Sarah Pardi, 35, moved from Oregon to Paris in 2023, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to live in France. Her journey, however, has revealed a complex reality beyond the initial fairy-tale image, involving significant cultural adaptation and navigating one of Europe's most competitive housing markets.
Pardi's path to Paris began a decade earlier with an au pair position in Madrid and a temporary English teaching contract in Toulouse. After returning to the United States, she secured a position with a French-headquartered company that sponsored her relocation. She now lives in the 18th arrondissement, the historic Montmartre district, with her husband.
The Competitive Quest for a Parisian Home
Finding and securing accommodation in Paris presented a major initial hurdle. The process is notably different from the United States, requiring prospective tenants to compile a comprehensive personal dossier—a file acting as a résumé for landlords. Pardi rents a one-bedroom flat in Montmartre for $1,770 per month, a sum she notes is significantly higher than in other French regions.
"In this other town I was looking at, I could get a five-bedroom flat for $1,770," Pardi stated, highlighting the premium of the capital. The competitive market and strict requirements make property acquisition for non-EU citizens a challenging prospect.
Cultural Nuances in Daily Life and Work
Pardi's daily routine is characterised by walking, a shift from car-centric American cities. While she works remotely, avoiding a commute, she observes distinct cultural differences in social and professional environments.
She describes French work culture as having longer hours but a more laid-back pace, with a firm segregation between professional and personal life. "You don't typically meet your colleagues' spouses in France," she noted, contrasting it with common US practices.
Another adjustment has been the absence of casual small talk, particularly in service interactions in Paris. "In France, it's strictly business. It's just a cultural thing," Pardi explained, acknowledging she sometimes misses the overt friendliness commonplace in America.
Building Community and Contemplating the Future
Despite minoring in French in college, Pardi found initial social integration challenging due to the language barrier. She and her husband built a community largely through an English-speaking cafe attached to a bike shop, connecting with other immigrants and internationals.
While deeply appreciating French culture, social safety nets, and her current life, Pardi experiences homesickness, missing her family on the US West Coast, casual American social exchanges, and specific foods like refried beans and jalapeños.
Looking ahead, Pardi is approximately two years away from eligibility for French naturalisation, based on residency and tax contributions. While she and her husband discuss a potential return to the United States one day, likely motivated by family, their immediate goal is securing French citizenship, cementing their life in Paris.