Residencies in Paris

When someone tells you that it's difficult to find accommodation in Paris, believe them, I'm not exaggerating. No matter how much they tell you, until you get there and start to despair because you can't find anything, you don't realise how hard it is (unless you're one of the lucky ones who knows a friend of a cousin's uncle's friend of someone who was here the year before who is willing to "pass on" their accommodation).

Basically, there are 2 options: a flat (be it a shared flat or studio) and student halls. I am going to tell you about the latter, to save you having to search loads of different websites that exist (and to avoid discovering them too late, when the deadline to ask has already passed or when there are no rooms left).

In my opinion, the most important thing to take into account (except for the price) is the area: sometimes (not always) it's worth not living in "actual" Paris (that is only the districts that start at 75) and take less time to get to the university rather than living inside the peripherals of the city and taking ages on the metro each morning (but that's just a personal opinion).

So, here we go:

• Crous: To be able to get a residence here, you have to be lucky. Lucky in the way that your university has an agreement with them, if not, you can almost forget about it (but you won't lose anything by trying to ask). It's the best option if you can gain admission, they are the cheapest option and there are loads of them spread throughout Paris. The process to ask for one is a little bit of a drag, so you know you're going to have to start to keep an eye on the dates and see what you can ask for; don't leave it to the last minute (that applies to everything). Website: Crous.
• La Cité Universitaire: Here, it depends on each country, because each one has its own residency. For example, for the Spanish College, the petition is done directly through them, not through "La Cité". You have to prepare a dossier with curriculum, a cover letter etc. The time to ask for it is during the middle to the end of June and the places are published in July. The problem is a points system and they prioritise students by doctorate or research... So if you come for the grade that you have complicated (but, one again, there's no harm in trying). Websie: La Cité Universitaire

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Private residencies:

• Campusea: I stayed in one of these places, I discovered them at the last minute, some days before going to Paris. There was space because it was new so they told me I could stay. They don't only exist in Paris, but also in Bordeaux, Lille and Lyon. In Paris there are eight, some are within the city and others aren't, the price varies a bit from one to another (I think that it depends on the location more than anything, they will bee a lot more expensive in Paris than in the ones outside of Paris). Apart from this, in my experience, they are very good. You can usually choose between studios for one person or flats to share between different people. Website: Campusea

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• Adele:: They have a load of residencies and each one has its admission criteria (for example, some of them are only for professional students related to health). In general, they are more expensive than the other choices, but I don't know anyone who lives here or who had lived there, so I don't know if it's worth it or not. Website: Adele.
• Estudines: there are three in Paris, one in the 19th district, another in the 20th and another in the 11th. They are the most expensive that I had seen, but for those who can allow or not find anything more then this is an option. I don't have any sort of reference for these either. Website: Estudines.
• Studelites: In the same category as the other 2, there are 2 in total, spread throughout the city and its surroundings. Website: Studelites.
• STUDEA: These are also the same type as the other three,

  expensive, all situated in Paris. Website: STUDEA

The Foyers:

• ALJT: I didn't manage to get a place here, so annoying because I know two girls who live there and they are very happy. There are a lot of these spread out not only in Paris, but also in the surroundings. Website: ALJT.
• CLJT: The same style as the last one, there are 10 in total, but with less spaces (I think). I asked for one but I didn't have any luck, so I can't tell you what they're like. They're either mixed or only for girls. Website: CLJT
• UCGJ (Union Chrétienne de Jeunes Gens de Paris): Despite the name, it's not only for religious people nor anything of the kind. It's the YMCA (you already know the famous song). This is only for boys; a friend of mine lives here and he's very happy, it's in the centre and the atmosphere is really good, everything is really great. The only problem is that the building is old, and it's noticeable, but oh well, y friend really likes it and it's not at all expensive. Website: UCGJ

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• UCJF: (Union Chrétienne de Jeunes Filles de Paris): The same as the last one, but for girls only. There are two, one in the 8th arrondissement and another in the 15th. They are also very cheap. Website: UCJF
• Foyer Tolbiac: In Paris, in the 13th arrondissement, it's only for girls. It's also quite cheap, but I have no idea how easy or difficult it is to get a room. Website: Foyer Tolbiac

Conclusion:

There are a load of possibilities, but you have to dedicate some time to finding something. I haven't mentioned every single option on this list, I've only mentioned the places that I know or that I have heard other people talk about, nevertheless, I hope this comes in useful in making your search a bit easier. The most important thing: learn the layout of the metro and when you find accommodation, have google maps ready to calculate how much time it takes to get to places (or better still, the mobile app "RATP", because Google maps doesn't take RER into account, which is like the commuter train, so it's not completely trustworthy). If you get halls, the advantage in respect to the actual flat is that the process is fairly simplified, apart from this, it depends on your tastes and preferences.

Good luck with your search!

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