Finding Housing in Paris

Depending on the country you’re headed to, finding housing for your semester abroad can end up being heaps more daunting that figuring out your visa situation. I didn’t get my visa for South Africa until a few days before my flight, and I still consider that less of a stressful experience than what some people have had to go through here in Paris.  Finding housing is Paris is extremely difficult not only because there’s an overabundance of students, but because the French government has put very strict subletting laws into place. This is in order to protect marginalized members of the community from being kicked out, refused housing, or generally discriminated against. For example, there are certain months where it is illegal to evict your tenant due to the winter weather, meaning that many subletters don’t want to risk having squatters that would be legally protected by the law.

Besides the opportunity to study at Sciences Po, I chose to come to France because I already had my housing situation secured. My birthmom (I’m adopted, but keep in touch with my birthfamily) went to fashion school in Paris, and has kept her old apartment for when she visits for work, weddings, or summer vacations. I’ve been graciously allowed to stay at her place for the past 5 months, which is located in one of the most lively neighborhoods in Paris, only 15-minutes away from school by foot. Regardless, I know my situation is extremely fortunate and unique. So I have asked some of my classmates and friends here—each one in very different living situations— for tips on how to find housing the good old-fashioned way.

Ivy C. (4^th Year, National Taiwan University):

Independent Subletting

1. Describe your living situation, and how you found it:

I live in a 20 m² studio (which includes a bathroom and kitchen), with one other roommate whom I know from my home university. We used a local real estate agent to help us find this place.

2. What is the general relative cost of living at your place?

My roommate and I pay ~600 euros a month each, which is below-average for living in the middle of the city like we do. But for only one person, it would be very expensive.

3. Where did you start looking for housing, and how long did it take to secure housing?

I started by looking on a website called Logis when I was still in Taiwan, but nothing worked out. So, I came to Paris a few weeks early to look for housing and stayed at a friend’s place. I walked into a real estate agent’s office I found on the street, signed a contract the next day, and was moving into my new place 3 days later.

4. Any warnings or tips for future Parisians?

Don’t rush into any decisions for housing. I know it’s a stressful search, but there are plenty of choices as long as you spend the time and energy to look for them.

5. What do you like about your living situation that you couldn’t find somewhere else?

I like that my studio is close to school, and in a very safe neighborhood. I live in the 6^th arrondissement (St. Germain des Pres), which means I can go to le Jardin du Luxembourg, Le Louvre, and la Seine all within a 10-minute walk. It’s close to so many big supermarkets and stores, and even if you go home past midnight it is a safe area to walk around alone.

Meaghan R. (5^th Year, Northeastern University):

Housing Provider

1. Describe what “Comforts of Home” is, and why you chose it?

Comforts of Home (CoH) is a third-party housing provider that provides housing for study abroad students, interns and young professionals. I was uncomfortable having to find my own apartment within Paris because I do not know French, so CoH was an easy way to ensure that I had housing once I got to Paris.

2. What is the living situation like?

I live in a small two-bedroom apartment in the 6^th arrondissement with 3 other girls. I chose to pay more for their proximity option, which means I am able to live within a 30-minute walk from my university. Others who did not choose the proximity option have larger apartments than mine, but are a 20 to 30-minute train ride from the university.

3. What is the relative general cost compared to other Paris housing?

Although I do pay a little extra to live close to Sciences Po, it is comparable to what an apartment would be for anyone else living in the 6^th arrondissement.

4. Where did you start to look for ideas on housing, and how long did it take you to secure anything?

I started on the Sciences Po housing website but didn’t find anything that I was comfortable with. Then, I received an email from Sciences Po telling students about their partnership with CoH. I registered for Comforts of Home two months in advance, and knew where I was living and who my roommates were three weeks before arriving in Paris.

5. Any warnings or tips for future Parisians?

I am really glad that I went through CoH because I did not have any setbacks. For the future though, I will probably try to get my own apartment because CoH has a very dorm-esque feeling to it.

6. What do you like about your living situation that you couldn’t find somewhere else?

The security of having an established management company who fixes any problems that we have. If there are any problems with the apartment, CoH has a work request sheet online and any problems are normally fixed within a day or two. And especially because I do not know French, they communicate directly with the plumbers or technicians.

 Ghada S. (Master’s Student, Sciences Po):

International Student Dorms

1. Describe what “Cité Universitaire” is, and why you chose it?

Cité Universitaire (CIUP) is a large campus that provides international dorms for students. There’s over 12,000 students living in 40 different “houses”, each one representing and funded by a different country. It is located in the 14^th arrondisement, in a very convenient area accessible by the RER B train, tram, and many different buses. Finding an apartment in Paris could be a crazy experience, so I picked CIUP to save myself the hardship of finding a place.

2. What is the living situation like?

The living situation is genereally good, but can vary depending on which house you’re in. For example, the International house (where I live) has different sized rooms and bathroom situations depending on your price range. The kitchen is shared with around 40 students, and each one has his/her own cupboard and space in the fridge. Most of the socializing happens in the kitchen and living rooms.

3. What is the relative general cost compared to other Paris housing?

Compared to the prices in Paris, CIUP is very cheap. I personally pay 416 euros for a private room, with a shared bathroom. 3 toilets and 3 showers are shared with 10 people. And there are cleaning ladies who clean them every day, and our rooms every week.

4. Where did you start to look for ideas on housing, and how long did it take you to secure anything?

I came to Paris on August 21^st not knowing where I would be living. At first, I got rejected by the CIUP, even though I applied early. I tried to find housing on Sciences Po’s website and on Facebook groups, but it was very hard to get responses.

But when I got to France, I kept sending CIUP emails asking for a room if anybody cancelled. I was lucky enough to get a room on September 15^th. What I have learned is that if you apply too early (for example, I applied in April to get a room in August), they consider the applicants that are ready to move in immediately, before you.

5. What do you like about your living situation that you couldn’t find somewhere else?

Once accepted at the CIUP, the living situation is very comfortable and organized. You can also get the CAF subsidy. They have awesome amenities, like a post office, gym, restaurant, cafeteria, theatre, a great library, and lots of cultural events… But the thing I like the most is the atmosphere; having wonderful students from all over the world around me.

Rika N. (3^rd Year, Waseda University):

Host Family

1. Describe what living with a host family is, and why you chose it?

Living with a host family really depends on what kind of family you get. But my host family takes care of me and allows me to use their house freely, even providing dinner twice a week. I chose this option because a friend of mine recommended this family to me, and they seemed to be very friendly and a good choice.

2. What is the living situation like?

I live in the top floor of a two-story apartment near the Eiffel tower. I get to use the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry machines freely, and my host mother cleans the house once a week so I don’t have to. It is quite spacious and located in a very convenient location. I don’t have any roommates, although sometimes the host family lets some of their relatives or friends stay in the guest room next to my room.

3. What is the relative general cost compared to other Paris housing?

I am not sure if it is considered cheap since it is not my own studio, so I can’t really compare the prices. But for my own room and access to a bathroom, kitchen, and twice-a-week dinners, I think the price I pay is quite cheap.

4. Where did you start to look for ideas on housing, and how long did it take to secure something?

I started looking for housing through websites online but I wasn’t having much luck, and there were a lot of extra fees. I was talking about housing with a friend of mine who was also going to Paris, and she recommended me this host family because she knew someone who had lived with them previously. After emailing the family a few times in April, it was pretty much decided that I would live there by May.

6. What do you like about your living situation that you couldn’t find somewhere else?

Definitely the security I get from living with a French host family. They can help me with French whenever I need it, like when I was dealing with the bank or visa problems. I also get to try homemade French cuisine, and they take me to places like jazz concerts and Belgium. It is also nice that I get to practice my French with them, but when there is an emergency or misunderstanding they can still understand English.