It’s been a while since I posted, but I wanted to talk about something that can be very useful for foreigners in Paris, where if you haven’t yet realized, it is extremely difficult to find housing! Due to the lack of available apartments in the city, and the high demands of agencies and landlords (it’s all about the “dossier”), many long-term travelers find themselves struggling to find adequate housing, often settling for a place that is either too small, too expensive, too far, or that just leaves a bit more to be wished for…rarely do they find the perfect place, and if you do HOLD ON TO IT AS LONG AS YOU CAN! Or show up with your security deposit and first months rent in hand when visiting the place (not even joking).
So that is what brings to me to today’s topic, using Airbnb to your advantage while living in Paris!
First off, often when we are looking to move abroad, we need a place before we arrive. Booking a hotel can be expensive, and if it isn’t an “aparthotel” (long-stay hotel) with a kitchen (which it probably isn’t), you’ll be wasting money on food each day (I’m assuming you are broke). In this case, booking an Airbnb is a great option.
BUT, this is the key point: Don’t let the price of the rental deter you. Once you’ve found a place that is available, and you’ve spoken directly with the owner, often you can negotiate the price, especially if you want to stay long-term. Who knows, they may even be willing to have you sign a lease for the year. And if they aren’t interested…that’s fine. At least you have a roof over your head, and it will buy you time until you find your own place. Now, if you managed to put together an impressive dossier and snag a chic flat in the heart of le Marais, that’s great! But this post isn’t for you.
This post is for the English Teaching Assistant on a budget, or the student that came to Paris on a whim or to realize a dream with nothing but their savings from working a dreaded 9-5 in the states for way too long…
“Ehem…”, so now, that you’ve found your new tiny overpriced…or potentially perfect flat, well, you have to pay rent. Your side job helps out a lot, but you still want a little extra to travel right? Because that’s why you moved abroad in the first place. This is where some people seem to draw line, and that is becoming an airbnb host. You’ve spent all this time enjoying Paris, why not share the experience with other travelers. Okay, so if your long-term rental is already an Airbnb…that might be a bit awkward to negotiate. But if you found your flat elsewhere, for instance, on Spotahome, or another site that is is accustomed to finding flats for foreigners (some listed below), and your landlord has agreed to allow you to sublet or “sous-louer”, then why not travel and rent out your space during your absence?
If you are able to afford a 1-bedroom, why not turn the living room into a rental space? I’ve heard many people say that they don’t want to sublet because they have a lot of belongings. There is a solution for that. Often apartments come with a storage box or “cave”. This means you can leave your prized possessions in a secure place, while you backpack through Europe. Upon your return, and after much most likely unnecessary spending, you have a nice little deposit waiting for your in your account. The exchanging of apartment keys can always be handled with a lock box, a neighbor, a trusted friend/co-host (who also makes a pretty penny). Then they will have no excuse not to buy you a drink to celebrate your return, your 1st successful Airbnb host experience, your 1st Euro trip….
Okay, let’s be real foreign student’s will find any excuse to celebrate. Why not profit from your outings, by inviting your 1st Airbnb guests on an excursion or a food & drink tour via Airbnb Experiences. The options are really limitless! Just make sure you adhere to the strict taxation laws.
If you are looking for an apartment in Paris, I hope this post will help ease the transition into a new country.
If you still need help, be sure to check out this list of foreigner friendly housing agencies:
- New York Habitat
- Paris Housing Services
- PARIS RENTAL
- FUSAC
- Bulletin Boards:
- The American Church
- The Danish Church
- The Swedish Church
Thanks again for reading! Bisous!
Expand The comfort zone 
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