Wantagig-
Yeah,I am going through a school program and they have arranged for us to meet with a group of rental agencies. Sounds like a hefty amount though: 1st and Last month's rent plus deposit. I think your right about the room to rent. I'll have to just see what's posted around the different universities when I get there I guess

You wouldn't happen to know of any expatriate sites for Italy other than expatriates.com would you? It has rooms for rent listed but not many for Firenze right now