What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Grenoble

Relocating to Grenoble

About the City

Located in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, this city of Grenoble has a population of around 156,000 (as of 2009), and sits at an altitude of 702 feet, or 214 metres. Grenoble is located at the point where the river Drac connects to the Isère, and is surrounded by mountains on all sides, whether it be the Belledonne range to the east, the Chartreuse to the north, or the Vercors to the south and west. The first references to Grenoble date back as far as 43 BC, when it was a small Gallic village. From this point up until the present day, Grenoble has been the setting for a great many historical events, as nicely detailed by the city’s museums.

The Climate in Grenoble

Grenoble offers its residents very agreeable weather conditions. Benefiting from a marine west coast climate, average temperatures during the summer are around 29°C, while the winters bring average lows of approximately -1°C. Grenoble has no dry season to speak of, and although winters are fairly mild, there is considerable precipitation, with an average of 985 mm falling every year. This precipitation is often accompanied by cyclones. In addition to this, Grenoble is also situated close to the cool temperate moist forest biome.

Finding Accommodation

If you are moving to Grenoble from another country, the odds are you will have a prearranged job and so, with regards to accommodation, it is important to contact your new employer, as they may have affiliations with local property owners. Property in Grenoble, as in all parts of France, is rented, and sold, per square meter. Those looking to rent a property in the city can expect to pay around 12.42 EUR per square meter each month, while those looking to buy will pay around 2,935 EUR per square meter (prices from 2009).

Those choosing to rent a property will have to provide a certificate from their employer as well as their three most recent payment slips. There are fairly strict laws in France when it comes to purchasing or renting property and contracts will often be for three years, with a month in advance and a month’s deposit required. Anyone new to the city can encounter difficulties, and so accommodation will often be arranged through the company he/she is working for.