Moving to a new country is a daunting prospect and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Moving away from family and friends, especially if you’re going alone can feel incredibly lonely and overwhelming, to the point where you might find yourself in a situation where you don’t want to leave your apartment and start to doubt whether it was the right move. But don’t worry, many people get these feelings with such a big change. It’s perfectly natural to feel out of your depth, but there are ways to help you handle this to reduce those feelings of anxiety and really get you into the spirit of discovering everything there is to know about your new Parisian home.
Learn The Language And Make Friends
When moving to Paris, learning to speak French is going to be one of the best things you choose to do. While many locals know basic English, especially in the capital which is an international hub, if you venture outside of the city, you’re going to lack the ability to communicate even more. Spending your time learning your own basic French, especially with some handy phrases to relay your current level of skill to avoid being overwhelmed by a fluent French speaker, you’ll find it much easier to converse with others. Alongside this, it will help you to make some new friends too, who’ll be able to assist in your language learning much more naturally.
Choose An Apartment Close To Transport Links
Deciding where to live in any city is a very important decision and Paris is no exception. The city is made up of many different neighbourhoods, each with their own different feel and features. Some are quiet and off the beaten track, some are bustling tourist centres, and some are particular unwelcoming and unsafe.
When looking for accommodation to rent in Paris, you’ll first want to make sure the area is a pleasant one to live in, and then you’ll want to make sure you’re nearby to some of Paris’ great transport links. The metro is a brilliant mode of transport connecting you to many areas of the capital city in mere minutes.
As well as this, there are some great bus links too. Failing that, you could also grab yourself a bicycle to enjoy one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities.
Know Where To Walk And Where To Avoid
When venturing out and about through the city, it’s worthwhile knowing exactly which areas you probably shouldn’t wander into. Some places throughout Paris are actually quite dangerous, just like any other large city, and you don’t want to be walking through looking lost. It’s incredibly worthwhile learning about all of the neighbourhoods or arrondissements in the city so that you can be sure you’re taking the safest path possible.
Keep Up To Date With Things Going On In Your Area
One way to feel more connected to your new home is to keep up to date with local news and politics. If you’re not particularly inclined to follow these things, it’s still worth giving it a try as knowing why a particular protest is happening, or why a certain road is closed will help to keep you informed and adaptable and provide you with a better sense of belonging too.
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