| Originally from Seattle, Washington, this American expat has been living in France for five years now. Here she talks about what life as an expat in Paris is like for her, describes her initial employment experiences, and shares some advice about living in France - like learning to accept certain things the way they are. |
 A Seattleite in Paris |
-Where were you born?
-In which country and city are you living now?
I currently live in Paris, France.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
-How long have you been living in France?
I’ve been in France 5 years and in Paris around 4 years.-What is your age?
30 (but in my head I’m still 19)
-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?
My high school graduation gift from my parents was a trip to Western Europe. We visited several different countries and I think on some level, I knew then that I would live somewhere in Europe for at least a few months.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Yes! The student visa wasn't a problem, but it required a lot of paperwork. The work permit was very difficult and required "sponsorship" of a company.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No. As a student, I had insurance through the school and kept it through my internship and until I was employed in a full time and permanent position. But even if someone is in France without insurance, doctor visits are inexpensive.
-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?
I work in marketing. After grad school I found a marketing internship with an international company. The working language of the office is English and the person who interviewed me is American, both are factors which worked in my favor. After my internship ended, a different manager in the same department had an opening and hired me. The company used an immigration consultant to help with the work permit paperwork. It took several months of waiting, but the work permit was approved. I now work for a different company.
-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I speak French and I don't know how I would manage if I didn't. My personal belief is that it's important to at least attempt to learn the local language if you're going to be in the country for more than a few months. It's also important to try to understand the local customs. That said, I have known foreigners who lived in Paris for a year or more and didn't learn French. One person told he didn't see the need since Paris is such an international city and a lot of people speak English.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Yes, I do miss home and my family sometimes, especially my mother's cooking. In general I miss the conveniences of the U.S. such as 24-hour grocery stores, finding restaurants that serve food any time of the day (other than a McD or boulangeries). Sometimes I miss understanding how things work without having to asking someone.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
No specific plans at the moment.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I'm currently renting and share a 2-bedroom apartment with a French roommate. It's tough to give a range for rent in Paris because it can vary widely depending on different factors (e.g., the neighborhood, size of the apartment, if the building has an elevator, etc.). If you rent a chambre de bonnes (maid's room) or studio in a "not great" area, your range will be very different than a large apartment in a posh arrondisement like the 8th or 16th. I prefer to share an apartment because I get more space.-What is the cost of living in France?
That's very hard to say. If you live outside of Paris, the cost of living will be less. I prefer to pay more on rent and live in the city. When I moved to Paris from the small city where I went to grad school, my rent doubled. Outside of rent there are ways to save money. My company pays for 1/2 of my monthy public transport pass. And most companies have a subsidized cafeteria or provide you with restaurant tickets that are usually worth €7- €8 per ticket. Part of the cost of the ticket is taken from your salary and the company pays the rest. Many large companies also have what's called a comite d'entreprise that provides benefits such as reduced price cinema tickets.
-What do you think about the French?
It really depends on the individual. I've met and become friends with some French peple who are extremely friendly and helpful. I've met others who are just mean. Parisians have a reputation for being rude to foreigners. But once you've been here a while you see that they are that way with everyone, including French people.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?
The list of both could go on forever. I love how the French tend to take time to enjoy life. For example, long vacations are common and they take time to enjoy meals. The universal healthcare system (which we currently lack in the US) is great.
The more negative aspects are that the country is slow to change - look at the strikes that heppen whenever changes in employment laws/regulations are proposed. There is also a self-assuredness that can come across as an arrogance and/or a disdain for anything not French.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?
If you don't speak the language, learn it or at least learn a few key phrases. Find a local who can explain certain things like taxes and the healthcare system. Also, read a book about the French that will give some insights into the culture. I recommend Steven Clarke's Talk to the Snail and Sarah Turbull's Almost French. And don't try to make sense of everything. Sometimes you have to tell yourself that certain things are the way they are and not try to figure out why.-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?
Of course there's my own blog: A Seattleite in Paris.
I would also recommend ParisBlog (a site that has posts from different Paris bloggers), Stuff Parisians Like (a funny explanation of Parisians) and Paris Daily Photo (wonderful photos from around Paris).
