Hello all,
I want to begin gathering info on relocating to Paris from New England, USA. As of now, I will not have an employer moving me. I have heard that the process is diffcult but not impossible. Any advice is welcome - timing is Summer of 2011.
Thanks!
If you are going to Paris, a good book to read (which I currently can't put down!) is 'C'est la Vie' by Suzy Gershman. It is a true story of her move to Paris from the US, and is witty and cute and just a great read!
Ashley
Wendy, the above is from a discussion in this RS web site about books to read before certain travels abroad. Because of the above comment by Ashley in British Columbia, I read "C'est la Vie". I think you would find it useful, particularly as respects housing arrangements / purchases in Paris. It's smart of you to plan your move... Good Luck! P.
Wendy,
The process can be difficult especially if you are not comfortable with the language. The rental process itself can be extrememly frustrating.
When I relocated (also without company assistance) I decided to spend some extra cash and higher a rellocation company based here in Paris. I would suggest you look into this and contact them. Using there service was one of the best decisions I made. Not only did they help me in locating a beautiful flat to live in, negotiate the contract, they also established all utilities, bank account, recommended insurance agency, completed my entire apartment set up and walk through. It was like showing up for vacation but then I forgot to leave.
Intransit International
http://www.intransit-international.com/
In terms of good reads to get your head into it there are several books you can get from Amazon - Living in France. Worth a look to help with the cultural shifts. I would also recommend "Talk to the Snail" good culture insight.
First I am going to assume that you are either independently financed or married (PACsed) to a French person. Otherwise you may not be allowed to move to France. The immigration laws are getting tougher. If you are young (20s) and don't mind the transient lowpayed black market type of work then it it is still possible but hard.
If you are retiring there are laws that dictate how much money you need to have monthly.
If you are just going to go and try to make it work then I would save enough for a year w/o working.
You will have to have a darn good reason for the French to even give you a visa.
Try this web site:
http://www.jeffsteiner.com/forum/index.php
It is a forum about and for people living in France and covers this topic more then anyothers. Expect a lot of negative feed back. But that is the reality. Even people with legitimate reasons(marriage, school) have a hard time.
Really examine your reasons for going and get some advice from non EU people who have done it.
Here are some books that might help:
Almost French: Love And A New Life In Paris by Sarah Turnbull.
Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow.
French or Foe?: Getting the Most Out of Visiting, Living and Working in France by Polly Platt.
Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for enjoying France and the French by Polly Platt.
I've read the first two books, and they are both quite good. The first is a woman's account of moving to Paris to be with a man. The second book is an interesting analysis of the French.
As for the third and fourth books, I haven't read them, although Savoir Flair is in my short stack.
I've had some great times in Paris, and I hope to return again some day armed with better language skills and cultural understanding.
Good luck!
We just moved to Zurich from the States and found the Living and Working in Switzerland book to be quite helpful. They also make one for France. Good luck on your move.
I assume you are a student and expect to begin your "real life" in four years. Spend the next four years studying languages, especially French. Bilingual, native English-speaking people seem to be in demand in Paris. Marry a French man. Really. The only American I have met who lives in Paris is married to a French woman.
