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Original poster

Any mumsnetters in Paris?

28 replies

Gizmo · 02/03/2004 19:53

Following on from the 'Mumsnetters abroad' thread, is there anyone out there in France (and particularly Paris)?

DH is considering a job offer from a company in Paris and I'm excited and scared. I've only been to Paris once in my life (last weekend) and I have a lot to give up here - a job I like, a good social circle, DS happy in his nursery etc.

BUT this is an opportunity to do something different and I'm excited by the idea of getting some international work experience, becoming fluent(ish) in French, making new friends etc etc.

So - has anyone out there moved to Paris/France? Is getting a job (I'm in marketing) really that difficult? Is it easy to make new friends? (I'm willing to work hard). How expensive is living there compared to the UK?

I'd just like to get people's feelings on the pros and cons.

Thanks!

OP posts:
blossom2 · 22/07/2004 14:48

hey Gizmo

i know this thread is months old, but wondered if you are now in Paris or have decided against moving.

I'll be moving to paris soon!!!

Original poster
Gizmo · 22/07/2004 15:51

Oh wow! That?s spooky; I?ve just started lurking on Mumsnet again (not had time in the past 3 months) and my thread pops up.

Thank you for responding: I was beginning to think I had the ?lurgy . Well, plans are inching forward, but not as fast as expected. I?ll be surprised if we?re in Paris before the New Year now.

What?s your plan, Blossom? Are you going out to a specific job or for a change of life? When are you planning to be out there?

OP posts:
ggglimpopo · 22/07/2004 16:43

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blossom2 · 22/07/2004 16:52

DH has just accepted a job in Paris but we don't know timescales yet but it'll probably be before the New Year. We have a 2.5 year old DD and think it will be a fantastic opportunity for her & great career move for DH.

As for me - not sure what the good points are apart from it'll force me to learn french and I'm ready for a change. it'll also keep my mind of ttc for second time [smile[. I also love Paris and its not far.

I don't know anything about living in Paris either and don't have any friends there. Its nice to know there is someone else out there who is in the same situation.
i've also got in touch with another mumsnetter in Paris (Lostinparis) so i'm plugging her for information. We'll do a swap!!

Original poster
Gizmo · 23/07/2004 10:55

Yay, that's four of us. We can start the french branch of Mumsnet (Mamannet?).

I saw Lostinparis's entry in the expat discussion further down; got a bit scared by the reference to arrogant Parisiens, though. I like everything about the idea of moving to France, the lifestyle, the challenge, the chance to learn another language (properly) except I'm not sure I like most Parisiens I've met. I guess I'll just have to meet a few more so I can find the ones I like.

Blossom, your dd is same age as my ds. I'm chewing over the idea of using the career break to conceive no2; sadly DH doesn't like the idea .

Anyway, being a bit of an information hound I think I have now read every book/website known to man on the subject of moving to Paris: can recommend some if it helps.

Hello Ggglimpopo, how is Bordeaux? Less arrogant then Paris, I hope. How long have you been there? Do you think it's a good move to have made?

OP posts:
lostinparis · 26/07/2004 10:25

blossom2 - I've been trying to email you but my mails keep getting bounced back!

blossom2 · 26/07/2004 13:20

Hi Lostinparis .. so glad you wrote ..

email address is **onesixfourone(numbers)@yahoo.com

hope this makes sense ....

blossom2 · 26/07/2004 14:06

I think the main question at the moment is where do we live??? I like the idea of living in central paris but there seems to be lack of space and prices are very high. Should i look at the surround areas?
where do you live Lostinparis?
Where are you thinking of living Gizmo?
Also any thoughts about language schools or private tutor??
any advice would be great...
ps last question I promise - are there any books that will be useful. i saw a couple called "Living In Paris", but don't know if they are any good.

lostinparis · 26/07/2004 14:32

Hi blossom2 - I'll try your email again, that does make sense. All depends how much space you want - I think that Paris is quite a child-friendly city in terms of having some really big flats. Clearly, central Paris is more expensive than (some of) the suburbs. There are large ex-pat communities in the 7th and 6th arrondisements + in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (as that is where the international school is) - however because of the ex-pat communities they are more expensive than the rest of Paris & St Germain is the same price as Paris. Probably a good idea would be to try to come over here to take a look around before deciding where to live + to look on eg seloger.com to get an idea of prices. In some ways I'd try to go for central Paris or St Germain so that you have more of a chance of meeting people fast (rather than being stuck in the suburbs).
Are you going to wait to get out here before learning French or to start before? I'd suggest you at least start listening to French radio or listening to sth like the Michael Thomas tapes. There are loads of language schools here (I'm afraid I have no idea about them but I'll keep my ear to the ground) + there is no shortage of people wanting to do conversation exchanges (eg see the free magazine FUSAC when you get here).
I'm afraid I have no idea about useful books - I'd say the most useful would be to try to pop out for a few days (probably during the week so that eg. estate agents are open to get a feel for the place).

bran · 26/07/2004 15:37

Hi Blossom2, the American Women's Group in Paris have a publication called Bloom where you're planted, which sounds like it might be useful to you. You can order it on-line, click on the 'newcomer's corner' button. I don't have any personal experience of the book, but when I lived in Berlin the American women's group were always good to ask about the practicalities of living there.

I'm jealous by the way , I've got itchy feet and would love to live abroad again.

Original poster
Gizmo · 26/07/2004 16:00

Hello, hello, hello....

Blossom, I have an EU book mountain back home of books: I'll have a look when I get back (at work right now) and find out which ones were any good.

One organisation that looks quite helpful is a group called message paris . As far as I can see it's sort of an NCT for expat mothers but has lots of members with older children as well. Organise playgroups, picnics, outings, that sort of thing. They also have a book which deals with most aspects of having kids in Paris; I think it's quite good.

I've been over to Paris a couple of times now and the one thing that really strikes me is that the 'more central is more expensive' model we're all used to just doesn't apply. I've seen affordable places in the 2nd/3rd/4th arrondissement and incredibly expensive places in the 16th: price much more related to highly localised demand and supply, I think. We're quite keen to live in some of the arrondissement with access to a bit of green space, so the 5th, 12th, 14th and 17th rank quite highly for us but Paris really seems quite kid friendly wherever you are: it's all walkable, provided you don't mind some long walks!

Actually, the thing that is bothering me the most right now is the education system. DS will be rising 3 by the time we arrive, so theoretically could get a place in an ecole maternelle, but I don't know a thing about whether it's compulsory, how to register, or what the alternatives are. Could anyone shed a little light?

OP posts:
blossom2 · 26/07/2004 16:20

Hello Gizmo ...

i'm off to visit some friends in France in about 4 weeks time - and they happen to be teachers. I'll ask them and get back to you.

hope the information isn't too late

We must have a Mumsnetters meet-up in Paris!!!

alibubbles · 24/08/2004 20:48

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granarybeck · 25/08/2004 09:40

alibubble, i got a place to study there when i was eighteen! it looked fantastic. But i didn't go as i had trouble finding somewhere to live/boyfriend at time (though did turn into dh!). looking back i wished i'd pushed a bit harder to go as it is a super oppurtunity, i hope it goes really well for your dd!

MrsFogi · 25/08/2004 14:18

I'll keep my ear to the ground. Your DD should maybe look at FUSAC (or put an ad in it) - I think they are online. Also, she should maybe telephone the American Church in Paris as that seems to be where many people put ads when they are looking for an English speaking babysitter - I'll see if I can find the number.

MrsFogi · 25/08/2004 14:19

Voila!
The American Church In Paris
centre communautaire Franco Américain
65 quai Orsay 75007 PARIS
Tel: 01 40 62 05 00
fax : 01 40 62 05 11

centre d'information anglophone
01 45 56 09 50

alibubbles · 25/08/2004 14:49

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MrsFogi · 25/08/2004 15:03

I'm afraid I have no idea re mobile phones here as I have one through my company and dh has held on to his uk one (not to be advised as it costs a fortune). I think she'll only be able to sort that out once she has an address here though. Although it may be worth her seeing what she can find on the orange or sfr websites.

ggglimpopo · 26/08/2004 20:42

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alibubbles · 26/08/2004 21:23

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JanH · 26/08/2004 21:57

alibubbles, if your DD gets a French mobile and you subscribe to 18866 (website ) you can ring her for 15p a min and she will be able to receive texts from the UK for no extra charge.

I've no idea how much it would cost her to ring/text back to the UK from a French mobile though!

froggiebaby · 13/09/2004 18:45

Hi there - this is my first time at mumsnet, and wanted to say hi. I live and work (at the moment) near Versailles, and am expecting my 1st baby in December. I've been here for 4 years and am married to a frenchman, but am still in awe of all the french administration - all the more now I'm pregnant. We're looking to move to Rennes, Brittany in oct, but thought that I might be of some help to you as I'm a teacher here - if anyone wants any advice on schools and choices in the area.... I'll be happy to trade for 1st time mum advice!! (I specialise in maternelle/primary age)

blossom2 · 16/09/2004 19:54

Hello froggiebaby

welcome to mumsnet - its addictive but absolutely FANTASTIC.

i'm relocating to Paris in approx. 3 weeks with no french, but have a little girl of 2.5 years. we're thinking about schools etc so might take you up on the offer.

In the meantime, feel free to post if you have any questions about motherhood etc as there will be someone somewhere who will be able to give you some tips. Most of us have been there

blossom2 · 16/09/2004 19:58

Oh, also wanted to add to this for Alibubbles ..

there is a free (mainly english text) magazine called FUSAC in Paris which has similar to Loot in the UK. Their website is www.FUSAC.fr (i think).. alternatively do a search on google for FUSAC france.

we're there in 3 weeks time we can pick one up and post to you if thats helpful if its not too late ...

alibubbles · 16/09/2004 20:28

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