Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? There is no on-campus accommodation at ESSCA. The best you can opt for is the apartment in the centre of town. If you can afford it then the apartment in town is a much better option than the student residences in rue Léon Pavot (even though they are much cheaper) since the residences are a fair walk away from the town centre and are not close enough to shops and nightlife, and also have too many rules and restrictions about what you can and can't do. If possible get ESSCA to arrange an apartment as close to Place du Railliement as possible (the 'heart' of Angers). Anywhere within the centre of town is fine: this is an area bounded by the river, Bde Charles de Gaulle, Bde Foch and Bde Mitterand. You could alternatively take an apartment just across the river from the centre of town, in the quarter known as La Doutre. The international student life revolves around the centre of town and, to a lesser extent, around ESSCA's campus which is 6km west of the town centre (in the peripheral suburbs of Angers). It is almost mandatory to live around the centre of town, or face isolation from the student life.

Personal comments:
The accommodation through ESSCA was still going through teething issues in 2002, still learning how best to manage it. They had never before accepted so many international exchange students into ESSCA in one go. ESSCA manages apartments and liaises with all the landlords on the students' behalf. The cost of 305 euros (plus 45 for utilities) seemed okay value for some apartments, but poor value for others. Possibly this was because the apartments were very different, and the different rents 'averaged' by ESSCA for ease of admin. The type of apartment you get is pretty much down to luck. Some people were extremely lucky (those in the pedestrian zones of the centre of town). Others found themselves on dark streets on the edge of the main part of town, or in dirty and/or poorly maintained buildings. ESSCA will help in cases of problems with the apartment (plumbing, heating, electrical, etc) but the response times could be slow (depending on what's wrong). Getting accommodation in Angers without the help of the school can be fraught with hassles, it's hard work if your French isn't good. The local students have a hard time finding decent accomodation so, as an exchange student, it's best to let ESSCA help you.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? The university is not in the town centre, so it is much handier to live in a flat in the town centre, where all the shops and nighlife are.

Personal comments:
ESSCA can help you find an appartment in the centre or on campus, which is what the vast majority of international students opt for. If you choose this option, you will find yourself living close by to other international students.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: A room exchange

Why? This is the best way to practice the French language, as the students who live in apartments always live together with other exchange students

Personal comments:
Usually the housing is organised by ESSCA. Students can choose the gender and the number of their roommates. All the apartments are situated in the city center and are therefore perfectly located.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I liked living in the apartment.

Personal comments:
Host university arranges for the accomodation. My apartment was quite good, but others did not get such a nice apartment. It is definitely a matter of luck which apartment you get.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I like to live independently

Personal comments:
Accomodation i choose according recomendations of university, it was my choice, it was not far away from my university and the center. I was pritty satisfied.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? you have the possibility to get to know a lot of other students

Personal comments:
I shared an appartment with another Austrian student- in my opinion it was a little bit too expensive and too small

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Freedom to do whatever you want and proximity to centre of town

Personal comments:
Our flat was ok, not the greatest but it suited the purpose! was quite expensive but the location was brilliant!

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? As speaking the language of the resident country much better I'd be able to focus rather on the everyday life through experiencing it by living at a local family.

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? independent; together with another exchange student

Personal comments:
all apartments are close to the city center, I´m sure you could find cheaper one´s if you search by yourself

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? it was great to live independently in an apartement, that's why I would do it again this way

Personal comments:
It was perfectly organised, but too expensive in comparison with the costs at home, but it was ok compared with the housing costs in France, nearly all the apartements I've seen were in best order as far as cleaniness and facilities are concerned.

Type of housing: UNIVERSITY HALL OF RESIDENCE

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: UNIVERSITY HALL OF RESIDENCE

Why? VERY ECONOMICAL AND COMFORTABLE WIH BASIC AMENITIES.

Personal comments:
VERY GOOD HOUSING WAS PROVIDED TO ME IN UNIVERSITY HALLS OR RESIDENCE

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? it's not possible to find an appartment in angers for just 4 months

Personal comments:
perfectly arrenged through the university

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? own room, not much sharing with other people

Personal comments:
it was very good, in the centre of Angers, and very big.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? It was a great experience to live with other international students in one apartement and in comparison to a student's house it was more comfortable.

Personal comments:
the host university offered us to choose one of there apartments and they were in a good condition

Type of housing: HOSTEL

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Same hostel

Why? It was really nice co-operative staff and pleasant experience being there for the period of my stay.

Personal comments:
i recommend all students visiting ESSCA,Angers for there semesters should stay atleast once at couffon pavot residence.

Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? opportunity of using the language

Personal comments:
I arranged it by myself, without the help of the university, but there is a well organized service of accomodation for those who require it.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because I met a lot of foreign student thanks to the guest house

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Its very comfortable to live in your own apartment because you can invite friends and arrive at the time you want!

Personal comments:
ESSCA found us very good acomodation

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: students' residence

Why? much cheaper, located not far from the centre as well

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because of the good location

Personal comments:
Although rent for the apartment is pretty high, the location is very good. The space in the apartment is sufficient.