Hi everybody,
Greetings~
Hope you are all doing amazing in this middle of pandemic era. The world is getting better and healing.
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If you followed my blog and my page, maybe some of you already knew that I studied in Montpellier for my master degree (finishing soon). I would love to contribute something to the community which I am talking about the student these days and certainly for those who have wish to continue their study in Montpellier or France one day. So, today I would like to review the place where I were staying for 3 semesters (almost), it is the Residence Olympique by CROUS Residence. In case for those of you who are questioning what is this 'CROUS Residence', here is one quote that I took from Campus France site :
"In France, the Crous (centre régional des oeuvres universitaires et scolaires) is a network of student residences spread out across the country’s mid-to-larger cities and is organized according to region. Each region (though not all) typically has several Crous residences per city and works with local universities to provide affordable living spaces for students, typically single-rooms and studios."
Yes, so ta~da, as mentioned above, you did see the most attractive word, did you not ? Yeah, affordable lol. That is the word which attracted me to stay in CROUS and frankly speaking it was also because the choice for me as a scholarship holder to be privileged in CROUS Residence.. (Well, I don't know why exactly was it called a privilege but based on what I heard, it was difficult to get one as it is limited and due to many demands from other students as well, so lucky me!) Anyway, if you are thinking also to get one just because of that word, I suggest you to think twice eventhough you got an offer, because it will decide how you will live your life for the next one year (based on contract). Let me tell you why :
Yes, affordable is affordable for sure, it is cheaper, but do not forget cheaper will definitely affects quality and since I am not staying in a new CROUS residence, which they said it is quite old like 20-30 years building. So let me starts from the beginning, when I moved here.. As mentioned before I came by the landlord or residence manager (whichever you call them), the room is unfurnished except there is already a single bed provided, a study table, a cupboard and a cabinet, a mini refrigerator and that's all. The toilet part, I quite like it, in my place it was not that modern but at least there are spaces and most importantly, BATHTUB, cause I love to dip on hot warm water once in a time to relax myself, lol (sorry for getting too personal in a sudden XD). Continue, they also have this mini kitchen, which is surely mini good for one person, you can cook enough things by yourself, though sometimes i feel i need more space for my stuffs lol. So please beware when they said it is a mini kitchen, it is surely A MINI ONE ! It was the electric stove (electric plate) and it was not bad for it's heating quality but ventilation does not circulate that well so beware of food odours or smelles in the room unless you open the window and door widely. Mini refrigerator works so well despite of the small spaces it has!
So on my first semester, I did stay in a smaller room where i had the chance to move to another bigger room my next semester as it was full when I moved the first time. For the small room, I paid around 380 euro excludes electricity charge (water charge was included already) and for the bigger room, around 405 euro. The difference is the bigger room has a big balcony where you can hang off your laundries which is effective for me. Because laundry outside house means more expenses and you might want to save more, don't you :D Oh, do not forget in France you have the aid from the government body called CAF to pay your accommodation fees where it is totally favorable for students :3 So, do not forget to apply to them once you get your residence certificate. Ok, back to subject : How about the view, I would say it is not too bad indeed, well at least for me I got a enough beautiful landscape with many trees and since it is not the main road, so i have a very peaceful ambience in my room. The corridors are not that modern since it is an old building so it makes much sense, and there are lifts in each building so if you stay in the 6th floor (the highest) do not worry, you can still take your groceries up easily. Though, one thing to notice, the heater is small one in each room and it is not that fast functioning and effective in the room means you have to turn them on for some time maybe 10 minutes which is not that problem. The real problem is, there was once few periods the apartment's heaters are totally not functioning at all and it was during WINTER !! Everybody was complaining they were frozen, well, lucky me I have a small heater machine from my Japanese friend, Marika (I should mention her name her) but yeah beware of that too before moving, cause it will surely affect your life badly if you do not have any heater during winter. Then, regarding ventilation, it was not that good too, so you must be prepared during the winter it is too cold and during summer it is too hot. I think summer should be alright, at least for me, people who came from tropical country but WINTER is definitely a challenge in this residence and tell you what, even the European people I knew who were staying in this residence they have difficulties living in the winter as it gets too cold in this residence, so please keep in mind to buy a small heater just in case it happens again! The toilet is all good, eventhough I felt it is not that modern and fast flow for the water current. Regarding location, it was not that far from campus and near to the city center too (10-15 mins by tram).
So it really depends on what your preference but here are some photos those I can share with you for your considerations, I hope it helps :
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| View from my first room during the night |
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| Me in my studio room with balcony behind the curtain |
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| The room panorama view |
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| The room |
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| View from Balcony (right side) |
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| Me shirtless from my balcony XD |
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| View from the 6th floor hallway |
Another consideration by staying with CROUS is there are many offers during your stay, for example during the pandemic I think I got around like 10 invitation of groceries offer for FREE ! it is like a little aid for the students but still if you do not stay in CROUS, you are not prioritised as they always have sessions for public and sessions for CROUS residents only ! so if you stay in CROUS, you might get more of it! Then, today CROUS also assign a person in each residence to help you with anything related to the residence, they are like the student apartment representative, they can help you to report to CROUS manager.
One more important thing to check before you move in to the apartment is to check all the things condition as it is and keep note because they might charge you for something that is not, for example for me, it was the bed sheet it has mark on it where I did not even realize if it was my fault cause I never spoil any sauce above it. And they required you to clean the apartment 100% as you moved out so you must also pay attention to the floor and wall condition, cause they might charge you if there was unnoticed mark on the first day and it was written good condition on the inventory list check.
Lastly, If i were given the chance to give a rate for the apartment, I would give 2.5 out of 5 where I think they definitely can improve a lot of things in the apartment and I somehow suggest you to find private apartment if you did not have the chance to get newer apartment from the CROUS. Well, it was not that I regret staying there for 3 semesters but it is just I found out I can get a better value if I stay outside. Nevertheless, it was not a bad choice since it is nearby the campus (University of Montpellier Triolet campus) like 4 stations if I'm not mistaken. Moreover, it is close to Boutonet where the restaurant CROUS is! (which is again, AFFORDABLE, lol!) So, yes it really depends too on your condition and what do you search, if you think you can live well in conditions that I have mentioned above and agree with the rate, location, advantages given, you definitely too won't regret staying at this residence. :) Happy choosing!~ ;)
