The cost of living in Paris compared to the USA can vary significantly depending on the specific city in the USA and the lifestyle one leads. Generally, Paris is known to be an expensive city to live in compared to many capitols in Europe, though cheaper than most major cities in the United States. Factors…
As an expat residing in France, there are numerous reasons to visit La Poste. Firstly, it offers a reliable and extensive network for both domestic and international mail and parcel services, facilitating easy communication and package transfer with friends and family back home. Additionally, you may be surprised to learn that La Poste provides banking…
The Centre des Finances Publiques is a governmental entity in France responsible for managing various aspects of the country’s public finances. It falls under the purview of the French Ministry of Public Action and Accounts. Its role is multifaceted, encompassing the collection of taxes, execution of public expenditure, and overseeing financial and budgetary management. The…
Bonjour, dear readers! The shimmering lights of Paris are beckoning, and you’ve decided to answer the call. Whether drawn by the tantalizing aromas drifting from corner bistros or the allure of iconic landmarks, moving to the City of Light is a dream nurtured by many Americans. But before you pack your bags, it’s essential to…
If you need a facial in Paris, but don’t know where to turn, these are the best French facialists in Paris you can trust. Paris is known as a metropolis of luxury, fashion, and beauty. It’s no surprise that you can find some of the best spas and skincare treatments in the world here. If you’re…
If you want the highest quality kitchen supplies, cookware, and tableware, France is the place to buy it. France is well known for its long history of kitchenware production from the finest porcelain plates to exquisite crystal glassware. French cookware in particular is designed to last a lifetime. I’ve included many of the best kitchen…
Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to finding a reliable salon to give you a good haircut. As an expat in Paris, you want to look your best, and that includes getting a great haircut. Not only will a great haircut make you feel more confident and…
Have you been to a pharmacy in France? The differences are quite astonishing. Here’s a helpful guide for navigating pharmacies in France, no matter what your needs are. Pharmacies in France are renowned around the world and for good reasons. They are distinguished by their distinctive green cross signs, which are ubiquitous and symbolize a…
Searching for an apartment on the best Paris apartment rental sites can be a great way to find your dream home in Paris, France. You can search by location, size, price range, amenities, and more to find the perfect place for you. Rental sites sometimes offer virtual tours so you can get a sense of…
Whether you’re changing apartments or leaving France, here is what to do when you want to end your lease and vacate your Paris rental apartment or rental home in France. Notify Your Landlord of the Termination There’s no such thing as “early termination” in France. French law allows tenants to terminate their rental lease agreements…
There are some things you must do when renting in Paris and anywhere in France. These steps will help protect you and put you in a good position to receive all or most of your deposit back at the end of your rental period. Once you’ve found your dream Parisian apartment, read over the lease,…
If you’re curious about renting in France, these are the basic rules, tenant’s rights, and property laws in France to know. What are your rights as a renter or locataire in Paris or in France? The good news is that the law is generally on your side, however, that doesn’t mean you should relax. There…
So you moved to France and now you need to furnish and decorate your house/apartment? Here is how to buy furniture and decor at the best home decor shops in France as a foreigner or expat. France has lots of options when it comes to home decorating and affordable furniture. Many European home decor and…
France’s iconic capital, Paris, not only dazzles visitors with its world-class art, cuisine, and history, but it also offers a seamless living experience to its residents, backed by a well-regulated utilities infrastructure. One such vital amenity is electricity, the lifeblood of modern living, powering everything from your home appliances to charging stations for electric vehicles….
“Timbres fiscaux”, or fiscal stamps, are commonly used in France to pay for certain administrative services like applying for a passport or a residence permit (titre de séjour). Here are a few ways to buy them: Online The French government has an official website for purchasing timbres fiscaux digitally. This is the most convenient option,…
So you decided you want to move to France. Great, now it’s time to find a place to live! Wondering what the differences between buying real estate in the USA vs. France are? Let’s dive into the world of international real estate. I’ve looked for homes in both the US and France and there are…
Bonjour, dreamers and future Parisians! Do you often find yourself daydreaming about strolling along the scenic banks of the Seine, savoring a warm, flaky croissant at a quaint boulangerie, or basking in the shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower? Have you ever imagined swapping your current reality for the charmed life of a Parisian, in…
How much is rent in Paris? If you’ve ever wondered about the average cost of rent in Paris, France, then today you’re going to find out! I have rented an apartment in Paris for 3 years in different apartments and overall, I found the rent to be quite reasonable for a major city. Rent is…
In some instances, you may need to send a Lettre Recommandée, or Registered Letter, during your time as a resident in France. This formal step is necessary to have judicial proof that someone has received a letter from you. The recipient must show their ID and sign for the letter. What is a Lettre Recommandée?…
Apartment burglary is an unfortunate reality of living in Paris and it can be devastating if you are the victim. Apartment robberies can leave you feeling violated and scared in your own home and can cause irreparable damage to your property. I know firsthand; my Paris apartment was broken into while I was on vacation…
Paris is unfortunately known for its burglaries, house robberies, and apartment break-ins. Criminals have always targeted tourists due to their lack of familiarity with the city, making them easy targets for pickpocketing and other forms of theft, but French residents aren’t immune to theft either. Apartment break-ins are a common occurrence in Paris, with thieves…
On the last day of my trip to Deauville, I received a call from my building superintendent at around 10 am. She sounded frantic as she said, “Your door is damaged. I think you’ve been robbed.” Cambriolage – the word I had become familiar with as I have several friends who have had the pleasure of…
The notoriously bureaucratic Paris Prefecture has recently integrated some digital technology to streamline the reception of foreigners by way of a kiosk installed outside in front of its headquarters at 1 rue de Lutèce. If you live near the capital, you can benefit from the assistance of a friendly immigration employee to carry out certain…
I lived in New York for seven years before leaving several years ago. While I loved living in the city, I was ready to leave and experience life elsewhere. Today I’m super happy to be living in Paris, but there are definitely a few things I miss about NYC! Here are the things I really…
In just 25 years, the price of the average Paris apartment has become 5 times more expensive. With many people dreaming of moving to Paris and having their own slice of the city of light, you may be wondering, what is the richest neighborhood in Paris? My research will help you navigate French real estate…
If you live in France, you need to pay your residence tax following the year you lived in the apartment. This document is normally received in the mail during January. Luckily you can pay this tax online relatively easily. I’ll walk you through it right here! Paris property owners must also pay taxes d’habitation in…
I found myself in a tricky situation last fall. My French long-stay visa had expired, and all I had was a récépissé – basically a receipt – for its renewal. I needed to go back to the USA to visit my family after having already canceled my spring trip due to the pandemic. The only…
Going to the gynecologist isn’t always at the top of our minds when we move to a foreign country. After relocating to France a few years ago, I realized I was due for my annual gynecological check-up. Now, there are quite a few horror stories out there about visiting a gynecologist in Paris, ranging from…
French grocery stores aren’t all that different from American ones even if they are set up a little differently. That being said, there are enough surprising things about French grocery shopping to know so I thought I’d compile a list of my best tips for having a pleasant grocery shopping experience while in France! I…
You got your visa, you found an apartment, you opened a French bank account and now you want to find a good French cell phone service. Well, I’m here to help you find out what are the best French cell phone plans for expats in France! Whether you are a student or expat, these are…
I recently completed the process to renew my long-stay visa at the Paris Préfecture on September 8. Less than two months later, on October 23, I received a text message from the number 38656 that my Titre de Séjour was ready to be picked up! You can select a time that works for you on…
If you are moving abroad shortly, but want to keep your United States cell phone number for receiving calls, making calls, and sending and receiving text messages, I can show you how to keep your US phone number while abroad and actually use it! As globalization advances, more and more Americans are moving abroad and…
After you open a French bank account, you may be wondering how to transfer money from an American bank account to your new French bank account for free. I’m going to share with you the best solution I’ve found for transferring money abroad for free as an American. This solution works for transferring dollars to…
Among the many nearly impossible tasks as an expat in France is finding an apartment. Since I’ve only done this in Paris, I can only offer advice for finding an apartment in the capital city. Now, renting an apartment in France is tough if you are not the ideal candidate in the right situation. French…
If you intend to stay in France as a visitor beyond your initial time period, it’s necessary to renew your visa with the French authorities! This post applies to people who are current holders of a Long Stay Visa in France. You must have already validated your visa online after moving to France and completed…
They told me it would be nearly impossible. They told me it would require herculean efforts and a large stroke of luck to get a French bank account as an American in Paris. In reality, it wasn’t too difficult. Then again, I expected the worst, so maybe that’s why it didn’t seem so bad after…
If you are in the situation where your French visa expires before the soonest appointment available for renewal, it’s highly recommended to get a récépissé from your local Préfecture to bridge you for the time in between. A récépissé is an official French document that declares that you have submitted a visa renewal request and…
After my OFII medical exam, I’ve officially been noted as ‘healthy’ enough to live in France! So, you got your long-stay visa for France, you validated your French visa online, and you finally received a letter saying you are due to visit the OFII in the near future. I’ll share with you my experience at…
You got a long-stay visa for France – congrats! All stays of more than 90 days in France, including immigration requests, must start with a long-stay visa. The work isn’t over just yet though. You need to validate your long-stay visa online within the first 3 months in order to make your entire stay in…
I needed a case for my new iPhone XR, and after checking all the major French electronic retailers (Darty, Fnac, and even Monoprix and HEMA) in Les Halles, I discovered that none of them carried a case for my phone at a price I was willing to pay. For some reason, the XS phones were…
About a year ago, I decided I wanted to move to France. After some research, I decided to apply for the French Long-Stay Visa, a visa for Americans which can be granted for a period of 3 to 12 months. This is a type of visitor visa which does not allow you to work for…
Confession: I want to move to Europe. I feel quite guilty for saying that because I know how many millions of people around the world would do anything to hold a US passport – and I try not to take my luck for granted. However, the older I get, the more I realize that my…
Spending two months in France has been so incredibly fulfilling for me. I still can’t believe I can wake up in this beautiful country and spend my days here. Most of all, I’m so proud that I earned it. When I left New York at the end of April, it was raining. I remember walking…