Whatever kerouac, to each his own. Sorry but I don't like the 18th, get off your high horse. I am on vacation, if for a month I want to live in a fantasy, that is my business. Not going to apologize because I love and like beautiful things and an apartment in Paris with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.

Do you want a medal for living in the "ugly" (your word) part of Paris?

@cafegoddess - but the OP said:

" My inclination is to stay away from the touristy places"

Please forgive me, Your Worship (or whatever one is supposed to call a self-labelled goddess), for answering the question that was asked rather than ignoring it. The OP wanted a suggestion away from the non touristy areas. You chose to recommend the exact opposite.

Who is on a high horse?

Errr... away from the touristy of course, not the non touristy ones.

The 7th arrondissement is the land of the gods.

Cafegoddesss, no need to apologize for your preference of staying in the loveliest areas. Nor do I think kerouac needs to apologize for where he lives. But the OP (who has never been to Paris) wants to be away from the touristy areas, so should look in the suburbs or the outer arrondissements. If I was there for two to four weeks, no way would I stay in the suburbs or the outer arrondissements, but for three months, a lovely area just outside the périphérique would be ideal for many people.

The OP might consider starting in one of the inner arrondissements, closer to the many things visitors want to see and after a month decide where to move to next.

"The 7th arrondissement is the land of the gods." Yes it is, hey we agree on something! Good night Kerouac.

I don't care where I am in Paris as long as it has a view and a terrace. I would go with the best terrace. I love the 14th, less touristy but great shops and markets. Check it out. I envy you, sounds just wonderful.

@ OP, If you truly want less touristy places, Saint Germain-Odeon area is not it. I have stayed there for short stays and I like it but think of it as just about tourist central. If you were going to be in Paris for only a week, I would strongly suggest Sant Germain because it is pretty central but Paris is relatively small and the extra 5 or 10 minutes of travel time from the higher numbered arrondissements is not as significant when you are there for a month. As Fuzzbbucket says, some areas of the Opera area can be super touristy but there are some that are not. I disagree that there are no good restaurants within 2 kilometers of Opera Garnier but generally speaking I find the Opera area a bit too busy but it does have good connections to the areas that you seem to enjoy. If you are really thinking non-touristy, first recognize that Paris is probably the most visited city in the world and what you will probably find is less-touristy and not non-touristy. Second, take a look at areas in the 14th arrondissement such as near the Alesia metro station or near Rue Daguerre, the 15th near the La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle metro station, the 12th near Square Armand Trousseau, and in the 17th near the Batignolles market or the Ternes metro station. All are a short metro ride to the center and all are lovely areas in my view.

But the OP wants a terrace and lovely views...hard to come by anywhere in the 14th, especially near the metro station in the 15th, though possibly near Batignolles or Ternes.

I still believe that this is a case of falling in love with the apartments and knowing nothing about the neighborhoods they are located in.

I had a great view in the 14th and a terrace. A little walk from the Alesia metro station. I would do a month in three spots, get a little taste of different areas. Pick on now and after you get there pick the other two.

From what OP says, I think she should stay in the touristy places.
She wants to have it nice and in 'Paris' where she will host US guys coming over.

As for Neuilly and Passy, I have always loved this song by 'les inconnus' a trio of great comics from the 80's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAHwQ8PL0lQ
No need to understand french.

Ps : Café, you made me laugh.

Remember that the OP and her intended have never been to Paris, so they are expressing their preferences in terms of the photos they have seen of these apartments.

Choose the one that most appeals to you, spend a month, then you'll know more about areas you like/dislike. Also, I expect by then you'll have a lot more info about legal issues and such so can make a realistic plan for yourselves.

I hope the OP will post the links.

<i> but I was involved in getting 3 Turks out of jail who had gone to Belgium with a visa from Switzerland. </i>

Whathello, what a wonderful image that brings to the mind - as well as lots of possibilities. Next time it could be 3 Swiss who had gone to Turkey with a visa from Belgium. Or 3 Belgians who went to Switzerland with a visa from Turkey.

Or Miss Plum, in the library, with the candlestick... (if you don't know the board game 'Clue' then this alas will be lost...)

Meanwhile I dunno about the OP, but I am learning lots from this thread.

It is called 'Cluedo' (Clü eh dö) in french, Madame Pervenche, avec le chandelier, dans la librairie...

But they didn't kill any professor !

What:

You are my "go to" if I get in trouble in Europe. How does one contact you?

There are, believe it or not, views of the Eiffel Tower in the 18th, which in my opinion unless you are hanging out in Pigalle can hardly be called ugly.