LOCATION
“Lille is such an easy place to get around. There’s plenty to do, but it’s not overcrowded or expensive”
who live rurally will drive to a station closer to the centre and catch a train or the metro from there. Ample, free parking is a feature of most of these stations, designed to encourage people to use public transport as much as possible. Aline’s advice to anyone
You’ll find property for every budget in Lille including townhouses in the centre
date of construction. They are ideal family homes with a living room and kitchen on the ground floor, bedrooms above, and usually have reasonably sized gardens. My advice to potential buyers is to use a reputable estate agent and solicitor in Lille to buy your property. I’ve heard of people coming unstuck when they’ve tried to circumvent the system. “We love Lille. It’s such
an easy place to get around. There’s plenty to do, but it’s not overcrowded or expensive.”
EXPERT OPINION Aline Semet is an estate agent at Citya Flandres in the city centre. She told me: “Vieux Lille used to be seen as one of the worst places to live, but a focus on regeneration means it has been transformed and apartments here are very much sought after now. Expect to pay €450,000 for a two-bedroom flat in great condition or with three bedrooms in need of some updating.” Many buyers choose the
leafy suburb of La Madeleine to On the market
put down their roots, however. Aline says: “It’s close to Vieux Lille and only 15 minutes from the city centre by bus or train. Marcq-en-Barœul, with its own racecourse and large golf course, is also a popular choice. It’s slightly further out, but still only half an hour from the city centre. Lambersart is another very desirable location, with the area of Canon d’Or close to the Citadel the most prized.” Prices in the suburbs will
vary considerably according to the style, location and condition of the property, but Aline says buyers can expect to pay around €450,000 to €600,000 for a good-sized family home with a garden in Marcq or La Madeleine, or €350,000 for a smaller 1930s-style house. For those wanting a more
thinking of buying a property in Lille is to visit at different times of day. “Work out how close you want to be to the city and look at a map to get an idea of property prices: the closer you are to train and tram stations, the more you will pay. Walk there in the evening and find out whether it has the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for, whether that’s the buzz of activity that comes from the city centre, or whether you’re after a quiet residential area. “It’s also worth paying
attention to the age of a house
and its energy rating. Houses dating from the 1950s and 1960s are notoriously hard to insulate and the same may be true of 19th-century Haussmann-style apartments, with ornate cornicing inside and exterior decoration. It is often easier to make older homes, and more modern ones, energy-efficient.”
THE HEAT IS ON “If you’re looking for an apartment, chauffage collectif will give you fixed monthly heating bills, which can be ideal if you plan to live there full time. On the other hand, chauffage individuel may be more expensive per month, but a more practical option for a second home. “Prices have gone up in the
rural existence within easy reach of the excitement of Lille, Aline says that Verlinghem and Bondues are popular choices. Surrounded by fields and woodlands, they are still only a 45-minute bus ride to the centre of the town, or less than 20 minutes by car. Many people Lille’s popular Christmas market
past 10 years and demand still outstrips supply,” Aline adds. “Reasonably priced properties move fast, but if you are a cash buyer, you’re often still in a strong position to negotiate. Since Covid, we find that most buyers now want properties with outside space – whether that’s a garden or a balcony. The richness of this city will always attract people though. With its theatres, music, cinemas, diverse population and numerous markets, it’s a place where you can really live well. And it’s a welcoming city. We always say that the climate is cold, so the people have warmth in their hearts.” ■
FIND MORE PROPERTIES ON
FRANCEPROPERTYSHOP.COM &
FRENCHENTREE.COM
€597,000,Marcq-en-Baroeul This renovated four-bedroom family home with garage is close to Clemenceau tram station, and has a good-sized garden (
citya.com)
€395,000,Square Foch Needing some TLC, this spacious apartment with balcony, cellar and parking overlooks a tree- lined square in the city centre (
citya.com)
66 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2023
€154,000,city centre This duplex apartment with a balcony would make an ideal pied-à-terre, and is walking distance from the station (
citya.com)
€111,000, city centre A rental investment studio in the Appart City Grand Palais residence, which commands annual rent (excl. tax) of €6,276 (
sextantproperties.com)
©CRTC HAUTS-DE-FRANCE BENOIT GUILLEUX
©SARAH DALY
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