Living in Paris: how to choose the right neighbourhood

Moving to Paris is often the beginning of a great adventure. Whether you're moving for studies, as a family or for work, these are all excellent excuses to discover the French capital! The first question you must ask is which neighbourhood you should choose to live in. Spanning 105.4km², the city of light is a real patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own particular character. The Parisian real estate agency Lodgis focuses on Paris' best neighbourhoods in which to live according to your individual profile and criteria.

Neighbourhoods for living in Paris as a student

The Latin Quarter: a historically student but expensive neighbourhood

Situated on the Left Bank, in the city centre (5th and 6th arrondisements), the Latin Quarter is historically Paris' student district. Indeed, it's home to the largest and oldest schools and universities, such as The Sorbonne, the National School of Fine Arts, Pierre and Marie Curie, Henri IV, Louis le Grand, Assas, ESTP and Jussieu...
There are lots of bistros, bars, cafes, bookshops and cinemas to be found along the charming, picturesque streets in this lively neighbourhood, an example being rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in Paris. Another advantage of the Latin Quarter is having two green spaces in the jardin du Luxembourg and jarind des Plantes. They are lovely places to relax between classes and to revise outdoors in the sun during the exam period.

The neighbourhoods of République and Bastille: an alternative for students in Paris

The neighbourhoods of République and Bastille are ideally positioned on the Right Bank, between the trendy Marais and the vibrant Canal Saint Martin. Living in one of these two quarters often turns out to be a sensible choice as they have excellent links to public transport: the centre of Paris and its numerous schools and universities are just a few metro stops away.
Another attraction is lively bar and restaurant scene, as well as a number of nightclubs that are highly sought after by students.

Family neighbourhoods in Paris

Western Paris: the ultimate area for families in Paris

Paris' western neighbourhoods offer a great environment for families looking to move to Paris. In fact, the surrounding Haussmann-style buildings of the residential 8th, 16th and 17th arrondisements are mostly made up of family-sized apartments that are big enough for parents and children (typically 4 or more rooms).
These neighbourhoods (Monceau, Ternes, Pereire, Auteuil, Trocadéro, Passy, Arc de Triomphe, Victor Hugo...) are also close to lots of well-regarded schools, both public and private, in which to educated children of all ages (elementary, primary, high school, college).
Another feature of western Paris is that it has a number of green spaces. From the Parc Monceau (8th and 17th arrondissements), to the bois de Boulogne and jardin du Ranelagh (16th arrondissement), these green settings in the heart of Paris are perfect for family walks, bike rides and rollerblading.

Eastern Paris: less expensive and more « bobo »

The neighbourhoods of central-eastern Paris (the 10th, 11th and 12th arrondissements) are popular with smaller families that want to live in Paris because they are, on the one hand, more affordable in terms of rent and offer, on the other hand, medium-sized apartments (3-4 rooms), which are suitable for families with one or two children.
Furthermore, « bobo » (middle-class) families and artists in search of characterful properties in Paris will certainly find what they're looking for, because these more central neighbourhoods have plenty lots of atypical apartments, such as lofts, artist duplex conversions and family homes. And even if the schools are less well-known than in Western Paris, there are plenty of other benefits of living in these neighbourhoods, including its rich cultural diversity and excellent access to public transport.

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