Where to live in Paris (II) & schools

[rosietoes]

Almost a year behind hellolou, last poster on this topic, we also just got news DH will be transferred to Paris! V excited! Can't wait! we'll be there by summer.

Want to live in central Paris. 8eme/17eme or 15eme/7eme? DH would like to walk/ride velibre to work in 8eme. I have MS so has to be easily walkable to school.
Prefer bilingual school. Anglophone family, DD (4y) speaks a bit of French, but want her to learn to read/write, etc in English so she won't be behind on eventual return.

Applying to EAB & EABJM, (previous posts extremely helpful! love MN!) but just joined 'Message Paris' & read a mum at EAB has to drop 4 yo at school gate & to ask teacher a question must write a note. Seems very formal.

Wonder if any mums at these schools can offer any insight/advice?

Yes, go and see local rental agents - there are severa near us and they always seem to have a reasonable selection of flats. Our relocator found outs - it was the first one we saw and we took it a) as it has masses of storage space and we have masses of crap and b) it has four bedrooms.

We could have a Mumsnet Paris meet up!

Montessori at Musee D'Orsay is v dependent on the child and whether they will get on with the Montessori method. It strikes me as full on Montessori, not a Montessori based approach. Ex-charge's friend's brother went there until the age of 6. Big mistake. Wasn't ready for 'proper' school. Ex-charge went there until he went to EABJM, coped fine.

I did ask for MN to make an IDF MN local (actual it was MN France but we compromised)....Sadly no use to me now, but I would probably join it anyway!

What does IDF stand for?

Israeli Defence Force?

perhaps not, in this context.

Would love for us all to meet up if the Paris thing happens. Probably in the local estate agents...

Many thanks, everyone, for the tips on message boards etc. I'm still loath to throw myself into the research with maximum energy because then I'd be tempting fate ahead of the formal job interview. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to move from where we are right now, so perhaps tempting fate would be a good thing.

Stuck on the horns of a dilemma. ouch.

Meant to say, I do like the idea of Mrs S's "relocator". We too have loads of crap and a need for wayloads of storage space, and a need for someone to find us the dream place stow everything. (I managed to ship 12 rolls of loo paper from Italy when we left, to universal mirth during the unpacking process. Hey, I didn't have time to stop the removals guys from picking up everything - and I mean everything. Sadly, I think the only relocator around will be moi.

chortles

IDF is Ile de France - aka Paris and the surrounds.

Ah ha! Ile de France! need to learn these things.

Oh my! shame on me not to say thank you! All the advice and info has helped a lot and very much appreciated!!

Frisky, dear partner in angst, we were on horns of a dilemma (should we stay or should we go?? list upon list of pro/con) until DH finally flipped coin. If he was happy with decision, OK; but if he wanted to re-flip we knew it wasn't the right decision.

Was told lots of flats go on market in June/July so should be enough housing stock to go 'round!

Rosie - I have your CAT and will email you tonight!