Are you
moving to Paris anytime soon? If you are, then you'll be one of thousands, if not millions of expats in Paris today. With a stable economy and a high standard of living, the French capital continues to draw in more and more new residents each year. As such, it has cultivated a large expat community, perhaps one of the biggest in the world. And where do they all hang out? Well, a few popular spots include Montmartre, Montparnasse, and the Paris Islands, to name a few. If you want to meet your fellow expats in Paris, these are the places you'll want to go!
Montmartre
Montmartre never fails to draw in expats in Paris. For one thing, it's a vibrant area with plenty of hotspots and a welcoming community. The district, which is in the 18th arrondissement, is one of a handful of bohemian havens in the French capital. Free spirits and new ideas reign supreme here, even if it has become one of the more family-oriented
neighborhoods in Paris. Is it expensive here? Yes, to a certain extent. Though it's not the most expensive part of Paris, prices aren't exactly low here. Still, every price you pay is worth it!
Montparnasse
Let's get this out of the way: the living costs in Paris are high. The French capital may not be the most expensive city in the world, but it's right up there! There are only a handful of neighborhoods that you could truly consider as affordable and one of them is
Montparnasse. Once the haven for painters, musicians, and writers, the bohemian spirit still lives in this part of Paris. The relatively low prices have also remained. Eateries here aren't so high-class that a meal would cost an arm and a leg. Rent in these parts won't take up most of your income either.
Le Marais
Whether you're a tourist or an expat in Paris,
Le Marais will always be one of those districts that you simply have to see. It's the trendiest part of town filled with stylish Parisians who know dress and know the best places to eat. The neighborhood itself is a treasure trove of the hippest bars, the fanciest restaurants, and the coolest cafes in Paris. If you want to out on the town, Le Marais is the best place for you! Even more so if you're part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the “gayborhood” of the French capital, hence, the area is fashionable and fabulous!
Latin Quarter
Your reason for moving to Paris and becoming an expat here is probably one of two: work relocation or higher education. And if it's the latter, then there's a good chance you'll spend your days in the
Latin Quarter. Home to many of the
finest schools in Paris, this neighborhood is where international students live and hang out. They go to class in the various educational institutions nearby and hang out afterward in the many bistros, cafes, and bars in the area. Even if you're not a student, any expat will gravitate towards this youthful part of town either way!
Sentier District
A good many expats in Paris are those who want to make it big in the corporate world. And among the city's many neighborhoods, the
2nd arrondissement is their major hub. This is where you'll find the Sentier district, the “Silicon Valley” of Paris. Business is alive and well in this part of town. The area boasts a multitude of startups, IT Tech companies, multinational businesses, multimedia corporations, and more. At the same time, Sentier also has the coolest nightclubs, popular bars, and even a few
Michelin-starred restaurants too. What expat wouldn't want to hang out here?
Rue Oberkampf
Speaking of bars and nightclubs, any expat who moves to Paris because of its famous (some would say infamous!) nightlife scene ought to know about Rue Oberkampf. Located in the
11th arrondissement, it's the beloved nightlife strip of the French capital. This 1.23-kilometer-long street is lined with bustling bars, exciting restaurants, crowded bistros, and more. Even during the day, it never fails to draw in locals and tourists alike. When the sun is up, it's the go-to foodie haven for those who want to indulge in the flavors of Paris. Come sundown, however, Rue Oberkampf turns up the part unlike any other!
Paris Islands
Not a lot of people realize that Paris has a few islands. It's just that they're not so distant from the rest of the city that you could hardly call them islands. These places do have their own unique charms though, which is why expats love hanging out there. Perhaps the most famous is
Île de la Cité, located at the center of Paris. A pleasant neighborhood in its own right, it's known to the world as the home of Notre Dame, the city's most famous church. Another spectacular church, Sainte-Chapelle, is also on this island.
Paris Suburbs
Expats in Paris ought to consider living in the
Paris Suburbs. Not just hang out, but actually settle down there! Staying in the central districts is all well and good, but there's no denying that these are hectic areas. These may be the best places to rent a
luxury apartment in Paris, but they're admittedly not the most peaceful nor even the safest. The Paris Suburbs, on the other hand, is like a more serene version of the French capital. Though it boasts no iconic monuments, it still has its fair share of hustle and bustle as well as its own quiet neighborhoods.
When you move to Paris, you'll be one of the many expats living in the city. Do you know where the others are hanging out? It'd be great if you make friends with other expats in Paris, so find out where they're usually hanging out in the city.
