Some estimates say that around 100,000 Americans are living in France, and some 10,000 live in the country’s capital. It’s no secret that Americans love La Republique, and they are not the only ones. Everybody’s dream is to visit the City of Light. But moving to Paris is an entirely different experience from just visiting.
The City of Light (or Paname, as it’s called these days due to the popular hats,) has so much to offer to its visitors, and everybody should visit this fantastic metropolis at least once in their lifetime. It has everything – from the world’s most famous museums to unique bakeries and bars where you can enjoy some of the best wines. It is a metropolis for everyone’s taste, and best of all it’s also an excellent place to live in. But how to move to Paris? How much money do you need to live comfortably in Paris? We will answer these and many more questions, so keep reading and find out how to arrange international moving without much fuss.
Facts You Need to Know Before Moving to Paris
First, let’s cover some basic facts about Paname. It’s the capital city of France, located in the northern part of the country. It’s landlocked, but getting to the shore will be fairly easy, so think about overseas shipping of your car so you can enjoy nature surrounding the capital. The official language is French, but the metropolis is multicultural and has many tourists all year round, so hearing English and other languages will not be strange. Still, you will have to learn a language once you relocate, or even better, before that. That will make your adjustment to a new country much easier. French people love and cherish their language, and they will use it all the time.
One of the things to know before relocating is that their main currency is EURO (1 euro is 1.17 USD). Also, there is a metric system, so ordering food might be difficult initially, but soon you will get used to it. You can download apps for converting pounds to kilos and another way around. Just keep in mind that the speed limit is 30 km/h (or 19 mph) in most Parisian neighborhoods.
Living in Paris – Paperwork You Need to Have
As you know, relocating overseas is not possible without proper documents. You can travel to La Republique and stay there for 90 days with your passport, but if you wish to work and stay for a longer period, you will have to apply for a visa. But considering the fact you are relocating to one of the best European countries to move to, getting the right papers shouldn’t be a trouble. And like in every relocation across the world, you can apply for a visa on different grounds,like marriage. Here are the most common ways:
- Marriage with a French citizen – If relocation for love is your goal, you should marry a French citizen. You will need your spouse’s proof of citizenship, and you can apply.
- Working in France – Relocation to France is hardly imaginable without having a job. You can not live abroad without a steady income, so you can find a job in Europe as an American and apply for a position in La Republique. Once you get a job, you will need proof of employment from your company, and you can apply for a work visa. Aside from learning What salary do you need to live in Paris, you will have to ask your employer all about a work permit as well.
- Study visa – If your dream is to live overseas and spend one or two semesters in the City of Light, you are lucky because it has one of the best student exchange programs.
How to Make Living in The City of Light for a Longer Period Possible
You can stay with visas listed above for up to five years. After this period, you can apply for permanent residence. Or, if you are married to a French person, this period can be shorter. Once you get a PR, you will get an identity card (like Green Card). With it, you will have all rights except the right to vote.
If you lived in France with permanent residence for five years, you would be entitled to citizenship.
Choose Among the Best Neighborhoods in City of Lights
When moving overseas, finding the right neighborhood is one of the most important priorities. First, you need to set up criteria for neighborhood must-haves. Are you looking for an area with good schools if you are relocating with kids? Or does the neighborhood have a good connection with the rest of the metropolis? Will you pick a place depending on the price? There are 20 arrondissements (or neighborhoods) in the metropolis, arranged to resemble the spiral of a snail shell. Here are some of the most desirable neighborhoods for Americans living in Paname:
- Passy – Excellent, safe, and quiet neighborhood good for people who are planning to relocate with family. If typical Haussman style apartments and homes attract you, then here is a place to look for it.
- Batignolles-Monceau – This area has a little bit of everything for everyone, from the most expensive apartments to some of the most affordable ones. It’s filled with local markets and groceries shops. This charming district is great for families. You will be just a couple of miles away from some of the best bilingual schools and green spaces.
- Montmartre – If you wish to walk the streets where Picasso and Van Gogh lived and found their inspiration, then the 19-century streets of Montmartre will amaze you. Streets still have original cobblestones in place, and the neighborhood is still home to many artists.
- Bastille – Most working-class folks live in this neighborhood, and it’s famous for its fusion of old and new, from stone houses to modern apartments. You can find an affordable home here.
Cost of Living in Paris Is Affordable
If you are from New York, you will be amazed to learn that consumer prices in Paname are 30% lower than in the Big Apple. For example, if you rent a one-bedroom apartment downtown, you will pay around $1,400, while for the same apartment outside of the downtown area, you will pay around $1,000. Here are some other prices.
| Location | Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant | Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | Loaf of Fresh White Bread | Eggs | Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $20 | $100 | $4.55 | $3.60 | $3.50 | $160 |
| Paris | $17 | $70 | $4.80 | $2.00 | $4.30 | $210 |
Health Care Is One of the Best in the World
That is right. La Republique has one of the most affordable and best healthcare systems globally, making it one of the best places to live abroad. All people who are living in France, including foreigners, are entitled to receive Universal Health Care. So if you have been living in the country for more than three months, you can file for this insurance. You will also have to register for a social security number. This national insurance only covers 70% of the treatment, and the patient covers the rest. You can also get private insurance.
Schools Are Good but Start With French Lessons ASAP
The education system in La Republique, especially in the capital city, is one of the best in the world. Public schools are excellent and your kids will like them.If you are planning to stay for a longer period, you should seriously consider sending your kids to public schools. Yes, they will have to break a language barrier, but this will help them become fluent in French. And who knows, they may pick up some tips for learning a language much faster than you.
Once You’re an American Living in Paris – What to Pay Attention To
One of the most important things to end up on your relocation checklist is learning French. A lot of people will simply refuse to speak English, so if you wish to make your life easier, start with lessons on time. Also, if you ask expat communities in France, they will all tell you that opening a French bank account will also make your life easier. For starters, you will get cable and internet accounts much faster.
When considering what to pack, do not forget to include comfortable shoes. Be prepared to walk a lot. Not only that the metropolis traffic is rather bad, but the government urges people to use other means of transportation instead of cars,like mopeds and bicycles. And this is the exact reason why they have one of the best public transportation systems. All you need to get is a Navigo card, and you will be able to use everything – busses, metro, and trains. And if you have some snails with you and you plan to take a train ride, don’t forget to buy a ticket for them too. Yes, snails in France must have a train ticket according to law. Also, if you are relocating with a dog, you will be happy to know that Parisians love their dogs. There is one dog for every seven residents, and do not be surprised if you see a dog getting a full spa treatment.
Adjusting to the French Way of Living Will be Easy
Maybe you are not relocating to the world’s friendliest country, but you will definitely end up with people who enthusiastically pursue pleasure and relaxation. And it is no wonder that a city’s first cafe started to work 90 years before the US became an independent country. And believe it or not, the first Bloody Mary was made here. Another thing you will love about this metropolis is how fashionable people are. Even going to get the newspapers in the morning must be done in beautiful clothing. And since it is the fashion capital, most of the famous fashion brands are from here. And yes, here you will have to develop a taste for good food and wines. Probably the Frenchest law of all is that you can get drunk at work as long as it is from the wine. Check this video for more tips on life in France as an expat.
Is Moving to Paris From the US Possible? With the Right International Moving Company, It Is the Only Couple of Steps Away
By now, you probably wonder, “can I just move to Paris?” Or Is it expensive to move to Paris? The answer to the first question will be yes, while the second depends on a couple of factors. For starters, will you take shipping by air, or maybe a more affordable option of shipping by sea? Also, will you take packing service or not? Either way, no matter your reasons for moving abroad, your relocation stress will be much less if you do all the necessary preparations on time.
And as you can see, when moving internationally, many things must be arranged, and you are the only one who can do them, but packing pots and pans is not one of those things. So why don’t you outsource packing and relocation business to the overseas shipping company? With the help of an overseas moving company, you will relocate without stress.And best of all with their professional help your things will be properly packed for shipping.
