Just as fairytales portray an idealized view of love, the image of Paris pushed by brands and instagrammers is a privileged, airbrushed version of French life — one the vast majority of Parisians never experience.
You can live and learn, or you can take the advice of those who have “been there, done that” before you in Paris. Hear what these foreigners say they wish they knew before moving to Paris.
Moving to another country for love is romantic, adventurous and very, very hard. As the spouse of a local, you do have a leg up in many ways. But you still have to adjust to a foreign land, create a new life and integrate into a different society.
With the world increasingly globalized, more companies in France are opening up to people without excellent French language skills. Some multi-national companies work primarily in English in order to compete, while certain industries cater specifically to Anglophones.
Before celebrating your one-year anniversary in France, you need to apply for a carte de séjour to ensure you can stay. What a lovely gift from the French government! However, the process of preparing begins many months before your visa expires.
Once you’ve lived in France for three months and established residency, you’re eligible for French national health coverage — Woohoo! But to reap all the benefits, you’ll first need a numero de securité sociale and a carte Vitale.
When the person you love comes from a different country, there are challenges to your relationship that most couples take for granted.
As I learned, bouncing into your new job with your American working style and enthusiasm probably isn’t the best way to proceed. But good news, some of the differences are wonderful!
Moving across town is stressful. Moving to another continent will test your mental stability. Six months ago, my French husband and I made the jump from the United States to France, and let me tell you I learned some things!
Moving to another country can be a transformative experience, but it is not without challenges to consider. If you’re thinking about making the jump overseas, ask yourself these five questions before packing your bags.