Housing and High School in Montpellier, France?

Question

does anyone know how much is it a average house there? i plan to maybe live there sooner or later. does the high schools there offers FSL? (French as Second Language) like here in we offer ESL for non English speakers... I'm going to be in high school soon and if my mom does divorce my dad, I'm going to Montpellier with my mom.

and does French people get along with other races besides their own? from what i heard from some of the Y!A folks is that they don't get along with English, Americans... I'm American Chinese. do they get along with Asians, and other races? or they just have something against English and Americans? I'm just curious and want to get some answers out of it, but mostly about Montpellier, their culture, their environment and the high schools there.. anyone been there, lived there.. please tell me which high school is good and give me details.

Help will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi,

Here are some answers. Not to all, as I never lived in Montpellier, but it should help.

Cost of housing:

At first, the standards for housing differ between old Europe and the USA. A small apartment in the US would correspond to an relative average size in the center of a European city. So be prepared for less room than what you have. In addition, some amenities are not commonly provided (washing machines, AC...). Water should be included in the rent, possibly the cost of heating but neither electricity nor gas.

For 650 EUR (850 USD), you can find a place close to the center city with 2 rooms and a relative good size (60m2 = 650 sq ft). If you cannot afford that, the further you are from the center city, the lower the prices. But you might need a car. if your are not close to the tramway

If you use a real estate firm, you might have to pay fees up to one month of rent. Beware, if the rent is not shown as "charges comprises" you will have an (relatively small) additional amount to pay. And a security deposit is required, usually, two months of rent. And a renter's insurance is mandatory (covering your stuff as well as the apartment) before you receive the keys.

As there is no credit history in France, you will need to show plenty of papers. A letter of your mother's employer (if any), plus the 3 latest payrolls, any evidence that she receives money from your father. What helps is to provide the same employment documents for another person (even in the USA, it should be ok) with a letter saying they are ok to pay in case your mother doesn't. Plus copy of her ID, work visa... As the lessees are really protected by the French law, the lessers are very cautious.

You can find places on www.seloger.com and www.avendrealouer.fr , all in French!!!

Integration

Getting integrated is often hard in Western countries. However, peoples in the south of France is far more welcoming than, for instance, peoples in Paris. If you go to a high school, it will make things much easier.

But learn French quick, as the French are not so good at foreign languages (but most of us speak more or less English).

American citizens are often seen as lacking of culture (I am sorry for that), and the war in Iraq did not make things easier. However, if you will face criticisms about the US politics and a few jokes about the clichés, you will not face hostility, for sure. Our criticism is probably linked to an untold admiration of the US. But quite nobody will admit that. And I am quite sure that you will tease curiosity among people.

And we hate the Brits. But it is more a game than anything else, due to the long lasting rivalry between our cultures, our sport teams... They make fun of us, and so do we, pretending to hate each other.

Schools:

Lycee Nevers, Notre Dame de la Merci are the best general high schools, but are private and thus, expensive.

Lycee Joffre and Clemenceau are among the best in the public sector, and cost quite nothing compared to a US high school. Public sector is very popular (more than in the US) and can provide a high level education. But you will not have a choice but between 2 or 3 high schools depending on where you live. If you want to go to a specific school, you will have to choose a topic that is only taught there (and it can be ancient Greek or Hebrew, good luck).

Montpellier

Montpellier also provides university (of a good quality, the physician one being especially famous), and there are a lot of students. Which is to say, nightlife, culture and fun. You will like it.

Theater, dance, music, cartoons (read the French cartoons for they are very different of the ones in the US, and give a try to Lewis Trondheim who lives in Montpellier), there are plenty of things to see. Not to mention the festivals in the summer (name it, they have it). And Montpellier is also a hot place for Techno music (so good).

And in case you don't like culture, the sea is very close (less than 10 miles).

Currency and prices

At last, Euro vs Dollar varies a lot. In 2002, 1 EUR and 1 USD were worth the same. Since then, the dollar has been decreasing (or the Euro increasing) to beat records. Which means that moving in France in 2007 will cost much more than it used to. But it will not last for ever.

Housing is probably more expensive than in many places in the US. Food is more expensive too, but it is worth the price (very good products in the South of France). Electronic devices are more expensive as well, but Internet, phone to the US... does not cost much.

Good luck for your new life. You will definitely relocate in a cool place, take it easy and you will see the Mediterranean way of (good) life.

Answer 2

first of all, to depend what kind of house do you want. houses can be expensive in Montpellier. concerning the high school, i don't think that you will find a FSL but you will see you will learn french very easily. Of course, that French people get on well with every kind of races .... In France we do not have only one colour. Actually we don't have colours we have people from anywhere. we don't care if you are japenese, american or other. don't think that we are not friendly. Of course you will find some bad people but it's like everywhere; don't be scared everythings gonna be all right

Answer 3

www.univ-montp1.fr/fr/international/mode... - 21k -

hope it helps

Answer 4

Don't worry, most people will be welcoming. And 80% of the people living in Montpellier were born elsewhere, so you're not the only one.

Read this welcome on the official site: http://us.montpellier.fr/