Moving: Cost of living and other considerations

[Sarhay]

Hello!
I am new to the forum as I just found out that I am being moved to Paris by my company! I have been looking for some information online and have been unsuccessful so I thought that I would ask for some help!

First, does anyone know of a cost of living calculator between the USA and Paris? I currently make around $90,000 in Ohio and need to understand what I would have to make to have a similar standard of living.

Second, I will have very little time to find an apartment in Paris. Is an apartment difficult for an American to find? What is an average months rent in Paris?

This is all for now as I am still negotiating! I am sure most questions will come up as this come more into focus.

Thanks to anyone who has any information to share~
Sarah

[Bevdeforges]

First of all, congratulations! An assignment to Paris is something to be proud of.

To take your questions in order:
1. Cost of living. There are a tremendous number of COL calculators on the web, but personally I find them kind of misleading. What's important to know is whether you'll be on an "expat package" or on the local payroll.

With an expat package, the company generally tries to keep you even with your Stateside salary and taxes (often including someone to do your taxes, which get complicated when you fall under two jurisdictions as you will). With an expat package, you retain your US pay (usually) and have certain allowances paid for housing, trips home, etc. They generally continue your US based health insurance and continue to pay into US Social Security for you. (Doing so exempts you from paying French withholdings for a certain period of time, provided they are planning on transferring you back.)

Under a local payroll arrangement, you're paid just exactly like anyone working for the company in Paris (with French social insurances, retirement, etc. taken out of your pay) and the company doesn't subsidize your accommodation or other typical expat benefits. If they are transferring you "permanently" it could be an advantage to go onto the local payroll right away.

2. To find an apartment fairly quickly, you want to get to know FUSAC - it's a free want-ad publication that's available in most English-language bookshops and other hangouts in Paris, and it's available online France U.S.A. Contacts: cultural exchange between France and the USA

They have a variety of rental agents - for both furnished and unfurnished flats - and the agents are used to dealing with Americans (and Brits). (In fact, many of them ARE Americans or Brits themselves.) Rents are steep in Paris (as in any major city), and most newcomers are startled to discover how small the apartments are here. But if your company is subsidizing your housing, they may be willing to set you up with a rental agency or even a relocation expert who can help you get settled in.

[coldel]

Hey there Sarah,

All a bit deja vu! I have experienced both situations Bevdeforges raised above. Im from the UK and last year did a 1 year work placement with my company in Tokyo, they were obliged to pay for accomodation and stick to matching my UK pay level.

I returned to the UK for a couple of months and then took a permanent position in Paris again with the same company. I was hit with a 0.85 mulitplier to my wage for CoL. You might find that the company you work for has a specific level which they will apply as was the case when I moved. A good idea is to look at French job agencies for your own job if you have any concerns, I found even with the multiplier I was still earning well above what most companies were offering for a similar job.

With regards to accomodation, the FUSAC is a good option. I ended up getting my apartment via an agency (found via googleing!), this will mean paying high agency fees though. Since Ive moved in Ive certainly got my monies worth via refurbs and maintenance though, they have been very helpful and they handle all the utilities for me (Not sure if you know but admin in France is just crazy). As a guide I got a 55 m2 1 bed apartment on Ile Saint Louis for 1700 Euros per month, I think it was a bargain given the location, I may be wrong!

You should also look as soon as possible into sorting out a bank account if you are being paid locally. As I experienced it can be a long and painful process...in the end I just went after a few banks and went with the one which processed everything the quickest which was HSBC they do a good account for foreigners moving to France.

You mentioned you are negotiating...what I managed to get from my company for the move was:

They paid the first months rent, the agency fees and the deposit of my apartment.
They paid for a professional removals company to shift my things.
They are paying for 50 hours of french lessons!
Two return tickets back to the UK per year.

But generally, although it may feel like CoL is a big issue (and it is!) my location, the atmosphere, the work environment and the city/people far outweigh the numbers on my salary slip. I always stop for Chocolat Chaud and a Crossaint on the way to work...a 20 minute Metro journey into work and a normal working schedule of 7-8 hours per day is heaven!

Sorry about the long email, if more questions come up do let me know! I found it totally confusing moving round the world so I understand how great it is to hear about someones experiences and tips!

Good luck!

Col