First Impression Matters, But Be a Grown-Up and Deal With Property Providers Without Tantrums or Whining
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So you just landed in Athens…
You dragged your 28-kilo suitcase across cobblestones, sweated through your brand-new Zara shirt, and finally unlocked the door to your new student room.
And then…bam. Reality smacks you.
The walls aren’t Instagram-white.
The mattress feels like it was designed by medieval torturers.
The kitchen doesn’t look like that sleek IKEA ad your brain imagined when you clicked “Book Now.”
Suddenly, you’re having thoughts like:
“Why is the shower curtain… beige?”
“Who paints a wall peach?”
“This fridge looks older than my dad.”
Welcome to Athens housing, my Erasmus friend. It ain’t the Hilton.
The First Impression Trap
Here’s the thing about first impressions: they matter.
You walk in and immediately judge everything, color of the walls, smell of the hallways, size of the bathroom mirror. Humans are wired that way.
But here’s where students screw it up: you mistake a less-than-perfect first impression for a permanent sentence.
You see a cracked tile, a squeaky bed, or a light bulb out, and suddenly you’re writing a tragic novel in your head about living in squalor for a year.
Relax. Breathe. That’s not how this works.
The Landlord Isn’t Your Enemy
You know what most landlords, property managers, and providers actually want?
For you to stay happy, quiet, and paying rent on time.
That’s it. Simple.
They don’t wake up thinking, “How can I torture Erasmus students today?”
They don’t say, “Let’s make their life miserable so they all leave early.”
Because here’s the secret: replacing you costs them time, money, and stress. Keeping you happy is cheaper.
So if something’s wrong…talk to them. Like an adult.
Tantrums vs. Conversations
It happened too many times.
A student notices something they don’t like and instead of opening their mouth like a rational human, they either:
Whine endlessly in group chats (“ugh this apartment is trash”)
Post dramatic Insta stories (“this is what Erasmus housing looks like 💀”)
Send angry, all-caps emails (“FIX THIS NOW OR I’M LEAVING!!!”)
Here’s a reality check: that doesn’t solve jack.
Whining is noise. Adults solve problems.
So instead, here’s how you handle it:
Step 1: Make a list of what’s bothering you. Be specific. (“The AC remote is missing.” “The chair is broken.”)
Step 2: Contact your landlord/property manager calmly.
Step 3: Phrase it as a request, not a demand. (“Could you help me replace the chair?” not “This chair is crap, I want a new one tomorrow!”)
Nine times out of ten, they’ll fix it.
The tenth time? At least they’ll explain why not.
Learn the Greek Way
Greeks are famous for two things:
Hospitality
Bureaucracy
When it comes to landlords, you’ll get a mix of both.
They may not run like German efficiency robots, but most will genuinely try to make things right.
If your shower is leaking, they’ll send a plumber.
If your bed breaks, they’ll replace it. If your Wi-Fi sucks, they’ll switch providers (okay, maybe after three reminders, but still).
The key is tone.
If you show respect and patience, they’ll bend over backward for you.
If you stomp around like a spoiled tourist, don’t expect miracles.
Pick Your Battles
Let’s be real: not every “issue” is worth starting World War III.
A light bulb? Fix it yourself. Costs €1.50
A tiny scratch on the desk? Live with it
Curtains not “aesthetic” enough? Buy your own for €10 at Jumbo
Save your landlord’s goodwill for the big stuff: broken appliances, plumbing leaks, heating problems, infestations (rare, but possible).
If you scream about the little things, they’ll stop listening when big problems come up.
If you handle small stuff yourself and only escalate when necessary, you’ll build a reputation as the “easy tenant”…and that’s the golden ticket.
The Grown-Up Tenant Starter Pack
Want to know what separates the nightmare student from the dream tenant? Here it is:
Communication. Calm, clear, and polite
Responsibility. You don’t call your landlord because your Wi-Fi disconnects once. You restart the router first
Respect. It’s their property. Treat it like you’d want someone to treat your stuff
Solutions, not drama. Don’t just complain. Suggest fixes. (“Can I buy a new chair and deduct it from rent?”)
Do that, and your landlord will love you.
They’ll prioritize you when problems come up.
They might even throw in small upgrades just because you’re not a pain in the ass.
Why This Matters Beyond Housing
Here’s a secret life lesson wrapped inside this Erasmus experience:
The way you deal with your landlord is practice for the real world.
Think about it:
Your landlord is like your future boss
The property is like your job
Issues will always pop up
Do you melt down and whine like a child?
Or do you face problems, negotiate, and get things done?
Your answer decides not just how your Erasmus goes, but how your career goes.
Because if you can’t handle a broken fridge without drama, how the hell are you going to handle real work problems?
First Impressions Can Change
That ugly first thought you had when you walked into your apartment? It fades.
Week one, you see a “tiny kitchen.”
Week four, you see “the place we cooked pasta at 3 a.m. after the club.”
Week one, you notice “a squeaky bed.”
Week six, you notice “where I collapsed after my first Greek hangover.”
Week one, you think “not perfect.”
Week twelve, you think “home.”
Because it’s not about the apartment.
It’s about you, your attitude, and the stories you build inside those walls.
The Bottom Line
First impressions matter. Of course they do.
But if you stop at first impressions, you miss the point.
Your Erasmus housing isn’t meant to be flawless.
It’s meant to be functional, affordable, and good enough for you to live, study, and make memories.
If something’s wrong, speak up like an adult. Most landlords are more willing to help than you think.
But you have to meet them halfway…with respect, clarity, and zero tantrums.
That’s how you turn “meh” into “home.”
And maybe, just maybe…that’s the bigger lesson you came here to learn.
If you want a place that’s actually designed for students, check us out.
roomsAthens™ has been housing thousands of Erasmus students for over a decade.
We get the vibe. We get the struggle. And we make it 10x smoother.
