F.A.Q

Most of Paris' inhabitants live in apartments.  The price of apartments vary greatly, depending on the area, proximity to international schools, distance to public transport (train and metro lines) and the view (overlooking the River Seine or a park).The most desired areas are: on the "right bank" in the 16th and the 8th "arrondissements" with calm, large avenues, attractive old and modern buildings.  On the "left bank" the 6th and 7th "arrondissements" have excellent shopping and are only 5 to 10 minutes by metro to the heart of Paris. These smart areas demand a higher rent. It can be difficult to find housing in Paris and often unfurnished apartments are not supplied with equipped kitchen and may only have a kitchen sink !
Those who wish to live in a house will have to look outside Paris, especially if they like a garden. There are desirable areas in the western suburbs of Paris. The department of "Hauts de Seine" (92), and the towns of Neuilly-sur-Seine, Levallois Perret, St Cloud or Rueil-Malmaison have the advantage of being close to Paris and "La Defense" (a business centre) and thanks to a good transport system, it is possible to live in the suburbs of Paris in a quiet area. Families with children who attend the American School at St-Cloud, often choose to live in St-Cloud, Garches, La Celle St-Cloud, Vaucresson or Marnes la Coquette.  Most families with children enrolled in the British School or the Lycée International, in the department of Les Yvelines (78), choose to live in Bougival, Croissy sur Seine, Le Vésinet, St Germain en Laye or Versailles). Although close to Paris, les Yvelines provides a feeling of town and country and you can find detached houses with a garden, close to the forest.

A large number of expatriates choose to live on the west side of central Paris, especially if they wish to enroll their children in international or bilingual schools (7th, 8th, 15th, 16th arrondissements  and Neuilly).  Again, due to the location of the international schools in the suburbs, most expatriates wishing to settle outside Paris will opt for the western suburbs. Towns on the RER and train routes are popular with easy access into Paris. These include Le Vésinet, Chatou, St Germain-en-Laye, St Cloud, Croissy, Bougival and Versailles.

In general, it is more practical to live close to the school. If you work, this allows you to find more easily someone to look after your children both before and/or after school and enables you to meet people from your neighborhood and start a new social life for yourself and your children.

The process of buying a property takes much longer than renting, and many more visits to properties are necessary. Taxes and fees incurred in the purchasing of a property in France are high in comparison to other European countries (up to 15 % of the property value).  The purchasing formalities can take about 3-4 months to complete, so we advise, if you are wishing to buy a property, rent first.
       

It is relatively infrequent to find a built-in and equipped kitchen in a rented dwelling. Unfurnished housing often literally means just that.  You may find fitted carpets, but do not expect curtains or light fittings.  We can provide further information concerning the purchase of equipment or redecorating.

For the « relocated » families, children's education is obviously an important consideration. The choice of schools often determines the area the family will live. If the children are happy, relaxed and have local friends, the whole family is more likely to be successfully integrated. We advice families to decide on the schooling as early as possible, taking into account the following points.

• The length of stay in France : one year is considered a minimum for a non French speaking child to adapt to the French educational system.
• The age of the child: the younger they are, the more "naturally" the learning of a new language is.
• The character of the child : his/her ability, motivation, interest of languages, exposure to the French language.
• The different types of schools available and what they offer : philosophy, teaching methods, extra curricula activities, availability of transport using school buses, ...

Different options are available in Paris and in the West suburbs :
1. French state schools are free. Depending on the address of the family, the children will be enrolled in a local school.
2. Private schools are historically more often religious (catholic) but today they are open to non catholic children. These schools are subsidised by the State, so fees are relatively low (4 000[SIGLEEURO] per year)
3. American, British, German or International schools offer similar education programmes to those in their original countries, and include French tuition (from 16 000 to 24 000 [SIGLEEURO] per year)
4. Bilingual schools: 12 schools in Paris, Meudon, St Cloud, St Germain en Laye, Buc, Montfort l'Amaury. These schools offer teaching in French, English, German or Spanish. Depending on the school, French lessons covers between 50 - 90% of the teaching programme.
We suggest you compare the teaching progammes and methods, number of foreign students in each class, etc...

French electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz. You may find plugs in France not be the same as your original country.  If you are thinking of bringing small electrical equipment into France, you may find that buying a transformer works well. However, larger appliances may present problems although some offer a multi-voltage feature.

In order to obtain up-to-date information, we invite you to consult the official Customs site (available in several languages).

http://paris.angloinfo.com/countries/france/pettravel.asp

In order to obtain up-to-date information, we invite you to consult the official Customs site (available in several languages).

http://paris.angloinfo.com/countries/france/motoregister.asp

Right move offers training courses for the executives and their partners whether this is a French national expatriated to a foreign destination or an impatriate arriving in France. The modules are personalized according to the country of destination, function within a company and profile of the expatriate. This training helps to accelerate integration, optimizing effectiveness and reducing early breach of contract. There are also guides available to help with integration, so please ask us.

Learning the language remains the secret of success in France, and a good command of the language is rewarded by respect and compliments about your accent which forms part of "your charm ". Importantly for you as a new arrival, a grasp of the language will also help you to overcome your initial linguistic frustrations, and to combat a normal but inevitable sense of loneliness at separation from family and friends. Right move can help you to choose the most appropriate training solution (intensive, residential or weekly lessons), according to your needs, language level and availability.

Try not to withdraw or shut yourself away. Make the effort to get out and meet people.

Some suggestions:

• You have the opportunity to spend more time with your children, especially if they are young.
• Take a job. Your nationality determines your right to work. There are no restrictions for European Union nationals.
• Voluntary work is a good way of meeting people.
• Study, write or do some research.
• Join the expatriate community.
• Learn French, cooking, wine-appreciation or art.
• Buy a good guide of Paris and become a specialist for your visitors.

Right move will be please to assist you in your integration.

Foreign residents are covered by healthcare if a member of the household is engaged in a professional activity in France.  The host company who hires you is responsible for conducting the procedures required for registration of their employees. You will have to complete these procedures at your local Social Security office called the "Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie" (CPAM).  Please contact us for further details.