When I first arrived in Paris, I chose a student residence for my initial years. Honestly, it was a strategic choice: I didn’t know anyone, and I was afraid of ending up isolated in a studio apartment. But after a few years, things were different. I had settled into a routine, I knew Paris well, and I felt confident enough to look into private Student Housing — which are much cheaper.
If you are still hesitating between a residence and renting from a private individual, I recommend reading the article: Student Housing – Why Choose a Private Student Residence? : Why Choose a Student Residence in France?
More details 〜(￣▽￣〜)
Why Choose a Student Residence in France?
Moving to Paris soon for your studies? Between campus life, international connections, coworking spaces, and security, discover why student residences are becoming increasingly popular.
Where to find housing listings?
When you arrive in Paris on a tight budget, renting a studio from a private individual can seem like the ideal solution. It is cheaper than a student residence, offers more independence, and is potentially in a nice neighborhood.
▪ Real Estate Agencies
Going through a traditional agency provides real legal security. You can check the websites of well-known networks or specialized platforms:
- Major networks: Laforêt, Century 21, etc.
- Listing aggregators: Bien Ici (my favorite site, which gathers listings from almost all real estate agencies).
- Alert apps: Jinka (the essential app to centralize new listings as soon as they are published).
▪ Platforms and Private Listing Sites
To find a place directly from an owner, you can also use online platforms. These sites often mix listings from individual landlords and real estate agencies:
- Le Bon Coin : The French classic. It has everything, but you have to be prepared to filter through a lot of ads.
- SeLoger : A very popular site that is well-designed to help you narrow down your search.
- PAP (De Particulier à Particulier) : The original site for renting directly from owners with no agency fees.
- Studapart : A platform specifically for students (be sure to check if your school or university has a partnership with them!).
There are plenty of other sites out there. Just take a moment to read reviews for each platform before you sign anything.
Ne sois pas un pigeon ! (Don’t get scammed!)
When using these platforms, stay alert. Be extra careful about:
- Ads that look too good to be true: if the apartment looks perfect, modern, huge, and cheap… it’s a red flag!
- Prices that are suspiciously low: In Paris (and the nearby suburbs), a decent 14m² studio doesn’t cost €400 a month. Prices usually start around €700 and can easily go up to €1,500 or more, depending on the area.
It is physically impossible to find a 60m² apartment for €700 in the Paris region unless it’s a shared apartment. ¯(ツ)/¯
💡 My advice: Before you start looking, browse ads in the neighborhood you’re interested in. See what the real prices and sizes look like. You’ll quickly learn what’s normal and what’s a rip-off.
The next steps
So, a student residence or a private housing? Whatever you decide, there are only few steps left before you can move into your new home:
○ Choose your housing – Define your must-haves and find the option that fits you best.
👉 Read: Student Housing – What criteria should you use to choose a place? (Coming soon)
○ Prepare your file – You need to convince the landlord, but more importantly, protect yourself from identity theft.
👉 Read: How to put together a student rental file and avoid scams (Coming soon)
○ Nail your viewing – Check every corner to make sure the place is legal and the landlord is honest.
👉 Read: How to have a successful viewing and avoid traps (Coming soon)
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