I recently moved to Paris from London. I can admit that at first I was a little nervous about the change in location and culture. Whenever you move to a new city your life changes and you have to adjust to a new way of living. Thankfully these days there are many services and people out there to help you transition smoothly.
Here are 3 problems I faced as an expat and how I overcame them.
The Language Barrier
It goes without saying that the national language of England and France is different. Of course English is spoken, at some level or other, by a lot of people around the globe. The French have a great understanding of English and always tried to help me out when I first moved. The best thing though is to learn the language and that’s exactly what I did. I signed up for night classes 3 times a week for two months, within in no time I was able to chat with people and have a conversation – it’s something I highly recommend.
Finding Accommodation
This played heavily on my mind because I wanted to make sure that I found the perfect place that made me feel comfortable. I was lucky to have a friend recommend a great company that helps to find people apartments in new cities. If you’re moving to Paris, then Nestpick will help you find the perfect apartment in Paris. These guys are pros and if I move again I’ll certainly be giving them a call.
Getting Your Bearings
This really isn’t an issue at all. With the aid of google maps and other great apps on your smart phone it’s now really easy to navigate your way around. I do recommend just going out for walks around your local neighbourhood, don’t even look at the map, just close the door and start walking. Within no time you’ll have found your favourite cafe nestled down some side alley or your favourite place for a beer in the evenings.
Have you ever had to relocate to a new city or country? I would love to hear all about your experiences and tips. I am sure that the first hand experience you share will help people out there who are also considering a move or have to move due to work. Just pop your thoughts down in the comment section below this post – thanks for sharing.