Is living in Paris really as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be? Mhm. Emily in Paris has set a very high standard of living for internationals in Paris. Whether or not this is accurate, I guess it’s different for everyone, but let me tell you our side – that of young adult – or exchange students.
Cost of Living
First things first I will say, cost of living… very high. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on food, groceries, basic needs, and don’t even get me started on housing. First two weeks of living there, as we had a shared kitchen which was everything but clean, we decided to order every dinner. That adds up very quickly, so it didn’t last very long. The quality of the food in grocery stores really reminds me of that in Italy, meaning high quality and variety. However, expensive. It’s difficult to find grocery stores that are cheaper, at least that’s how it was in my area. But this is a big point which you can complain about with all your friends.
To give you an idea, a typical cappuccino I have seen is 6-7 euros.
Housing
In this field I did not have to do too much. When I moved to Paris I went straight into the student hotel. I was going to be there for 6 months, so going through all the trouble to find an expensive and far out house just was not in my plans. However, between my friend’s stories and personal search results, house hunting in Paris is… interesting. Houses are small, no shock there. It is actually more difficult and more expensive than Amsterdam. If you know, you know. I’ve seen some friends who just got really lucky and have lovely places in the 8th arrondissement, while others struggled and found a place in Montmartre.
My safe option was the Student Hotel, which is a very popular option for many students, especially Business School Students. If this is you, and your university is in La Defense, then do consider it. It’s outside of what is classified as “Paris”, so your t+ transport ticket with the RER won’t work, but Metro 1 takes you right to it. It is not the cheapest option, but it is the smartest if you’re uni is near it.
Transportation
Paris is huge. Still haven’t seen a lot of it despite walking for hours, type of huge. Luckily, public transport there is really good. Metros and RER stop frequently, even busses, they are just not as clean. From my house, everywhere I went was at least 45 minutes. But there are so many metro lines that will actually allow you to reach anywhere. If you are living there for a long time then I recommend buying a monthly contract with Navigo. Otherwise, just as I did, top up an EasyNavigo Pass for 1.90 euros one way.
Activities
There is always something to do, day or night. Whether you go for the infinite amount of museums, or for something a bit different like checking out the Catacombs, there is something for everyone in the city. You can wake up and head straight to brunch to one of the MANY brunch spots. Go for a walk in all the gardens, check out the 1st arrondissement to see the Louvre, the Ritz where you can occasionally spot celebrities, and taking a stroll in Jardin de Tuileries. The walk from there to the Eiffel Tower along side the Seine. Checking out the shopping and restaurants in La Marais. An endless list of many activities to never get bored.
Nightlife
The part we have all been waiting for. The nightlife in Paris can go beyond expectations just because of the clubs alone. Comparing it to Amsterdam, I do have to say I prefer the Amsterdam nightlife. However, Parisian clubs are above expectations. The best nightlife area is Bastille. Here you can find clubs or just simple bars. Clubs are expensive. Typically 20 euro entrance, and if you are lucky you get a free drink with your ticket.
If you wanna party it up, check out Pachamama. A 4-story club with unique decor and not bad music. Here you do get a free drink, but if you can, go for a beer, the cocktails are typically watered down. Another unique and one-of-a-kind club is L’aQquarium. The name gives it away. A nightclub, with an aquarium by the dance floor. On special nights they even hire mermaids in the tank. This one is not as highly rated but definitely worth it for the experience.
Despite its expected drawbacks, Paris is a wonderful city to live in. If you go there as a student, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life, meet great people, and create memories you’d never get to do anywhere else. Highly recommend.
