Moving to Paris to live

Hi guys. I know this page is all concerning to Germany, but i need lot of help in this case. I am moving to Paris next year but i need to start knowing everything about it. If anyone has been in the lovely city and know the prices of aprts, cost of living,good clubs,etc, would be great. I´m 21 years old,student and not Bill Gate´s son, so you can have an idea

Thank you and please keep in touch with me for further details in case you need it.

PM me. I live here. In Paris, that is.

Wow, great!!! Do you have any msn or skype?? Like i said, i am a student ( Student budget) and i really dont know anything about the city. Give me some tipps. Thank you once again.

John,

You can go to http://www.appartager.com to find a roommate.

Other than that, I don't know what kind of tips you need.

What will you be doing? Where? Living costs there will depend so much on the area you choose - a small walk-up in the 6th Arrondissement versus a larger appt in the 20th ... or outside of the city...

Check out http://www.appartager.com/ for shared appts. Good luck!

Oops - Saint beat me to it...

Which school will you attend?

John,

Rents on the outskirts of the city are about 20€ per square meter. I pay over 31€ per square meter but I live across the street from Notre Dame.

It's best that you live in a student apartment in the 18th, 19th or 20th arrondissement. Or seek subsidized student housing through your school.

Thanks a lot for the web page. O.k i will continue my career ( International Business) in Paris School of Business. I am looking for a nice,clean,good located room. Do you think a student can live with 800 Euros per month??

In Paris,..barely.

No, you are going to have to supplment your income I think.

the metro is 53€ per month

Your rent will be about 350€ if you are lucky.

Then you need to eat, purchase school supplies, go out occassionally, sometimes buy new clothing. You need about 1200- 1500 a month. Paris in an expensive city to live in. A 250 ml beer cost 6€.

PSB is in the 11th & 12th Arron to the East of the city - I believe they have a Housing office but contact them early as I know that most of the schools had a really hard time providing housing 2 years ago and this resulted in some student strikes, but mostly in the public sector.

Look in the 11th & 12 for housing - Bastille & Nation are good areas as they have a nightlife, too. But it's Paris

Make sure you get a student reduction on the "carte orange". Other than that - Saint is on the money - Paris is an expensive city.

God Jesus!!! You already scared me!!! O.k, so i have to break my ass then and make money fast in here before moving out, hahahaha!!! Can you tell me something about the French culture, i dont want to be rude or insult anyone ( I already had lot of bad experiences)

Don't worry about being rude or insulting - it is a big city, it takes all sorts, and is very flexible.

PS: But do not call the "Ober" over with a "Garcon"

John,

just buy a few books like!

or if you're on a budget go sit on the floor of the English bookstore for the afternoon.

Gracias Zemonkey. Eres de Mexico o California?? Yo naci en Burbank!! Pero mi familia es de Venezuela. Excelente tenr a alguien que hable espanol y sepa algo de Paris. Como manifeste, crees que un estudiante pueda vivir con 800 o 1000 Euros en Paris? Que necesito saber antes de llegar alla? Es mejor pasar por Latino o como Americano?

Gracias por tu tiempo

A useful hint from the forum guidelines (so if your mensaje en español gets deleted, you will know why):


As already mentioned, Paris is very expensive; €800 won't go a very long way so it would be a good idea to try and save some money before you relocate. Paris is a fantastic city, though, enjoy it!

Try expatica. did not do me any good when i was in Paris but may help you. Parisian culture is built on ignorance. Do not take it personally when they treat you badly,or insult you. Shout them back in English. Most of them says they dont speak English but they understand it quite well. Try Moose in St Germain if you miss American football.

Would you care to explain? Perhaps I'm ignorant but I don't see what you're driving at.

I believe it is as clear as spring water.

Ah bon? Thanks for that eloquent and crystal-clear explanation, I'll crawl back under my rock now.

O.k guys i am asking for help in here not for fighting. I think you´ll find rude people around the world ( New York, Paris,Caracas,Frankfurt,etc.) Thank you Sharpe for your suggestion but i dont like to shout to the people. What about restaurants, clubbs, i dont want to be involved in the American or Latino culture, i want to experience real Parisian folklore.

Thanks to all the people for your time.

Folklore, well.

Check out:
http://pollyvousfrancais.blogspot.com/

I've heard that Turkish culture is built on ignorance but I've never heard that about Paris, or the French! And I don't believe what I heard about Turkish culture because I heard it from grumpy Germans who were probably biased.

anyway, if you mean ignorance in the "I can't understand you when you speak English", sense (they lie like they breath, the DO understand English) then you are correct. But that's not culture and Paris surely hasn't built it's culture upon that. I would say Parisian culture is based on centralism, isolationism (from the rest of France..Paris is like the rest of France the same way NY City is like the rest of the US) and a great metro system (even if it does smell)

The French are dirty, rude and arrogant but definitely not ignorant. And yes I love the French and France.

@j70
Have you read some of the existing threads on Paris? Here is one: Visiting Paris - Recommended sights and activities. It does deal with "touristy" stuff but you'll find some useful information there.

Unlike some people, I think Paris is an absolute cultural delight. You could live there for years and never get bored. Try to learn some French, it would be a pity not to, and it shouldn't be too difficult since you already speak Spanish. Incidentally, I never found the French to be particularly rude; waiters and shop assistants, for instance - at least in my experience - are much more pleasant and helpful than their counterparts in Munich.

Just be yourself- however you self-identify. Quite a few Parisians have spent time in the US and liked it there. You should have an easy time making friends among your fellow students- many of whom will be from Africa and other countries outside of Europe. Don't be surprised if you run into a few from Venezuela.

That is completely true!! The Parisians are much friendlier than the Germans. In the metro they actually hold the swinging doors for each other, say "please and thankyou" and the metro and bus drivers actually WAIT for you if the see you running towards the train. I have had two metro drivers let me ride up front with them. And no, they didn't try to paw me.

If you speak some French the waiters appreciate it and are friendly. Learn the lingo to avoid being charged tourist prices in restaurants. Always ask for a glass or carafe of water, never bottled water (unless you don't drink tap water). Order a "café" or a "noisette" not a cappuccino. The difference in price is about 3-4 €, really.

Learn the streets so taxi drivers can't rip you off and don't be afraid to argue!

Lastly, do not make the mistake that I made recently: I had my hair done and did not arrange the price ahead of time so they over charged me. Tell people you are a student and they will go easier on you.

I did not hear this from anyone. I lived 2 years in Paris and this is my perception. And my perception is my reality.

You could also try PM'ing Bubble Gum. She went to university in Paris and might be able to give you some insights on being a poor student here. I'm a *bit* past that age, so I don't think I'd be of much help.

(except I do have two wardrobes and a few tables I'm trying to get rid of...)

edit: totally agree with Saint - like living amongst clowns compared to Germany. Not that Munich doesn't have its high points, mind, or that service here is spectacular...

And John, be glad you're not a woman in Paris. Parisian men are born rakes!

While in Paris John don’t miss out on a night out at Le Queen at 102, Avenue des Champs Elysées. The French guys there are extremely friendly and will want to buy you drinks. If you don’t speak any French and don’t understand what they are saying just smile and keep saying yes.

oh, that's just mean!

Well if he is on a tight budget surley he wants to know where to get free drinks.

John, ignore Battalion Boy..he's a cheeky little b*****d

John, there used to be stipends for foreign students in France (as of late 1990s). I don't have any details, as it was a family member who told me about this, but it may be worth looking into.

(Des los dos lugares - 10 anos en Mexico DF, 10 en Palo Alto, 15 en Francia, et otros anos en otros lugares)

From both places (now answering in English, as it is the board language) - I too find it will be hard to live on 800-1000 Euros in Paris - I suggest you look into giving classes there (Cervantes?)... Or hit the tourist-related businesses - backoffice/phone support, not the "bike tour guide" thing until you really know the city. Tourism is a major, major Paris industry.

BTW, if you like to bike here, the key to getting around is the metro - cyclists in Paris have a suicide pact.

If you do not speak French, it is essential that you try to learn some - the French can be rude with people that start a conversation in English, but I found Parisians direct and easy to get along with. Spanish will help with learning French. With a Latin American background, you'll come across as exotic, enjoy that.

Take a look at the website of La Cité Internationale Universitaire de PARIS ... lots of useful tips and information for students in Paris (Spanish/English/French)

O.k people, i went to Paris for 5 days. And let me tell you something: What a beautiful,incredible,full of energie city. I´ve been in some European,Asian,Latin American citities but i cant explain what i felt about Paris. Of course it was 5 days only and i still have to learn so much but it was a very nice experience. I love Germany and for me each country has it own culture, the idea is to respect the people and behavior. In a way i feel sad because i am leaving Germany, i came here with many dreams and goals, however life always give you signs and you have to be aware of it. Thank you sooo much for your time,patience and words i really do appreciate all that. If you have more information please dont hesitate and send it, maybe we can discuss about it. Conquistador, thank you for your " free drinks" tip, hahaha, i will try it. I came to Europe to enjoy my life and that is my reason for being alive. Hope to keep in touch with all you guys. Always a friend and an expat

I've never been to Paris but I have lived/worked in Lyon. I found the french more accommodating when you spoke their language and they are more polite than most germans (IMHO).
However, try not to get too frustrated with the admin side of things, they love their paperwork. I waited three years for my health insurance card (it took three weeks here) and don't get me started on the 'carte de sejour'.
Have fun!

Further to the original question, does anyone know of a website like Toytown for expats in Paris (or France)?

Thanks and kind regards,

Sara

Lost in France ...