We have been living in Grenoble for almost four months now. \u00a0During most of the time, we are distracted by paperwork and by my pregnancy. \u00a0But still, we are learning and enjoying living here, every single day. \u00a0Hopefully, our experience will help people who are coming to Grenoble.<\/p>\n
Housing. \u00a0Not much that I can talk about, because we live in a friend’s friend’s house. \u00a0We occupy the so called basement – it’s actually the ground floor, or first floor. \u00a0The first floor in France equals the second floor in USA. \u00a0We pay a rent, which includes utilities, so I cannot tell you much about the utility companies either. \u00a0For us, sharing a house with the landlord is the best choice, because we knew we wouldn’t be here for long. \u00a0Plus, I have always enjoyed this mode of housing in USA! \u00a0I have had great landlords\/friends! \u00a0We fell in love with the current house at the first sight. \u00a0Our rooms are spacious and decorated with art. \u00a0We later found out that our landlords, a retired French couple, are writer and artist!<\/p>\n
Food. \u00a0Big supermarkets (hypermarch\u00e9) are out of the city center, but there are many smaller supermarkets in every neighborhood. \u00a0Common brands are: Casino, Carrefour City, Carrefour market, Simply, and Monoprix. \u00a0We go to Simply most, because there are two of them close to our home. \u00a0I find Simply is also cheaper than the other supermarkets. \u00a0But more importantly, Simply seems to have better selections of vegetables. \u00a0We like the Chinese cabbage and white radish (daikon) there! \u00a0Most vegetables one finds in the supermarkets in USA are available here in Grenoble. \u00a0 Other than from supermarkets, one can buy vegetables and fruits (and even seafood) in farmers’ market. \u00a0These markets have designated locations. \u00a0Some have specific days when they’re there. \u00a0For example, there is a small market close to our home. \u00a0I noticed that vendor #1 is there almost everyday, but vendor #2, who has more selections, is only there during the weekends. \u00a0We like to get Fuji apples from vendor #2. \u00a0The vegetables in these markets tend to be fresher. \u00a0If you are from Asia, then you have to check out the Asian supermarket called Le Carr\u00e9 Asiatique. \u00a0They have good sushi rice, and stuffs like cooking wine, soy sauce, noodles… \u00a0There are also frozen food: raw shrimps, hot pot stuffs (fish balls, thin-sliced meat, etc.), and dumpings. \u00a0Not much vegetables though. \u00a0No meat. \u00a0They have prepared food, but it’s a bit sweet. \u00a0We always take bus C5 to go there. \u00a0My husband has to carry 10kg of rice (\u20ac38), every month. \u00a0Oh, to get Japanese stuffs, Ozenya in the downtown is also a good choice. \u00a0Everything is imported from Japan, so don’t be surprised by the price.<\/p>\n
Banks. \u00a0We are using Society G\u00e9n\u00e9rale, because it’s only five minutes away from our home. \u00a0To open an account, they ask for the work contract, proof of residence (a water bill, etc.) and documents that show you are living in France legally. \u00a0They will give you an IBAN number, which is used for getting salary and paying for the health insurance (mutuelle). \u00a0If you want, you can get a credit card (actually more like a debit card!) for a small fee, ~ \u20ac5 per month. \u00a0Yes, banks in France will charge you for services! \u00a0Cash back? Rewards? Forget about it. \u00a0The other thing annoys us is that they set a low spending\/withdrawing limit for us. \u00a0I am already used to getting refused with online shopping, and I even experienced getting declined in supermarkets. \u00a0So, I always bring my US credit card with me. \u00a0One more point, Discover card is not accepted in France (unfortunately). \u00a0Other cards seem to be fine.<\/p>\n
Transportation. \u00a0One thing I love about Grenoble is the tram system. \u00a0I simply love trams! \u00a0They are clean, fast, and cute. \u00a0Every tram station has a vending machine for tickets. \u00a0In 2017, one ticket is \u20ac1.5, ten tickets are \u20ac14, and thirty tickets are \u20ac39. \u00a0One ticket is valid for an hour, so you can transfer, or you can even do a round trip if time allows. \u00a0At the tram station, there are tickets validating stands. \u00a0You can insert the ticket, and the machine will print out the time of validation. \u00a0There’s nobody checking tickets. \u00a0However, they do random checks on the trams. \u00a0I heard the fine was \u20ac400! \u00a0Anyways, please buy tickets. The same tickets can also be used on buses. \u00a0You validate the ticket when you board the bus. \u00a0The same one hour rule applies as well. \u00a0If the ticket is validated for a second time within an hour, the machine will only print a * mark after the previous validation. \u00a0We have not tried transferring between trams and busses, yet. \u00a0Nowadays, my husband is using the APP (Tag &a Pass) for the transportation. \u00a0He just needs to scan the QR code on the validation stands. \u00a0Each trip is \u20ac1.4, but the total amount tops at \u20ac59 per month. \u00a0There are other monthly plans\/passes as well. \u00a0One thing I want to mention is that sometimes the trams and busses are free to encourage people to use public transportation. \u00a0This happens when the air condition is bad! \u00a0Last winter, there were more than ten free days. \u00a0The information is broadcasted in tram stations, on trams and on their website. \u00a0The other thing is that you can use APP (MetroMobilite) to check the time of trams and busses. \u00a0They are pretty much on time! \u00a0The train station (also a bus terminal for long distance buses), Gare de Grenoble, is located close to the downtown. \u00a0It is served by tram A & B. \u00a0One can go to Paris in just three hours by a TGV.<\/p>\n
Cell phones. \u00a0Common carriers are Free, SFR, and Orange. \u00a0All of them can be found in downtown. \u00a0Free seems to be the cheapest, but the coverage is not as good. \u00a0For us, we don’t make phone calls, because we don’t speak French! \u00a0Plus, we spend most of time in places covered by wifi. \u00a0So we decided to try the \u20ac2 plan first, which includes 100 min calling and 50 MB data. \u00a0Looks like it’s enough for us. \u00a0In some places, there’s Free wifi network.<\/p>\n
Laundry. \u00a0There are laundry shops (laverie) in the neighborhood. \u00a0Washing and drying take about an hour, and cost ~\u20ac5 (for a small load). \u00a0I usually do laundry by hand, but for big things such as bed sheets I go to shops. \u00a0If you have washer and dryer at home, that’s great. \u00a0If not, it’s not the end of world. \u00a0I saw many people went to laundry shops.<\/p>\n
Electronics. \u00a0One necessary thing is the hair dryer. \u00a0It is not found in small supermarkets. \u00a0We bought one in Darty. \u00a0For computer kind of stuffs, Fnac is the place to go.<\/p>\n
Clothes. \u00a0We are not that into fashion, especially that I am pregnant. \u00a0For the price, one may want to check out Kiabi and H&M. \u00a0For styles, there are Galleries Lafayette and many brand shops in the downtown. \u00a0Oh by the way, the center of the downtown is around Victor Hugo and Maison de Tourism. \u00a0Tram A and B go through the downtown. \u00a0For babies, one big store is called Autour de Bebe.<\/p>\n
Post office. \u00a0It is often necessary to use mails. \u00a0For example, to cancel the health insurance (mutuelle), you must write to the company, and you must use a special service that gives you a proof of the delivery (lettre recommand\u00e9e avec avis de r\u00e9ception). \u00a0To do that, there’s a form (yellow color) where you write down the recipent’s\u00a0address and yours. \u00a0Stamps are sold on self-service machines. \u00a0Weight the letter on the scale, select the type of service, pay (by card or coins), and then you will get the stamp. \u00a0If it’s special service, then hand the letter to the counter. \u00a0Otherwise, go outside to find the mail box, and deposit the letter (pay attention to which box to use for the correct destination).<\/p>\n
These should be enough for the beginning. \u00a0I will update if I come up with something else.<\/p>\n
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We have been living in Grenoble for almost four months now. \u00a0During most of the time, we are distracted by paperwork and by my pregnancy. \u00a0But still, we are learning and enjoying living here, every single day. \u00a0Hopefully, our experience will help people who are coming to Grenoble. Housing. \u00a0Not much that I can talk … <\/p>\n