moving to paris

Well there are many bureaucratic things to navigate in France. Let me share some insight that may make the move easier. If you are moving to Paris it might be wise to get a temporary flat to give you some time to assess the different arrondissements...aka...neighborhoods or boroughs. Websites to consider for apartment hunting: craigslist.com (be careful there is some fraud - try only to use for temporary housing - and be careful of how you are paying!)pap.fr (you may be asked for "caution" and "gaurantie parentale" which are "security deposit" and "parental guarantee" - no it doesn't seem to matter your age....Many Parisian landlords are skeptical of foreigners. fusac.fr (means For USA Contacts - but is ultimately a resource for English speakers) If you use this - call people the moment the new listings become available. Also google the American Church in Paris near Pont d'Alma. You must go in person to look at classifieds - they are posted daily. (Not the American Cathedral - that is something else). Don't be surprised if you are asked for ridiculous deposits. The law requires that everyone have renter's insurance. If you are a student you can get discounts. I finally found a website that allows you to complete the whole transaction online - even with an American or Canadian credit card. If you are a student check out http://www.assurances-etudiants.com/index.asp You should try to open a bank account as quickly as possible. It will make your life easier. I tried to open an HSBC France account from the U.S. - but the people in the U.S. would not follow through on the process. If you are in NY I imagine the proces might be easier. They said I had to open an account in the US first which is not true. So I will be writing to them about that. There are many banking options in France. Just beware that many student accounts have restrictions about using your debit card online etc. Free banking is scarce. Expect to pay a monthly fee. If you will be needing to wire money from the US - Citibank has a relatively easy means of transferring your funds from a US bank account to French bank account online. To get your Carte de Sejours you will have to provide amongst many things proof that the electricity bill is in your name. If you have the luck of having the contact info of the person moving out you can jointling writer a letter to EDF advising them of the change. You will need to tell them the number on the meter. Once it is changed to your name you can set up an account online to record your usage to make billing more accurate. If the phone line is still "active" in your apartment you can go online to one of the ADSL providers to get a bundeled phone/wifi-internet/TV service for 30 euros. There are many choices and I do not know who is really the best. I chose Freebox because their online process seemed the easiest. The problem is having internet in the interim. If you have a wifi card - do a serach for connections. If you find a FON connection - go ahead and use it. If you have a US credit card you can buy 5 days at a time for 2 dollars per day - not euros. The only annoyance is that each day you must activate a new PASS - which means you will have to login to the FON website and click on passes and go through the procedure as if you are buying a new subscription until you see a link for "Check my status". If you are planning on living here for awhile - stock up on passport sized photos. You will need them for you Carte Orange (bus pass) ... sure you can get a Navigo online from ratp.fr but it takes awhile so you will probably need to get a Carte Orange at first. Just go to a metro station with a photo and ask for your first Carte Orange and give them a photo. They will understand. The Navigo is cheaper and more convenient...so order it as soon as you can. but while getting that first Carte Orange ask them for a "carte a poche" - a little metro map that will fit into your metropass holder. Learn french phrases. When you go to the bakery in the morning it is necessary to say "bonjour madame or bonjour monsiers (pronounce messieur) before asking for what you want. Even if you speak french they will know by your accent that you are a foreigner. If they speak English they are just trying to practice or be polite by making things easier for you. If you want them to speak in French - just tell them. They will happily oblige even though they want to practie their English. Well that's all for now. More later!Ciao.