My worst co-living experience so far.
Although I had the premium room, it was super small, it didn’t even have a working desk. there were parties in my building so often. People who made parties were not kicked out, because hosts were not there at night. There were rumors that those people did drugs in the residence. When I complained about parties in the shared WhatsApp group, I ended up being bullied.
The place should be for entrepreneurs from Station F, but it’s full of random people and students who can party.
The area has nothing around, it’s full of trash and there is smoke coming from a nearby factory, and the metro is very far . It’s quite dark and isolated so going to metro at night as a woman was uncomfortable.
I had a “private” bathroom but it had no toilet just shower and sink. I paid 700 euros and for that money you can rent a studio in suburbs.
There was a restaurant bellow my window so I had trouble sleeping during night. They also did barbecue right bellow my window and the smoke was going right into my room. When I complained in the WhatsApp group, I got bullied by the same “party organizers” and rude restaurant owner. they moved the barbecue only once I complained to the Marie of Ivry. I think they took it seriously given that I was ready to take legal action.
My flatmates were the only thing I liked.
Many people were happy with the small room because that one was quite cheap, but the premium one definitely not worth it.
I also had to pay over 300 euros of deposits for small stains in the wall, even though I believe by French law, those could be considered as regular damages from living.
If you want to build meaningful connections with other entrepreneurs, no need to live there. I am puzzled that station F allowed all this.
It is a very nice place to live and is very affordable, but it does come with its caveats.
The contract is very sketchy and I'm quite sure wouldn't stand a court's scrutiny. It's a disguised lease dressed as a 'residence contract' — labeled as short-term hotel-style housing ('parahôtellerie') to dodge French tenant protections, but with none of the actual hotel services (no lobby, minimal (weekly) cleaning) and residents staying years, not days.
It is probably done this way to facilitate eviction, but no case I know of has actually made it to court, which means they're aware of it and try to avoid things ever getting that far. Good to keep in mind if you do plan to get a room though.
They sometimes can take a long time to solve certain problems but are also at times very quick to respond.
But if you're willing to overlook the weird contract, its probably one of the best deals you can find.
Well situated in the industrial area of Paris, it comes with a nice neighborhood: a big incinerator for burning all the trash of Paris, a few industrial warehouses, and something that from the smell seems like an spring rolls factory. In the morning, while opening the window, you will be inebriated by the peculiar smell of burned trash and the sound of industrial drainage systems. Moreover the view of the big chimney stack will always bring you safely to home. The sauna with polluters fragrance is included in the price of your tiny room given the bad ventilation system. You will share the flat with a mice colony, but don't worry, they will just hang out during the night and they won't invite you to their parties, but they may eat some of your leftovers without your consent. The hygienic condition will take you on an adventure during the middle age epoch, so you can understand better how Parigians were thriving during the bubonic plague. Interesting people going around during the night, after midnight coming back home from your adventures you may encounter a guy screaming in the street with a knife in the hand, but don't worry, he will just ignore you. After living in Flatmates for a few months I was gifted with breathing illnesses and respiratory tract dysfunction. If you will not have that probably in a few decades cancer will catch up with you. Other than that is nice, just the worst place I have lived in my entire life.
P.S.
You will be surprised by the stakhanovite spirit of your industrial neighborhood. They can work without interruption with their loud pneumatic machines 24 hours a day, multiple days in a row, also during the night.
1. No respect regarding COVID situation. Parties happened every weekend and staff do not take measures.
2. Pets are not allowed but the staff has privilege to have goats and chicken. Double-standard.
3. Staff has private (huge) party using the public area during COVID time.
4. It takes too long to fix things when they are broken.
5. False fire alarms happened all the time
6. The benefits promised on the contract are never applied. The first group of people living inside were promised to have a 100 euro discount of the rent since all the facilities they promised in the contract are not done yet. However, people who lived in afterwards have to pay the full rent still without being benefited from anything they promised in the contract (gym, grocery store etc.)
7. There are only 2 small fridges (around 100 L) for 6 people in one flat. This is because they used to promise they will offer a grocery store downstairs so we do not need to do big groceries every week. However, nobody knows how the small grocery store looks like.
8. Location: near the trash factory. Smells horrible during summer.
9. The flat is designed in the way to provide the least air circulation. Therefore, during the summer, your room will be like a sauna room if you do not open your window. And if you open your window, you will have millions of insects in your room since there is no window net on the window (And you cannot have one cuz they window cannot be widely opened to set up a net on it).
Make this your bar's community page.
Share this link with your regulars. Every public beer log adds another moment to the story of this place.
