Ahh, Paris. The City of Love. This marvelous city often makes the top list of the most popular tourist destinations on Earth with more than 20 million people visiting the city every year. Not surprising as the city has a rich history with some of Europe’s most spectacular architecture and it’s just a gorgeous city to walk around. Paris is a major hub for the arts with the Louvre being the most famous art museum in the world. It’s also famous for exquisite cuisine, fine wine and a great cafe culture. With all this to take in, is it any wonder that so many foreigners choose to call Paris home, even for a short time? If you’re planning on moving to Paris for a short term, here’s what you need to know.
Will You Need a Visa?
If you’re planning on moving to Paris for less than 90 days, you won’t need a visa unless you’re planning on working. Anything longer than this period and you will need a visa. On your visa application, you will need to state the estimated length you plan on staying as well as the purpose of your stay. Keep in mind that France is part of the European Union’s Schengen Zone making it even more important to have the right visa.
Start Learning the Language
Many Parisians these days can speak English but that doesn’t mean you should rely on everyone speaking English. Some of the more established Parisians, especially the older ones, most likely don’t speak English or, if they do, their language skills are very limited. The onus is on you to learn the local language so grab a book to learn French or make use of a language learning app and get started. At the very least, you’ll need to learn enough French to get by when you’re out and about so you can ask for directions or do your shopping.
Find a Place to Live
Even for a short-term stay in Paris, you will need somewhere to live. If you plan on staying for the full 90-day visa-free period, you can stay in a hotel, but this can be quite expensive. Your best solution for renting in Paris is a short-term rental apartment. You can narrow down your search and find an apartment within your budget and have the facilities you need. If your budget is limited, you may also want to consider sharing an apartment with a friend. Better yet, share with a Parisian and get to know the language and culture firsthand. If you plan on moving with a lot of personal belongings, consider sending a crate to ensure your items arrive safely and securely.
Consider the Cost of Living
Living in Paris is not exactly cheap and you can expect to need at least €1,000 for food and other essentials. However, you can keep your living costs down by cooking and eating most of your meals and getting around the city via public transport is easy and much cheaper than a car. You can keep these costs lower still if you invest in a bicycle and pedal your way around the city. Don’t forget to budget for a little fun too. After all, you will be in Paris and you certainly don’t want to spend most of your time indoors.
Other Essentials
Fortunately, ATMs are located all over the city, so you won’t have any problems withdrawing money from your bank account. Keep in mind though, that withdrawing funds in a foreign country attracts high fees so you should consider opening a French bank account and transferring what you need. Phone calls can also be expensive if you plan on using your current phone plan so it’s worthwhile to get a French phone plan or prepaid phone number. Depending on your financial situation you may also need to find work in Paris or try to find a job you can do remotely. If you do intend on working while you live in Paris, even short term, make sure you have the right visa.
Before you take the plunge and move to Paris make sure you do your homework. Understanding the difference between living in France long term or short term is essential if you want to make the most of your stay. Who knows, you may love living in Paris so much that your short term stay may very well become a longer one.
