Comments on: 10 Expats Share Their Biggest Mistakes After Moving to Paris

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:50:33 +0000

Thank you for this article. I am here since 2009 and still no friends. It’s very lonely and it’s come to a point where I’m thinking now do I stay or go. Je suis Australienne.

By: Liese Ripley

Liese Ripley — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:10:39 +0000

Although I lived in Paris for only a year, what I would do differently perhaps above all is to save my clothing money Stateside to spend on true European clothing once I arrived. I spent a lot of time and emotional energy trying to fit in, and eventually felt most comfortable when I could simply look French enough to be ignored on the metro by wearing France-bought boots and coat.
Thank you all for your ideas–wish I’d had them then, but I’m using them now for an upcoming (short) trip to Paris.

By: Ramya

Ramya — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 18:50:50 +0000

Nice article! Being an expat in any country is a difficult journey. Insights, like this article provides, helps future expats by giving them a realistic idea of what to expect. I do want to add to Rachel’s comment. Her comments (as they should be) are an American’s perpective. To an outsider, it is difficult befriending American women as well. In my 9 years since moving to the US, I have made most of my American friends through my American spouse and maybe 3 American women friends through work and on my own. I live in Chicago and am a very outgoing person who often strikes up conversations with strangers. To me, it doesnt sound like French women are less/more friendly than American women.

By: Charli

Charli — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:42:59 +0000

In reply to Gillian. Thank you Gillian! The very beginning is an exciting and difficult time rolled into one. Wishing you luck!

By: Gillian

Gillian — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:31:52 +0000

Thanks for the article Charli! I am so glad I stumbled upon your site today.
I am 1.5 weeks in to a new life in Paris from Toronto.
Here’s hoping the city feels less and less intimidating as the time passes!
Looking forward to exploring your site!

By: Charli

Charli — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 21:24:46 +0000

In reply to Charles. Thank you Charles! I've learned that so much can change in just one year...

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 04:51:48 +0000

Merci beaucoup! Great post! I can’t wait to see what I think after a year! 🙂

By: Charli

Charli — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:19:30 +0000

In reply to Leah Van Loon. Hahaha I didn’t know about the better baguette options until I lived here either. And I probably still mess up the recycling ?

By: Charli

Charli — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:07:15 +0000

In reply to Nina Katz. I realize not every post will be useful or interesting to everyone. This one with a mix of practical and light is probably more so for someone very new to Paris or who doesn’t live here yet. If you’d like to share an anecdote you think would be more useful, I’m sure people would love to read that as well.

By: Nina Katz

Nina Katz — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 16:41:08 +0000

Charlie I love your blog and all your posts so far have a lot of useful content in them but I felt like this one lacked depth ( other than Lindsey’s which was a very thoughtful observation). Not sure learning about baguette tradition or Paris not being a temp place to stay is the most meaningful lesson to learn before moving to paris. Otherwise I really love whatever you write.