These exchanges happen first and foremost by word of mouth. Parisian party chat in early summer cons

French workers are blessed with six weeks of vacation a year, on average. Many of them take a full month off in late summer. Their good fortune is also yours. The reason? A good number of vacationing Parisians will try to sublet their apartments while off dallying in the Maldives.
These exchanges happen first and foremost by word of mouth. Parisian party chat in early summer consists of "where are you going on holiday?" guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee and "do you know anyone guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee who wants to rent my apartment?" Twitter and Facebook are also increasingly being used to advertise apartment availability, i.e. "going 2 Bali rent my Aug apt 300 wk". If you have a local connection or participate in any Paris discussion groups, it's a good idea to make your vacation desires known.
For those without a local friend, Craigslist is a great way to connect with departing Parisians. A glance at " sublets and temporary housing " today revealed about forty different listings for July and August. You can snag a one-bedroom in the Marais for 500 per week or a two-room studio along the Bassin de la Villette (my favorite 'hood) for 300 per week.
Advantages : These informal exchanges are much cheaper than traditional short-term rentals, which are already much cheaper than hotels per night. You can generally stay a week for the same price as a couple of nights in a hotel. Apartments offer the possibility of cooking or at least of morning coffee. They also offer a look "behind the curtain" at local life.
Disadvantages : Unlike the short-term rentals that we've discussed in " Paris at a Price That's Right " and here, these are "real" and lived-in apartments, filled (for better or worse) guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee with the occupant's stuff. That could mean a well-stocked gourmet kitchen and a library filled with interesting books. It could also mean clutter and bursting closets. Cleanliness varies. Some hosts will scrub their apartments, guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee but most will do a quick tidy before heading out the door. They'll usually leave you with a contact guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee number in case of emergency, but you'll otherwise be on your own.
As mentioned in a previous blog post on Paris sublets , it's buyer beware with these informal agreements. I've had friends arrive at their holiday apartment to find somebody else already settled in. I've heard about travelers sending security deposits to people guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee who subsequently disappeared. The best way to avoid trouble is to ask a lot of questions, trust your instincts, and avoid wiring any money.
These warnings aside, informal rentals offer incredible value and a way for unfussy travelers to lengthen their stay in Paris. They also help the fortunate Parisians to order a few extra Pi a Coladas during their holidays. Everybody wins.
July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August guided bus tours of chicago from milwaukee 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007