Want to move from America to Paris, is this realistic?

[Neal]

Hey guys, I am American and want to move to Paris. I speak enough french to get what I want and need around the city but not well enough to communicate effectively in the business world. I am wondering if it is realistic for me to be able to find a job and move as I will need to work to support myself over there. Is it really possible? Anyone one here done it?

[Neal]

Anyone have any advice?

[frenchtoast]

I think it depends on how much money you have to spare. Additionally, it would be good if you could try to find a job before you get there.

[giantpanda]

Originally Posted by Neal

Hey guys, I am American and want to move to Paris. I speak enough french to get what I want and need around the city but not well enough to communicate effectively in the business world. I am wondering if it is realistic for me to be able to find a job and move as I will need to work to support myself over there. Is it really possible? Anyone one here done it?

Hi!

I suggest you do not move before you have a job. This can be rather difficult.

Further you should look at the specificiations you need to comply to get a working permit.
At present I can not post the link here ( because I am a newbie ).

But your could contact the French Embassy or consulate in USA, which will inform you.

Yours,

giantpanda

[giantpanda]

Originally Posted by Neal

Hey guys, I am American and want to move to Paris. I speak enough french to get what I want and need around the city but not well enough to communicate effectively in the business world. I am wondering if it is realistic for me to be able to find a job and move as I will need to work to support myself over there. Is it really possible? Anyone one here done it?

Hi!

see: also here:

Etrangers en France - Service-public.fr

Yours,

giantpanda

[TTdots]

Originally Posted by Neal

Hey guys, I am American and want to move to Paris. I speak enough french to get what I want and need around the city but not well enough to communicate effectively in the business world. I am wondering if it is realistic for me to be able to find a job and move as I will need to work to support myself over there. Is it really possible? Anyone one here done it?

Yes... I have done it... In general, I like moving and I have lived, in Rome, Athens, London, Aberdeen, Milan and now Paris.. and out of all these places I had the worst time in Paris... When I moved here I had a job already. It is very difficult to rent a flat, but I am very combfortable financially so I paid 8months rent in advance for them to accept me. The French are quite close people and do not like to socialise with foreigners. Despite the fact that me and my husband speak French (otherwise.... you are in REAL trouble if you come to live here...) and despite the fact that we are very sociable, we did not manage to get many new friends here...
Also the weather is always so bad -it is cold and raining all the time-, there is hardly any sunshine and this makes people very moody and sad.
Bottom line... beware... Paris is very beautiful to visit as a tourist, but not to live. The supposed quality of life is all a myth... you can find better elsewhere...

[parsnips]

Originally Posted by TTdots

Yes... I have done it... In general, I like moving and I have lived, in Rome, Athens, London, Aberdeen, Milan and now Paris.. and out of all these places I had the worst time in Paris... When I moved here I had a job already. It is very difficult to rent a flat, but I am very combfortable financially so I paid 8months rent in advance for them to accept me. The French are quite close people and do not like to socialise with foreigners. Despite the fact that me and my husband speak French (otherwise.... you are in REAL trouble if you come to live here...) and despite the fact that we are very sociable, we did not manage to get many new friends here...
Also the weather is always so bad -it is cold and raining all the time-, there is hardly any sunshine and this makes people very moody and sad.
Bottom line... beware... Paris is very beautiful to visit as a tourist, but not to live. The supposed quality of life is all a myth... you can find better elsewhere...

Hi,
This may all be true of Paris, but as any frenchman who lives elsewhere will tell you Paris is not France.
Outside the main cities we have found in the 16 years we have lived in rural France that the people are very open, friendly and welcoming--speaking french ,or at least, making an effort to do so- does help.
Once you get south of the Loire river, the weather, at least outside the winter season, and in the southwest, is generally warm and sunny.
It is ,however true anywhere in France,especially now, that without a steady job already arranged,and being able to speak good french , coming in hope of finding employment is just about hopeless.