sergio, it's the difference between "seeing" Paris and truly being a part of it; "living" the Paris experience. For me, the idea of commuting in to see some sights vs. waking up in the morning and looking out on Paris streetscape and walking out for a cup of coffee and a croissant a few doors away... Staking out a neighborhood "headquarters" for the duration of my stay where I get to know some of the local characters a little bit -- even if only by observation for many... Coming home late through a favorite Parisian neighbood down "my street" and ending up at "my place"...

It's about having the sights, sounds, smells and everything else that is Paris 24/7. I'm not there to have an American-style hotel room or that kind of experience at all. It is your choice to make, but it would diminish the experience greatly for me to stay outside of the city in such a sterile setting.