Expat Info Desk
Wednesday 10th March 2010
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Paris


Are you moving to Paris for work, or have you recently become an expatriate in the city.

Purchase this guide
  • Edition: 2nd
  • Last updated: 12th September 2009
  • Author: Laura Zvulun

Why Paris?

Paris is regarded as being one of the most romantic cities in the world and an important cultural hub within Europe. It is a very popular tourist destination and an excellent place to live and bring up a family. It is a fairly expensive city, but the cost of living is relative to wages paid and for this reason it is no different to London or New York.

Paris is very developed and home to a number of international companies. Work ethic in France however is different than in the UK or the US as the French place emphasis on the home life and family rather than work. Quality of life is very important in Paris, which is one of the reasons expatriates move here. This concept does take a lot of getting used to if you usually work hard and long hours, but ultimately it means you will be able to enjoy life much more.

As well as being the capital of France, Paris is also one of the fashion capitals of the world. Appearance is very important to locals and style is often one of the keys to success.

International and bilingual schools are common with syllabuses from America and the UK taught. This ensures that your children will not have to miss out on anything they would be taught in their home country. There is also a lot of social activity based around the schools which will introduce you a number of expatriates who share similar interests and therefore help you to settle in.

Paris houses a number of shopping centres, hyper markets and quality food stores which sell products from around the world, although French cuisine is among the finest in the world and dining out is always a treat.

Many expatriates choose to live in the suburbs, especially those with families. The suburbs are very safe, home to a number of international schools, cheaper than the city centre and have their own communities of both expatriates and locals, allowing new expatriates the chance to make some firm friends.

The EID guide to Paris is a comprehensive information source that addresses the following topics-

1) Living legally in Paris

The EID guide to Paris contains everything you need to know about ensuring that your stay with Paris adheres to the strict and complicated laws here. A wide range of topics are covered from residency permits, Cartes De Sejours and citizenship, through to working rights, taxes and banking procedures.

2) Setting up home in Paris

The EID guide to Paris contains practical advice on how to rent or buy a home for a variety of needs and budgets. Whether you choose to live in the busy city area or out in the quieter Parisian suburbs, you can gain full and comprehensive details of popular residential areas throughout the city. The EID guide also contains full details of cost of living, educational facilities and what to look out for when you negotiate a contract.

3) Navigating the infrastructure

While Paris may seem familiar on the surface, everything here is done differently. The EID guide to Paris contains comprehensive contact listings for all the goods and services you will need to go from being someone who is visiting Paris to someone who lives there. From utilities and pet care providers through to shopping, transport and television services, the guide contains full details and instructions for everything you need to confront day to day life.

4) Having fun in Paris

The EID guide to Paris will become invaluable when you are ready to relax and enjoy your free time in this amazing city. The guide contains comprehensive listings on entertainment, culture, nightlife and sporting venues, together with our advice on how best to meet people and form your own social network.

5) Staying safe and healthy in Paris

Falling ill abroad, especially in a country where the local people speak a different language, ranks high as a cause for apprehension for many expatriates. The Expat Info Desk guide to Paris contains details of where you can find English speaking medical attention, together with full details of medical services on offer in Paris, how you can find them and how you can pay for them.

6) Blending in

Our expat guide to living and working in Paris contains inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing situations and mistakes, assist you to feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and provide you with the insights you need to develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

7) Reality bites

There are plenty of travel books and Internet sites out there that describe Paris and the people you will find there but what you really when you relocate to a new country is someone who has made the move themselves and can share their first hand experiences with you. We are that someone. Our guide to living and working in Paris tells you exactly what it is like and what you can expect in a practical, straightforward style.

Your only expat guide to Paris; Feel at home abroad – Fast!

Price of this guide:£22.25
Purchase this guide

About the guide author

Laura Zvulun

Laura Zvulun Laura Zvulun's love of France may have started in New York City 15 years ago when she worked at The French Culinary Institute as the Director of Alumni Affairs. She obtained the FCI Grand Diplôme for Culinary Arts and went on to apply her culinary background to an editorial career at Food and Wine Magazine. After leaving New York to work as a Chef and Cruise Director on small ships in the Mediterranean, she and her husband settled in Paris. Five years later, Laura continues to revel in the French cuisine and culture, and more recently with the addition of her three children, the Parisian parks and playgrounds.


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Paris

Sample guide

If you'd like to read 4 sample chapters from this guide please enter your email address in the form below. You'll then be emailed a link to view the sample guide.

four top tips

  • 01Once you have found a good bakery in your neighborhood, visit regularly. They are institutions and offer interesting information about the local area.
  • 02The '3 plans par arrondissement' is by far the best local map, and so compact that it takes up little space in a bag.
  • 03The seemingly constant flood of locksmith service advertisements in your mailbox may seem annoying, but slip one under your doormat, you may need it!
  • 04Learn the language, you will find that there are large swathes of Parisian life that you will miss completely if you don't speak the language.

Interesting fact

The population of the city of Paris is approximately 2.2 million people, who live in an area of 41 square miles and a further 10.5 million in the Île de France.

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