Where in Grimstad should you live?
As a newcomer to a new place it may be difficult to find out where to live, and what the advantages and drawbacks of various parts of town are like.
Quick summary:
Grimstad is a student town where distances are short, and you get value for money on the housing market. Grimstad is a bike town
Think about what is most important to you: price, standard, proximity to campus, proximity to town, facilities and walking areas in the vicinity, where people you already know live.
Here is a short presentation with comments from our local ‘student guide’, Heidi Haga, who has lived, and knows people who have lived, in many of the places.
“Most students in Grimstad live in walking distance from campus. My experience is that the rental price may be fairly similar no matter where in Grimstad you live, but that the quality and size may increase the further you are from the centre. I share accommodation with two other students, and we can seat 40 guests! That makes it easy to invite people home and to do fun activities that do not cost much.”
Welcome to Grimstad!
On campus
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
- |
20 min |
| By bike |
- |
8-12 min |
There are of course some obvious advantages to living on campus or just nearby. You can get to lectures on time even if you oversleep, you do not have to walk far when you stay late at the library, and it takes no time to go home and cook. Getting to the campus accommodation takes a minute, but getting to the nearest shop takes about 15 minutes, and about 20 minutes to the town centre.
Housing on campus is primarily student accommodation run by SiA, but there are also some older houses where you can rent basement apartments and similar.
Heidi about living on campus:
“The student accommodation is a great place to live if you don’t know anyone to share with during your first year in Grimstad. Later you can consider moving in with someone you have come to know over the year. It is worth mentioning that there are not many common areas (only kitchens) in the student housing, so the amount of social contact may vary from building to building."
The town centre
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
20 min |
- |
| By bike |
8-12 min |
- |
The town centre is naturally a place to consider when choosing a new place to live. If you like to have everything easily accessible and not too far away from campus, Grimstad town centre may be the right choice. Many of the houses are old, so you may want to consult with current residents, or ask about this when viewing a house, to avoid a high cost of heating in the winter.
Heidi about living in the town centre:
“It is very convenient to live in the town centre, but be aware that if bedroom windows face Storgaten, there will be a lot of noise on weekends. The centre is often characterised by older buildings with poor insulation, but I have two friends who pay NOK 4,000 each for a good standard apartment right in the centre of town.”
Grøm
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
10 min |
10 min |
| By bike |
3-4 min |
3-4 min |
Situated in the area between campus and the town centre. Close to most things you need. Here you can also find a large and affordable supermarket and a couple of gyms nearby.
Heidi about Grøm:
“This is the ultimate location, I think. 10 minutes to campus and 10 minutes downtown. You feel like you live in the centre of town, but without the noise. I lived in a shared house and paid NOK 4,000, and I also lived in a terrace house from 2013, sharing with three others. I also have two friends who rent a high standard basement apartment, paying NOK 3,500 each.”
Gundersholmen
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
20 min |
10 min |
| By bike |
5 min |
3 min |
An area under development in Grimstad, close to the town centre and close to the sea (be aware that construction work is ongoing). At Gundersholmen, you will find several grocery shops and the shopping centre, Oddensenteret.
Heidi about living in Gundersholmen:
“Close proximity to both town and campus, several new apartments and quiet and nice.”
Groos
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
15 min |
20-30 |
| By bike |
5 min |
7-8 min |
Groos is a gem where Skral festival is held in the summer. At Groos you will find a bathing place with a sandy beach, coastal rocks, jetty, volleyball court and beautiful hiking areas.
The area is fairly close to both campus and town, varies depending on where in Groos you are.
Heidi about living in Groos:
“I myself live in Groos, on the side nearest town, and it takes me 15 minutes to get to UiA, and a bit more to get to town. There are several older homes here, with varying standards. The advantage is that houses are often very large, which is fun if you like to invite people over to your house. I pay NOK 4,000 a month for a 130 sqm terraced house that I share with two friends.”
Holvika
|
|
To campus |
To town |
| On foot |
10-20 min |
30 min |
| By bike |
5-6 min |
10-15 min |
A little further away from the centre, but if you prefer to be near the sea and close to nature, Holvika may be worth checking out. There is a grocery shop in the area, but if you want a bigger (and cheaper) shop, it will take you around 20 minutes on foot.
Heidi about living in Holvika:
“I stayed here in my first year, and it is incredibly nice with proximity to Groos beach, a volleyball court and great hiking opportunities near the water. I shared a basement apartment with three others and paid NOK 4,000 in a brand new house with a wonderful view of the whole archipelago.”
Further afield
Bieheia, Dømmesmoen and Bergemoen are located a little further from campus/town (for Grimstad) but are highlighted by Heidi as places where students live.
Heidi about staying at Bieheia, Dømmesmoen and Bergemoen:
“Bieheia is quite close to the centre and the sea and has many of the same qualities as Holvika. But walking to campus takes about 40 min. Dømmesmoen and Bergemoen are located on the other side of E18, and staying here may be a bit cheaper, but you should expect to cycle (or have access to a car).”