward the apartment – there’s nothing left for the movies or books.”
Housing as a Central Challenge of University Life
Voices from the campus clearly show: Finding housing in Frankfurt is one of the biggest hurdles for students during their university studies. Between long commutes, overpriced rooms, and the hope of securing a spot in student housing, many are searching for affordable living options – often finding them only through pure luck, family support, or significant personal sacrifices.
While some students are able to benefit from student housing temporarily, most navigate a difficult balance between long commutes, overwork, and limited capacity to focus on their studies. International students, in particular, face additional challenges, as they often search for apartments and rooms from afar and struggle even more to find affordable options without local networks in Frankfurt.
Student experiences make it clear: Housing is not just a matter of comfort for many students – it can be a major factor in achieving academic success. The lack of affordable housing threatens the equal opportunity of a successful education – making the housing situation far more than a minor issue: It is a central challenge for students in Frankfurt.
Kevin Knöss
“The Key to Success – Affordable Housing!” Housing Campaign by the Frankfurt Student Services Organization
On www.wohnraum-gesucht.de, landlords can post offerings quickly and easily, free of charge. The initiative is supported by the universities served by the Student Services Organization, the student councils, and the cities of Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.
