Living abroad is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with young people wanting to work or study in another country. However, before making such a decision, it’s important to consider the cost of living in your chosen city. Paris is a prime example of why it’s always good to do a little research and see what living costs you may be facing if you decide to make the move.
Before you start packing your bags, here are some things to consider.
Life in Paris is Not Cheap
When you start to compare the cost of living in Paris with other countries within the European Union, you’ll see that Paris is among the top 10 cities with the most expensive cost of living. Even on a global scale, Paris is consideringly more expensive to live in than most global cities. One of the reasons that may explain why the cost of living in Paris is somewhat higher than in other major cities is that Paris is considered the cultural capital of Europe and in keeping with this, Parisians have maintained much of the cultural and historical beauty of this charming city and capped the number of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers that often make up a large portion of the skyline in many cities worldwide.
Accommodation is the Biggest Expense
As in most major cities around the world, the biggest hit to any household budget is accommodation. Paris is not different in this regard and the closer you get to the center of the city, the more you can expect to pay to rent an apartment. Paris is separated into administrative districts called arrondissements. Originally there were twenty of these districts but some of the smaller ones were joined so there are now seventeen official arrondissements that make up the city. These areas start in the center of Paris and spiral outward with the first and second arrondissements making up the center of Paris and accommodation is usually quite expensive in these areas. That isn’t to say that there isn’t an apartment available for renting in Paris for every budget and if you are willing to move away from the center, you are sure to find an apartment with affordable rent that means you’ll have enough funds for other expenses and even a little bit of luxury. All you need to do is find a reputable website with filters that allow you to narrow down your search criteria. If you’re really lucky you may find the apartment of your dreams relatively close to the Heart of Paris.
It’s Not All Budget Breaking
Before you right off Paris for being out of your reach as a place to live as an expat, don’t despair. Paris is still comparable to many cities in the world with cities such as New York, London, Sydney and Singapore being considerably more costly in terms of the cost of living. However, these cities are also among those with very high population densities and are full of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. Paris still maintains a lot of its old-world charm and you can get around most of the city using public transport or a bicycle. There are also plenty of options for lower cost groceries, restaurants, cafes and more so you can still have a fabulous time living in Paris, without breaking the bank.
