coming to antibes for one year need advice please

[ttbt35]

Evening all!
we are moving to Antibes and would like some advice on renting on a year long basis. Also we have secured a place for our daughter in a school which is great news . We are working towards September this year. We will not be looking to work in France initially.
Any thoughts or advice /contacts most welcome.
All the best
STEVE

[Jenny]

Hi Steve and family and welcome to our forum. I would advise you to get in contact with local estate agents or look in the local papers for long term rentals. I think it's best to do this when you are there as you can then see a place before you commit to it for a year. Perhaps it would be a good idea to take a short term (eg 2 week) rental to start with which should give you time to look around.

[ttbt35]

Hi there
we are regular visitors and are back in the area from the 31st of March for 2 weeks when we will be doing some serious looking .We have several agents to see but are really nervous about prices as we do not have the local knowledge and if they are anything like UK agents well you know where i am coming from!!!
I will post our progress but meanwhile if anyone has any tips etc bring it on!!
Cheers
Steve

[Jenny]

You will be able to get an idea of prices etc but I doubt if you will find anywhere to rent in March for September. I would say, go and meet various estate agents and follow your instincts. You may get a feeling of trust for one and not another. Or ask local people for their advice and go on recommendations.

Do keep us posted and if you find a good agent, then please let us know on here so others can also use them.

[Marcus]

Hi Steve...


It's rather sure that finding something to rent in French cities isn't easy (especialy if you're not French). And the South like Antibes is also more expensive than other part of France (exept Paris, near Switzerland and other specific parts like Ré island...).
Nevertheless, one thing i always do to have an idea of the prices is to take a local newspaper (such as Paru-Vendu or le 06 ...) where are individuals put their locations. You can also visit some internet -and French- sites dedicated on these topics (here for example).

From what i've seen, there are flats with rent as high as 15€/m² (sorry i don't know how to translate in £/square foot) with charges for the agent as high as one month ! I find it a too costly. My experience is that normaly 150/200 € should be what they get. No more ! According to the price, it will naturally depends on the proximity of the beach and so one... Don't be affraid of having only eletrical heater ( what make your place hot ... Wow i'm so bed in English ) as in this region, weather is rather hot.

Hoping it will help.
Friendly
Marcus.
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Semper Fidelem

[ttbt35]

really appreciate the feedback guys and girls!
its certainly going to be an adventure....
STEVE

[pierreg]

If you choose the right real estate agent it shouldn't be too much of an adventure. Finding the right property in France is a hazzle, I know what I am talking about - it took us quite a while to find a decent house that we liked. From my experience I can recommend to try to find out which the best agent is in the area - like that you will be spared from lots of trouble.
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Vive la France!

[Florenceto]

Hello Steve
My advice would be to first stay in lofts as they are very cheap and affordable and that way you can find time to find the right places to stay by either asking people or finding agents, but lofts are great as you all know its cheap, ive been to France 5 times and staying at lofts for a few days then move on.
Hope that helps.