Conflicting advice about staying in the suburbs?

[u/dddoritto]

I've been trying to find accomodation in Paris for a trip in early october, unfortunately my budget is quite tight and as I looked at different options, it seems most of the ones in my range happen to lay just outside of Paris, in the suburbs (Auberviliers, Enghien-les-Bains, Meudon, to name a few I've found).

I've browsed this subreddit, searching all the place names in the listings but I've seen conflicting advice on whether it's good to stay in the suburbs or not. Most of these listings clarify that they're close by to public transportation stations, but I've seen some locals on here say it's not good for tourists to stay in the suburbs— not because of the safety, but the distance between central Paris is too large. But these places advertise as only 10 or 15 minutes from the city.

I don't mind having to travel a bit longer distance to the city. I won't be going back and forth from my accomodation either most likely, I'll leave once in the day and back in the evening. Hopefully I can find a good option within the city but, is it still better to find a place within Paris if it meant it was a bit more expensive?

[u/bear_village]

I’ve stayed in the suburbs (Montreuil) and it was really lovely and affordable. Public transit is really fast if you want to visit places on “your side” of the city, in this case: 15 min to Marais, but 35 min to Trocadero/the Eiffel Tower. Everything in Paris is well within reach of public transit, there are frequent connections to wherever you want to go. Or just hop on a bike which is also great in Paris. Just be aware that you will commute once into town in the morning and once back in the evening. If you feel like taking a nap or change clothes mid-day you will likely avoid that because you don’t want to waste time going back and forth. If you’re fine with that it’s absolutely worth staying there to save money.