Chambre dans le rue Jeanne D'Arc, lille

Our stay at Urban Saint So (July–September) was, unfortunately, one of the most disappointing housing experiences we have ever had. We feel it is important to warn others so they can avoid the stress, poor service, and extremely low standards we faced. 1. Poor hygiene and cleanliness from day one When we arrived, the studio was not properly cleaned — we had to clean accumulated dust ourselves on our very first night. Over the next two months, the overall cleanliness of the building remained consistently poor. Stairwells were dusty for weeks. The kitchen smelled bad daily. Our floor’s vacuum cleaner didn’t work properly. The “monthly cleaning” lasted around 15 minutes and consisted of a superficial bathroom wipe-down at best (they never vacuumed or cleaned tables). The gym equipment and floor were covered in dust, and cleaning only happened after another tenant threatened to call the health inspector. The cinema and library beanbags were dirty and damaged. Trash left in the hall remained for days despite being reported. 2. Unresolved maintenance issues We reported several problems as soon as we moved in (malfunctioning windows, broken toilet brush holder). Although the manager initially replied quickly, nothing was fixed for two months. Only after insisting were we told repairs would not be carried out during our stay — and only after further pressure did a technician come, who could not repair the windows because parts had to be ordered. Essentially: nothing was fixed throughout our stay. Several appliances around the building were also faulty (broken freezer, washing machines with faulty drying programs). 3. Safety incident with no backup plan One afternoon, a power outage locked me out of both my studio and the common areas. There was no emergency access solution, so another tenant and I had to climb in through a window to return to the coworking space. Luckily, another resident trapped inside opened it for us. Completely unacceptable in terms of security and safety. 4. Poor communication and tenant treatment Check-out was only allowed on weekdays before 6 p.m., which is highly inconvenient for full-time workers. We were also told we had to leave the studio clean for the next tenant — despite the fact that cleanliness standards during the stay were far below acceptable. During the final inspection, the manager only mentioned the cleaning fee, which we disagreed with given the condition of the building during our stay. She confirmed everything else was fine. Yet later, the company claimed multiple items were missing (which they never mentioned on-site, and which were in fact still in the studio). We were never consulted before they bought new items, and we only learned about the deduction because we followed up about the refund ourselves. This lack of transparency and professionalism was incredibly frustrating. 5. Overall experience: unacceptable We were respectful, cooperative tenants, we bought a new frying pan for the apartment which we left it there. Despite this, we were treated with distrust and blamed for issues that were never properly checked. Considering the poor maintenance, low hygiene standards, unprofessional handling of issues, lack of transparency, and overall disregard for tenant well-being, we cannot recommend Urban Saint So to anyone. We strongly advise avoiding this property. There must be a far better managed, cleaner, and more reliable coliving options in the city.

We lived in Saint So for four months with my boyfriend, sharing a mezzanine apartment. The apartment itself is great - the space is used to the maximum, it was very comfortable for two people even though the space is really only 20m2. The kitchen and the bathroom are well equipped and the bed is comfortable. We really liked our stay there. The minus point is for cleaning and use of common utilities: using the washing machines was always a struggle as nobody seems to respect each others time.. I feel like 6 machines for 41 people is not enough. Most of the time they were full. The vacuum cleaners also break often, the tenants clearly don’t respect shared use. The reason I am not rating lower is because this is not exclusively Urban Campus’ fault, it’s the tenants. Cleanliness was bad when we arrived, but the new cleaning team really made a difference, so I would say that is not an issue anymore. To end on a good note, I really enjoyed the common spaces as well. The movie room is a big favourite, I really like how the space was used in the basement for that cosy spot. Mathilde is a great manager as well, replying quick whenever there was something going on. I can recommend this place for people who are spending a short time in Lille but still need their own space. Especially good for students.

The studio's price is quite high considering its small dimensions. Unfortunately, maintenance service is almost non-existent. For instance, the stair handle was loose, which made it unsafe to use when accessing the bed. The room becomes uncomfortably hot during summer, and there's a persistent bad smell coming from the drainage, which can be noticed even at the entrance. There’s no elevator, and vacuum cleaners are not readily available on every floor. It’s poorly communicated which ones can be used, and at least one of them is broken with no sign of repair. It would be helpful if the vacuum cleaners and mops were labeled and maintained properly. The washing machines are often busy, and with no maintenance, broken machines only worsen the situation. The cleaning service is insufficient and unpredictable. It’s only limited to the bathrooms, and tenants aren’t informed beforehand when it’s scheduled. The apartment lacks both a dishwasher and an oven, which would have been a significant convenience. The gym is very small, lacks enough gym equipment, and often has an unpleasant odor. Despite being told that each tenant would have a personal postbox, the mail is instead placed in a common box and distributed by someone on each floor. This system feels disorganized and insecure. The location near Port de Douai metro station is a plus, but the overall management of common areas leaves much to be desired. For example, a piece of meat was left out in the common kitchen for an entire day, leading to bad smells and flies. Trash bins fill up quickly, and the administration’s emphasis on waste separation and fines feels overly strict without providing enough resources to support proper disposal. It would also be very helpful to have clear signs on the outside of doors indicating common areas, such as laundry rooms, kitchens, or gyms, to make navigation easier. There’s a common chat system in place for communication with the administration, but unfortunately, nobody from the administration seems to respond to messages or concerns raised there. Adding a porter to assist with parcels and on-the-spot maintenance could greatly improve the living experience.

Saint So Urban Campus provided me with a wonderful accommodation. In the Campus there is everything you would need to live. A laundry room, a shared study room, a shared mini-library, an outdoor terrace, a second kitchen (besides the one I had in my apartment), a cinema/gaming room, a gym and of course a second bathroom (aside from the other one I also had in my apartment room). The community is beautifully diverse and fun to interact with.

I lived with my gf at Urban Campus Saint-So for a year, and it was an amazing experience. They deliver all the services they promise, and living with others is a big part of the experience. They also organize lots of gatherings with neighbors, which helps you socialize and feel at home. It was an incredible year while I was studying at EDHEC.