Moving to France: Opportunities and Challenges of a New Life

Moving to France: more opportunities compared to Russia

The idea of living outside my country has always been a mystery to me. The time spent in Moscow sparked a desire for change and new experiences in my soul. My wish to leave Russia wasn't tied to a specific country; rather, this yearning for change stemmed from deep reflections on the fact that I might find more opportunities for growth abroad. Emigration became a part of my life thanks to my wife, whom I met while studying at university. She holds French citizenship.

A difficult choice

We faced a challenging task: to decide whether to continue our long-distance relationship or to create a life together under one roof. Subsequently, we encountered an important choice: where to settle down, in Russia or in France? I chose the latter option, based on the fact that France offers more chances for success, excellent infrastructure, and a high quality of life in various cities such as Paris, Nice, and Bordeaux. Each of these cities offers unique opportunities: the cultural traditions of Paris, the sunny climate of Nice, and the gastronomic riches of Bordeaux. The key advantage I see in France is the availability of great prospects for choosing our future.

Adaptation in a new country

When I finally decided to move in with my wife, the adaptation turned out to be significantly easier than for many immigrants who relocate for work or study. My wife's family supported me from the very first days. Of course, we had some minor difficulties in our relationship with her father, who practices Islam, but after I got to know him, there were no conflicts between us. Moreover, I even had the chance to visit Morocco, where my father-in-law is from.

Difficulties with documents

On the other hand, my integration into a new culture has had difficulties with the paperwork. I recommend that you allow at least a month or two to prepare the necessary paperwork. Given the importance of the paperwork, it is worth collecting all the necessary documents in advance. In particular, you will need:

• Translation of the birth certificateand its apostille;
• Certificate of no criminal record;
• Passing a medical examination.

These actions require a lot of effort and time investment.

Replacement of driver's license

Another significant point is the exchange of driver's licenses. During the first year of living in France, it is quite easy to exchange Russian licenses for local ones. I missed this period and ended up having to return to Russia to obtain a certificate of the validity of my driver's licenses, which took a lot of time.

Work and integration

At the beginning of my stay in France, I flew on a tourist visa, which allowed me to stay here for 90 days per calendar year. After that, I decided to try my hand at farming, working on three different farms to be closer to my wife, to start the integration process and to improve my French language skills.

Obtaining a visa

The next step was obtaining a vacances-travail visa, which opens up opportunities for work and study simultaneously. This visa is still available to Russians, and information about it can be found on the visa center's website. Thanks to this visa, I found my first job in France, located in the town of Thionville. This experience became a crucial milestone in my life, providing me with new skills and a deep understanding of the local culture.

The start of a career in France

When I started my journey in France, I soon had to leave my position due to a lack of knowledge of the French language, as I primarily communicated in English.

After that, I spent about two months looking for a new job, but I couldn't find anything suitable and eventually returned to Russia.

Personal life and language learning

Later, I got married to a girl, and life became significantly easier: I obtained a residence permit and started actively learning the language.

Educational opportunities in France

In France, there are indeed wonderful opportunities to learn the French language. In the early stages of communicating with my wife, we used English, but after our move in 2019, I decided to dive deeper into learning French.

There are many educational courses for foreigners in the country, which are available almost everywhere. For example, in Russia I have not come across any free Russian language courses for newcomers, whereas in France such programs can be found in almost every town.

Life in Thionville

We lived for a while in the cozy town of Thionville, which is located right at the border with Luxembourg, and its population is about 35,000 people.

There, I managed to find several free programs created specifically for foreigners. In my wife's family, everyone spoke French, which helped me get used to the language, although it wasn't easy; the phonetics of French are quite complex.

For example, words such as.“hood”They may seem familiar, but they are pronounced completely differently.

Experience and employment

I noticed improvements when I found a job where I communicated daily with native speakers. In the French job market, a diploma plays a crucial role.

Recommendations for employment

• Translate and certify your diplomas.
• If you have a qualification in management, it will significantly simplify your job search, especially if you perform well in the interview.
• Without a higher education, it will be quite difficult to aim for high positions.

I was lucky to have experience working in logistics in Russia. It was in this field that I got my first serious position in France.

If I had no education or experience, it would have been much harder to succeed.

There are fields where knowledge of English and other languages is required, such as hospitality, restaurants, and logistics. In these industries, foreigners often have an easier time finding jobs, as the local population has limitations in their language skills.

Sectors with high demand

In large cities and tourist areas, there are many more opportunities due to the high demand for multilingual workers.

Choice of residence

When we were choosing a place to live, we focused on the job opportunities. Initially, we settled in Thionville, as it is located close to Luxembourg, where the average income is higher than in France, while the cost of living in France remains quite reasonable.

This factor was important to us in determining where to live and work.

Summary of the adaptation experience

Thus, my experience of adapting and job hunting in France turned out to be intricate, yet at the same time very exciting.

This allowed me to improve my language skills, gain confidence in business communication, and successfully integrate into a new culture.

With each passing day, I feel my French becoming more confident, and it gives me strength and motivation in my life.

Moving for a better life

In recent years, the flow of people known as "frontaliers" due to their residence near the border has increasingly chosen neighboring countries for relocation, with Luxembourg standing out among them. This decision allows for a significant increase in earnings compared to their home country while maintaining a low cost of living.

Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that in the event of job loss, finding a new position can be quite a challenging task due to increased competition.

A new experience of life in Haute-Savoie

Taking this into account, we decided to change our place of residence and move to the Upper Savoy, a region famous for its ski resorts, among which the renowned Courchevel stands out. My wife's mother lives in this area, and it is with her that we have temporarily settled. During this time, we managed to find jobs in the tourism sector.

Seasonal work and its peculiarities

A characteristic feature of life in Haute-Savoie is that labor contracts are usually signed for a season, which lasts four months. When the season ends, work stops, and finding a new position becomes extremely difficult, as the flow of tourists significantly decreases.

We had many interesting experiences and enjoyed the natural beauty, but for long-term living, we decided to look for something more stable.

Moving to Paris

As a result, we moved to Paris, where 400 to 500 job openings are posted daily. In comparison, in smaller cities, the number of job openings rarely exceeds 50-100. This fact became an important factor for us when choosing a new place to live. Currently, I work at a logistics company, performing functions in the customer relations department.

Where to live: Paris or other cities?

It's also worth considering the best cities in France for living – it's not always Paris!

The process of obtaining a residence permit

When applying for a visa based on marriage to a French citizen, several key steps must be followed:

• Marriage registration, which can be conducted both in France and abroad.
• If you are married abroad, a French translation of the relevant document will be required.
• After getting married, it is necessary to submit documents for a visa.

We registered our relationship in Thionville, and after completing all the formalities, I returned to Russia to obtain a visa.

Stages of obtaining a visa

At the initial stage, a category D visa is issued for one year due to family circumstances. After this year, it is possible to apply for a titre de séjour card, which eliminates the need to travel outside the country.

Sometimes it may be necessary to translate additional documents such as birth certificates. You will also need marriage documents and proof of cohabitation, which can be utility bills or other official documents. There is a lot of paperwork involved, and after the deadline, you can obtain a residence permit for two years, renewable for another two years or ten years.

Waiting and the interview

As I have learned, the duration of the residence permit is determined by the prefecture, and it is impossible to predict in advance how long the approval will be granted. At the moment, I am waiting: I submitted my documents online and am awaiting a response. Last time, I applied in person, but a few years ago the procedure changed, and now the application is submitted in digital format.

I'm talking about the Île-de-France region, including Paris; for other regions, more specific information may be needed.

Personal interview

Before obtaining a residence permit, it is compulsory to have a live interview in your region, which should also be taken into account in the status process. Moving to Paris has opened up many new opportunities for us and significantly increased our chances of successful employment.

France: it's time to get rid of biased opinions

Over the past four years, my perception of the French has changed significantly, while the country itself has remained almost the same. There are many stereotypes about the residents of different regions in France. For example,Parisiansknown for their hard work and often stay late at the office. On the contrary,Nice residentsThey lead a more relaxed and carefree lifestyle and, in terms of mentality, resemble Italians.Bretons, in turn, are known for their openness and love for rugby. There are also biased opinions aboutBordeauxAccording to these, the residents of this region are not the friendliest. These generalizations about the inhabitants of different places are often heard from the French themselves.

First impression of the country

When I first started living in France, I saw it solely as a beautiful country with stunning landscapes. But as soon as I found myself on the streets of Paris for the first time, my perceptions changed dramatically. I encountered many unfavorable and unattractive neighborhoods, felt the clear social stratification, and faced the issue of homelessness, which made me realize that among different social groups, you can find both kind and cruel people. I experienced both help and deceit from native French people as well as from immigrants from Africa. This convinced me that stereotypes are not only useless but also hinder integration into a new society.

Life in Thionville

At the initial stage of my stay in France, the city where I settled – Thionville – didn't inspire me much. It seemed gray and dreary, and the locals reminded me of Germans, but they weren't particularly open to communicating with people from other cultures. I didn't notice any obvious hostility towards Russians here. On the contrary, the locals show interest and often ask about life in Moscow.

Communication with the French

The French tend to be more talkative than Russians. Even the simplest visit to the bakery can drag on because of casual conversation.

About the differences in culture

In the region of Upper Savoy, I had a boss who shared his impressions of his wife, who is of Russian descent. He noted that Russian people tend to choose their words carefully, and their statements often reflect reality. In contrast, in his opinion, the French like to say one thing and act completely differently, which applies not only to their words but also to their opinions in general.

When it comes to racist manifestations, people in France tend to be cautious in their statements, especially in large metropolitan areas. Problems in intercultural communication usually arise from the remarks of politicians and public figures. In the northern regions of the country, racist sentiments are felt more strongly, which is related to the small number of immigrants.

My wife's family

My wife, who is originally from Paris, has a father of Moroccan origin and a mother with similar roots. Nevertheless, the family has lived in France for a long time and has been able to fully adapt to the local way of life.

Searching for housing in Paris

Finding housing in Paris is a real challenge. The rental application process requires a comprehensive set of documents and can vary significantly depending on the specific area.

• For example, in Thionville, which is popular among those working in Luxembourg, the rental prices are quite high.
• We stayed in a 20 square meter studio for 500–600 euros a month.
• As a result, our housing was allocated social housing status, which allowed us to significantly reduce our costs.
• Social housing is provided to those whose income does not exceed a set threshold, for example, an amount of 4,000 euros for a family.

We managed to move into a new apartment with an area of 35 square meters, where we paid only 200 euros a month, while government subsidies covered the remaining 400 euros, making a total rent of 600 euros.

Housing expenses

In Thionville, where we were staying with my mother-in-law, the rental prices were comparable, but it's difficult to provide specific examples. Paris, on the other hand, seems to me to be the most exciting place to look for housing, as there are many rental options available. However, the process of securing an apartment here is the most challenging.

Your rental channels are thoroughly scrutinized and require numerous supporting documents. For example, it's worth having:

• an open-ended employment contract,
• registration address,
• utility bills and
• evidence of long-term employment after the probation period.

Although this may not be explicitly stated, if an alternative candidate with a complete set of documents appears, preference will be given to them.

Pledge and lifestyle

It is also important not to forget about the need to pay a deposit for the first month of rent, and sometimes even to pay for two months upfront. Notably, the lifestyle of the French and the unique aspects of their real estate market can reveal a lot of interesting things to you.

Employment issues

Moving to a new city is always associated with challenges, and one of the most serious tasks is finding a suitable job. Without an official employment contract, it becomes extremely difficult to rent an apartment.

Options for accommodation in such cases come down to either hotels or temporary apartments, which we searched for on specialized platforms like le bon coin, similar to the Russian "Avito." It's important to remember that short-term rentals can be quite expensive – the minimum rates start at 1000 euros for a 22 square meter apartment in the 19th district of Paris.

Crime-prone areas of Paris

In the capital of France, you can find areas with a high crime rate. Despite this, it is worth noting that the situation is gradually improving. In these places, there are more and more hipsters, young people, and freelancers.

Of course, the changes are not happening so rapidly and there is still some tension in some parts of the city. We decided to rent in a similar neighborhood, but in close proximity to a lovely park. Our apartment was 34 square meters and the rent was €1100 per month, plus €100 for utilities. However, the apartment was empty and unfurnished.

Life in Neuilly-sur-Seine

We currently live in a suburb of Paris, located just five kilometers from the capital, in Neuilly-sur-Seine. If you ask the locals about this area, many will say that it is home to affluent people, most often retirees. This statement applies to our situation as well.

Nevertheless, we live in a compact apartment that is only 10 square meters in size. It has a separate bathroom, toilet, and a small kitchen. Living in such conditions is not without its challenges, but the rent is only €700 per month.

The location is perfect: the metro station is just a short walk away, making it easy to get anywhere quickly. There are large business centers and plenty of shops nearby. For a student or a single person, this accommodation is quite a suitable option.

Utility costs

Utility bills can be as high as €60:

• The internet and phone cost between €10 and €20.
• For gas and water services during the winter period, you have to pay about €30-40.

This specifically concerns our tiny apartment, as the cost of services depends on the total area of the housing.

Prices in Paris

When talking about prices in Paris, it is important to note that the economic situation in Europe has deteriorated significantly compared to the last two decades. Salaries are rising slightly, but price invasion is happening much faster, resulting in a decrease in purchasing power.

Therefore, many residents of Paris are trying to find ways to cut costs. For example:

• Many people bring food to work that they have prepared at home in advance.
• The culture of hanging out in cafes and restaurants, especially on Friday evenings, remains popular.

Recently, due to the rise in gas prices, restaurants have been banned from using heaters, which often results in indoor temperatures not exceeding 19 degrees. Parisians have always preferred to dress warmly rather than turn on the heating. However, on frosty winter days, heaters are still used.

Transportation costs

The cost of a monthly public transport pass is €85, although it was previously €70. In the case of official employment, the employer is supposed to reimburse transportation expenses, but this doesn't always happen. Usually, only 50% is reimbursed, while full coverage is more of an exception.

Food prices in cafes

Breakfast at a café will cost around €10 on average.

• Coffee costs around €2-3.
• other dishes — from €5 to €7.

For example, a lunch at a Chinese restaurant can cost around €8-10, including noodles with chicken and dessert. A sushi dinner can be about €15.

CertainlyIf you visit France and don't try the local dishes, it will be a significant oversight. In Paris, there are many Michelin-starred restaurants where a full menu (starter, main course, and dessert) starts at €50.

A good table wine costs between €3-4, while a more decent option will be around €6-10.

Product selection in France

An important aspect of choosing food products in France is not so much their price, but the presence of merit medals awarded at various agronomic exhibitions. These exhibitions are organized every year and cover a wide range of categories, including wine.

For example, in the city of Thionville, the average expenses for a couple are around 600 euros per month, while in the capital, Paris, this amount rises to 800-900 euros, especially if you, like me, enjoy variety in cuisine. Many people believe that it is possible to significantly reduce expenses in this area.

Strikes in France

Strikes in France are a common aspect of life, where citizens express their political and social views. There is a specialized resource that publishes a schedule of upcoming protests.

For example, I learned in advance that on March 7, serious transportation complications are expected due to a strike announced by metro and public transport workers. The main reason for this is the changes in the pension system, which have raised the retirement age to 64 years. It's interesting to note that this applies to both men and women.

During such protests, vacationers may accidentally find themselves in the midst of the events; however, local residents are usually aware of the situation and can adjust their plans accordingly. The locations of demonstrations are often cordoned off, making it difficult for outsiders to be present there.

Level of security

As for the level of safety, there are some areas with a high crime rate, but the authorities are making efforts to improve the situation. Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, is one of the most problematic places in France.

• Traditionally, immigrants, mostly workers, settled here.
• This contributed to the formation of social groups with unstable positions.
• The residential buildings in this area resemble high-rise apartments found in the post-Soviet space.

Housing in Saint-Denis is accessible to various social groups; however, over the past two decades, the area has become almost mono-ethnic. Local residents, although they do not openly discuss this, often prefer to hire workers who do not have legal issues, and generally, these are individuals born in less troubled areas.

Social research

There are studies that show that potential employers were presented with applications from two candidates with identical characteristics but different names: Mohamed and Jean-Paul. The results indicate that preference was more often given to Jean-Paul.

This indicates the presence of bias and entrenched stereotypes in society. This situation has led to the emergence of a group of people in the district who find themselves in a vicious cycle of rejections and depression, which, in turn, has contributed to the rise in crime rates.

Nevertheless, it is already possible to note changes: in the 19th district, there is an increase in the number of students and creative youth, which inspires hope for positive changes.

Conclusion

In conclusion of my story about moving to France, I want to share that this experience has become not only a new chapter in my life but also a true revelation. Since childhood, living in Moscow, I dreamed of life abroad, but I didn't realize how many opportunities and advantages this country offers. Upon arriving here, I understood that being surrounded by the history, culture, and diversity that France provides is not just a dream, but a reality that I now cherish.

France opened the doors for me to a world I had only dreamed of before. The opportunity to learn the language, immerse myself in the culture, and connect with people from different corners of the world has truly enriched my life. To be honest, the first steps were not easy, but the support of my wife and her family made the integration process much smoother. I realized thatfamilyandloveThey can overcome many obstacles, and because of this, I was able to adapt to the new environment.

Important aspects of adaptation

• Documents:The paperwork takes time and patience.
• Language:Learning a language opens up new opportunities.
• Culture:Immersion in the culture helps to establish connections with the locals.

Documents, adapting to new conditions, work — all of this was very important, but essentially, the biggest challenge was learning to understand and feel like a part of a new culture. I realized thatlanguage— it is the key to people's hearts, and in France there are excellent opportunities to learn French, which, unfortunately, is lacking in Russia for expats.

Prospects and adventures

Ultimately, the decision to live in France became not just a choice for love, but also a step towards broadening horizons and developing new skills. Every day here is filled with new experiences and discoveries. The feeling of freedom and the ability to choose your own path is what makes life in France so appealing. I eagerly await the new adventures that lie ahead and hope that my experience will inspire others not to be afraid to dream and pursue their desires, even if they seem distant.