You might be attracted to the idea of living in the French capital instead of in Saint-Denis, however, if you are going to one of these universities, do it the other way around. Choose your accommodation in a shared flat in Saint-Denis to get a cheaper rent by sharing with other flatmates, and commute to Paris to enjoy its cultural and leisure offer.
Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Saint-Denis
Are you considering living in a shared flat in this French commune? Here we list some pros and cons:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Saint-Denis
-
By saving on rent, you can enrich your experience by gaining even more access to the entertainment and cultural offers of Paris. You can reach Paris in less than half an hour by train.
-
Some high-priced spare rooms may include a private bathroom, so you'll have it all to yourself. They may also include access to a garden or terrace.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Saint-Denis
-
In some cases, the rooms do not include bedding and pillows, so you will have to bring them from home or buy them when you arrive in the city.
-
It is difficult to find a place in the residences run by the Crous, so if you want a spare room in one of these student residences, you have to apply for your place as soon as possible.
Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Saint-Denis
We recommend that you make use of the Erasmus+ apps available to assist you with the exchange process. In these apps, in addition to having assistance with the necessary paperwork and information about student life in Saint-Denis, you will be able to read experiences and advice from other Erasmus students. One of them is that you make the most of the multiculturalism of this city.
How to meet people in Saint-Denis
Here are some of the ways you can meet students in the French commune:
Student associations in Saint-Denis
There are several associations for international students that you can join. One of them is the Parismus of the Sorbonne University. It organizes a host of experiences for international youth, including international dinners, language exchanges, cultural visits in Paris (such as the Palais de Tokyo or the Palace of Versailles), affordable travel (Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and more), parties themes, among others.
Facebook groups for Erasmus in Saint-Denis
The best thing you can do is join the Facebook groups of international student associations, such as Parismus. In these groups, you will not only be able to see the calendar with the planned activities and those that have already happened but also ask questions about life in the city.
Whatsapp groups for Erasmus in Saint-Denis
Surely you will find WhatsApp groups to join to be in constant communication with other students who are also on exchange in Saint-Denis. Take the opportunity to find young people with similar interests to you, being able to organize plans on your own.
Tips for living in a shared apartment in Saint-Denis
We give you some recommendations for life in shared flats:
-
Remember that in France, you can apply for CAF scholarships for accommodation as a student. You have to check if you meet the requirements to receive it.
-
You should choose convenient neighbourhoods for students, both because they are close to universities and train stations, so you can easily get to Paris. Some of the areas that students tend to select are the centre of Saint-Denis, La Plaine - Stade de France and Le Barrage.