Which apartment in Paris?
Jun 17th, 2016, 10:23 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'The first one does have ac'
Then you will not be living like a local. Locals don't have AC.
'I do find troubling the I don´t care if it´s illegal attitude to which some visitors subscribe.'
Me too. On top of legallity issues, a non legal apartment will not be equipped with safety equipment according to the norm.
So if you don't care about it being legal, should we care if the gas heater leaks and you die in your sleep ? (it happens every year...).
A good way to know if an apt. is illegal is if you're asked to pay cash.
Right now I'm in a great apt in Lisbon. I don't live like a local. Locals don't live in recently refurbished apt, with a great view on the castle, with AC (that we don't turn on) and with breakfast delivered to our door every morning.
But if you want to fantasize ... go for it. US centered fodorites will again whine that some of us complain about too many tourists, I'll add, too many tourists not respecting the local visited country.
Then you will not be living like a local. Locals don't have AC.
'I do find troubling the I don´t care if it´s illegal attitude to which some visitors subscribe.'
Me too. On top of legallity issues, a non legal apartment will not be equipped with safety equipment according to the norm.
So if you don't care about it being legal, should we care if the gas heater leaks and you die in your sleep ? (it happens every year...).
A good way to know if an apt. is illegal is if you're asked to pay cash.
Right now I'm in a great apt in Lisbon. I don't live like a local. Locals don't live in recently refurbished apt, with a great view on the castle, with AC (that we don't turn on) and with breakfast delivered to our door every morning.
But if you want to fantasize ... go for it. US centered fodorites will again whine that some of us complain about too many tourists, I'll add, too many tourists not respecting the local visited country.
Jun 18th, 2016, 04:24 AM
#23
I understand what Marija means when she says she would like her nieces to feel like they are living in Paris. She means that in an apartment they will feel like they have a home base that is not an impersonal hotel. That they will have the privacy and space to relax as if they were at home. That they will have the experience of going to the local shops if they want something, that they can eat snacks or meals purchased locally in a comfortable setting without eating every meal in a restaurant.
I read here all the time that you aren't living like a local unless you are going to work and doing all the more routine and mundane things that people do everywhere. I don't believe that people who use this phrase are deluded. I think they are just taking it a bit less literally than their critics. I see no reason to criticize them for it.
I think at least some of the criticism of this feeling is based on the desire to convince people that they shouldn't want to stay in vacation rental apartments. This is confusing two different issues. People who want to stay in apartments have frequently done so and know they like it and they know what they like about it. Nobody is going to convince them not to stay in apartments based on the logic that they can't really live like a local and that they have a fantasy about staying in apartments that will not be realized. Again, many of these folks have stayed in apartments before and they know how they feel about it.
The question of whether it is legal or ethical to do so is a different one. Arguments made on those grounds alone are much more likely to get people to consider the issues than arguments that insult their intelligence and demean their feelings.
I read here all the time that you aren't living like a local unless you are going to work and doing all the more routine and mundane things that people do everywhere. I don't believe that people who use this phrase are deluded. I think they are just taking it a bit less literally than their critics. I see no reason to criticize them for it.
I think at least some of the criticism of this feeling is based on the desire to convince people that they shouldn't want to stay in vacation rental apartments. This is confusing two different issues. People who want to stay in apartments have frequently done so and know they like it and they know what they like about it. Nobody is going to convince them not to stay in apartments based on the logic that they can't really live like a local and that they have a fantasy about staying in apartments that will not be realized. Again, many of these folks have stayed in apartments before and they know how they feel about it.
The question of whether it is legal or ethical to do so is a different one. Arguments made on those grounds alone are much more likely to get people to consider the issues than arguments that insult their intelligence and demean their feelings.
Jun 18th, 2016, 04:35 AM
#24
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fuzz above raises a good point above..this may be the first apt ready to go or so they say...there will be issues for at least many months..just like any new opening and even more importantly are you going to be surrounded with construction and noise as they work above you?
Jun 18th, 2016, 04:44 AM
#25
I have no delusion that an apartment makes me feel like a local. I just want more room and a washing machine because I pack light. I love the markets of any city and trying food. I am not a big dining out fan three times a day. Lunch mostly out and light dinner in the apartment. I live in the land of vacation rentals and know how to behave.
Now knowing the history of apartment one that sounds very interesting. Just watch your head on that door.
Now knowing the history of apartment one that sounds very interesting. Just watch your head on that door.
Jun 18th, 2016, 06:24 AM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Parisperfect stated the AC was one of those units that exhausted by a hose through the window. Their FAQs and terms clearly state that you are NOT allowed to use AC between 10 pm and some time in the morning, perhaps 8 am. This is their standard terms for all their apartments. I'm not sure if cafegoddess is implying that they do allow it in some or what.
Now in fact, that could be okay with some people, running it until 10 and not until morning. And it could end up not being that hot in those weeks, you never know.
I thought I saw one of those portable AC units in the second one, also, but since it was not mentioned in the amenities, I thought perhaps that was some other kind of machine.
The whole living in Paris thing is just a mystique thing the French have, and Americans revere. No one ever says that about Berlin or even London that I've ever read ( I just want to make believe I'm really living in Berlin and feeling German, etc.). I don't think it's just a matter of comfort and more room than a hotel in some cases, it's usually a fantasy. Or at least the fantasy is part of the idea as it is often mentioned so much, while some people do have just practical reasons for doing it and don't talk about feelings.
However, I can understand for families with teens, it really would be a lot nicer to have one of those than a hotel, for space considerations.
Now in fact, that could be okay with some people, running it until 10 and not until morning. And it could end up not being that hot in those weeks, you never know.
I thought I saw one of those portable AC units in the second one, also, but since it was not mentioned in the amenities, I thought perhaps that was some other kind of machine.
The whole living in Paris thing is just a mystique thing the French have, and Americans revere. No one ever says that about Berlin or even London that I've ever read ( I just want to make believe I'm really living in Berlin and feeling German, etc.). I don't think it's just a matter of comfort and more room than a hotel in some cases, it's usually a fantasy. Or at least the fantasy is part of the idea as it is often mentioned so much, while some people do have just practical reasons for doing it and don't talk about feelings.
However, I can understand for families with teens, it really would be a lot nicer to have one of those than a hotel, for space considerations.
Jun 18th, 2016, 09:23 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 62,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One doesn't need to be a family with teens to like more space. My wife and I , two adults love to have more space and particularly a kitchen, as shopping in local markets and eating " at home " for some of our meals is our preference, especially in a trip longer than a week.
And it is hooey that only in Paris do people use this phraseology about living like a local. It is all over Rome forums and rental sites,tours in various parts of Italy that utilize diffuse hotels ( essentially apartments ), and even on rental sites in the states .
And it is hooey that only in Paris do people use this phraseology about living like a local. It is all over Rome forums and rental sites,tours in various parts of Italy that utilize diffuse hotels ( essentially apartments ), and even on rental sites in the states .
Jun 18th, 2016, 10:05 AM
#29
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Paris Perfect apts on Place Dauphine are complete and there's no construction going on. I have one of them booked but I won't need AC when I'm there.
I like an apt so I can have more space than in a hotel (although I do stay in hotels from time to time). And, as Macross said, I'm also not a fan of eating out for all meals. My reasons for renting an apt have nothing to do with living like a local.
I like an apt so I can have more space than in a hotel (although I do stay in hotels from time to time). And, as Macross said, I'm also not a fan of eating out for all meals. My reasons for renting an apt have nothing to do with living like a local.
Jun 20th, 2016, 07:15 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I finally booked this one, since the second one fell through when the owners changed their mind on availability:
http://www.guestapartment.com/rent-a...ouis-eglantine
They do collect city taxes seperately. Too funny about the "living like a local" debate when it comes to teenagers. Jobs, taxes and recycling rules aren't a big concern for them at home either.
Any suggestions for London apartments?
http://www.guestapartment.com/rent-a...ouis-eglantine
They do collect city taxes seperately. Too funny about the "living like a local" debate when it comes to teenagers. Jobs, taxes and recycling rules aren't a big concern for them at home either.
Any suggestions for London apartments?
Jun 20th, 2016, 08:22 AM
#33
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"<i>since the second one fell through when the owners changed their mind on availability:</i>"
This is a concern when booking an apartment that is not legal. IF they: change their mind; get a better offer i.e. someone else wants to rent during the same timeframe for a longer period of time than you want, if they sell apartment between the time you book and rent it...etc
This is a concern when booking an apartment that is not legal. IF they: change their mind; get a better offer i.e. someone else wants to rent during the same timeframe for a longer period of time than you want, if they sell apartment between the time you book and rent it...etc
