Living in France
Last updated on Jan 01, 2024
Summary: People often describe life in France as relaxed, romantic, and full of culture. Expats love the food, the wine, the art, the architecture, and the overall atmosphere of the country. The average cost of living for an expat is around $2,000 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. The population of France is approximately 67 million people, and the largest cities are Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Nice. The cons of living in France include the high cost of living, the bureaucracy, the language barrier, and the difficulty of finding a job. Additionally, the weather can be unpredictable and the public transportation system can be unreliable.
What do I need to know about living in France?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to France, they said:
"Well, firstly - great to hear that there is nothing to wait for. Just start learning some French...take few documents with yourself as France seems to like red tape very much and you need papers for everything! Take some birth certificates for sure. Don't worry about the accommodation because here in Lyon you will get many estate agencies to help you out and they speak English! And mostly...read some blogs, forums, expats websites which will provide you with the up to date info," wrote a member in Lyon.
"If he has a family it is a good place to live. If he or she is single, I can't advise them since I don't know the single scene here. There is a big university here so they may be able to connect with the students there but I don't know anything about the clubs or other diversions for single people," commented one expat who made the move to Orleans.
"Nice town but speaking French is a big advantage as the most spoken languages are French (suprise, suprise) and German. Very few people speak much English that I have found so far," remarked one expat living in Strasbourg, France.
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About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to France?
- Where should I setup a bank account in France?
- Will I be able to find a job in France?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in France appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in France?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in France accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in France like?
- How are healthcare services in France?
- What are medical services in France like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in France?
- What are emergency services like in France?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in France?
- How are local medical facilities in France?
- As a foreigner living in France, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?