It's been a minute. I'm sorry to have taken so long to write... it has been a busy few months!
I finally arrived in Marseille in mid-April and went about trying to get a place to live as quickly as I could. I was unsure how this would come together since I am on a visitor- visa, a full-time student and have a part-time income. Luckily I secured a place within 2 weeks of being in France through an online real-estate, place unseen, but which was only an 8 minute walk from my hotel in the Prado district.
I was a bit worried I was unable to inspect the property. Luckily, it was just perfect for what I need and a genuine experience for what it is to live in a French city. It is small compared to Australian standards, bu it's a great space and at a price I can afford.
The process to set-up home was pretty easy to do too. The real estate company provided useful links and advice on electricity contracts as well as phone and internet options, which have all been great - super affordable and provide a really good service. The only thing I had to work out was a 'rental guarantee'. It seems to be a pretty standard form of insurance you need in France to rent an apartment. I understand it gives the landlord some reassurance as tenants have more rights here under French law.
I'm at the top of a lovely apartment building, constructed around 1850. The building sits on a lovely square, where I have a good little restaurant and bar, boulangeries (bakeries), fruit and veggie shop, pharmacy and a handy supermarket just outside the front door. It is only a 20 minute walk into the city centre (Vieux Port), easy walk to the Metro and a 30 minute walk to the beach, albeit a steep walk up over the hill behind me. The neighbourhood is interesting to discover. There are lots of tall, grand apartment buildings along the main avenues, and large mansion homes throughout the streets on the hills behind me, including many embassies and consulates.
The only issue is, because of the age of the building, I am at the top of 106 stairs, with no elevator. It does keep me relatively fit! The bonus is I do have a lovely roof terrace which I can only access by climbing through the window - also good for flexibility! The apartment is newly appointed with enough space for my study and for visitors. It has a new kitchen, new bathroom and lovely terracotta, Provençal tiles throughout with a marble fireplace. And because of the little rainfall Marseille gets in the summer, I am grateful to have an air-conditioning unit, something which is rare to find in French apartments. It gets down to about 27°C during the night so it definitely helps me to sleep.
It is very easy to slip into a French way of living too. Given the stairs I tend to shop every 2 days, baguettes are only €1-1.50, produce is amazingly fresh and delicious and very affordable, as are groceries including wine and beer - so cheap compared to the UK or Australia. The only two items I seem to find a bit expensive so far is canned tuna and crunchy granola. It is more affordable to buy a croissant every day than granola for the week!
And I've only ever found French people to be kind and friendly. Always keen for a chat and interested in what on earth an Aussie is doing in Marseille... there are only a few of us living here - about 90 Australians from the last census. But it is getting ever more popular. I see Marseille featured all the time in travel stories, on social media and you can hear the many different accents at the beach, on the streets and in the cafés.
I haven't even begun to tell you about my studies. I'll tell you more next time, but I did have a few days break over the weekend - it was nice to not turn on the computer and get out and about. I repotted plants, did some research for upcoming travels, visited the local markets and finally put all my academic papers away (momentarily) after three months of intense work.
I'll write again soon about everything I love about Marseille, my research and upcoming travels.
In the meantime, I'll do my best to lament the terrible fortune of spending summer in the south of France!
Á bientôt - Kerrie x