The Realtor in Besançon got back to us. Apparently all the things we're asking for in an apartment is not very "doable" in center city. We want an apartment that is at least 70 square meters (753 square feet) but preferably 80 or more with an elevator, fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, 2+ bedrooms, parking, and a green space for the dog. "Bonuses" would be a balcony, cellar, community garden, and ample closet space.
We wanted center city because the taxes are cheaper, but according to the Realtor green space, elevators, and balconies are rare. Unfortunately, my dog can't climb steps and I'm not carrying a 37 lb dog up and down who knows how many flights of stairs who knows how many times a day, and she won't go to the bathroom on concrete, so an elevator and green area are definite requirements. We'll have to talk to her again and make sure we're on the same page about what a "green area" consists of. I'm not expecting a park or huge area for her to run around in, I just want her to have enough grass to happily do her business in.
Unlike American apartments that come with a fridge, dishwasher,stove, and oven, most apartments in France come without these appliances. Even a fully-equipped kitchen, or fitted kitchen as they call it, doesn't come with a refrigerator or dishwasher. It seems "fully-equipped" loosely means hob, oven, hood, and sink. Also, while apartments can come with the set-up for a washer and dryer, the appliances themselves are not included. These are all extra expenditures we were not counting on, as in our experience, apartments always came with all major appliances.
The size we're asking for is a little problematic as well. Apartments are ridiculously tiny over there, with apartments as small as 25 sq. meters (270 sq. ft.) being the norm for a single person. There are some, but we won't have our pick of the litter like here in America where I don't think I've ever seen an apartment smaller than 650 sq. ft. outside of a major city like Philadelphia or New York. Our old apartment was 870 sq. ft. and now we live in a house so we are not willing to adapt to the French norm in this circumstance.
You may be asking why we're not looking into purchasing a house. After all, we'll be there for at least three years, right? The reason we're not looking into buying a house in France is simple. You know how in America you usually put around 10-15% down on a house and mortgage the rest? Yeah well in France you're expected to put at least 80% down. Holy smokes! No wonder why every one rents there! I mean, houses are cheaper there than here, but that's still a whole heck of a lot of money! As for renting a house, that's a pretty expensive option as well and out of our budget.
Our trip to France to look at apartments will be the first or second week of November. Hopefully we'll have some things figured out by then! Thanks for reading! As always, feel free to comment!
We wanted center city because the taxes are cheaper, but according to the Realtor green space, elevators, and balconies are rare. Unfortunately, my dog can't climb steps and I'm not carrying a 37 lb dog up and down who knows how many flights of stairs who knows how many times a day, and she won't go to the bathroom on concrete, so an elevator and green area are definite requirements. We'll have to talk to her again and make sure we're on the same page about what a "green area" consists of. I'm not expecting a park or huge area for her to run around in, I just want her to have enough grass to happily do her business in.
Unlike American apartments that come with a fridge, dishwasher,stove, and oven, most apartments in France come without these appliances. Even a fully-equipped kitchen, or fitted kitchen as they call it, doesn't come with a refrigerator or dishwasher. It seems "fully-equipped" loosely means hob, oven, hood, and sink. Also, while apartments can come with the set-up for a washer and dryer, the appliances themselves are not included. These are all extra expenditures we were not counting on, as in our experience, apartments always came with all major appliances.
The size we're asking for is a little problematic as well. Apartments are ridiculously tiny over there, with apartments as small as 25 sq. meters (270 sq. ft.) being the norm for a single person. There are some, but we won't have our pick of the litter like here in America where I don't think I've ever seen an apartment smaller than 650 sq. ft. outside of a major city like Philadelphia or New York. Our old apartment was 870 sq. ft. and now we live in a house so we are not willing to adapt to the French norm in this circumstance.
You may be asking why we're not looking into purchasing a house. After all, we'll be there for at least three years, right? The reason we're not looking into buying a house in France is simple. You know how in America you usually put around 10-15% down on a house and mortgage the rest? Yeah well in France you're expected to put at least 80% down. Holy smokes! No wonder why every one rents there! I mean, houses are cheaper there than here, but that's still a whole heck of a lot of money! As for renting a house, that's a pretty expensive option as well and out of our budget.
Our trip to France to look at apartments will be the first or second week of November. Hopefully we'll have some things figured out by then! Thanks for reading! As always, feel free to comment!