7 tips for solo females moving to Paris

Paris is a beautiful city and for the most part, it’s incredibly safe. You’ll likely feel at home as soon as you arrive and you can get out and spend weeks exploring new neighbourhoods and iconic attractions. From where to live to where to eat, we’ve got a few tips that might come in handy for solo females moving to Paris.

Choose your neighbourhood carefully

Where you live in Paris will determine where you hang out, so give some thought to this one. For solo females we recommend the Marais district. Considered to be one of the best areas for expats to live in Paris, it’s full of trendy cafes, boutique shops and art galleries. If you want to live somewhere safe, then choosing a neighbourhood in Paris popular with families is a good option. The 16th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower is full of expat families and has lots of green space and charming cafes. Always dreamed of an Eiffel Tower view? Here are some Paris apartments with a view of the Eiffel Tower that will make moving to Paris even more tempting. The trendy Canal Saint Martin area is another great option for solo females and is slightly more affordable than the other two neighbourhoods. Our list of apartments near the Gare du Nord train station will help you find somewhere to live in this hip enclave. 

 

Beware of pickpockets

While Paris is on the whole, very safe, there are still areas targeted by pickpockets, just like in any busy city. So make sure you have your wits about you. Always keep your phone and belongings in a zipped bag, preferably under your arm. In general, make sure you keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings. Pickpockets often approach people asking them to sign a paper or fill in a survey. This is a scam so please be polite and move away as quickly as possible. They also operate in restaurants and bars. If your cell phone is on the table they will place a clipboard or newspaper on top of the phone while they speak to you and when they leave, they will take your phone with them. People live in Paris their whole lives without falling victim to pickpockets, so you might never need these tips, but just be aware.  

 

Take yourself out for dinner

When eating alone in other cities you may be greeted by a sympathetic look from the waiter and a sad “only one?” response. But in Paris that would never happen. Of all the places we’ve eaten and drunk, Paris has the most solo diners of anywhere we’ve been and eating alone is completely the norm. You won’t raise a single eyebrow eating alone in Paris. So with that in mind, the city is your oyster. Take yourself out for some of the best pancakes in Paris or devour a delicious brunch. If you’ve got a sweet tooth then you’ll love our guide to the best bakeries in Paris and our list of the best hot chocolates in Paris. All of the places on these lists are full of solo diners. So pull up a chair, get your book out and enjoy the ambience. 

 

Join some clubs and attend some meet ups

Moving to any new city is a challenge but the more you embrace the unknown, the more fun you’ll have. Join Meetup and find like minded people who are also looking to make friends. There is a meet up for every interest from literature to veganism. Joining a sports team is another sure fire way to make friends. Even if team sports aren’t really your thing, there are plenty of running clubs in the city. You could also use this as an opportunity to try something new like climbing. Heading to the climbing wall will help you meet new people and take you out of your comfort zone. 

 

Get to know your local farmers market

When you move to Paris as a solo female you’ll need to get used to doing your grocery shopping in a new city. Paris has its fair share of supermarkets and delis but we favour the farmers market for picking up food. Most neighbourhoods in the city have a farmers market and sell fresh produce at relatively low prices. You can also just buy what you need which helps to eliminate food waste when you’re just cooking for one. 

 

Familiarise yourself with the transport system

When you first move to Paris it might take you a while to familiarise yourself with the transport system. There is the metro, the bus network, taxis, bikes and boats all to navigate. But getting around Paris is actually pretty straightforward. If you choose to live in central Paris you can even reach a lot of places on foot like a real Parisian. The city is so beautiful that before you know it you’ll have walked 3 miles and taken in some breathtaking sights. 

 

Remember to have fun

Moving to Paris alone is a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You’re free to roam the streets at your own leisure, eat as many croissants as you want and over indulge in red wine in quaint French bars. So remember to enjoy it. Moving somewhere as a solo female can be intimidating and scary, but you need to remember to have fun. Be curious. Say yes to invitations. And just stay safe while you’re doing it.