Finding a Flat: Day 2

Dear landlords,

I'm 27 years old. I've lived on my own for nearly the last decade. I've been employed for the last 6 years, continue to be employed, and have documentation to prove it. I don't, however, have 3 previous payslips, because this is a new job. It is not because I'm not going to be earning any money while I'm here, it's because I have this odd attachment to having somewhere to live whilst working, and so I need to find somewhere to live when I'm not supposed to be in the office. Like now.

I also don't have any relatives in France. Even if I did, see above about having managed to rent places independently for nearly a decade - I do not see why on earth my parents should consider it anything other than ridiculous if I were to turn round and ask them to act as guarantors. And since they aren't in France, they don't count anyway.

Please read our paperwork, realise that we're not going to default on the rent, and allow us to give you large, large sums of money in exchange for somewhere to live.

Lots of love,

Me

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to break this deadlock? Have we just found particularly picky landlords so far? (I hope so!) I'm almost willing to go along with the infantilisation and ask my parents to act as guarantors, since it'll be pointless as we're not going to default on the rent, but they aren't in France so this doesn't really solve the problem. How do other expats manage? Any suggestions welcome!

2 days to go

2 days to go. Old job finished. Leaving drinks had. (Twice.) Boxes everywhere, half of them empty. Kitchen and my half of the bedroom left to pack.

Then, homelessness in Paris awaits! Hopefully, we will find a perfect flat on the first day, and then the rest of the week will be easy and like being on holiday... Realistically, I predict a lot of traipsing around Paris dispiritedly looking at grotty places we don't want to live in. (I know. Woe is me, having to flat hunt in Paris. I can feel the waves of sympathy from here.)

2 weeks to go....

OK, so just less than. I've now received my formal paperwork from my new job - still nothing from the old one - and we've given notice on our flat in London. The estate agent has made it look lovely on their website! If I were a potential tenant, I'd totally rent it! (It is in a fabulous location - I am totally going to miss this part of London, and when we move back, this is going to be one of my first points of call - so many friendly people, particularly all at Jelly!)

Packing is slow going, as usual - we're going to get boxes this week, though, which should help. and the estate agent and frequent visitors should encourage us to pack rapidly! I have a bag of clothes to go to the charity shop this week, so that's something at least... And books. I'm going to look through my remaining books this week and get rid of the ones I can find for Kindle. I love my Kindle.

D -21 - move preparation

Well, so, 3 weeks today left until we abandon the country. Still not even the slightest effort towards packing made. Though I am determined to sort out my clothes this afternoon. (As I haven't yet got out of bed, this might be a rash commitment. But I am nothing if not dedicated to keeping the promises I make, even if they are only made on a blog no-one yet reads, because it's still hidden.)

I have yet to receive any formal paperwork from my new job, but I'm serenely rising above the slight panic this would normally induce, and trusting that it will turn up sometime in the next couple of weeks.

I can see us getting to the last week before we move and still having done no packing, though. Also need to give notice on this flat. Aren't last-minute, rushed moves the greatest? By far the best way to do your international moves, I say...