What Do Campus Reviews Reveal?
From 120 reviews collected on Google Maps, Universidad de la República (UdelaR) received a score of 4.5 out of 5 points. Most reviews praised its architecture and historical significance, but students also pointed out shortcomings in facility maintenance and administrative processes. These comments directly reflect the practical factors to consider when living near the campus.
“Visitar o prédio central da Udelar é conhecer o coração da educação pública uruguaia. O edifício está muito bem preservado e a arquitetura clássica é impressionante, especialmente os detalhes dos salões e corredores. Um lugar icónico, cheio de vida académica e com uma importância histórica enorme pa.”——Rivan (5 points, 3 months ago)
This review shows that the main building (located at Av. 18 de Julio) is itself a community landmark, surrounded by cafes, bookstores, and public transport. Living within walking distance allows you to experience this academic atmosphere daily.
“A beautiful building belonging to the public and tuition-free university. Designed around courtyards and surrounded by galleries with balconies overlooking them, it’s an oasis of greenery and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Montevideo.”——Carlos Capella (5 points, 7 years ago)
This indicates that there are quiet garden spaces inside the campus, but the downtown environment is noisy. If you need a quiet study environment, choosing a home with a courtyard view or away from main streets will be more comfortable.
Negative reviews also provide key information:
“They don’t take into account the length of stay of exchange students. There are professors—whose names I will upload and make public—who don’t adjust make-up exams when students already have return dates to their countries, complicating the continuity of their studies and hindering their academic progress.”——Bioetnik cosméticos naturales Bioetnik (1 point, 10 months ago)
This indicates that the school has shortcomings in administrative and academic flexibility. For international exchange students, housing flexibility is important: choosing short-term rentals, monthly payment options, or properties with flexible lease termination can reduce losses in case of visa or exam schedule changes.
“I’m not judging the institution. I’m simply commenting on the appalling state of the Law School building. If the facade was managed to be preserved, why can’t all the graffiti be removed from the exterior walls? Are they afraid to install cameras and report and prosecute future offenders?”——Jos Ari (2 points, 2 years ago)
This points out that the external maintenance of some faculty buildings is poor, especially the Law School building. If your department is housed in an older building, the surrounding security and sanitation conditions may affect your daily experience. Choosing a home in that area with good security will be more helpful.
Overall, the reviews show that the main campus of UdelaR is in the city center, with convenient living, but you need to handle administrative changes and environmental differences on your own. Housing choices should prioritize commuting convenience, rental flexibility, and living safety.
Montevideo City Background
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, with a population of about 130万. The city is known for its coastline, Old Town (Ciudad Vieja), middle-class neighborhoods, and relatively stable security. The main campus of UdelaR is located at Av. 18 de Julio 1968, the city’s major east-west thoroughfare, running through the downtown area (Centro) and the Cordón neighborhood.
City features:
- Public transportation is mainly by buses, with no subway. The bus network covers the entire city, but it is crowded during peak hours.
- Moderate walkability: the downtown area has flat roads and wide sidewalks, but walking experiences vary greatly in the suburbs.
- Climate: temperate maritime climate, summer (12月-2月) average temperature 22–28°C, winter (6月-8月) average temperature 8–15°C.
- Cost of living: mid-to-high for South America, with food and rent prices trending upward in recent years.
Budget Breakdown (indicative — confirm with the operator)
The following budget ranges are based on the Montevideo rental market observation for 2025–2026; specific prices are subject to the actual operator.
Low Budget (approx. $300–500/month)
- Shared apartments or studios, usually in older buildings, unfurnished or with basic furniture.
- Areas concentrated in cheaper neighborhoods such as Centro, Cordón, Palermo.
- Walking distance to the main campus approximately 15–30 minutes, or by bus about 10–15 minutes.
Medium Budget (approx. $500–800/month)
- Independent one-bedroom or small two-bedroom apartments, furnished, with better building conditions (elevator, doorman).
- Popular areas: Pocitos (seaside neighborhood, better environment but bus commute 20–30 minutes), Cordón (10–20 minutes walk).
- Facilities usually include air conditioning, hot water, Wi-Fi. Some include water, electricity, and internet bills.
High Budget (approx. $800–1200/month and above)
- Two- or three-bedroom apartments in Punta Carretas, Pocitos, or high-end renovated buildings downtown.
- Modern decoration, with private balcony, laundry facilities, 24-hour security.
- Walking distance to campus may be longer (over 30 minutes), but the neighborhood has good greenery, high security, and many dining options.
Walking or Public Transportation?
Walking Option
- The main campus is located at the border of Centro and Cordón, with plenty of older apartments and student housing within a 10-minute walk. If you have a heavy class schedule or need to frequently visit the library or labs, walking is the best choice.
- Advantages: zero commuting cost, high flexibility, plenty of restaurants and convenience stores along the way.
- Disadvantages: some downtown streets may be less safe at night; older buildings may have issues with noise, humidity, or heating/cooling.
Public Transportation Option
- Montevideo bus fares are about 40–50 Uruguayan pesos per trip (approx. $0.95–1.20 USD). You can use the STC card or cash.
- From middle-class neighborhoods such as Pocitos or Punta Carretas to campus, the bus takes about 20–30 minutes, which may be longer during peak hours.
- Advantages: you can live in quieter, safer neighborhoods with seaside promenades and parks.
- Disadvantages: you need to adapt to bus intervals (some lines run every 15–20 minutes during off-peak hours), and service frequency decreases after 9 p.m.
Trade-off Suggestions
- If you have a limited budget and want to save time: choose housing within walking distance in Cordón or Centro.
- If you value quality of life and have a sufficient budget: choose Pocitos or Punta Carretas and budget about $40–60 per month for bus expenses.
- If you are new to Montevideo: first rent a short-term place in Cordón for a month to try it out, then decide whether to move away from the core area.
Priorities for Filtering Housing
When searching for housing near UdelaR on the platform, you can use the following logic to shortlist:
- Location: distance from the main campus or your faculty building. On the map, you will see “Facultad de Derecho,” “Facultad de Ciencias,” etc. The Law School is near Parque Batlle, while the main campus is on Av. 18 de Julio. Confirm where your classes are before looking for a place.
- Lease terms: Prioritize contracts that allow monthly payments, a deposit of no more than two months, and the option to terminate with 30 days’ notice. Avoid properties that require a one-year lock-in unless you are sure of your full academic cycle.
- Safety and convenience: Check whether the neighborhood has 24-hour supermarkets, pharmacies, bus stops, and nighttime lighting. Use Google Street View to evaluate the surroundings.
- Building condition: Pay attention to maintenance issues mentioned in reviews. If photos show damaged common areas, wall seepage, or no heating/air conditioning, ask for an on-site or video inspection.
- Roommate matching: If sharing, find people with similar lifestyles (sleep schedule, visitors, cleanliness standards). Use the platform’s built-in questionnaire or video interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start looking for housing near UdelaR?
It is recommended to start browsing housing 4–6 weeks in advance. The Montevideo rental market sees increased demand before the start of the semester (February/March and July/August). For the February 2026 semester start, begin your search in early January, allowing two weeks for viewings and signing contracts.
Which areas are considered relatively safe and suitable for students?
Cordón, Palermo, and the western part of Centro (near Parque Rodó) have convenient walking commutes and better security than the eastern downtown areas closer to the old town. Pocitos and Punta Carretas have excellent security but require a bus commute of over 30 minutes to campus. Try to avoid staying on narrow, deserted streets in Ciudad Vieja at night.
If I don’t sign a long-term lease, are there short-term transition options?
Yes. In Montevideo, many student shared apartments offer 3–6 month contracts, or you can find short-term monthly rentals (usually through Airbnb or student dorm sublets). Properties on the platform usually specify the minimum lease term in the description. Prices may be 10%–20% higher than annual contracts (indicative — confirm with the operator), but offer more flexibility.
All prices are market ranges; actual costs need to be confirmed with the landlord or operator.
Explore more: Browse all student housing guides