And indeed I felt right at home upon stepping into this flat. The living room was large, with a dining table and chairs, a small TV, a pull-out couch, and plenty of room for me to spread out my worldly possessions from all six of my suitcases. I brought my transition objects with me (a cocktail shaker and several wine openers) and put them in the already well-equipped kitchen. It had a full-size refrigerator, which I stocked with local favorites. In the mornings, I made coffee with the Nespresso machine and omelettes on the induction cooktop, which featured a child-proof lock that families will appreciate.
The washing machine was straightforward and a well-appreciated addition for long-term visitors or those with young children. As was the manual drying rack, which I placed next to the windows to take full advantage of the sunlight flooding in. The bedroom had a full-size bed, a rack and hangers for clothes, and an en suite bathroom with pretty blue tile. The water ran blissfully hot, and the sink drained well and swiftly—a rarity in old Parisian buildings, I have come to learn. As is typical for this type of building, there’s no elevator access here, but the Airbnb is just on the second floor (up three flights of stairs), which wasn’t too troublesome, even with all my luggage. Plus, this perch granted a sweet view of the neighborhood. In the evenings, the amiable chatter and laughter of patrons at the brasserie across the street reached the bedroom window, a lovely soundtrack for the nights I spent working remotely.
My stay felt wonderfully domestic, as did Suresnes itself. I loved the affable rotissier next door who sold whole roasted chickens. I enjoyed the easy access to the bus stop at Croix du Roy, where a kind madame offered to share her umbrella with me on a rainy day. It was quiet, save for school mornings, and charming, with wide boulevards, clean streets, and green gardens everywhere. A simple life here, I thought, could be exactly what I need—with the busy thrum of central Paris just a short train ride away, one that was as easy as my commute between Brooklyn and Manhattan.