Hello, I am daydreaming/starting to think seriously about moving to Paris for maybe as long as five years. It would be a sort of pre-retirement retirement, so I would not be looking for work, just a cheap place to live. Everything I find on the internet concerns people who want to work there, but I can't find any details on what kind of documents/permissions one needs to just *live* in Paris, or information about what one would do about health insurance, etc. Do you happen to know, or could you steer me to some web sites?

Hello i am Software Professional and living in London and now want to move my self to Paris or some where else in France where some software company are there so that i can work in some software company..

I have following question...

1. Do you know what is the best place in France where some Software companies are there apart from Paris.
2. As I worked in non English speaking country also but don't know about France..do software jobs also required French Language expertise..as i don't have one..
3. I know from your last post about finding the job in France ..but do u know any specific website which is specifically for Software Jobs..

Thanks any information will be greatly appreciated.

Hi, I am English and want to move to Paris! Do I need to get any kind of Visa / authorisation to live and work in France as an EU citizen? I have seen a few jobs advertised in FUSAC which I could feasibly do (I am not fluent in French). I have looked at apartments and like the look of one in arrondissement 11, it's a 12m sq studio. What I am wondering is do you know roughly what utility bills would be like, e.g. like electric water heater etc. I know it depends on usage but is this generally expensive? Also, what do you think about the 11th district as a place to live?
Many Thanks

Hello, thanks for your question. You won't need any sort of visa to come to France, you can just come on by when you like. If you want you can try applying for a 'carte de séjour' at the Préfecture de Police once you settle in, but it's not really necessary.

Electricity and other utilities in France are typically slightly less than in England (although can appear more expensive if you use electricity for cooking and heating).

The 11th is a great area to live in (I have a few friends who live/have lived there) particularly if you're young as it's lively with bars and cafés and well served by transport.

Thank You. I stayed in the 11th last time I was in Paris and I liked it there. Can I ask what you found hardest about relocating to Paris? I am half scared and half excited by the prospect! Mostly because I won't know anyone. I don't speak fluent French and am wondering if this is a big disadvantage in general day to day life? Thanks for the advice, your site is a great find!

Hello! The hardest thing probably was not knowing anyone and that my French wasn't fluent, so it made conversation difficult. Basically you just need to make an effort to get out there and meet as many people as you can. You'd be surprised how many English speakers there are here, you can always start with English speaking associations and get to know people that way, and then work your way into meeting the French. It's not easy but if you work at it it will go away :)

Hi, I've wanted to relocate to Paris, or Lyon for about five years since my first visit. I spent nine years in education and am now in the insurance business. I've read a number of blogs and forums on the subject. You seem to have your act together and tell it like it is. With my work experience that I've been in should I just shelve my dreams or is there a possibility I can get there?

Hi, thanks for your question. It's true the two sectors you have experience in are highly regulated industries-not just any one can set up shop and start selling insurance and you have to have a certain level of training in order to teach (particularly in the public sector).

I've been searching on google for a while and it's difficult to get a straight answer. For insurance it seems like it would be tough going: you need to be either French or an EU citizen, or a citizen of a country that has a reciprocal agreement with France. Unfortunately I can't find a list of these countries, but I'd suggest you get in touch with the AGEA (http://www.agea.fr) and ask them if you meet the nationality requirements, and then eventually if you need more training.

Education is much more varied in terms of possibilities, but you can pretty much cross off teaching in public elementary and high schools full time as these are only open to French citizens and require very specific training and exams. I'm not sure what you're specialties are, but you can try to teach courses at universities or Grandes Ecoles, do group courses or private tutoring (although speaking from experience private tutoring won't pay much) with private schools or training centres.

I don't like saying something is impossible--where there's a will there's a way, but you do have two difficult careers for foreigners to break into in France. If you really want to come to France you may want to look at your transferable skills and see what else you might be able (and willing) to do. And use your native language to your advantage!

Thanks.  I've been considering becoming certified as a TEFL teacher.  I realize that it still may be difficult to find employment since I'm not a EU citizen but it might get me in the door somewhere.  I'll check out the AGEA as well.  Thanks for the info and encouragement.  I'll keep plugging away. 




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I'm moving to France from California and want to know what I should take with me. What items are more expensive in France? Thanks.