Apartment Search in Paris, Part 2
LA VIE: This is the second post in a three-part series about obtaining an apartment in Paris. To read the first post, click here.
As previously mentioned, obtaining a “flat” in Paris is rather hard. It’s all about supply and demand. One critical hurdle I dealt with is obtaining my French bank account. In the U.S., obtaining a bank account is rather easy… essentially you need an address, a way to confirm identity, and cash.. of course! There are so many banks that allow potential customers to open their accounts online, the process is pain-free.
In France, the process is not as simple. You need identification, but if you’re an Expat, you also need:
Your passport
A Visa
A way to verify a permanent address with supporting documentation
A letter from your employer verifying your employment
A copy of your offer letter
Copies of bills from your previous address, and
A copy of your social security card
Once I gathered a lifetime’s worth of data, I learned I needed another letter from my employer allowing me to use their address until I obtained a permanent apartment (insert annoying sarcastic tone!)
The bank (I purposely left their name out to protect the innocent) emails me documents that I have to PRINT and fill-in, scan then email back to them. After which, I learned three of the documents need triple copies and have to be mailed in. Great, I make copies and mail them. Fast-forward two weeks later, I get an email saying the forms I mailed can’t be copies; they must be originals… I was supposed to fill them in three times, sign each one, and mail them. (Grr…)
So, I redo the process and wait… and wait. At this point, I returned to the U.S. to pick up my Visa. I requested the bank to connect me with their U.S. division via the local branch in Orange County, CA. so I can open the American account to link both accounts. About two days later, I get an email from a person who said she emailed me forms to fill out. I asked can I just come to the branch and I learn the Paris office connected me with someone in WASHINGTON D.C.!
Setting up the American account took about 5 days via email and postal service (signature cards, etc.) Now, it’s a month into the process and still no French bank account exists. This experience is captured in a different post.
Let’s skip to my first round 1 of apartment visits:
Umm… this didn’t go so well. I saw an apartment that had a bathtub in the bedroom
Saw a flat that was really an attic converted to an apartment.
Saw an out-of-date flat I swear was a storage room.
Saw a few interesting flats that seemed too good to be true
The second round went a lot better… lots of well lit areas close to subway stations and parks.
I eventually chose a flat in the 7th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower and Rue Cler. I am happy with location and nearby surroundings. I’ll post more on my L-O-N-G process to get my flat pulled together. For example, I’ve been in my flat almost two months and am still trying to get cupboards installed in the kitchen (ahem… cooking space - it’s too small to be a kitchen).
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