What's it like to move to Paris?

[AlaskaAlizeefan]

I currently live in Alaska, only been here 1.5 years and before that lived in Minnesota. Has anyone on this discussion board grown up in the U.S. and moved to Paris? What's life like there? Besides the language barrier, what customs were difficult to get used to? How were you treated when you first moved there?

[Backinblack]

If only Mayhem were still around...

I might be spending the summer in Paris, if things go as planned. Even though I've never lived there, it seems that if you're used to big cities, you'll have an easier time adjusting to Paris. I think it's more a question of getting used to the customs of France in general, only in Paris everyone's busier and may not be as patient with you. A lot of this depends on what you're actually going to do in Paris (like if you're going to study or work), and how much French you know beforehand.

One of the hardest things for me was getting used to eating at 7:00 p.m. or later when I normally ate dinner in the U.S. at around 5:30. That and there weren't really any decent Mexican food places either. :P

If you're serious about moving there, there are a bunch of books out there written specifically for Americans moving to Paris (French or Foe; Culture Shock: France, to name a couple).

[tern]

Salsa in the stores sells for about $7 for a little bottle. It's a sad thing. And tortillas, they're like a delicacy or something. Good call BiB.

[Orion]

If only Mayhem were still around...

I can't wait to get to Paris and party with him too! I will never forget him!

[britkit]

I was the opposite.. I lived in paris and moved here for school and a job... still am a dual citizen though. But the hardest thing is eating at like5pm when I normally eat around about 9pm. Also, the food markets are so weird. Nothing is as fresh as it is at home..its just all there in one big store and not as fresh... and the fondue resturaunts over here cost a fortune... I miss ours wher eyou eat cheap and they serve wine in baby bottles..*giggles* back home it wa slike fashion central... you had to dress up to go daily shopping for food even... here its like...you could wear sleeping clothes and no one would say anything...

[Damian K]

There is a really great book, titled "Living and Working in France" by David Hampshire. Everything you need to know about living anywhere in France for what ever reason(school, seasonal job, career, opening business). 22 US Dollars. For those who care, the ISBN # is 1-901130-08-8.

[DavidAlizée]

ive heard Paris can be very hard to fit in.. if ur not fluent french.. or, local. I would never go to Paris myself, but i realy love the outskirts of france.. British speaking locals and a great private countryside life.. no hassle. Normandy, Britteny ect.

[britkit]

correct..brittany..*giggles* was born there..is my name..etc..im really nit picky about it

[DavidAlizée]

lol, sorry again... *Brittany* BRI =)

[britkit]

lol *hugs* thats better

[tern]

So what's the Kit part?

Nice work on the proper placement of the apostrophe in the thread title Alaska. I am impressed.

[Moco]

Has the standard of education gotten so low that it's now surprising to see people punctuate properly? :shock:

[Pawel]

Has the standard of education gotten so low that it's now surprising to see people punctuate properly? :shock:
According to Google - yes, it has :)

337,000 dla zapytania "what's it like"
1,460,000 dla zapytania "what it's like"

(If that's what ternuc meant. I'm not an authority to judge anyone's english;)