u/lorefats2

Hi everyone!
I’m moving to Delft in September for a short stay until the end of January (5 months). I'm looking into getting a bike and had a couple of questions for locals and students:

1. Swapfiets Original vs. Deluxe 7: Is it worth upgrading to the Deluxe 7 (the one with 7 gears and handbrakes), or is the base model (Original) more than enough? I know Delft is flat, but I've heard Dutch headwind can be brutal. Does having gears actually make a noticeable difference for daily commuting around the city and campus?
2. Short-term alternatives: Since I’m only staying for 5 months, Swapfiets seems like the easiest option, but are there better alternatives for this timeframe? Should I look into buying a cheap secondhand bike on Marktplaats or Facebook Marketplace and selling it before I leave, or is it too much of a hassle for just one semester?
   Would love to hear your experiences and recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I am a 20-year-old male student from Italy, and I’ll be joining TU Delft for an Erasmus exchange from September until the end of January.

As we all know, the housing market in Delft is tough. However, while looking for accommodation, I’ve noticed that there are quite a few good entire apartments available online for 2 people, but they strictly require a 12-month contract.

Since I will only be there for 5 months, I am looking for someone to team up with. Ideally, I am looking for either:

1. A student staying for the full 12 months: We sign the contract together, live as flatmates until late January, and then you can find someone else to take over my room for the remaining 7 months.
2. A second-semester student (arriving Jan/Feb): Someone who is coming to Delft for the second semester and wants to take over my room and lease from February onwards.

Details about the apartments I'm finding:

• Rent: Around €1,200 total, so roughly €600 per person per month (excluding utilities).
• Registration: Possible and allowed for both tenants (BSN registration is a must).
• Location: Well-connected areas in Delft, within easy reach of the campus.

About me: I’m clean, organized, and very respectful of shared spaces. I study quite a lot, but I usually spend my study hours at the university library, so I won't be clogging up the common areas at home. In my free time, I like going to the gym, staying active, and relaxing. I’m always down for a casual chat, sharing a meal, or a drink after a long day, but I also value personal space.

I don't have any specific preferences for a flatmate (gender or background), as long as you are clean, responsible, and respect each other's routines.

If this sounds like a plan that could work for you, shoot me a DM with a brief intro about yourself, and we can discuss the details and look at the options together!

Cheers!