Moving to Paris

Expats move to Paris with high hopes that the city can stand up to the siren’s song that often lures foreigners to its heart. Nearly 50 million a year flock to France’s capital either for a brief visit or an extended lifetime.

The truly global city hosts the headquarters of thirty-seven Fortune 500 companies, and any number of global humanitarian and economic organizations. Its urban area is Europe's biggest city economy after London, and produces over a quarter of France's total GDP. Expats will find a plethora of options for both work and play.

Expats moving to Paris will find it one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate. The city is divided into twenty arrondissements (districts) each of which are given a number. Paris is fairly flat; with the only major geographic landmarks being the Seine River, which bisects then curls and caresses the city, and the low hill of Montmartre.

The Paris climate is pleasant, seldom peaking above 77°F(25°C) in summer, and seldom dropping below freezing in winter. The summer months in the city are tourist season, and almost out of nowhere bustling masses of foreigners swarm the riverbanks and the cobbled side streets.

There are hundreds of restaurants in Paris which celebrate the French culinary culture. Many of these will be highly priced. Opting for a set menu or meal of the day (plat du jour), can cost as little as €15, whereas a dinner in a tourist trap restaurant will cost upward of €70.

Museums in Paris often have specials.

Expats moving to Paris will find the public transport in the city excellent, with an extensive system of buses and trains. There is also a bicycle system in place called Velib. The city is certainly pedestrian friendly, and a car in Paris is a luxury that only businessmen and status seekers desire.