Maximilien Carlier (in Lille), edited by Solène Leroux 10:40 p.m., August 22, 2022, modified at 10:41 p.m., August 22, 2022

Accommodation in the capital of Flanders when you are a student is an obstacle course.

Real estate agencies are overwhelmed due to high demand.

Apartments or studios are very popular, and those that remain for rent display exorbitant prices.

Students are struggling to find accommodation for the start of the school year.

REPORTAGE

"We have no more rentals in Lille", is the message posted on the storefronts of several real estate agencies in the capital of Flanders.

In some, there are queues of students, sometimes with young people in distress.

"It annoys me, I'm on my nerves," Catheline is impatient.

"I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't have my accommodation in Lille."

>> Find all the editorial newspapers of Europe 1 in replay and podcast here

640 kilometers for nothing

And to add: "If no studio, no college and therefore no higher education. In addition, my parents made a loan that will be useless", she worries.

His parents are right by his side.

The whole family came from Deux-Sèvres by car with their suitcases full: "We traveled 640 kilometers to accompany my daughter, and we were told on the spot that we could not take the accommodation", says her father.

"It's not normal to experience this. How do you expect these young people to have confidence in their future? They lack apartments, studios for students", Catheline's mother annoys.

>> READ ALSO -

 INFO EUROPE 1 - Discover the Unef report on the cost of student living

1,200 euros rent for 40 square meters

Those still available at this time of year show an exorbitant rent, notes Lara and Romain, students in economics and management, and in human resources.

"Most of the apartments that remain are out of budget. 1,200 euros for 40 square meters. We don't have 1,200 euros to put in as a student", assures Romain.

"We had thought about moving away a bit, but as the metros close at midnight, the times when we want to go out, we will find ourselves stranded. We don't want to leave Lille, because we are young and we want to enjoy the city center."

This couple has three weeks to find accommodation before the start of the school year.

Otherwise, there will be plan B: sleep with grandma who lives in Amiens and take the train every day.