Moving to Paris: 18 things to know before coming to live in Paris

Thinking of coming to live in Paris, whether for work or studies, but you don't know what to expect? Would you like to know more about the capital before leaving the province? We reviewed the things you should have in mind before moving to Paris.

 

 

1) Staying in Paris is expensive, very expensive

Do you find that your apartment of 50m² at 550 € in the provinces is a financial chasm?

Review your expectations because you will need to count on average € 31 / m² to stay in Paris. In the 6th arrondissement you can go up to € 37 / m2 and some other highly prized districts even happily exceed € 38 / m² on average.

With comparable characteristics, a Parisian rent is 48.9% more expensive than its provincial equivalent and the total cost for accommodation (including all charges) is 24.7% higher.

2) Some boroughs remain more affordable

Some districts remain below the symbolic bar of 30 € / m², for the moment.

It is mainly the districts outside of Paris that are resisting. We can for example cite the 19th where the square meter is around 27 € (some districts even go as low as 24.8 €) and the 20th and its 27.8 € / m².

In ascending order you will then find: the 12th arrondissement, the 13th, the 14th and the 15th. The 18th arrives at 30 € / m² all stack.

3) The move itself is also more expensive

In addition to all the costs to be incurred for your move, it will be necessary to add the rental of the parking space of your moving truck.

Next summer, the mayor of Paris will set up a package to pay for the reservation of parking space for moving trucks.

All moves to Paris that involve a truck, whether professional or private, must be paid online and in advance between 17 € and 70 €. The price depends on the duration of the space rental, the size of the truck and the parking space.

The problem is that the location itself is not even reserved for you ...

4) think about shared accommodation

Under these conditions, more and more people are turning to colocation as a means of reducing the bill at the end of the month.

Today almost as many employees as students use it.

Sites like Appartager have specialized in this area. You can also consult sources such as LocService and La Carte des Colocs to get an idea of ​​the type of ads available.

5) Wages are higher

The cost of living is higher in Paris, it is a reality, but the good news is that wages are too!

According to the latest INSEE Paris report, it ranks second, just behind Hauts-de-Seine, in terms of average gross hourly wages with its € 26.2.

On average it is estimated that the salaries of Parisians are 20% to 25% higher than those of their provincial counterparts. A good point for Paris.

6) We spend time in transport

The traffic jams and the Paris metro platforms are not a myth.

It could not be otherwise in such a densely populated area.

It is estimated that Parisians spend twice as much time in transport as they would in the provinces to and from work.

The average journey time is 37 minutes, while 55% of French people, all regions combined, do not exceed the 30 minute journey. In Ile de France, it takes an average of 44 minutes to get to your place of work and this can go up to 52 minutes using public transport.

7) And especially in public transport

74% of French people use their car to get around and yet, in Paris, only 10% do so.

So there is a good chance that you will use the metro, RER, bus or Vélib ’at one time or another.

That's good since the public transport system in the capital is the most developed in France. You can travel at any time (or almost), in any direction, thanks to a Navigo pass at only € 75.20 per month (often paid 50% by the employer).

When you see the price of certain subscriptions in the provinces, the capital should not be ashamed of its transport offers.

8) The number of restaurants is staggering

It is estimated that there is a restaurant in Paris for 235 inhabitants, against one for 2229 in Le Havre for example.

Paris attracts and it is therefore natural that there are a number of Michelin-starred chefs, both French and foreign

necessarily something to satisfy you, regardless of the size of your portfolio. From the neighborhood bistro that serves delicious pizzas to the luxury restaurant with panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, via all kinds of vegetarian or exotic restaurants, Paris will amaze your taste buds and your senses.

9) In Paris, we love going out

It is estimated that 20% of Parisians go out in the evening, against only 5% of inhabitants of suburbs. 40% return home directly after work, compared to 66% of Ile-de-France residents.

It is true that between restaurants, bistros, night bars, exhibitions, screenings, etc., there is plenty to do in the streets of Paris after dark.

Speaking of exposure, on average it is estimated that there are a hundred in Paris at any one time. You will be able to train your artistic sense.

10) You are (probably) going to ride a bicycle

Surely you already know the principle: you pay a subscription, you borrow a Vélib ’, you put it down at the station closest to your place of arrival and you pay half an hour.

The current price for a V-Max subscription, which allows you to take advantage of electric Vélibs, is € 8.50 / month + € 1 per 30-minute period.

The first hour is offered for mechanical bikes while only the first half hour is offered for electric bikes.

Thanks to the REVe plan put in place by the town hall and which should be completed by 2020, more and more cycle lanes in good condition are made available to cyclists.

You can reach all of Paris quickly and it is even the fastest means of transport if your journey is less than 5km! Your health will say thank you.

11) avoid getting sick

Life is expensive in Paris for everyone, including doctors. It is estimated that the excess fees in Paris are 12.2% higher than in the provinces.

To this must be added the fact that certain entire districts of Paris are classified as ZIP (Priority Intervention Zone) because of the lack of doctors and the number of retirements. The 18th and 19th are the districts most affected by medical deserts, but several districts of Paris are also in this case.

If you are moving with your family, remember to do your research before your installation to find a doctor who can treat you quickly.

12) There are specialized stores in any field

Living in the capital brings sometimes unexpected benefits: the quantity of specialized stores, in any field whatsoever.

Vegans will be able to find products available nowhere else because the offer is much more extensive than in provincial stores.

Artists will find all the brands of paints and brushes they could only order until then.

Herbal enthusiasts can visit Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement to shop. Etc.

To live in Paris is to broaden one's cultural horizon.

13) Nursery placement is easier in Paris

It can be very difficult to get a place in a crèche, to the point of sometimes creating a real competition.

This is not the case for the Ile de France since it is one of the twelve departments best off at this level.

Depending on the district, your chances of winning the Holy Grail are not quite the same, obviously, but it is estimated for example that in the 10th there is 1 place for 3 children, against 6 places for 100 children in some provincial towns.

As everywhere else it is better to start early, but the fact remains that your procedures will be greatly facilitated

14) Meetings are easier

If you are not interested in crèches, know that it is easier to meet people in Paris.

Whatever your hobbies, you will inevitably find people to share them with. Nightlife and cultural events also help immensely, find out about art galleries and other exhibits around your future home.

Finally, we do not necessarily think about it but the dating applications work of thunder in the capital, density of population obliges. It’s a good way to meet people, whether friendly or otherwise.

15) In Paris, everything is gray… or not

Are you afraid of leaving your region where everything is green, the air is pure and where the birds are singing to come and live in a city made of bitumen, glass and steel?

Nay. Certain districts or even entire districts are known for their greenery.

This is for example the case of the twentieth arrondissement of Paris where there are no less than 2,575 trees per square kilometer.

You can also find Eden Bio, a 100% green neighborhood signed Edouard François, the "green giant". Buildings with wooden facades, plants climbing walls, small alleys, greenhouses where bikes and vines rub shoulders… in short, a real little paradise nestled in the heart of Paris.

When you know that this is one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Paris with an average rental of around 27.7 € / m², you tell yourself that the future is not so gray!

16) Paris loves athletes

In addition to the growing number of sports clubs of all kinds, Paris also wishes to become a more sporting city and has decided to invest in this direction.

The objective is to allow, by 2020, all Parisians to be less than 5 minutes from free sports equipment.

Zumba, fitness, yoga and other classes will be given free on weekends in parks and in city squares.

At the start of the 2019 school year, the “Sports Break Lunch” system will be initiated, allowing employees to play sports during their lunch break, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

At least one swimming pool will be open at all times of the day and week.

For more information on the project, go to the municipality's website.

17) The pace of life is completely different

Did you make fun of these Parisians running through the subway corridors when there is one every three minutes? However, that’s probably what awaits you when you come to live in Paris.

With travel times twice as long in a city that doesn't get much - if ever - and is crowded and noisy, every minute you spend traveling from point A to point B becomes precious.

Stress is a Parisian plague but rest assured, everyone finds a technique to reduce it as much as possible. Whether it's listening to music, podcasts, playing games on the phone, or taking the bus rather than the metro, you will find your solution.

18) Living in Paris means having access to everything

If you need to take a weekend break, don't forget that you are in Paris. With its six large stations and three airports, no other French city opens up so many horizons for you.

In a few clicks you can jump on a train to go see the beaches of Normandy, the forests of Brittany or the mountains of Savoy.

Without much more trouble, you can take the plane or the Eurostar for a getaway on the other side of the Channel, whether in England, Ireland or Scotland.

And if you do not have time to leave Paris to change your mind, in 2018 no less than 1644 hotels were listed in the capital. Why not take an overnight getaway to recharge your batteries?