Your dream admission to a top Paris university is finally here: Sorbonne, Sciences Po, Dauphine: they’re all waiting for you! Or maybe you’ve just landed the internship or work-study program you’ve been grinding for. But after the initial celebration comes the inevitable next step: finding a place to live in Paris.
For international students or young people relocating from other regions, hunting for an apartment in Île-de-France quickly turns into an obstacle course. Sky-high prices, demanding landlords, fear of remote scams, and endless paperwork leave many feeling defeated. Faced with this nightmare, some jump at the first option they see: signing for a tiny 15 m² studio at €850, renting an Airbnb, or staying in a hotel while waiting for a miracle. Spoiler alert: there’s a much better way.
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The nightmare of student housing in Paris
Studios, Airbnb, Hotels: The reality of the parisian market
Moving to Paris is a dream for countless students and young professionals launching their careers. But while the apartment hunt starts with excitement, it quickly turns into daily stress. The reason is simple: housing demand in the capital is off the charts.
According to LocService’s annual report, the average rent for a student studio in Paris sits around €880 per month for less than 20 m² (215 sq ft). On top of that already steep price tag, hidden costs stack up fast. If the studio is unfurnished, you have to set up your own electricity contract, sign an internet plan, get tenant insurance, and buy furniture, kitchenware, bedding, and more. All together, these initial setup expenses easily reach hundreds or even thousands of euros.
To avoid the hassle, you might feel tempted by Airbnb. It’s fast, furnished, and bookable in two clicks. Sounds perfect, right? But watch out for the bill. The average nightly rate on the platform easily runs between €70 and €100, not including service fees and tourist taxes. That adds up to a monthly total well over €2,000. Within just a few months, your student budget is completely blown.
Hotels aren’t a realistic long-term solution either. While they cover cleaning and utilities, they bring two major drawbacks: high costs and isolation. Living for months in a 12 m² room with no kitchen to cook real meals takes a toll on both your wallet and your mental health. You’ll quickly feel cramped, and loneliness sets in fast.
Administrative and financial hurdles
Traditional Paris landlords impose brutal requirements: a guarantor living in France who earns at least three times the rent and holds a permanent employment contract (CDI). For international students or young people moving from other regions, this condition is almost impossible to meet.
On top of that, long-distance viewings are a major headache. Traveling back and forth just to view apartments is expensive and time-consuming. Meanwhile, trying to book a flat remotely online feels risky, exposing you to scams like fake landlords, retouched photos, or requests for wire transfers before visiting.
That’s why coliving in Paris can save your year!
Coliving in Paris: The perfect balance of privacy and social life
Comfort and peace of mind from day one
Living in coliving doesn’t mean giving up your personal space. Your private bedroom is your sanctuary.
A cozy bed, a desk designed for long study sessions, and plenty of wardrobe space: everything is ready before you even step through the door. Say goodbye to spending three hours building flat-pack furniture. With coliving, you just unpack your bags, connect to the Wi-Fi, and settle right in. You keep total control over your schedule. Whether you need to study late into the night or unwind in quiet after a busy day, your private space is 100% yours.
An international community to beat loneliness
Moving to a big city without knowing anyone can be intimidating. The fear of isolation takes a real toll. In fact, a survey by OVE (Observatoire de la Vie Étudiante) revealed that 36% of higher education students regularly suffer from loneliness. Coliving wipes that feeling away from day one.
Shared spaces completely change the dynamic. The living room and kitchen become central hubs for spontaneous dinners, game nights, or study sessions with housemates. You share your home with students and young professionals from around the globe: a Spanish roommate helps you practice the language, a French roommate from Toulouse introduces you to regional dishes, or a housemate from India shares insights into their culture and career. You build a strong international network and lifelong friendships effortlessly.
Colivys: The ultimate Paris coliving experience
At Colivys, prime location is our top priority
Choosing the right neighborhood defines your daily experience in Paris. Would you rather spend 45 minutes packed in a crowded commuter train or walk 15 minutes to campus? At Colivys, location is everything, ensuring our residents are always right where they need to be.
Whether in central Paris or nearby inner suburbs (Petite Couronne), our coliving homes are situated in:
- Perfectly connected neighborhoods. Metro stops, buses, RER trains, and Vélib’ bike stations are right outside your doorstep. It’s the easiest way to head to class at the Sorbonne, rush to your internship, or explore the city on weekends.
- Budget-friendly areas. There’s more to life than just central Paris. Great transit, quiet streets, and lower rents: the inner suburbs hold amazing surprises without forcing you to compromise on quality or location.
- Prime business and university hubs. Don’t want a long commute to work? We hear you. That’s why we’ve placed selected coliving homes less than a 20-minute walk from major headquarters like L’Oréal, the OECD, and Alpine.
That’s why Colivys offers homes directly in Paris, as well as top inner-suburb spots like Gentilly, Boulogne-Billancourt, and Clichy.
At Colivys, everything is digitized
Who says you need to spend hours traveling by train, plane, or car just to view an apartment? Today, that’s completely outdated. Colivys simplifies the entire process with a 100% digital journey.
- Realistic virtual tours. Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, amenities, and location: every room listing on Colivys includes precise descriptions. You explore your future apartment and bedroom through faithful virtual tours and photos. Walk through your future home from your couch without any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.
- A fast and flexible application. Spotted a room you love? Reserve it in minutes by submitting your documents online. Passport, visa, proof of enrollment or employment contract, bank details: we keep paperwork light so every student can apply. Need a guarantor? Even though it’s not strictly mandatory, we accept guarantors from France, abroad, and specialized digital guarantee services like Garantme and Smart Garant.
- Flexible individual lease. Once your reservation is confirmed, your contract is signed digitally. Your lease adapts to the actual duration of your stay, whether you’re here for a 5-month semester or a 6-month internship. Plus, with an individual lease, you are never financially liable if a housemate moves out early.
- Turnkey arrival. With Colivys, you don’t need to sign up for utility services. When you arrive, the Wi-Fi is already running, water and electricity are turned on, and your bedroom is ready. Everything is furnished, set up, and included in your rent. No extra fees, no hidden costs. All that’s left to do is unpack, say hi to your new housemates, and start your Paris adventure.
Moving to Paris or Île-de-France for your studies shouldn’t be an administrative nightmare. By choosing coliving with Colivys, you skip traditional rental traps, avoid isolation, and keep your budget under control. Give yourself the living space you deserve: a comfortable home, transparent pricing, and a vibrant community to share your new adventure with. Get ready to experience Parisian life worry-free!
