The Pros and Cons of Moving to Paris

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There is so much to love about Paris from its old-world charm to a rich culture steeped in history. There's always a lot to see and do with some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe and iconic attractions famous throughout the world. It's also one of the key fashion hubs in the world and has some of the best food in the world with delectable baguettes, croissants and other yummy pastries.

Alexandra Ripley famously entered a quote in her sequel to Gone with the Wind, "The French has a saying, that no woman, can be truly beautiful who is not also sometimes truly ugly." The same can be said for Paris. While the city is marvellous and attracts expats and tourists in their millions, it also has a bit of a downside. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of moving to Paris.

Exquisite Food

No one does food quite like the French and no one savours meals like the French. There is no rushing through meals and certainly no running to work while eating a sandwich. Food is eaten as much to fuel the body as it is to be enjoyed. From simple foods like quiche Lorraine to coq au vin or ratatouille, meals are important to the French and you'd find it difficult to find a true Parisian rushing through a meal. Even quick meals include scrumptious breads, pastries and of course, croissants. Is it any wonder that Paris is considered to be the culinary capital of the world?

On the downside, good food doesn't come cheap and the cost of living in Paris can make eating like a Parisian a bit of a challenge sometimes. Don't let that deter you though, you can always learn to cook like a Parisian if you're on a budget.

Paris is Timeless

Paris is one of the oldest cities in Europe with some historians stating that the city may date back a couple of thousand years. With that in mind, you are definitely going to see some of the most stunning architecture. Some inner-city apartment buildings are heritage-listed to protect the history of Paris but that comes with a few problems.

While many buildings in Paris are architecturally stunning, if they are heritage listed, nothing on the outside is allowed to be changed and this also means that if the apartment inside is uncomfortably hot in the summer, you can forget any notion of installing an air conditioner as the external unit is not allowed to be seen from the street. Also, many of the apartments in these older buildings have thin walls and the floor plan often does not have the space and flow of modern apartments.

If you can overlook these very slight cons and are still interested in living in Paris as an expat, you can still find a stunning apartment and, after all, when it comes to real estate, it's all about location.

Overall Life Is Good

Living in Paris is a dream for many and there are thousands of expats who love to call Paris home. From culture to scenery and excellent food, Paris offers something for everyone. There are many things to love about Paris including museums, theatres, exquisite scenery along the river banks and so much more. Then there are the cafes and Parisians do love their coffee.

However, Parisians tend to have a bit of a prickly disposition and may come across as impatient and abrupt. Also, as much as Parisians love their coffee, you can forget about those concoctions that have fancy foams and syrups. You'll have to search for a specialty cafe for those. Finally, many Parisians love a cigarette with their coffee and if you're not a smoker, this could be a deal breaker in many cafes and restaurants.

If you're thinking of making the move to Paris, you do need to consider some of the pros and cons of living in this wonderful city. While there are a few cons, the good news is that there are more pros that will make you fall in love with Paris.