If you decide to rent it is worth noting that according to Daft.ie overall rents have risen this year, but they are still well below what they were at the peak of the rental market in 2002.
Daft.ie tracks the rent prices in different areas. Below are some average prices for an apartment in different student cities. A full breakdown of their findings can be found online at daft.ie.
DUBLIN: rents up by €75 on the past two years. Now averaging €1,150
CORK: this year has seen a slight fall in rents. Average rent is approx €850
GALWAY: rents are rising this year and are currently at a similar level to Cork.
LIMERICK: the rise in rents is gradual in Limerick. The current average is about €700.
Interestingly, rents in the rest of the country have been falling which is good news for those travelling to study in some of the Institutes of Technology.
OTHER COSTS
Remember:
Most landlords will ask for a month's rent as a deposit and they will ask you to pay rent a month in advance.
The average domestic electricity bill is almost €120 every two months
Gas costs people an average of just over €123 every two months
You should allow between €200 and €250 for food each month.
If you are living with people, be wise and sort out how these bills are going to be divided and who is going to pay them before they come. If you get disconnected you will have to pay a reconnection fee.