Odessa Apartment rent specific tips

Odessa is a resort city, therefore renting in Odessa depends on high and peak season, as well as off season. Still renting and apartment both during high season and off season is almost twice less than hotel of the same quality and location;

High season for Odessa apartments is May through September, with peak in July and August. The lowest season is November, 2nd part of January, and first part of February. In 2nd part of December through about 11th of January the rental activity for Odessa apartments is higher because of holidays (Catholic Christmas, New Year holiday Dec. 31 and Jan. 01, and Orthodox Christmas Jan. 06/Jan. 07). For Summer, as well as winter holidays it makes great sense to book apartments in advance, as apartments at better rates are rented out first, and during the high-season only higher rates apartments are available;

For lower season it makes sense to ask for discount (if the seasonal discount is not mentioned on the web site). Also most of apartment providers would be willing to give better rates for long stays (10 nights and over) during low season. During high season the monthly rate is close to daily rate (i.e. monthly rate would be just reduced daily rate)

Most popular area to stay in Odessa is on or near Deribasovskaya St., Opera Theater, Greek Square. The choice of apartments on Deribasovskaya St. is limited and they are overpriced, so best value considering price and location is the area 500 to 1000 meters off Deribasoskaya St., where areas of interest can be reached by walking, and many of them are just right near the apartments offered, but the prices are not so high. Odessa does not have a subway, and the buses/mini-buses is the main public transport in Odessa, as well as trams and trolley-buses. Also taxi can be used if apartment is out of the center, the prices are not high as the distance is not long. However, during peak times (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the morning and 16:00 p.m. and 20:00 p.m. in the evening, as well as during entire day in the city center), using any type of transport is not very pleasant because of traffic jams;

During summertime many travelers visiting Odessa try to find accommodation in Arcadia. For first time travelers it's important to realize what Arcadia is. Arcadia beach is the well-known and popular area of open-air night clubs, restaurants bars. Arcadia district is the residential area that mostly consist of parks, the area of recreation resorts and hotels, and private houses. It's not possible to rent an apartment in or close to Arcadia beach, you can only rent either private house (starting from $300 per night), or expensive hotel or resort. As of apartments in Arcadia, these apartments are located in Arcadia district, not Arcadia beach, and the closest apartments are at least 1000 meters or more from Arcadia beach. There are very few apartment offers in this area, and they are overpriced during summertime. Besides, Arcadia residential area is not best one for living there (due to lack of stores and other activities except Arcadia beach). It makes sense to stay in Odessa city center, and take taxi to/from Arcadia beach, Arcadia beach is located 5 kilometers off the Odessa center area.

Many visitors wish to stay in seafront apartments or apartments close to the beach. There are no seafront apartments in Odessa, since the beaches and the city is divided by seaside Park (Shevchenko Park), that is 5 km in length along the seashore. Apartments in Odessa center are those that have closest location to seaside and beaches. Closest area Lidersovskiy Blvd (500 meters to the beach), Belinskogo St. (700 meters to the beach), Marazlievskaya St. (1000 meters to the beach). Also the closest location to the beach is for apartments located on Franzuskiy Blvd (French Blvd) that connects city center and Arcadia area (400-500 meters to the beach). There are few offers of apartments on Franzuskiy Blvd).

It can be hot (or extremely hot) in Odessa during June, July, and August, so it's good idea to have air-conditioner in the rented apartment during this time. For other times of year air-conditioning is usually not required.

Some of houses in Odessa does not have good central heating, for winter time it is better to rent apartment with independent heating. Central heating works from October 15 to April 15. Sometimes it can be still cold before October 15 or after April 15, so if you travel before or after these dates, check if electric heaters are available in the apartment, or can be additionally provided in case of need.

in some areas of Odessa (including central area) the water is not heated during summertime, so it makes sense to rent apartment with independent gas heater, or electric water boiler.