Moving to Paris is a common aspiration among foreign visitors who long for a life filled with delicious pastries and many glasses of wine. With that said, it proves to be a daunting task – Bureaucracy, apartment-hunting and a language barrier can be a pain to put up with. However, once that’s all been dealt with, it is time to remember why you moved in the first place and enjoy all the luxuries that come with residing in one of the most-loved cities in the world.

Here is a list of things to do when living in Paris:

Walk around – a lot
Paris is a very walkable city, and at times, getting to your destination can take the same period of time by walk as it would by metro. This gives you the perfect opportunity to take in elements of Paris that you may have missed otherwise. With that said, do get yourself a Navigo (metro) pass as soon as you’re settled. It will save you money in the long run, and you will find that the transport system in Paris moves efficiently.

Find your go-to coffee spot
In a busy, sleepless city like Paris, chances are you will get swept in to that same fast-paced lifestyle that Parisians are so very accustomed to. Finding time to yourself to sit down and people-watch like the locals, is vital.

Watch out for pickpockets
This is especially important if you’re traveling at rush hour. Parisians often warn of this as they too are prone to these attacks, and it is not just the unknowing foreigners who fall victim.  

Socialise
For any expat, moving to a new country can prove to be lonely. Start finding ways to interact with the locals (or other expats) as soon as you’ve moved in. Do take some time to visit the neighbourly hotspots, the bars and popular cafes. Join classes and plan meet-ups with expats online. Although this may seem the least of your priorities among an inevitably packed schedule upon moving to a new place, it will really help you integrate and feel more at home. Paris is not known to be the most welcoming city until you take initiative yourself.

Learn the language
If you don’t already, put time aside to learn the language. Take classes and attempt to communicate with locals, rather than shying away. At first, this might seem tough. You will bump into the odd local unwilling to help with any struggles you might have, as you would anywhere. However, learning to speak the language fluently will simplify things.

Absorb as much of the art and culture as you can
When moving to Paris for work or studies, it is easy to forget why the city is so enchanting. It always helps to look at things through the eyes of a tourist, excitedly paying their first-time visit. Dedicate time to visiting the many, many museums found in Paris. Only now that you are a resident, you can pick and choose wisely. The smaller and less common museums will prove to be a more pleasant experience due to a lack of tourists barging in your every photo.