Living in Paris, France, means living in one of the most romantic cities in the world. 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. The work ethic in France, however, is different than in other western countries like the UK or the US, with the French people placing a bigger emphasis on home life and family as opposed to work. Quality of life is very important in Paris, which is one of the reasons it is so popular with the expat crowd. 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.

Living in Paris: Guide Contents

The Expat Info Desk international relocation guide to living in Paris is a comprehensive information source that addresses the following topics-

1) Living legally in Paris

The Expat Info Desk guide to living in 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 Expat Info Desk guide to living in 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 Expat Info Desk 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 Expat Info Desk guide to living in 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 Expat Info Desk 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 when moving overseas.

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 need 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 living in Paris; Feel at home abroad – Fast!