The Privilege of Living Dead Center

A couple weeks ago, The Local ran an article titled “Why would you live in Paris when you can live in the banlieues?“

And I would ask the opposite question: “Why would you live in the banlieues when you can live in Paris?”

The “banlieues” are the suburbs, just in case you didn’t already know that word. And the Paris suburbs don’t have a great reputation, not like the wealthy suburbs of most U.S. towns, where living downtown is not as desirable. In Europe, the center cities are “where it’s at,” by contrast to the U.S. where the suburbs “rock.”

According to the article, “you’d be foolish to dismiss the idea of leaving the City of Light to live on the other side of the Périphérique.” I’d beg to differ. If you can afford to live in Paris, then why not? Let’s look at the argument a little closer to discover what really suits you best. Here are their arguments for why it’s better to live in the burbs, and then there are mine for why not:

1) It’s cheaper to rent
 
Of course it is. That’s because the property is of lower value and therefore the rents are lower and there’s a reason values are lower: the suburbs are simply not “Paris.”
 
2) It’s cheaper to buy, too
 
The same argument applies here. The price of property in Paris continues to steadily rise. While that makes it less affordable, it makes it a better investment, too. Don’t short change yourself.

3) It’s a slower pace of life
 
True. And possibly lonely and boring. If you want a slower pace of life, but still want a vibrant cultural life, then try one of the other cities in France, like Nice or Strasbourg or Bordeaux, not the suburbs of Paris.

4) Paris is right next door
 
Yes, but you will be at the mercy of the train schedules or the need to have a car to get you in and out of the city fast and easy. In addition, just like New Yorkers “don’t do rivers,” Parisians don’t “do the Péripherique,” meaning your friends are stopping by to visit you. You’ll be doing all the traveling and you won’t be able to stop at home to change your shoes when your feet hurt.

5) And the Métro is often closer than you think
 
Sure it is. But if you live in central Paris, you may rarely even set foot on a Métro. You could be walking most of the time, or even riding a bus which comes every few minutes. Imagine how much time you’re saving not spending it traveling to and from some remote spot?

6) And Paris is about to get closer
 
This is true. Plans for the future include even more transportation service between suburban areas. That could change the value of suburban properties and then all those cost benefits will diminish.
 
7) It’s a lot quieter in the suburbs
 
In general this could be true, but your neighbors in any building could be disturbing. Paris buildings that are 100 years old plus are solidly built with lots of insulation and are quieter than new-builds in the suburbs. Street noise is another issue. For me, those signs of life are welcome reminders that I’m very much alive and not at all alone in this world.
 
8) It’s a lot greener
 
That depends on the suburb. Paris may not have as much as the national city average (according to the article), but it offers lots of parks and tree-lined streets. Flowering window boxes are everywhere. You can choose to live near a park and there is nothing preventing you from having your own window garden filled with bright red geraniums.
 
9) There is often a strong community feeling

And that is true, too, in many of the districts of Paris. Where I live in the 3rd arrondissement, district Mayor Pierre Aidenbaum is always on the streets and seems to know everyone and everyone knows him. I know all my local merchants and see some of the same residents over and over with whom I say “bonjour.” I’ve attended civic meetings and it’s easy to get involved, if you wish to. Each district is like it’s own little village, so there is no reason you can not be and feel a part of that community.

10) And it’s better for the kids
 
Really? Maybe they have more play space in the suburbs, but learning how to maneuver in an urban environment is good training for a child’s future and a lesson in independence. When my daughter moved to New York City at the age of 16, Paris had prepared her for life in the big city and she acclimated much faster than her suburban-raised schoolmates with a lot less fear.

11) And lastly – It’s turning into the new cool place to work

It’s not cool, it’s cheaper. Companies moved their employees to suburban office buildings from more expensive Haussmannian buildings in central Paris to save money. That doesn’t make it “cool.”

Okay, so now you know that I believe in being dead center…dead center of any spot that is important to you. Don’t settle for less. You have one life to live and living it to the fullest means being in the very heart of it all, even if you have to pay a higher price for the privilege.

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
The Adrian Leeds Group

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P.S. Don’t forget to set your DVR for another episode of House Hunters International. Re-airing of “Paris with a Texas Accent” TONIGHT! Details available on our HHI page.