When I was preparing for my semester abroad in Barcelona, I realized something frustrating: there are barely any real housing reviews out there. Most blogs talk about travel tips, culture shock, or food, but almost no one talks about where they actually lived. Finding honest information about student housing options was surprisingly hard.
So, I’m writing this to hopefully fill the gap a little. Here’s my experience living in a studio apartment at Aparto Pallars.
The Pros
First, the location is a huge advantage. Aparto Pallars is in a quieter neighborhood that still connects you easily to the rest of the city. It’s close to the beach, surrounded by cafes and shops, and about a 15-minute metro ride to the city center. You’re not stuck in a tourist-heavy area, but you’re also not isolated. Being able to get to class, the beach, or a grocery store within minutes made daily life much easier.
The building itself is modern and well-maintained. Everything, from the kitchen appliances to the elevators, works as it should. It's clear that they take upkeep seriously. You don’t have to worry about broken washing machines or malfunctioning AC units, which definitely isn’t something you can assume everywhere.
Another thing I liked is that everything you might need is already in the building. There’s a gym, study rooms, a laundry room, lounges, a rooftop terrace, and even spaces for events. Having all those resources on-site made balancing study and social life much easier. If I wanted a quiet place to work without commuting to a café, I could just go downstairs. If I felt restless, the gym was a few steps away.
The staff here deserves special mention. They’re friendly, approachable, and, importantly, they respond quickly when issues come up. Whether it was about a maintenance request or needing help understanding a package delivery, someone was always available and genuinely willing to assist.
Aparto also organizes a lot of resident events — everything from cooking classes to trivia nights to language exchanges. Some are better attended than others, but it’s nice to have the option to meet people outside of academic spaces. Especially if you’re living alone, it helps break up the routine.
The Cons
Of course, it’s not all perfect.
One thing you should know is that Barcelona’s sewage sometimes smells...not great, particularly around April. It’s not specific to Aparto Pallars; it’s a city-wide sewage issue that you’ll catch from time to time when you’re walking around. Still, when the smell drifts into the building or your room from the bathroom, it’s pretty unpleasant. It doesn’t happen every day, but it’s noticeable enough to mention.
Another minor but annoying thing is the fire alarm system. Occasionally, the alarms go off even though there’s no real emergency. It's similar to random fire drills in college dorms. It doesn’t happen often enough to be a dealbreaker, but it’s frustrating when you’re trying to study or sleep and get interrupted for no reason.
Conclusion?
Overall, living at Aparto Pallars has been a really good experience. If you value having your own space, modern amenities, and reliable support, it’s worth the cost, even though it’s not the cheapest option out there. For me, paying an extra $1,500 to have a private studio was absolutely worth it. Having a clean, quiet space where I could decompress after busy days made a huge difference in how much I enjoyed my time abroad.
Sure, no place is perfect. But Aparto Pallars gets the important things right: safety, convenience, community, and comfort. It gave me a solid home base while I navigated living in a new city, studying in a new system, and adjusting to a different pace of life.
If you’re considering it for your semester abroad, I’d say go for it — just be prepared for the occasional quirks that come with living in any big city.
If you have questions about life at Aparto Pallars or what to expect, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share more from my experience 🙂
P/s: Here is a quick look at my room assignment and the facilities!
Your friend,
Chi
Chi Truong
I'm Chi, a Vietnamese student studying in the U.S. and now Spain. I love journalling, books, traveling, and learning about different cultures. Fun fact: I used to be a professional athlete in ping pong!
