Hello from Paris!
Another ridiculously dull text based post but a neccessary one!
Finding housing in Paris is a bitch! It's not like New York where you are inundated with options on craigslist. Here craigslist is super limited at best. If you are moving to Paris be prepared to keep you eye fimly fixed on Craigslist and maybe pay the 20 euro prix to appartager for month long access to their options.
My top 2 were: appartager
craigslist Paris
Others recommended to me included:
pap.fr
alouer.com
homeaway (a safer craigslist according to my ny friend)
alouer.com
centralparisrentals/appartments.html
lodgis.com
parisattitude.com
souslocation
parisvendu
fusac.fr
and the american church in the 7th arrondissments. It has petits anonces, with jobs, free rooms etc.
If you are finding an appartment for a few years, be warned! I have heard horror storied of queues of people going for one, needing several letters of reccomendation etc. This city does not make it easy!
Also getting a pay as you go phone is a nightmare! Either get a contract (you have to prove you're leaving the country by means of a handwritten letter to cancel it but it may be cheaper). Don't go with pricey orange or sfr. Boygues has deals that include pay 20 euro a month for unlimited texts with limited minutes or vice versa. Virgin is said to have good deals too (although this may only be for ny- i got the $20 unlimited monthly text option there).
Basically this city is an admin pit! Be warned. Even getting a monthly metro card *navigo*(the equivalent of an oyster, or subway card) can only be done at the beginning of each month. Metro Opera is the most friendly for this as they have a camera so you don't have to bring passport photos. Although i do look awful in mine...
