Urgent-Please Help-Paris Apartment Location

Cannot help you other than to say that Paris is going to be safer than Chicago just in general. I wouldn't even give it a second thought.

My only real comment is to possibly change your title to reflect what your question is about. The "Urgent, please help"! leads us to think someone is stranded or something. You will get more responses that deal with Paris neighborhoods and apts. that way.

Jo,

Thank you for the advice. I changed the headline as well.

Commenting strictly as a tourist: we enjoyed a visit of five nights in the 6th very near to the address that you are considering. We liked it very much. Many possibilities for exploration on foot and also handy to public transport. Given the usual precautions, we felt perfectly safe.

Both areas are safe as all get out. The Left Bank area is a lot more convenient than Montmartre. Even if it were more expensive, that's where I'd go. Can't venture an opinion on reliability of sources.

Thanks for your thoughts guys. Now I suppose it's a matter of livability. I'm not much of a nightclub person-I enjoy cafes, bookstores, and small music venues much more.

Since I'll be there for a month, I'm not as worried about being in proximity to sights.

If anyone has gone through craigslist before and has thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

Saint Germain area is full of cafes. More expensive between there and the river, more locals around Saint Michel. Bookstores concentrated between Sorbonne and Seine and east of the university. Bookstores around Montmartre are well.... you know....the kinds of books you wouldn't want your mom to see. Have friends that use craiglist with no problems, but it's for stuff they look at before they actually buy. Not sure where this leaves you.

I would choose the 6th.....you might want to go over to TripAdvisor and see if anyone has posted a review of the apartment or the people leasing it. Also a google search just to make sure it's legit.

I would choose the 6th, but don't know about renting via Craigslist. Read Diane Johnson's "Into a Paris Quartier," to get an idea about the San Germain (6th) area. I'm a little suspicious that an apartment in the 6th would be cheaper than one in the 18th. Look in VRBO and other rental sites; check with TripAdvisor. Montmartre is very hilly; you might have a problem finding things to do there for a month without lots of travel via bus and Metro. From the 6th you can walk the entire central area of Paris.

Yea, I thought it was a little strange that the 6th was cheaper also. But it's a sublease while the person travels for six weeks (I'm only taking 4 weeks), whereas the place in Montmartre is owned by a woman who rents it out year round (she lives in the neighborhood).

I think now I'd like to take the one in the 6th, but just don't want to show up that day and be screwed. I really wish I knew someone over there who could check it out to make sure it's legitimate.

Isabella,, I think you should go over to tripadvisor.com Paris Forums,, and ask if anyone will check it out for you. There are serveral locals and expats that post frequently on that forum,, and if you ask really nicely,, they may help you out by checking out a place.. I can't guarantee that,, as it is asking a stranger to take time out of their day,, but, most of them are really nice and will help if they can.

I would also choose the one in the 6th ,, just as it is more central to walk to more sites,, just an opinion ,, some people would maintain that the 6th is too touristy ,, but Montmarte is touristy too really,, so why not go more central. I would be nervous about booking too though,, apartment rentals in general seem so hit and miss .

I would NOT pay alot up front,, this is a pet peeve of mine with apartment rentals.

On the flip side,, if you arrive and there is a foul up,, its not that hard to find a place to stay in Paris in the winter,, there are decent hostels,, some with kitchens etc. MJE is one, St Christophers is another, and there is a cheap hotel thats like a hostel called the Perfect Hotel too.

Good luck and enjoy your nice long visit!!

Pat,

That's an excellent idea about posting on tripadvisor. I'd feel very reassured if someone were to help out. I'll keep you posted! And thanks again.

I would also choose the 6th, for all the reasons others have given.

I too would ask nicely for someone to see if the Apt. exists and to try to meet the owner. You can ask for address and phone numbers and then have someone go see.

I have rented on Craigslist, but I do not trust that list completely. I had someone go see the apt. and meet the landlords before I went.

Also, I would not send much, if any, deposit in advance. I did not. It worked out fine for me, but be really careful. Someone leaving for a bit and wants to sub-lease, and has a religious affiliation or a Dr. . . . is a favorite scam. If language is very poor and misspelled words abound be wary. Best is to find someone willing to go look for you, if you can, as suggested above.

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply. I actually tried posting on tripadvisor to see if someone could go look at it. Unfortunately, no luck. However, I did find another place from vrbo that's just down the street. It's 200 more euros for the month, but I feel much safer about it.

So, I think that's what I'm going to do. It's getting close to my departure each day, so I have to stop being a nuj about the price, suck up the money difference, and start packing!

Read all the advice on this blog + the comments posted before you make your choice so you can be sure about your apartment choice.ey
http://www.nyhabitat.com/blog/category/new-york-habitat-news-tips/online-apartment-rental-advice/
In any case, you definitely need to make sure the apartment they offer does exist. But if you go through the French agency, you also need to make sure the agency is ok, too. Those blog articles are the best source I have found so far in getting real, serious pieces of advice. Some of the comments there do teach a lot. This said, I think Montmartre is a wonderful neighborhood to be staying in in Paris.