Top places to find an apartment near Paris
Where to stay in near Paris if you want to save your budget? Where to find a flat if you an expatriat who is looking for a long-term accommodation?
Most of expatriates coming to France (including me) work for a company located in la Défense, that’s why I’m focusing on communities located in the department of Hauts-de-Seine.
Based on my 10 years’ experience and 5 movements out/in I could recommend a few communes to look at at the beginning.
- Neuilly-Sur-Seine
Personally, it would be my first choice in the list of recommendations. Why?
It’s a quiet, suburban atmosphere area with an easy access to the city center of Paris (a few minutes walk). It is not far from la Défense as well, just 2 metro stations from your office.
Neuilly-Sur-Seine is widely chosen by families with children as the commune is surrounded by parks (Jardin d’Acclimation). It also has some international schools and supermarkets.
The only disadvantage is a renting price which is normally higher than in other communities near Paris. Typically, you should be ready to pay EUR 1,100–1,400 per month for a one bedroom apartment.
To tell you the truth, all the apartments I rented (3 up to date) were located in Neuilly-Sur-Seine. At the beginning of my Parisian life I even managed to find a small studio at EUR 800 per month, which is not bad for a studio of 20sq m!
2. Versailles
Everyone has definitely heard about the place which is associated with the Palace of Versailles.
Versailles is a lovely commune with many touristic places, cafes and restaurants. It’s also an ideal place to live if you like being surrounded by nature as the domaine if Versailles features forest and a big park.
The commune is a bit far from Paris city centre, around 20 km. But if you don’t have a car, you can easily get to la Defense by train or RER within 20 minutes.
In general, the price for one bedroom apartment ranges between EUR 900–1,500 per month. That makes the place very attractive for living.
3. Courbevoie
The commune lies 8.2 km far from Paris city center. It is a family friendly commune with the fast access to la Defense area. What is more, parks or any recreational area for kids are within walking distance.
The price from the apartment will start from EUR 1,200.
4. St Germain-en-Laye
It represents a typical French town with a strong multicultural community, which is 15 km west of Paris. It is said that local state schools are perfect places for foreigners due to their international focus.
However, the access to entertainment is limited. There are only local family cafes and small grocery shops. That is explained why the area included into top family-friendly suburbs.
But you can take local trains or buses that run daily to central Paris.
An average price EUR 900–1,500 per month for one bedroom apartment.
5. Rueil-Malmaison
Rueil-Malmaison is famous for the Château de Malmaison that was a home of Napoléon’s first wife Joséphine de Beauharnais.
It’s also very popular among families with kids thanks to a good choice of schools and most affordable housing ranging from EUR 800–1,000 per month for one bedroom apartment.
