Thanks, Ursula. Yes, I've already checked out the Pages Jaunes and the RATP site to see where things are, including groceries, etc., and to get a feel for the neighborhoods as best I can without being there. I was previously looking at a place in the 16th and realized that it was too residential for my tastes. I like to be in the middle of things.

Between the two places I'm considering, it's really six of one and half a dozen of the other: They each have positives and negatives.

This apartment hunting is tough. My heart says one thing, and my bank account says another. Where's a winning lotto ticket when I need one?

No, I'm not in Paris quite yet, and contracts can be signed upon my arrival.

Stacy,
The area around La Madeleine is certainly nice. But hence, honestly I wouldn't really want to live there. Too expensive for daily needs (grocery shopping, etc.) and too busy and noisy.

As for the Duplex area, you'll have more of a neighbourhood feel. You'll be close to the Champs de Mars and different local street markets. As a matter of fact, you can see that area from the métro, because it's not underground. Looks like middle class to me, not as residential as the 7th arr. though.

But then, it all depends where you will have to go, i.e. where you'll work (if you will). Dupleix might not be terribly ideal and you might have to transfer on the métro. But then, do check out the bus routes too.

Sorry, I am not familiar with the streets you name, but you can check them out with pagesjaunes to see what they look like and what shop, etc. are around.
Just had a look at. Both streets are short and small, so the traffic noise issue is probably not a real problem.

PS: I don't remember, are you in Paris already? For sure, I wouldn't sign any contract before having seen the place and its immediate neighbourhood.

Any opinions on the areas of rue de Castellane (near la Madeleine) or rue Beatrix Dussane (near metro Dupleix)?

So true, Karen. But for that, you need a very large social network which you usually don't have (yet), when moving to a new city.

A good start is also to talk about to your hairdresser, owners of small shops (bakery, butcher, etc.). They often know what's going on and they do know a lot of folks, especially in the immediate neighbourhood.
But for that, you already need to have a place like a very short-term rental, of course.


Chuck, that can happen anywhere and any time.

Stacy:

Put EVERY feeler out.
You never know.....

So many apartments are handed from friend to friend.

Thanks for the advice, Chuck. I am indeed aware of all those things (indeed, you'll note that my post specifically mentions the number of flights of stairs, not which floor, in order to avoid potential confusion); however, my original query still stands. If anyone has something to propose, at that point we can go over details and making arrangements to be seen, etc.

Stacy, I would not commit myself for a long term lese for a apt that you have not seen. What I allways tell people, go there a week earlier, and then LOOK at apartments you consider leasing. Once you signed and gave them a deposit, there is not much you can do, or you may loose the deposit. If you would talk about a week rental, you can live with most thing, but on a long term lease it is different.
There may be so many things you can not think of long distance. I am not shure how familiar you are with Paris, they may tell you the apt is on the third floor. Here, this would be walking of 2 flights. I do not know if you realize it that this could be as manyu as 4 flights but at lest 3, as the ground floor (here the 1st floor) is not counted, then there may be the "half floor (demi etage), then the 1st etage and then the 2nd etage. There may be some noisie construction going on for the next 3 month, etc.

BP Chuck

I had housing previously arranged but it fell through. I'm going to search through all the normal channels -- PAP, FUSAC, friends, perhaps agencies, etc. -- but I know that word of mouth can also be useful so am posting this here. You never know when someone may know of something...

What I'm looking for:
- furnished studio or 1BR, preferably €700/month or less
- preferably with an elevator or else no more than 2 flights of stairs
- must have high-speed internet connection or the potential to have it installed
- a safe neighborhood
- ideally available March 1 for one year
A washing machine would be nice, but I can manage without it.

Potential tenant (that's me ) is a quiet, responsible, nonsmoking 41-year-old female.

If anyone reading this happens to know of anything, feel free to post or send me a message. Thanks.