An Expat Talks about Living in Nice, France

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Nice

How long have you lived there?

1 year 4 months

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

French Classes at the Alliance Francaise, Fitness Club. There is also a center for visitors to Nice called the AVF but the one in Nice, caters mostly to older people. The website, www.angloinfo.com is also a good resource for English-speaking people living in the Cote d'Azur region.

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In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

Again, while it is difficult to get to know the local population here, it does seem like there is not that much diversity in this region. It is true that there are a lot of immigrants in this region but they are mainly from North Africa and this population is largely ghettoized and separated from the "mainstream". This in itself, is a reflection of the general dislike of foreigners that is often seen here. Also, keep in mind that the extreme right-wing party, the Front National, has a big following in the Nice/Cannes area. For the most part, I think that while people in Nice and France in general, are accepting of difference, I have definitely heard of several instances from other foreigners who are non-White about unpleasant situations with unfriendly neighbors and rude store managers. In other words, this is no San Francisco or New York!

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

The main industries in the Nice area are technology and tourism. You can look for jobs on Monster.co.fr or www.pacajob.com and several other career websites.

In general, what are peoples' priorities in this city? For example, do lives revolve around work, family, socializing, sports, etc.?

In my experience, it is very difficult to get to know locals. Since there is a large foreign/expat. Community in the Cote d'Azur, chances are, you will find it much easier to befriend non-locals. Even people from other parts of France tend to find it challenging to be-friend the Nicoisie. Most of our friends here have many different interests ranging from varied sports to painting and writing. Work is often just a place where you meet new people and make a lot of friends.

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

Nice is a small city with typical small city advantages and disadvantages. It can be quite provincial in its outlook and also quite dirty with grafitti and dog litter all over the place. Petty crime is also an issue here. Do not move to Nice expecting cutting-edge culture, world-class restaurants and entertainment. This small city caters mainly to tourists and most restaurants have a standard, jaded menu. Summer time can be horrendous here in terms of the crowds, traffic and the wait at restaurants. However, If you like buying fresh fish, fruits, flowers and vegetables from bustling markets, this might be a place for you. And if you enjoy winter sports such as skiing (1 hour north of Nice)and lying on the beaches (very few sandy beaches though)in the summer, this might be the place for you.