Let's start a conversation in the comments! Ask questions. Share advice. ❤A lot of this is also applicable for those who are considering becoming an expat and moving to a location other than France. So feel free to share your experiences!
Vous devriez aller en Corse l'été prochain, plus belles plages du monde , meilleur endroit pour passer les vacances si vous aimez le soleil et la plage et la bonne nourriture Biarritz est aussi super A faire absoluement en été
Very thoughtful and almost comprehensive. Completely omitted, however, are the complications and costs of compliance with tax issues both as an American citizen, which do not cease upon exiting the country, and as a resident of France -all of which are a huge slice of reality.
So happy I found this today. I needed to see this. I'm thinking about making the move and am working on my French daily. Thank you. I subscribed today.
American, born and raised in the LA area, and still live there. I took French in school from 1st through 12th grades(and German 9th through 12th) but as you said, school French isn’t the same as fast spoken French. Speaking, in particular, is tough for me - mainly because I've forgotten so many words. If I see them written (or often enough, even spoken) I'll remember, but not the other way around. I've never been anywhere else in France besides Paris, though I want to. If memory serves, I've been to Paris five times now - twice as a kid, once in 2000 when I got engaged to my wife (who happens to be German) after 7 years together (ON the Eiffel Tower- brownie points for me), once in 2019 when I had a layover by myself on the way home from Germany, and most recently in December 2022. That last time, we both got COVID, and only the first 3 days or so were spent doing any sort of sightseeing, and really, most was spent shopping. Like me having to go to an electronics store to try to get a replacement laptop charger (they sent me someplace else that fortunately had it). Entirely in French because they didn’t speak any English. Going to the pharmacy to get a few things (like COVID tests). Calling around to try to get my watch battery replaced because it died literally upon landing at CDG. In French (I had to look up the French word for “watch battery”). That and trying to do Christmas shopping. And seeing the Christmas markets, which was very cool. When I was there by myself in 2019, I did a little sightseeing… hanging out in the Tuileries Gardens, walking around (but not in) the Eiffel Tower, walking around the Place de la Concorde. But I also went out to dinner by myself to just a little place around the corner, and the waitress spoke VERY little English, so the conversation was almost entirely in French (and the steak frites was excellent). And then I had to go shopping for another suitcase because mine was overweight (thanks to my wife loading it up with stuff for me to take home). Just at a local place a few blocks away in what didn’t seem like a particularly nice neighborhood. I don’t remember if they spoke much English or not. I've got a Navigo Decouverte. I feel a little like a native. We're retiring in a few years and moving to Europe because my wife's family is there. She'd prefer Germany, but I'd prefer France. She speaks NO French. Never been there, but we're kinda thinking of Strasbourg simply because while it is still France, it is close enough to Germany (like 15 minutes over the bridge) that getting to visit her family in Germany isn’t an absurdly long trek. The weird thing, though, is that for the past 2-1/2 years, I've felt homesick. For Paris. I've never actually lived there, though we were decidedly untouristy last time. But I just miss it. Funny thing is that not that long ago (since that trip), my wife said that I'm more French than American.
Thank you for watching! The Master's program was taught in French. There are, however, some universities in France that offer programs in English. I recommend checking out the Campus France website if you're considering doing a degree in France. It's an incredibly helpful resource!
Thanks for this! I have been wanting to move to Europe although not Paris and have wondered about job opportunities especially as someone without an EU Visa… great to know others have made it happen!
Absolutely! If you want to make it to Europe you can :) There are so many different avenues to get there. As long as you have the strong desire and diligence. Bonne chance!
Nicolette, thank you for all your tips - I am moving to Paris next year for good - I am a city girl therefore Paris is a right place - I am from Los Angeles , hope have a chance to meet you in person.
Yes I should. But it will have to wait. I am starting an extended sabbatical in Europe late October 24 and I intend to visit France again, and I intend to spend Christmas in Paris( a dream for a while). And I also intend to research moving there. But I also will visit Poland and Ireland to research family history. I am practicing French daily too(with an app). I will travel the Schengen Area as my passport allows. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the Video
Exciting! Christmas in Paris is beautiful, so I hope you'll be able to see it. And all of the countries available for you to visit in the Schengen Area opens up a lot of options. Sounds like an adventure! Bonne chance
Paris isn't that great, it's ridden with so many issues, that I would recommend against going!! I had to spend every summer in Paris and Lyon with Aunties and Uncles. I can tell you over 20 years of spending every summer there it's really far from being a good place to live. Maybe if you live away from Paris in the countryside you may experience a better life but France over all isn't that great!!! The valid reasons as to why Paris isn't a great place would be, difficult place to live, life is expensive from rent to groceries, that is if you find a flat. I haven't ever thought of working there but I can say that the job market isn't all that great from what family members (cousins) have told me. It's not a particularly warm place, I would say French people are rude. I'll give a plus for architecture espcially older architecture in cities like Troyes.
@@francoisleyrat8659 New York City is good for tourists such as any major city like London, Paris, Toronto etc My take on NYC is it's way to expensive, people generally mention you can make a huge amount of money but always fail to tell you that you pay $5000 a month in rent it would be pointless to have a $6500 take home when you spend more than 75% on rent, personally I wouldn't like to live in America because of it's crime and political status unless you live in the middle of nowhere.
@@SultanSully97 Therefore Paris is quite like NYC. No "romantic destination" . I am a bit fed up with beret-wearing Anglo saxon female influencers and bloggers against the inevitable Eiffel tower backdrop argueing
@@francoisleyrat8659 Yeah I would agree a lot. There aren't many romantic destination left in the world. I mean there are good things to this and that's that France receives the most tourists in the world at 80 million+ a year so that's about 15 million more than the US so that helps with the economy. There are beautiful parts of France but sorry to say this Paris is definitely not one of them! Places like Colmar, Strasburg, Montpellier and Nice are the real gems and seem to me that they are the more romantic than Paris.
![DDG & G Herbo - Nosey [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I9Ra0Zc2NlQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Let's start a conversation in the comments! Ask questions. Share advice. ❤A lot of this is also applicable for those who are considering becoming an expat and moving to a location other than France. So feel free to share your experiences!
Vous devriez aller en Corse l'été prochain, plus belles plages du monde , meilleur endroit pour passer les vacances si vous aimez le soleil et la plage et la bonne nourriture
Biarritz est aussi super
A faire absoluement en été
Very thoughtful and almost comprehensive. Completely omitted, however, are the complications and costs of compliance with tax issues both as an American citizen, which do not cease upon exiting the country, and as a resident of France -all of which are a huge slice of reality.
So happy I found this today. I needed to see this. I'm thinking about making the move and am working on my French daily. Thank you. I subscribed today.
Je vous suis depuis le début, vous êtes intéressante et charmante, courageuse et déterminée aussi. Je vous souhaite le meilleur ❤
Merci, c'est très gentil. Et merci d'avoir suivi depuis si longtemps. Je vous souhaite également le meilleur. 🌟
American, born and raised in the LA area, and still live there.
I took French in school from 1st through 12th grades(and German 9th through 12th) but as you said, school French isn’t the same as fast spoken French. Speaking, in particular, is tough for me - mainly because I've forgotten so many words. If I see them written (or often enough, even spoken) I'll remember, but not the other way around.
I've never been anywhere else in France besides Paris, though I want to.
If memory serves, I've been to Paris five times now - twice as a kid, once in 2000 when I got engaged to my wife (who happens to be German) after 7 years together (ON the Eiffel Tower- brownie points for me), once in 2019 when I had a layover by myself on the way home from Germany, and most recently in December 2022.
That last time, we both got COVID, and only the first 3 days or so were spent doing any sort of sightseeing, and really, most was spent shopping. Like me having to go to an electronics store to try to get a replacement laptop charger (they sent me someplace else that fortunately had it). Entirely in French because they didn’t speak any English. Going to the pharmacy to get a few things (like COVID tests). Calling around to try to get my watch battery replaced because it died literally upon landing at CDG. In French (I had to look up the French word for “watch battery”).
That and trying to do Christmas shopping. And seeing the Christmas markets, which was very cool.
When I was there by myself in 2019, I did a little sightseeing… hanging out in the Tuileries Gardens, walking around (but not in) the Eiffel Tower, walking around the Place de la Concorde. But I also went out to dinner by myself to just a little place around the corner, and the waitress spoke VERY little English, so the conversation was almost entirely in French (and the steak frites was excellent). And then I had to go shopping for another suitcase because mine was overweight (thanks to my wife loading it up with stuff for me to take home). Just at a local place a few blocks away in what didn’t seem like a particularly nice neighborhood. I don’t remember if they spoke much English or not.
I've got a Navigo Decouverte. I feel a little like a native.
We're retiring in a few years and moving to Europe because my wife's family is there. She'd prefer Germany, but I'd prefer France. She speaks NO French. Never been there, but we're kinda thinking of Strasbourg simply because while it is still France, it is close enough to Germany (like 15 minutes over the bridge) that getting to visit her family in Germany isn’t an absurdly long trek.
The weird thing, though, is that for the past 2-1/2 years, I've felt homesick. For Paris. I've never actually lived there, though we were decidedly untouristy last time. But I just miss it.
Funny thing is that not that long ago (since that trip), my wife said that I'm more French than American.
I’m moving to Paris next week! So exciting :) thank you so much for your video!
How exciting! Best of luck with the move
Excellent video, Nicolette! When you were doing your Master's in Toulouse, was that in French or English?
Thank you for watching! The Master's program was taught in French. There are, however, some universities in France that offer programs in English. I recommend checking out the Campus France website if you're considering doing a degree in France. It's an incredibly helpful resource!
Thanks for this! I have been wanting to move to Europe although not Paris and have wondered about job opportunities especially as someone without an EU Visa… great to know others have made it happen!
Absolutely! If you want to make it to Europe you can :) There are so many different avenues to get there. As long as you have the strong desire and diligence. Bonne chance!
Thanks for making this video! Your apartment guide video was especially helpful🤍
Thank you for watching! And I'm so glad to hear the apartment guide was helpful as well ❤️
Nicolette, thank you for all your tips - I am moving to Paris next year for good - I am a city girl therefore Paris is a right place - I am from Los Angeles , hope have a chance to meet you in person.
Fantastic! I wish you the best of luck with your move. 😊
Yes I should. But it will have to wait. I am starting an extended sabbatical in Europe late October 24 and I intend to visit France again, and I intend to spend Christmas in Paris( a dream for a while). And I also intend to research moving there. But I also will visit Poland and Ireland to research family history. I am practicing French daily too(with an app). I will travel the Schengen Area as my passport allows. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the Video
Exciting! Christmas in Paris is beautiful, so I hope you'll be able to see it. And all of the countries available for you to visit in the Schengen Area opens up a lot of options. Sounds like an adventure! Bonne chance
@@hellonicolette Merci
Thanks for your video. Which do you prefer, Paris or Toulouse? Would you move back to Toulouse?
Can you say the name of the company that you have your US phone number ported. And do you have any problems with US bank logins, etc.
Paris isn't that great, it's ridden with so many issues, that I would recommend against going!! I had to spend every summer in Paris and Lyon with Aunties and Uncles. I can tell you over 20 years of spending every summer there it's really far from being a good place to live. Maybe if you live away from Paris in the countryside you may experience a better life but France over all isn't that great!!!
The valid reasons as to why Paris isn't a great place would be, difficult place to live, life is expensive from rent to groceries, that is if you find a flat. I haven't ever thought of working there but I can say that the job market isn't all that great from what family members (cousins) have told me. It's not a particularly warm place, I would say French people are rude. I'll give a plus for architecture espcially older architecture in cities like Troyes.
What's your take on NYC? But no Paris is no Disneyland (I live here). Too many Emily in Paris wannabees on social media?
@@francoisleyrat8659 New York City is good for tourists such as any major city like London, Paris, Toronto etc My take on NYC is it's way to expensive, people generally mention you can make a huge amount of money but always fail to tell you that you pay $5000 a month in rent it would be pointless to have a $6500 take home when you spend more than 75% on rent, personally I wouldn't like to live in America because of it's crime and political status unless you live in the middle of nowhere.
@@SultanSully97 Therefore Paris is quite like NYC. No "romantic destination" . I am a bit fed up with beret-wearing Anglo saxon female influencers and bloggers against the inevitable Eiffel tower backdrop argueing
whether their gullible audience should "move to Paris".
@@francoisleyrat8659 Yeah I would agree a lot. There aren't many romantic destination left in the world. I mean there are good things to this and that's that France receives the most tourists in the world at 80 million+ a year so that's about 15 million more than the US so that helps with the economy. There are beautiful parts of France but sorry to say this Paris is definitely not one of them! Places like Colmar, Strasburg, Montpellier and Nice are the real gems and seem to me that they are the more romantic than Paris.