What I wish I knew before moving to Paris

Feeling nostalgic lately reflecting on the impact Paris has made in my life and all the things I have learned since living here! I hope this helps some of you who are deciding to move here or just want to hear how my journey has been 🫶🏽

p.s. so sorry for the low video quality, the sun was setting as i was filming xo

00:00 - intro
01:05 - dress to impress
02:41 - ana luisa
04:39 - speaking french isn't enough
06:48 - apartment hunting
08:21 - small living spaces
10:02 - paris is dirty
11:03 - smoking and body image
12:34 - you'll always be in a rush
13:43 - meals are a social event
15:11 - paris in august
16:27 - the weather
17:23 - french admin
18:40 - making friends
20:16 - final thoughts

** Links on this channel may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. **

🧾 HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Best resources for learning French:
Damon Dominique's French course:

🔗 LINKS:

Debating moving abroad? Start here:

How Did I Move to France? Watch this next:

The biggest culture shocks I noticed in France:

My 🔥 French playlist:

👩🏽‍💻 READ THE BLOG:

💌 LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!

FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES:

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[gabrielleroshelli]

you could be a writer! i love the way you speak, your descriptions are so colorful :)

[Featherlicht]

Love you eloquence. You also are naturally warm. 😊

[charlesblack]

Thank you. I loved this video! As a Francophile who pictures himself someday living in Paris it was so refreshing to hear the real and the ideal put so plainly. Also your hopeful ending still gives me the belief that somehow it may happen. Living in New York I'm used to bustling crowds but the nuances of making French friends and navigating the complication of paperwork give one pause to ponder. I look forward to discovering more of your videos.

[thefaithfilledathlete]

Really really beautiful video! Great job girl! Very poetically and eloquently spoken!

[Rilows]

Thanks, this is great. I'm moving to Paris in two months and I can't wait

[irisahmad]

You are good at explaining all of the little details involved in living in Paris! Now I want to visit Paris!😊

[francescavitaliani]

Such a wonderful presentation and explanation ...you're really great, many compliments 🙏😍Francesca

[ganymeade]

Amazing, informative, and beautiful video. Thanks for posting. People underestimate the difficulty of moving to and adapting well to another culture and way of life. French is a very difficult language to learn to speak and pronounce well. The French tend not to accept those who don't speak fluent French. You must also remember everyone's name at business meetings and social gatherings or you are not seen as polite. To get a job in France, you must speak fluent French at the B3 level. The housing is not always elder friendly. There is no AC in many places in France. There is often not enough heat in winter. Water shortages are common. France is struggling with its retirement system and how to provide homes for the elderly. Families are encouraged to take care of their elders. The French bureaucracy is tedious, difficult, and slower than in America. The financial system is antiquated. Bank fees are really high. Many places do not take credit cards, so it is necessary to carry lots of cash. It is difficult to get packages as you must go to another location and pay a fee to pick up. Amazon does not deliver to your door. The hours of stores and restaurants in France are different. Cobblestone streets and many steep stairs are a challenge and danger for older people. America is more elder friendly. America is the most gorgeous country in the world. Everything is so convenient. You can get anything you want at virtually anytime. Utilities are reliable. It is easy to get anywhere. Traffic is insane in France as cars do not always look out for pedestrians or other drivers. Like most people, my husband and I travel a lot, and have been to France. However, I would miss America after awhile. American citizenship is prized throughout the world. I would never give that up. There is some anti-Americanism in Like people in Scandinavian countries, the French can be cold, aloof, dismissive, and not very talkative and friendly; so that is a challenge. Due to millions of tourists visiting their countries, many Europeans have grown hostile to tourist overcrowding. There is tremendous wealth in France and other Europe countries that are ruled by old-line, monied aristocracies and monarchies. However, French people do not necessarily value people for the number of degrees, what kind of jobs they have, or how much money they have. French value everyone, as individuals. Americans need to be aware of that.

[MySherline]

Thanks for sharing tips from.ur own experiences..

[imjustpeachy]

Thanks for the tips! I’d love to move from the US to Villefranche 🙏🏽

[pamelaj]

So beautiful. Thank you. ❤ I’m a 64yrs young black female Canadian. I’m working on getting there in September. Any suggestions on arrondissments? 6th, 7th, 18th? Trying to decide. I will airbnb and explore.

[gbfgs]

Are you from both Washington and California? So am I! I’m here as an au pair in Paris, thank you for this video, it’s really nice to here similar stories as I get used to living here

[saga]

I'm not sure where in the states you came from but I am paying $1600 for a small 1 bdrm with a tiny patio sans culture and a view to a parking lot hahah. So paying that in one of the most cultured cities of the world with access to all of Europe right now does not seem like a lot. Your vids are very informative.

[Shirley-kodj]

Hey Tiana! I'm an Expat of 30 yrs from NY living in the Paris region! I would love to meet up with you and swap stories! 🤗☺

[nadiaboone]

Sounds very similar but better than NewYork honestly

[haniakepista]

What University in Paris did you attend?

[adrongoddard]

'Making Friends' with native French, it is a tough one, and you will probably take a few years before you can establish a circle of French friends as your language develops (usually with those French who have travelled and lived abroad and who are multi-lingual). One friend told me once that in most Anglephone countries, we go out to socialise, in France, they go out already socialised.

[Amerigohall]

Is it possible to acquire knowledge about economics, international politics and geography entirely in English in France libraries, or is it necessary to know Franch for this knowledge?

[voncilledemesa]

Are the tourists attractions open in August?

[puccaland]

Bureaucracy is a pain to foreigners everywhere. Nothing to do with French bureaucracy in particular. And in terms of bank accounts the American administration makes it even more difficult for American citizens.