Camille and Benoît have been homeowners of their apartment for nearly 5 years.
TOI, MON TOIT – In this series, the French reveal their real estate adventures to Le Figaro, from falling in love, to more or less crazy projects, challenges, and profits. This couple, who chose to settle in Quebec, quickly purchased a comfortable apartment as their family expanded.
With her husband Benoît, 39, Camille, 41, describes herself as the perfect embodiment of the “real middle class.” At the beginning of their careers, this computer engineer from Centrale Lille and this independent web designer earned a decent living. They managed to find housing in Paris, but becoming property owners seemed completely out of reach. Thanks to a family connection, from 2012 to 2016, they rented a 60m² apartment in the 15th arrondissement for 1650 euros per month. The apartment, in a 1960s building, was very much “as is,” but the rent was attractive for such a well-located area near the Cambronne metro.
“I remember vividly that when we left, they sold for 625,000 euros with several offers,” explains Camille. “It seemed crazy to me, we wouldn’t be able to make a significant down payment.” It was at that moment that the couple decided to set their sights on Canada, specifically Montreal.
