Accomodation in Luxembourg

[SimonD]

A follow up from my earlier post.

The place I stayed in was called Studio, they are a managed service studio provider (room and bathroom).

I would also suggest going around the ex-pat pubs and asking around there, that's actually where I found out about Studio (go to Maybe Not Bob's for sure, decent food (well it used to be) and the two guys running it are a blast).

[jkoder]

Luxembourg, where things are still running along smoothly! I only know we're in a financial crisis because of the Internet.

I pay nearly 900 Euro to live near (2 minutes walk) the centre in a really cool area. If you want to live in the center you will pay a few hundred Euros more than this. The cheapest hotel is about 65 Euro per night and it's called the Etap, which is near the airport. You can also find cheap accomodation near the Gare but it's full of bums.

You can find apart-hotels which are usually bedsits/studios owned by hotels which rent them to people long-term (though you can get some for a couple of months). You can still expect to pay 700/800 Euro for this. Renting in Lux is expensive because there is just simply too many people working here for the amount of accommodation.

You can try Trier, in Germany. It is about 50 minutes on the train (plus your bus commute time which could be up to another 45 minutes). You can find places here which cost about 300/400 per month, furnished. The train for a month will cost about 120 Euro but you can get a bus (15 minutes slower) for about 100 Euro.

If you are making half decent money I would suggest splashing out on somewhere close to your work. Lux could end up being very boring if you are away from the centre and can't socialise with people for having to catch the last bus or train home. It really depends on what you're after, I am quite young so prefer to spend time in the centre socialising.

Some sites to check for accommodation:

www.station.lu
www.athome.lu
http://www.parc-hotel.lu/

Beware of agency fees and deposits as already pointed out (yes, agents, I know!). You could end up paying 4000 Euro when you sign up for an apartment depending on the monthly rental cost, it's usually one month agencies fees and two months deposit. Finding somewhere more flexible, at short notice, is a lot harder than you think if you want to live near the centre.

You can get by just fine with English though it can be a pain in the arse when you go for an haircut.

[Viktor]

Many thanks for your replies, really appreciated!

I plan to rent for one - two months something temp near work, then rent long term (the contract is for 1 year maybe more...). Don't know about nearby countries, it may be a possibility...just curious if I can be a perpetual traveller (i.e. no resident in any country...)...sounds cool...

[expat]

You can get by just fine with English though it can be a pain in the arse when you go for an haircut.

[BlasterBates]

Many thanks for your replies, really appreciated!

I plan to rent for one - two months something temp near work, then rent long term (the contract is for 1 year maybe more...). Don't know about nearby countries, it may be a possibility...just curious if I can be a perpetual traveller (i.e. no resident in any country...)...sounds cool...

no you can't as you'll be taxed in Luxembourg. It is just you might end up having to fill two tax forms in, or even three if you maintain your UK residency.

By the way if you live in Germany or France although you'd have to fill in a tax form your Lux. earnings wouldn't be taxed again, but they will want to tax your interest and divis. The other thing is you'll probably be entitled to unemployment benefit, if you are "employed", which most contractors are. Then you would claim your unemployment benefit where you are resident.

[SimonD]

The cheapest hotel is about 65 Euro per night and it's called the Etap, which is near the airport.

And if you do stay at the Etap you're not too far from a decent chinese as well