Hi, my wife and I (in our late 50%26#39;s) are planning our first trip to Paris in early July. We are looking at vrbo.com unit 125613 to rent. Anybody have any experience with this apartment? Looking for a one bedroom with a/c and w/d for around 200 Euros. Thanks in advance for your time!
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the place looks swank but it%26#39;s a bit of a %26quot;red flag%26quot; that the owners have misrepresented the location on VRBO. the apartment Isn%26#39;t in the 7th - it%26#39;s in the 15th...admittedly close to the 7th...but you have to look closely on their linked website to see where it really is. okay - the location isn%26#39;t bad, it%26#39;s just lacking in the charm of the 7th towards the other side of Ave Suffren. the 15th has less upscale amenities and less upscale grocery stores, etc, than the 7th..likewise the 7th has better restaurants, cafes and bistros. the 15th is a bit more modern and ugly..IMO..
I%26#39;d recommend you keep looking for something closer to the Rue Cler area...
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I don%26#39;t think there%26#39;s a %26quot;red flag%26quot;. On the website, it is clearly stated that this apartment is in the 15th, two blocks from the 7th.
There is no a/c, but I believe them when they tell you that nine windows with cross ventilation and shades for the windows are sufficient. Also note that elevator goes only to 7th floor, then a staircase to penthouse apartment.
We have stayed mostly in the 7th. I would agree that some streets/areas of the 15th are more modern and/or less charming.
However, prices having risen and the exchange rate having declined, I, personally, would seriously consider this apartment.
The location is not the most convenient, but is just fine for going all over. It%26#39;s only steps from Cambronne metro station and it%26#39;s right along Bus Route #80 (one of our favorites) which connects conveniently to routes all over. We much prefer the buses to the metro.
There is a FranPrix (grocery store) a block or two away, with the ubiquitous specialty shops all around and cafes nearby - along with the open market at Grenelle.
I would say that the furnishings and amenities are exceptional for an apartment of that price. And, that view! You would pay a LOT more for a similar view from the 7th (believe me, we have paid it).
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Actually, there is a contradiction. The vrbo posting clearly indicates thatt his unit is in the 7th (http://www.vrbo.com/125613). However, the further website for the unit itself (www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.asp…) does say it is in the 15th. Hmmm...I wonder why? Anyway, I have stayed in the15th twice and found it to be a nice area. It is close to the 7th and within very easy walking distance. We were close to the Blvd. de Grenelle, so we hit the market there on Sundays - terrific!
I would say go for it!
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hi I am just wondering what is a red fleg in relation to accommodation or district?
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it%26#39;s deceptive that the owners list the apartment on VRBO as being in the 7th - and it%26#39;s NOT.
it makes me wonder about what else they are claiming that might not be true.
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Thanks for all your responses! We are still trying to decide, any other opinions?
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I still don%26#39;t find it %26quot;deceptive%26quot; that this apartment is listed in the 7th, when it is actually in the 15th. Not everyone is familiar with the arrondissements in Paris and VRBO does refer to them as %26quot;neighborhoods%26quot;, %26quot;Paris Arr. 7 (Eiffel Tower, Orsay, Rue Cler)%26quot; and this apartment is definitely in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood - much closer to the Eiffel Tower than many parts of the 7th. So, if someone is looking for an apartment near the Eiffel Tower, this listing is not deceptive at all. I, for one, think it makes perfect sense to list it there. And, the map clearly shows that it is actually just over the border in the 15th.
Most apartments at this price, no matter where they%26#39;re located, are not nearly as nice as this one with regard to layout, furnishings, decor, and ammenities. Anyone who%26#39;s spent hours and hours shopping Paris apartments online knows they are overwhelmingly much more modestly furnished and much less attractively decorated.
There are many things that make this apartment more appealing than others: A separate dryer (the combo washer/dryers do not really dry your clothes - they finish quite damp - and the cycle takes 2 or more hours per load); the computer with internet access (really useful for checking the weather forecast, double checking your return flights, searching the Paris yellow pages during your visit for shops, maps to places, access to the RATP website, etc.), and that you can pay with a US check or Paypal.
We especially enjoy having a view of the Eiffel Tower from our apartment. But, the rate at the place we%26#39;ve stayed three times has more than doubled since 2005.
So, this one is definitely on the list of possibilities for next time.
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lobster - A %26#39;red flag%26#39; in reference to anything is an Americanism which suggests you may want to have some caution or concern over a particular point.
Ogletheogles - With regard to a/c it barely exists in France and the population seem to manage without so I wouldn%26#39;t worry too much on that point.
Some good points have been made with regard to falling exchange rates etc so if this apt works for you and ticks most of your requirements go for it. So long as you are near a metro - not unlike London or NYC say - you will be able to get around. Not everyone lives in the center.
My of my initial red flags with regard to accommodation would be the speed and efficiency with which the owner responds to you.
There%26#39;s a very useful %26#39;sticky%26#39; in the London forum with about vacation rentals that I had some input on that I would suggest you read - the points apply wherever you plan on renting.
ebabe
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That should read %26#39;One of my initial red flags...%26#39;!
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Hi ogles,
I think this looks like a beautiful apartment. I like the 15th because it is a real Parisian neighborhood, not yet over run by tourists, where you can experience %26quot;everyday life%26quot; in Paris. Every time I come up out of the metro on rue du Commerce, I am amazed by the calm and quiet. They have restricted the traffic on this street, and it is a real pleasure to be out with the locals on a nice evening.
I read the owners web site, and I don%26#39;t see any %26quot;red flags%26quot; at all. In fact, I don%26#39;t think that you could find a nicer apartment. Providing the Internet and free calls, Bose sound system, flat screen TV, and 24/7 property manager shows that the owner is trying very hard to make you comfortable.
Don%26#39;t worry too much about air conditioning, Paris is cool more often than it is warm, so most apartments do not have a/c.
I hope this helps,
Slowpoke
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