Livensa Living Barcelona Diagonal Alto: A Balanced Look at a Suburban Student Residence
Situated in Esplugues de Llobregat, about 8 km southwest of central Barcelona, Livensa Living Barcelona Diagonal Alto offers studios and shared rooms. With a monthly rent range of 929 to 1,520 EUR (indicative — confirm with the operator), it sits well above Barcelona’s city-wide from‑price of 250 EUR for student housing. This suggests a premium product with extensive amenities. But does the price match the experience? Below we weigh who this residence suits, who might want to look elsewhere, what residents actually say, and practical booking advice.
Who This Residence Suits
Livensa Living Barcelona Diagonal Alto works best for students who prioritise a full‑featured living environment over central‑city hustle. The property has a gym, a study area, and on‑site laundry facilities — conveniences that reduce the need to leave the building for daily chores. The minimum lease is six months, so it suits anyone planning a full semester or academic year stay.
The accommodation types — studios and shared rooms — cater to different budgets. A studio offers complete privacy, while a shared room lowers the cost per person. Given the proximity to the Diagonal corridor, the residence is accessible to students at several universities: University of Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya all have campuses or facilities within commuting distance. If you study at one of these institutions and prefer a quieter, less touristy area with green spaces, Esplugues de Llobregat can be a realistic choice.
Additionally, the residence is available from 15 August 2026, which aligns with the start of the academic year for most Spanish universities. Early‑moving students who want to secure a spot before September can benefit from that date.
Who Should Think Twice
If you value a central location or easy access to Barcelona’s nightlife and historic centre, this property may not satisfy you. Reviews highlight the distance: “The location is quite far from the city and felt overpriced” (Ahmed Noor). The address is in Esplugues, not in the main city, so daily commutes to university or leisure spots require public transport or a bicycle. Budget‑conscious students will also note that the minimum price of 929 EUR is far above the city’s 250 EUR from‑price — there are cheaper shared flats in central neighbourhoods if you hunt.
Furthermore, the cleanliness and maintenance issues reported by multiple reviewers could be a deal‑breaker for those who expect high standards. Jeffery wrote about “rat problems everywhere” and problems with washing machines, while Ahmed Noor mentioned “insects in the bed” and a slow deposit return. Although these are individual experiences, they suggest the management may not always respond promptly. If you are sensitive to hygiene or need quick maintenance, you might prefer a residence with a stronger track record.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews form the basis of the public sentiment. They span a wide range, from very negative to positive. Here are the verbatim quotes:
- Ahmed Noor (1 star): “During my stay, I personally experienced unfriendly interactions with some staff, and I felt unwelcome as an international student. My room also had cleanliness issues, including insects in the bed, and my deposit was not returned promptly after checkout. The location is quite far from the city and felt overpriced for”
- Jeffery (2 stars): “rat problems everywhere, cleaning is only every 2 weeks instead of 1 week (which is what i was told before i signed), if there are any problems with the room it takes weeks just to get maintenance to fix it. the washing and drying machines almost never work, there are dust issues with it no matter how many times you cl”
- SHUBY (4 stars): “Great residence, with all of the amenities at hand. The rooms itself are very near and tidy, with a fully equipped kitchen and modern bathroom. Overall, staff were very supportive and helpful and I had a great experience staying here”
The contrast is stark. SHUBY had a positive experience, praising amenities and staff. But the two negative reviews — with low scores — describe serious issues: pests, cleanliness failures, communication problems. The overall Google rating of 3.9 out of 5 from 330 reviews suggests the average experience is decent, but the detailed accounts indicate inconsistency. When reading these, note that the residence tags include “gym”, “study_area”, and “laundry_facility” — yet Jeffery explicitly says the washing and drying machines “almost never work”. So you should verify the current state of those amenities, especially laundry, before committing.
Price Positioning and Room‑Type Guidance
Barcelona’s student housing market has 189 properties listed, with a from‑price of 250 EUR per month. At 929–1,520 EUR, Livensa sits in the upper middle of that range. Its price is comparable to many purpose‑built student residences that include bills, Wi‑Fi, and facilities.
Shared room: If you choose a shared room, the cost per person falls — likely toward the 929 EUR end, though the source data doesn’t break down exact shared vs studio prices. Shared rooms reduce rent but also reduce privacy. You will share the living and bathroom space with a flatmate.
Studio: The studio option goes up to 1,520 EUR. This gives you complete independence: your own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. It suits students who work or study late, who value quiet, or who simply prefer not to coordinate domestic routines with someone else.
Given the reviews about maintenance and cleanliness, consider that a studio may give you more control over your immediate environment, though the building‑wide issues (pests, machine failures) could affect all units. If you choose a shared room, vet the flatmate selection process carefully.
Booking Timing and Practical Tips
The residence becomes available from 15 August 2026. For the 2026/2027 academic year, that is early — many Spanish courses start in late September. Booking by mid‑2026 would let you move in before the September rush, though you’ll pay rent from August. For students whose programmes begin in October, you might consider a slightly later start if the residence offers it; the data shows a minimum lease of six months, so you could shift back by a few weeks, but that depends on availability.
Given the mixed reviews, it is wise to request a virtual tour or video call to see the actual condition of the room, laundry, and common areas. Ask about cleaning schedules (weekly vs bi‑weekly) and pest control history. Also confirm deposit return timelines in writing — Ahmed Noor’s experience suggests delays. All prices quoted here are indicative — confirm with the operator at the time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the residence from the main universities?
The property is in Esplugues de Llobregat, a suburban area southwest of Barcelona. Travel time to campuses such as University of Barcelona (downtown) or Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya can be 30–40 minutes by public transport. Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona has its main campus in Bellaterra, which is further north — expect a longer commute, around 50–60 minutes. Check specific transport links (metro, bus, tram) before deciding.
Are all utilities included in the rent?
The source data does not explicitly list included utilities. Typical student residences in this price range usually cover water, electricity, Wi‑Fi, and gas. However, you should confirm with the operator exactly what is included and whether there are caps or surcharges for excessive consumption. The deposit is 250 EUR (indicative — confirm with the operator), which is relatively low compared to many private rentals.
Can I cancel my booking if my plans change?
Cancellation policies are not provided in the data. You must ask the operator about their terms early on. Since the minimum lease is six months, cancellations after move‑in could incur penalties. Many student residences offer a cooling‑off period (e.g., 7–14 days after signing), but not all. Read the contract thoroughly.
Sources & data date
All figures (prices, ratings, reviews) are taken from the original property listing as of July 2026. Google rating and reviews reflect user‑generated content at that date.
For live availability and any updates to pricing, room types, or terms, we recommend using the on‑site assistant on the property page — it can show you current options in real time.
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