bartsmom

Need some opinions here from seasoned travelers, please. We will be going on our first trip to France. We are planning to stay in one place for two months due to our daughter playing a pro sport nearby (Neuville-aux-Bois). Our budget is quite low - no more than $2000 USD per month for lodging. We need an entire apartment - one bedroom - real bed -so that we may do some of our own cooking and have privacy for that length of time. We found a small cottage in Perthes for just over $1000 USD and there are some rentals in Paris that might work. Looking at the map Perthes is south of Paris and Neuville-aux-Bois is further south. Perthes does not seem to have any amenities - no shops. We will see our daughter only 5-10 times over our stay. We plan to visit Paris and do some mushrooming (where allowed) in the area and see other sites.
In your experience would you stay in Paris in a lesser apartment and be in the middle of everything or in Perthes and commute to Paris several days per week, driving to a station and taking the train in?
We plan to do this October and November of 2013 so there are fewer rentals available due to late planning which was unavoidable.
Help!

janisj

Perthes is very near Melun, Barbizon and Fountinbleau so it isn't in some God forsaken region. It would be a good base for touring places to the S/SE/SW of Paris.

Staying IN Paris would be great IF you mainly wanted to visit Paris. But if you are going to be touring around/day tripping it might be fine in Perthes.

Christina

I think you have to figure out what you personally want to do, that's all. Because you couldn't pay me to stay in Perthes for a month, there isn't any slightest reason I would want to do that. What would you do there, anyway? There is nothing there and not even a train station. So if you don't want to do anything, fine, it would be a good location and closer to your daughter. If you want to be in a city or see Paris, it isn't very appealing, obviously, given how much time and trouble it will take you to get anywhere (not to mention money, you'd have to get a monthly Navigo pass that goes all the way out to Melun or wherever, if possible, and I would imagine parking isn't free there, but don't know). And that pass will be expensive given the zone. If you really only want to go somewhere a couple times a week, maybe the money would be worth it to you, though, it's your call. You wouldn't need a car in Paris, obviously, and renting a car for that time won't be cheap, either. So I can't imagine you'd really come out much ahead, but it isn't clear how you intend to see your daughter if you stay in the city.

Robert2533

If you're planning on staying in an apartment outside of Paris, then the first question I would ask is do you speak French. It's very important if you select a location in a smaller village.

I would stick with staying in Paris (no need for the added expense of a rental car) and use the train to take day trips. I found more than 500 apartments available in Paris during October-November that would fit within your €1500/month budget at www.parisattitude.com

adrienne

I would get a better apartment in Paris and not get a rental car which would allow you more apartment options. For the occasional trip outside Paris (mushrooms, etc.) you can rent a car short term. It would be difficult to be stuck in a small town for 50 to 55 of your 60 days that you will not be seeing your daughter. There are tons of day trips outside Paris that are accessible via public transportation.

seafox

If you stay in Paris you will have easy rail access to all of Europe..... Perthes...not so much.

nytraveler

Unless you speak at least some French don;t underestimate the difficulties of staying in a very small town. And do realize that you will not have easy access to shops and restaurants - even going to nearby towns you will be limited by village hours (don;t expect a supermarket open 24/7 - shops are open limited hours and there is usually full or half day closing - besides Sunday.

If it were me I would get an apt in Paris - with easy access to all there is to see and do.

flpab

Paris

tarquin

Lucky you. Definitely Paris. Two months will allow you to do extensive exploring and it will not be hard for your daughter to visit you. She might be happier to visit you in Paris than to have you on her doorstep in Perthes anyway.

michele_d

I would settle into Paris for the two months. Get into a little routine and pretend to be a 'local' for your time there. What a great opportunity for you. Have fun. I'm jealous.

justineparis

Paris by a long shot. Transport options for one.. from Paris one can get anywhere in France,, from Perthes you can get no where and have the added cost of a car..
My relatives lived in a small village outside Paris, no train station, they had to pick me up in Chantilly.. getting bread each day ( this is not an option in France, people need bread everyday!!) was interesting, my relatives knew which times to go.. as said, places are not open normal hours in small places.. the bakery on most days was open from 7 am to 11 am.. then later in the day for two hours .. but it seemed to vary.. drove me nuts.

And yes, without good French you may find it quite challenging in a small town..

KTtravel

Paris!

bartsmom

Thank you all for your insights. Paris it is! We speak no French - yet. At first glance there are many apartments available but we have a few criteria such as a real bed that eliminate quite a few. The search is on! Thanks again.

annhig

yes, another vote for Paris.

not reason why you shouldn't do some short breaks out of the city as well as day trips, but always coming "home" afterwards.

and good luck to your DD! what is her sport?

Bellarosa70032

Take a look at www.vrbo.com, www.homelidays.com, or trip adviser for apartment rentals. We've had good luck dealing directly with the owners, and I've found that it was slightly cheaper than going through an agency. Just be sure to read the reviews and testimonials!

adrienne

I agree about a real bed rather than a fold out couch - so uncomfortable! I think you'll be happy that you stayed in Paris.

bartsmom

Volley ball!

bartsmom

Have sent many requests out to vrbo, trip advisor, airbnb and have either not received replies or owners are not renting for that long a period and it does not show on their listing. Our budget is $5,000 maximum for the whole two months for lodging. I know this is very low. We are trying to stay centrally - the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th , 6th, 7th? And - we need an elevator if we are above the 2nd french floor. Internet, TV, kitchen, washing machine and real bed as mentioned before. We are getting tired of dead ends.
Also, we have loads of BA Avios and can't seem to get any flights even if we pay cash and use them for upgrade.
Perhaps this trip was not meant to be!

Thank you all!

Bellarosa70032

Here's another website to try: www.homeaway.com. Hang in there!

Robert2533

I guess you passed on using www.parisattitude.com to check on an apartment. I just checked on a 1 bedroom (Oct through Nov) in a building with an elevator and found several units that fit nicely within your budget restricting the search to only the 6th and 7th.