I am baffled. I had a chambre de service and just gave it up because I thought it was highway robbery. How sad I am.

Making it up the eight flights was my best exercise.

Appalling, isn't it? Some of the larger ones have tiny bathrooms, others might have just a shower, and some only a sink (a water source is required for legal rentals). I saw one advertised recently that had no shower but "the municipal bath house is right next door", and another ad said "I use a portable camping shower and it works fine."

As for elevators, sometimes you get lucky and have them all or at least part of the way. For example, my apartment is on the top floor, created from a series of maid's rooms. The building elevator goes to the floor below, and then there's a service stairway to get up here. Some maid's rooms in non-elevator buildings are accessible only via the service stairs, while others can be reached from the main stairs. These are all things to consider when looking at apartments. I spent the last two weeks going up and down 8 flights of stairs while our elevator was out of service (and they almost all have problems at some point). Certainly tightens up the derrière!

Stacy ... that's horrifying. Thanks for the information. I assume those rooms are on the top floors without elevators and have shared WC's -- and not nice ones at that.

I just ran across an article (http://www.lesechos.fr/patrimoine/immobilier/300330038-immobilier-le-marche-des-chambres-de-bonne.htm) that says a 10m2 "chambre de bonne" (maid's room) may rent for 500-550 euros, and in areas like Notre Dame or Victor Hugo, a 12m2 room can rent for 700-900 euros/month. For approximative reference: 10m2 = 107 square feet and 12m2 = 129 square feet.

The minimum legal rental size is 9m2 with a 2.2-meter ceiling height, or about 96 square feet with a 7-foot ceiling. There are still a lot of rentals out there that don't meet the legal minimum, though.

Stacy .. that's really interesting. I'm amazed there are so many expats looking for apartments with big Euros. Plus, I'd think that an increasing number of apartments would be on the market as the French and foreign investors would be feeling the economic pinch. Somewhere there's a balance of supply and demand. Can prices continue escalating?? K

No, prices are terrible and still climbing, particularly on sites geared toward ex-pats. It's amazing how many owners take a small apartment, stick the bare minimum of really crummy furniture in it, and charge exorbitant rent. I've had luck through craigslist in the past but really hesitate to recommend them now as there are so many scam listings; other online classifieds are no better. It's probably safest to go through an agency if you can afford it, or at the very least the PAP (Particulier à Particulier) magazine. Apartment hunters, be very careful!

Stacy ... have you found any websites that features inexpensive housing recently? Are prices tumbling within Paris????

I'm not sure. They list their email address as webmaster@locaflat.com and phone number as 33 (0)1 43 06 78 79 (you dial the 0 in parentheses only if you're calling from within France, otherwise leave it out), so I would suggest you contact them directly for more specific information.

hi stacy
thank you
i think the
http://www.locaflat.com/hostel.html
should suit me perfectly, as a double room for a long stay will cost only 500 euro per month.
Now only if can a room partner, it will cost me 250 euro per month. Correct me if i am going wrong over here.
Also, do you know how to book a room in this hostel. I could't find online booking on the website stated above.
regards

lazyboy, honestly, it's not going to be easy to find something in that price range.

At €380, this is one of the cheapest options I've seen:
http://www.locaflat.com/hostel.html

You might be able to find a chambre de bonne for about the same price.

Even a shared apartment often goes for 500-600 euros apiece. Paris is definitely not a cheap city to live in. Also take into consideration any utility charges and deposits as well as the location, which may affect your transportation costs.

Check out Particulier à Particulier (http://www.pap.fr) for rentals (locations) and shared rentals (colocations). Also check with the school you'll be attending to see if they have any suggestions regarding inexpensive lodging or lists of potential roommates.

Good luck!

------------------------
p.s. I just searched for 1-room apartment rentals in the PAP and found one in the 6th arrondissement, 6th floor (WITH elevator, believe it or not), furnished, for €220, charges included (WC on the landing but no mention of shower--you'd need to ask whether there is one as often in those small rooms there are not). There's another listed for €240 with shower. one for €280, some in the low €300s, and others on up from there. Don't expect luxury at those prices, but evidently if you search and have a little luck you might find something to fit your budget.

thanks man.
hope that something works outs

Lazyboy, I am not shure what the basic rates are for student quarters. I know they are not easy to find. There are also places like the Cité Universitaire, where they have dormitory like accomodations. 2-4 to a room. I am not shure what the mailing address is, but if you put here a notice under the subject of Cité Universitaire, I am shure someone will get you some info. I also will try

BP Chuck

thanks a lot BP Chuck.
if 250euro month is too less, can you please tell me how much does an student spend on living in paris (rent etc.)?

ALso how does one manage to pay for the huge rents.
further do you know of any International Organizations that can help me.

thanks
ragards
lazyboy

Lszyboy, welcome to Bonjour Paris. You have a problem here. You basically want to find some lodging for about jus over $ 8.00 a day. Even if you want to share a room it is not much. I would try some International Organizations if they can help you find some dormitiries or similar accomodations. Maybe someone els has a better idea

BP Chuck

hi
I am a 23 old male coming to paris in october, for studying for 2 years.
I am looking for a apartment to share, as a studio will be very very expensive.
I am looking for about 250 euros per month.
I there anyother even cheaper way to stay in paris ( as a student), around ISSY area.
Please reply