Wibs

Hi, I need a place in Paris (any area considered) for 8-12 months as I will be a contractor at Thales in Gennevilliers, and letting agents are not keen on such a short period for a let. So I was thinking to try either a very cheap hotel, or a B&B, or a flat-share (just a room required). Does anyone have any recommendations on how to go about finding a B&B or a flat-share? Cheers Wibs

Hi, I am looking for an apartment in the Gennevilliers, Argenteuil, Epanay suburbs of Paris, starting late December or early January 2014. My budget is up to euro 1000 / month, and I would like an apartment with either two large bedrooms, or one large and 2 small (sleep in one, another for a small office, and one for guests). Is there a property website that collates all the available apartments for rent, from all the estate agents, in the same way that rightmove.co.uk does in the UK? If there isn't a rightmove equivalent, does anyone have any tips for finding an apartment? Is a budget of euro 1000 reasonable for what I want? Some other advice needed: What is French broadband like in the Paris area? I am getting 120MBps with VirginMedia here in the UK, are similar speeds available in the Paris area? Do French landlords generally ban or allow satellite dishes on the balcony? I have a 2 year + 1 year option work contract. Is that likely to be an issue? Thanks for any advice Wibs

Thanks for all the advice guys. I just got from an exploratory trip and found that the two banks I tried, BNP Parisbas, and CIC both wanted proof of address (three recent utility bills), and my UK address would not do. When checking out apartments via real estate agents they wanted 3 recent pay slips, and a certificate from my bank saying that I was a 'good' customer. A real chicken/egg situation here, you need a bank account to get an apartment, and you need a local address to get a bank account. However, not is all lost. I am with HSBC in the UK, and a Premium customer. When I phoned them today they said they could set up a bank account in Paris for me, and transfer my 'good' credit history to them. They are sending me some forms, which I then take into my local branch, with supporting docs, and they will validate them for me. Thanks again, Wibs

Hi, I am about to take up a position in Paris for 12 months, I don't speak French, but the working language is English, so no problem there. I need a French bank account to have my salary paid into, and to pay for rent, utilities etc. Q1. The company wants me to give them my bank account details to enter onto the contract, but will French banks accept my UK address (until I get a French apartment sorted out)? Q2. I am worrying about all my French bank correspondence being in French. Do any banks permit you to ask for your correspondence to be in English? Q3. What documentation do you typically need to open a French bank account? I was thinking of bringing my Passport, Driving License and a couple of recent British utility bills. Q4. If I go into a French bank, with the necessary documentation, will they create my account then and there, or is there a waiting period? Cheers Wibs