Bobigny Property Insight

Bobigny is a town located in the Seine Saint Denis department, which is in the Paris-Ile de France region, and belongs to the Paris agglomeration. Bobigny, with 47,806 inhabitants (called the Balbyniens), is the 12th town of the department, however, it is its administrative centre.

Overview

Before being a large town part of the Paris agglomeration (it is located only 3km in the north east of Paris), Bobigny was a small agricultural village. During the Middle Ages it displayed a castle, a church and some farmhouses. After Napoleon failure, Bobigny was annexed to Paris, which contributed to its development. The arrival of the train during the 19th century transformed Bobigny from an agricultural village to a working-class neighbourhood.

After WWII the town developed a lot to become the town we know today. Its quick development was due to the economic expansion of Paris, and also to the creation of the Seine Saint Denis department in 1964, with Bobigny as the administrative centre. As a consequence, all the administrative buildings were created, which brought both dynamism and jobs.

Bobigny Immobilier & Property Market Trends

A property in France in 2009 is sold €3,200 /sq m, which is also the price in average in Bobigny. This price is rather low if compared to the regional average (€5,100 /sq m), as Paris is fairly prohibitive. As a result, it is surprising to see that Bobigny is not more expensive, as it is located only 3 km from Paris. Hence, Bobigny is an excellent alternative for the capital city, as it is located very close, displays all the transport facilities, and prices are rather low.

As regards the rental market, Bobigny offers great opportunities, with 70% of residents being tenants. Most of dwellings are apartments, as Bobigny is a residential area in expansion and in lack of space. The town centre is composed of high buildings of apartments.

To get updated info about the property prices in Seine Saint Denis, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

3 Reasons to Buy a Property in Bobigny

• Modern architecture: as Bobigny developed recently, from 1970, when it became the administrative centre of the department, all its administrative buildings were built during the last half of the 19th century, in a contemporary architecture style. For instance the stock exchange of work was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the architect who designed Brasilia.

• Young population: Bobigny is a typical capital suburb where demography keeps increasing, and where population is still very young. As a matter of fact, more than 60% of the population is under 40 years old, while the national average is 50%, and only 12% of the population is over 60 years old, compared to 21% for the French average. As a result, the town is lively and offers many activities for youth.

• Location – Transport links: as part of the Paris agglomeration, Bobigny is of course very well linked to Paris centre. All kinds of transport links connect Bobigny to the capital city: underground, motorways, buses, tramways and trains. Moreover, the town is located only 15minutes away from the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, from where you can fly to everywhere in the world.

Property Styles and Architecture in Bobigny

• Apartments: as nearly 80% of dwellings are apartments in Bobigny, you are bound to buy one of them. As already said, Bobigby town centre is composed of high buildings where are all the apartements. Buildings are rather new, as they were built to meet the high demand during the 70’s. Of course there is a large range of choice, from small apartments, rather studios, to large ones. Most of them come with a parking, however it will be difficult to find one with a garden. Buildings also come with an elevator, which is a blessing if you live at the top level.

• Detached-houses: only 20% of dwellings are detached-houses, which leave you with small opportunities to find your match. However, detached houses are very convenient, as they offer all the advantages of apartments (close by all amenities mainly), without drawbacks (no elevator needed, no noisy neighboors, etc.). If you wish to set up with your family, it is definitely the right choice, even if you might pay more than for the apartment.

Click here for more info about the Architecture of Paris Ile de France.