Those bastards…
apologised. They came in with smiles on their faces, and I said “no, it’s not going very well. I was very disturbed with the way things went the last time.” and then I explained why it bothered me.
They were taken aback, as if they hadn’t really thought about it from my perspective. Madame took my hands and said that it certainly wasn’t intentional, and she could see how it could be upsetting from my point of view. Then she went on about how great I was, and how I took such good care of their apartment and how they wished things had turned out differently. They promised to be more sensitive to my interests in the future.
It could have all been an cynical act, of course, but I doubt it. It seemed sincere, and it very likely was.
Maybe it just sounds like I’m caving further and rationalizing — but I’m much happier today. I told them exactly what I had a problem with, and they responded appropriately.
The moral of this story is that being prepared to launch a confrontation is more important than actually having it. You might be surprised. I feel much better about myself today.
Anyway, prospective apartment number two is by Gare de l’Est, in the tenth arrondissement. It’s about 60% of the size of my current apartment, but 350€ a month less. The entrance is frankly grotty and the bathroom is extremely small and somewhat dingy (and no full-size tub). The rest of the apartment is in perfect condition, with new tile floor and fresh paint and visible wood beams. It comes with kitchen appliances (which is ideal), but the fridge is also kind of dingy. There’s a space for either a dishwasher or a washing machine. A bit of exterior storage and some storage cupboards inside. No closets, of course.
The main living space is divided into the kitchen area, an office area and the living room (all quite small). There are two double glazed windows that look out into the street.
The area is very animated, with a lot of little commerce (butcher, cheese, epiceries). Compared to my current neighbourhood, it’s less calm and said to be less safe. On my walk through the area, however, I noticed a lot of families. It’s also two blocks from the Canal St-Martin (where Amelie skips stones over the locks) and a healthy walking distance from Montmartre.
The metro connections are roughly equivalent to what I have today, but I would be trading ten minutes of walking for ten additional RER minutes.
I dunno — should I hold out for a larger apartment closer to the south? I had a good feeling about this one, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. It would be exciting to change my lifestyle so much, but I’m not convinced it would be an improvement. It’s also perfect timing — it’s open at the end of January when I need to move, and there’s nobody in competition for it. I need to make a decision soon, so let me know exactly what to do and why.
GKarlsen
Holy Smokes!!!
Pass. Anytime the words grotty and dingy are used to describe a place, the place isn’t good. Pass.
I should probably qualify — the grotty entrance is 100% entirely outside of the apartment. You enter the interiour court through a human door cut into the car door (which is sufficiently typical in older buildings) and the staircase up to my place is an exposed concrete and wood spiral staircase.
The doors into the apartments look shoddy on the outside.
The apartment, however, is nice inside.
I would also qualify my current toilet room and bathroom as dingy.
I would describe your current place as BIG and in a NICE, SAFE neighbourhood. I might in passing mention that the toilet room is a bit broom-closety and that there might be a bit more rot going on then one might deem optimal but I certainly wouldn’t lead with that.
I say that you find a place that is maybe a tad bit closer to work, somehow. It would still be easy to get to the throbbing, throbbing, throbbing heart of Paris but any time you save on your commute is a little present of time that you would be giving yourself 10 times a week…
My opinion, which is worth absolutely nothing as the decision doesn’t affect me in the least. I’ll happily crash on your floor, wherever it is, next time I visit
I would have to agree with the other posters…pass on this one. In my experience, being happy with my residence really impacts my general outlook on life. I don’t think you will be happy with a place you have described as grotty, extremely small, and dingy (twice).
Just my two cents.
Good luck! and congratulations for confronting the landlords…I suspect that was a pretty big deal for you. 
Here I am, being the contrarian. To me, it sounds like you like the place. Animated is good, change is good, and your gut-feelings are important on these things. You mention you have a “good” feeling about it, but it was maybe not “perfect”. And if you find yourself defending it, I think that says you like it.
It also comes down to how hard it is to find a place in Paris. Methinks it’s tougher than Vancouver, as you appear to be looking two months in advance.
Dimitri hasn’t gotten back to me yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as he does.
What about buying a place? Is that just too crazy in Paris?
I’m famous for always taking the first apartment I look at – so let’s see what I think…
I think you should take the place. As much as I hate to admit it, I think Roggles is right. And nothing beats the stress of not having to look for a place anymore – especially when you should be celebrating Christmas.
But don’t listen to us – we haven’t seen the place! Go with your gut – or your heart – or your brain.
My heart says – leave it. You’ll be amazed how many great things await for you just around the cornor that you’ll never discover if you stop looking.
My logic says – you seem to like it, take it!
My wallet says – 350 Euros/month! wow, that’s a great monthly savings that can be put towards your 2 month vancouver vacation next summer.
ha ha – until today, I thought dingy and dingy were both spelled dingy. who knew! it’s kinda like pussy and pussy…you know – the wound was all pussy…and – look, she’s got a nice pussy cat.
Your current area is good and clean and safe. Montmartre is brown and a bit decrepit but ever so artsy and interesting. It adds no more to your commute and you would have a very different experience.
It is like St. Albert vs. White Avenue or Burnaby vs. Commercial Drive. Why not try both while you are there?
Unless I am wrong (and I am never wrong) you can make it as dreamy as you like once you move in. I would hate to see you in the burbs – you might as well just return to Canada. Besides, living closer to the seedy nightlife might do you some good.