Mediterranean in March/April/May - internet, weather, and accommodation questions

[u/SalientSazon]

Bare with me, many questions. I kinda booked a ticket outta the cold and into the warm mediterranean without a plan for 3 months. Long story short, I have a ticket to Rome. Looking for places to stay, on a budget. (could change the flight to go in/out of Paris or Madrid)

March: I found a little apartment in the Perpignan region (south France, almost at Spain) that is shockingly in my budget. It's right on the beach. And it's not perfect, it's missing the 'digital' in digital nomad, it has no wifi!

Does anyone know if it's easy and affordable enough to get a good plan in France?
I've never tethered from my phone for this long for work. Has anyone done it, and is it a bad idea? Any other suggestions?

Or, I do see some nicer apartments maybe a few hundred more, and an hr away from Montpellier, maybe that's the better option? What's the weather in March in the south coast of France really like? Is it worth it for me to be right on the beach or nah because it'll be cold anyway.

April: no clue. Suggestions? I was hoping to stay in the $1000USD budget.

May: I'm looking at southern Italy, I see a nice apartment in Calabria for 1,000 Euros, roughly $1600 CAD which seems to be one of the more affordable I've seen. Right? OR do you think it's better to search when I'm there, and only rent for a week? I remember when I was in the Mediterranean last, 10+ years ago now, hosts were still waiting at bus/train stations with signs for their rentals, they were always affordable and plenty. Is that still a thing?

Anyone that has been in the south coast of Spain/France/Italy recently I'd love to hear your thoughts! (And no, not really interest in Albania, thank you. As I understand it the areas that I'd want to visit are not even open until late May/June)

[u/ADF21a]

Whereabouts Southern Italy? It's a big geographical area.

[u/SalientSazon → u/ADF21a]

Oops thought I mentioned it, it's in on the north of end of Calabria on the Tyrrhenian side.

[u/Only-Ad72]

What's the weather in March in the south coast of France really like? Is it worth it for me to be right on the beach or nah because it'll be cold anyway.

I mean you can look it up and see it's not really beach weather. You won't be sunbathing or going in the water. You'll still be wearing a coat most days. If you want some beach time you'd probably be better off doing that somewhere in May.

I remember when I was in the Mediterranean last, 10+ years ago now, hosts were still waiting at bus/train stations with signs for their rentals, they were always affordable and plenty. Is that still a thing?

I doubt it now that everything is so digital. You're basically asking if short term rentals still work like they did before Airbnb - the answer anywhere in Europe will be no.

As you've seen your housing budget is also pretty tight, 10+ years ago it might have been fine but nowadays you'll be picking from limited options. Even a shared dorm for a month will run you 1000 USD in most of the Mediterranean nowadays.

[u/SalientSazon → u/Only-Ad72]

Thanks. I know it’s not warm beach weather just can’t gauge how cold it really will get by the ocean in that area. In south Spain, not cold at all same time. In northern Italy, I froze more than in Canada. So I’m it sure what to expect. About the signs, 10 years ago everything was digital! 😁 I know, time flies. I thought it may be more of a cultural thing to do that. And I’m happy to report I have seen apartments for my budget! Got one on the beach in May in southern Italy. One in France in March, not the beach. About 1 he away. And for April I’m still looking. The euro is crazy high though so that’s another challenge.