Help ! dd is having a shit time trying to find a flat in Bordeaux.

[ggirl]

She's there this week, flys back on friday , so tomorrow last day.
She is having trouble finding a furnished flat cos they want a french guarantor..which she doesn't have.
So unfurnished ...is there a decent second hand market , anyone know the area.
Such a pita.
She should have done all this a month or so ago I know but hey ho she's there now .
And she's had to pay money to estate agent to get list of flats to view!!!
Most student furnished are all taken.
ANy advice??

[ggirl]

bump

[ggirl]

feeling guilty that i'm not with her as all the french students have their parents with them

[Impomea]

Hi ggirl .I don't know the area but there is a website -Leboncoin.fr which the french use to advertise everything! If she speaks some french it is very easy to use .My son used this to find student accom in Poitiers.
I have never heard of paying an estate agent for a list of rentals!
The uni also have rooms to rent on campus.
Good luck.

[ggirl]

thanks for that, i think uni ones have all been taken by the french students, will give her that address.
she's finding that all the landlords want to only rent to french people
she speaks good french so thank you

[Gingerandproud]

Try finding an Emmaus shop for second hand furniture, there are over 250 in France I think so good chance there is one there.

[AnnaBegins]

Can she ask at the uni if they know any students seeking flatmates, or is there a noticeboard with flatmates/flats wanted ads? Or has she met any English students who are leaving accommodation? That's how I found mine!

[AnnaBegins]

Oh and meant to add, my accommodation was a room in a french family's house - can she put ads up in some shops/la poste/local noticeboards/churches?

[ggirl]

Thank you , have txt her that name

[Bluestocking]

Can't do links, sorry, but ThirdYearAbroad.com is a great source of info. Their accommodation advice is here
www.thirdyearabroad.com/before-you-go/accommodation.html

[MsApprehension]

Is she going through on an Erasmus exchange from a UK uni? Her home uni might be able to put her in contact with previous students who've been to Bordeaux who might be able to recommend a flat/landlord or give her some tips.

[BriocheBriocheBrioche]

Tell her to look on Angloinfo.com and find the local forum.
Its an expat forum but lots of people rent out holiday homes out of season/spare rooms in exchange for a few chores etc.

A lot of my friends rent privately via angloinfo as its really hard to get a flat without a CDI work contract/guarantor/shit loads of money!

There is often lots of furniture for sale/giveaway too if she's ends up in an unfurnished place.

Good luck to your dd

[ggirl]

thanks she's had no luck with the uni, closed this month
is looking on the 3rdyrabroad site
the wanted ads etc ,,she's called loads and loads and 99% of them don't answer the phone or return call after message left..v weird

[ggirl]

thx will give her the angloinfo one sounds good

she's got 8 viewings tomorrow for mostly unfurnished , she's ahd quite a few viewings and most have had loads of french students viewing with their parents so they get them

she's decided she'll go for unfurnished , she's then got to arrange wifi and electric

poor girl is stressing out

[ggirl]

wish i had gone with her now

[skylerwhite]

French Craigslist is quite popular afaik. Are halls a no-go?

[ggirl]

halls have no rooms left for erasmus

[ggirl]

is french craiglist called the same?

[BriocheBriocheBrioche]

Im sure you do but imagine how (in hindsight!!!) proud she'll feel having sorted all this out herself.

An unfurnished might be the better option, she can get lots of bits and peices to make feel like home.

I second emmaus for cheap furniture and she should look out for local 'vide greniers' the equiv of a car boot sale. My house is full of amazing finds!

[skylerwhite]

Yea, just google Craigslist Bordeaux. It's v popular in Paris, but can't speak for other cities.

Also the international office at the uni should be open, and they might have advice or a notice board.

[Mimmit]

Hi.i lived in bordeaux as a student many many years ago . Unfortunately too long ago to be much help now other than saying I had a nightmare finding digs but it was character building and by far the hardest bit of the year. I got somewhere through tge Catholic association (?)in the end.it didn't matter that I wasn't Catholic!
.it is a beautiful place to be.i am sure she will have a fantastic year. She will be better for doing this herself.Can't believe parents are going out to help. Keep us posted.

[ggirl]

oh the car boot is a good idea
she'll have to find a way to get a mattress delivered, can't see her carrying that
I know she's technically an adult but she's still my baby and I hate to hear her stress ...all a good experience I suppose
thanks for all your help

[ggirl]

hahah yes she's said she's suddenly turned religious..praying for a flat

[skylerwhite]

Also, perhaps get her to look for a Facebook page for Bordeaux international students, or something like that - she might get advice or find someone with a room going spare there.

[Bluestocking]

OP, I'm sure you do wish you had gone, but truthfully, what support could you have provided by being there that you aren't already offering?
Your DD will find herself somewhere to live and will feel so proud and capable for having sorted out this big thing for herself. Your role is to keep reminding her that she can do this, because (to quote Sugar Pie De Santo via Mr T) her momma didn't raise no fools.

[ggirl]

thanks your right..she will be proud of herself
she's got more balls than me for sure