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Living In France / Life As A French Résident by davide470(m): 7:00pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
This thread is about Life in France for Immigrants/Expatriates and those that are based in the French Republic. (The idea was culled from the 'Living in the UK' thread) It is an avenue for people that have migrated (with or without their families), those that got their work visa (Carte de Séjour/Passeport Talent) after their Master/PhD studies to share their experiences to help future applicants/students. Kindly discuss and share your experiences & comments on: * Récépissé & Police Préfecture wahala * What are the immigration rules to follow? * Which region/suburb did you settle in and why? * Public Transportation in France * Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? *Renting Vs Mortgage (pitfalls to avoid when choosing mortgage) * Childcare for kids below 5 (cost and how do you go about choosing a minder) * Business Tips you can do * What does the French Healthcare (Ameli) fully cover and do you really need a mutuelle? * Tips on raising kids in a western environment as an African * Nigerian restaurants and market in your location Etc. Let's make it lively!! 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by davide470(m): 7:01pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
How are y'all coping with the lockdown and living in this Covid-19 era? 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 7:36pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Finally!!!! Please kindly contribute here if you live in France. France is my dream destination but the language is what discourages me. Justwise Justmellow Frankrobbn1 please help with this thread davide470: 1 Like |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by pufframmy: 9:00pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
nice |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 9:00pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
* What are the immigration rules to follow? Always stay on the RIGHT side of the law and always have your ID on you at all times, as you can be checked by the police anywhere and for no reason whatsoever. dont try to follow-follow what french people are doing, you may see us jump the metro or talk shiiit to controlleurs but dont try that shiit unless you are fully aware of the consequences as a foreigner. * Which region/suburb did you settle in and why? i believe the Paris suburb is the best place to live in France...cheap but yet close to Paris and work wise thats the best place to be at....and let's not forget Paris is the best city in France (even though many willl gladly argue about that) * Public Transportation in France public transportation in France is fantastic, wherever you may be...but Paris has some of the best public transport in the country. you can take the RER and cross the city in no time. you have tram, buses etc to help you in your travels....sadly, it aint as cheap as some other big cities of Europe *Renting Vs Mortgage (pitfalls to avoid when choosing mortgage) if you are going to live in France for a while, and have the right income and paperwork, then a "pret immobilier" is the best route to follow...now rates are so low, it would be a mistake to rent a place for more than 5 yrs. i believe choosing a mortgage has to do with who you are and what your plans are. no two people are the same. are you renting to have a family home for the future, or just trying to save money while having a place you can easily rent in the future? the location of the house is also very important as some houses may be cheap as hell but in such a remote area that you wouldnt/couldnt rent it out, even if it was free. also there are neighborhoods you want to stay well away from as a foreigner * Childcare for kids below 5 (cost and how do you go about choosing a minder) most creche will take care of your child from the age of 3months so technically the closest creche from your home is the one that you need to apply to.... and the easiest for you to go to and from. generally you wouldnt need to worry about the people working there as they go through rigorous checks, i would never choose a stranger to take care of my kids, and would instead find a well known family friend/acquaintances to be in your home taking care of your kids... and making them understand that the house is filled with hidden cameras * Business Tips you can do really depends on - who you are, where you are - what your aim is - how much time you have to invest in such biz - how much money you have to invest in that biz - if you speak French - if you are street smart * Tips on raising kids in a western environment as an African let your kids mingle with local children early on, let them immerse in the local community, join some sports, do activities with local kids... in no times your kids will be speaking french and possibly help you learn french too. STAY AWAY FROM NIGERIANS, STAY AWAY FROM NIGERIANS...STAY AWAY FROM NIGERIANS. as this is the worst thing to do if you want to learn the local way of life, the local language and immerse in the local community. meeting Nigerians will just push you towards doing exactly what other Nigerians have don/do...and just repeat exactly what others are doing. be your own person, make your own path and dont be another puppet doing the same things that others are doing, going the same place other Nigerians are going. * Nigerian restaurants and market in your location in Paris, go to chateau rouge, and you will find all the African ingredients you desire... Paris is filled with great African restaurants from all different parts of Africa. i generally like Senegalese/Ivorians restaurants... and actually the best mafé/thieboudienne i have ever ate was in one of the seedy "foyer Africains" where you can have a big plate of food for about 5€...actually if you want to eat cheap in Paris, walk into any "foyer Africain" and you will be in heaven...not the cleanest place on earth but oh boy you can eat there and be good for the whole day France is a fantastic country...whether you visit or live there but you have to learn some French before getting there because, as much as most French people understand "some" English, the majority dont practice it so they'd rather answer you in French when you speak in English. have a glass of wine, some cheese, a good saucisson with a baguette some time to time and enjoy it fully 37 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by jesmond3945: 9:32pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
MrBrownJay1:i wouldnt say avoid nigerians but choose nigerian friends wisely. 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 9:50pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
jesmond3945: IMHO...i always say avoid your country people, because it hinders you from going out of your way to meet local people. i believe it is a waste for any citizen of the world, to travel across the globe to go meet people you could meet around the corner from your hometown. also, the minute you start hanging out with your fellow country man, you will automatically do what they've done, go where they've been and ultimately not really discover on your own terms but instead just do what others of your countrymen are doing. to me traveling is an adventure and you need to get out of your ways, get out of your comfort zone, get out of your local state of mind to DISCOVER new places, new languages, new way of life, new people, new culture, new smell, new taste etc etc etc and you certainly cant do that while hanging around your country people. after a few months somewhere, when you miss Nigerian food then YES by all means, go find a Nigerian restaurant and binge on some succulent home food, but certainly not as you just arrive in a new place. ... but you are right, you certainly shouldnt befriend just about "any" Nigerian you meet abroad. 26 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by jesmond3945: 10:01pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
MrBrownJay1:lol you want to meet white people that would not care to meet you half way. Wont call to check up on you, always minding their business. Sometimes it feels like you are forcing yourself on them. Mehnn i have high self worth, I am not ready to pander to anybody and I get whatever I want. I believe some africans dont mind. No problem, but I know my value and would always hold myself to the highest esteem. There are great Nigerians that would help you far more than local people ever would. 7 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 10:33pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
jesmond3945: bro there are a lot of people around the world apart from white people and so long as you have a positive attitude and vibe, THEY will come towards you naturally. you dont have to lower yourself but you have to be willing to meet them half way. you have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone, you have to be willing to open up and let people close to you... its a cultural exchange where we both share our culture and get to discover something different. you will definitely meet racist in this journey...or better yet, they will avoid you, so dont worry about these irrelevant people. a nigerian will always be a foreigner outside of nigeria, and no matter how they can help you, they cant possibly open your mind to a different culture better than locals themselves. Nigerians will always be Nigerians (emotionally) and sadly, you even think like one when you automatically dismiss white people before even going on that beautiful adventure/journey (wherever it may be). how can you meet the right people with such negative view of a race?! open your mind, dont assume the worst and instead assume the best, and if the worst happen then deal with it THERE AND THEN.... but going anywhere with a negative outlook on citizens of the world would always be wrong IMHO. the fact that you believe that foreigners "dont care to meet you" is such a sad statement. most foreigners know nothing about Nigerians apart from the BS they read online, so prove them wrong, show them that the majority of Nigerians are great people and these yahoo-yahoo that ruins the reputations of Nigerians are a minority. 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 10:38pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Godbless you champ , more money to your pocket. Please how do you suggest getting a part time job to support yourself? I heard you’re not fluent in the french you cannot even get off jobs not talk more of postgraduate job with the aps. What do you advise please? Is it worth studying there? MrBrownJay1: |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 10:56pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Skymoore1004: the type of visa that you hold, can make the difference between finding a "ok" job OR only being able to work part time OR getting a black job (aka becoming a modern day slave). also depending on the field that you are seeking employment, will depend on the chances of finding something to do. the best bet is to just walk into a "agence d'intérim" (part time work agency) like Manpower or Adecco and register yourself with them.. you can also easily find job in restaurants etc in the touristy part of the city but you have to A) have the right look and most importantly B) speak French fluently...unless you prefer cleaning dishes (which is definitely easier to find). Yes, speaking French is very important unless you do online work, and if you dont speak the language, your chance to find a decent job are next to impossible. anyway, i dont think it will be easy to find work in the next 6months as this covid-19 has put a lot of people in the unemployment field....especially the millions of people that work directly/indirectly with tourism. 8 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 11:03pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Mehn France no go work for me o. Wash plate keh? E never reach Abeg. Please do you have another Eu country you can suggest that a student can find work that is not restaurant or washing plates please MrBrownJay1: |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 11:23pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Skymoore1004: dont get me wrong, there are a lot of jobs you can do...but you generally have to speak French, and have some type or European recognized education to match, in order to ask a better salary...also luck is important, and having local help is also important...."people who know people who know people who are looking for someone" type. most big European cities would be the same, and if it is just for work, then i would suggest either Germany where the job market is/was "healthy" before this Covid-19 madness or anywhere in Scandinavia. remember you will still need to get a valid working visa, unless you want to get these menial BS jobs.... but at least your English wouldnt be a problem as everyone speaks English there (compared to France) BTW with a student visa, many of these European places put a restriction on how many hours you can work per week |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 11:40pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
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Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 11:42pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
I know you are trying to help. Well done. However, do not make assertions that are not correct. I understand French but I do not have to speak French as part of my job. It is also incorrect to assume that people will definitely "wash plates" in France. Do not scare people. I know Nigerians who do not "wash plates" in Paris and are legally working here. What I can advice is that you have to come here through legal means - landing here as a refugee is also a way - not smooth but it is a way. Consider studying here and see how things turn out. All the best. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 11:50pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Which kind of job are you into please? ProudBiafran: |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 11:55pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Skymoore1004: I am an IT consultant. IT pays well. I was into Engineering before switching. I have not fully switched though as I work as an IT project manager. I am looking to dust my programming skills so I can go full technical. I am also considering express entry into Canada as a back up. 7 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 11:57pm On Apr 07, 2020 |
Skymoore1004: yes Denmark is expensive to live but the salaries are making it up for it...a room in a shared apt will cost you between €450 to €650 depending on how far you wanna live from the center of Copenhagen, but any decent job will pay you no less than €2K (even dish-washing). your biggest worry there should be the damn cold there and lack of sun, even though its still better than Norway in this aspect (where the brutal/deadly Norwegian cold is no joke) 7 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 12:03am On Apr 08, 2020 |
Thanks , I will still consider Denmark. They also introduced this new 2 years visa for danish university graduates. MrBrownJay1: |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Skymoore1004: 12:04am On Apr 08, 2020 |
Nice one, goodluck mate ProudBiafran: |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 12:05am On Apr 08, 2020 |
Skymoore1004: Merci. |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by jesmond3945: 9:58am On Apr 08, 2020 |
MrBrownJay1:guy you are funny. Who are the locals if not white people. Other nationalities have no problem, they always try to reach out but come to think of it, how can you see a friend who is a local on the street and such a friend will pretend he or she doesnt know you or saw you?. Infact friendships are not deep, when everything is crumbling you are on your own. it is only nigerians that would stand by you. With the growing right wing sentiments all over europe it would get worse. It is always good when we are advising our brothers back home we tell them the truth. Europe is beautiful, there are nice people but not friendly, infact if you are not a one man mopol or someone who enjoys his company. you would find it difficult. Then if you want to blend in, know how to drink. If you are not an alcholic myself, you would always walk alone. 2 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 12:27pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
jesmond3945: the world is filled with black yellow green people.... what is this negative fixation you have against white people? no wonder you cant befriend anyone with that failed mindset, its poisoning your thinking process. there are many ways to befriend people, you have colleagues at work, people you meet in the place you are staying, neighbors, people you meet when you go to eat, people you ask on the street for enquiries/help, girls you befriend in bars/clubs. how difficult is it really to approach a stranger abroad and start a conversation? shiiiiit , you can just walk up to a nice looking woman, smile and say:"hi excuse me, do you speak English? could you help me with something......" and take it from there. et voila! it takes time to make a deep friendship ANYWHERE, even in africa, but that doesnt mean that you cannot find a group of friend with whom to socialize and go out and discover the local culture and way of life, is it?! what would be crumbling exactly? what the hell are you talking about? if anything is crumbling then CALL YOUR FAMILY because no Nigerians that just met you would help you either. believe me, the majority have their own life/families to take care of already. stop this begging nonsense, if anything is crumbling then GO HOME, and stop expecting strangers you just met to help you. you have much more chances for a local to help you than a Nigerian/African hustling abroad to spend his hard earn cash on you. what has the right wing movement got to do with anything...? these are minorities and you would probably never encounter these people if you stay in the main areas of any cities... and even if you meet any, they will just stare at you and basta. if you think that we are in 1774 where people get hanged in broad daylight like animals, while everyone else is watching and cheering then you best wake the hell up! no wonder so many Nigerians never succeed abroad when they have such a failed mindset as you do. everything you talk about is negativity upon negativities....i even wonder why you want to go to such places of the world, if they are so bad? oh yeah, let me guess, to make money by any means, and go back to Nigeria as a millionaire with Rolls and Mansions and private jets, abi? no wonder so many end up doing the same old BS crimes and rubbish, when you cant even open your mind. i sincerely feel sorry for people who think like you do, because you will never discover anything, you will never know anything, you will never go anywhere, because you dont have it in you. your vision of the world is completely fukced up. if you need people to translate for you, many locals would help you. if you need help in finding a job, many locals will help you. if you need help finding a place to rent, many local would help you BUT if you need free food and free accommodation or free money then why should ANYONE help you?! do you actually think Nigerians abroad will help you (a stranger they just met) with free money, free food, free apt etc? this begging culture that Nigerians carry on their head, as if the world owes you anything, has got to STOP! if anyone should help anybody, let them help the ones back in Nigeria who cant get 3 square meals a day and have no means to find employment etc, not some lucky dude who made it around the world and is too lazy to do anything for his own damn self and looks at every foreigner as the enemy. you even have the AUDACITY to write that white people are not nice people... as if anyone would be nice to someone with your failed negative good for nothing entitled mindset. no wonder you cant find nice people when you think the way you do!!! 13 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 12:50pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
On the advice regarding avoiding Nigerians, the poster has a good point. Not all Nigerians are the same but you need to search hard to find a Nigerian who is neither a fraud nor a religious bigot nor disrespectful nor judgemental nor close minded. Nigerians tend to travel with the evil from Nigeria. Like the poster said, learn to mix well with the locals. You will be fine. 13 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by jesmond3945: 1:54pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
MrBrownJay1:I have more international friends than you can think of but I relate with everybody on mutual terms and not one sided. White europeans have this air of superiority they carry around but can be nice if you come close to them but will always tolerate you but not celebrate you. I think you have to redefine what you know about friendship. Europeans are nice but are not friendly this unlike Americans which are friendly but not nice. This is how we mislead our people and they make friends with the locals and at the end of the day they are set up for bad stuff. The only people I can vouch for is in the workplace or religious places. Anything outside that is 50 50. Dont mislead people, giving them false hope. Having small talk with people is different from being friends with them. When you exchange numbers with them, they wont even call you unless it is important. This is unlike our people who will call to check up on you. When I mean crumbling is when shit hits the fan, you will find out that you are all alone. At this point in time nobody needs friends with no emotional connection. You have people all around you but you feel alone. it is better you stick with your family or people of your race who share your sentiment. I think you misunderstand me. You dont need the locals for anything. Europe is not Africa. If you want a job, apply for one and if you are qualified you will get. If you need direction use the map or you can ask and locals would be happy to help but dont think it is an invitation for friendship. If you need true[ friends join the local church dont allow this guy to deceive you that the locals are waiting for you with open arms. I think it is safe to say you have low self esteem, always seeking for validation or acceptance. you would never find true happiness in doing so 3 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 2:04pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
jesmond3945: My experience with living with Anglo Saxons and Europeans (French especially) is that the English speakers pretend a lot. Easy to smile and all. Hard to know who is truly friendly. The French appear not so friendly but you can be sure that when you get close they are friendly as hell. You have very friendly people in France. African culture is way closer to the French than to the British. In the area of human relations for sure. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by megastu(m): 2:18pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
This is the reason why Indians make a lot more progress abroad. Nigerians want to avoid fellow Nigerians, and even when they do mix, they want to compete with each other, not showing others opportunities etc. I wish you could delete this post. Not a good advice at all. MrBrownJay1: 4 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by megastu(m): 2:21pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
Thanks my brother, I have lived in Europe and stayed extensively across America and I really can't understand what he meant by avoiding Nigerians. jesmond3945: 1 Like |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by ProudBiafran: 2:47pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
megastu: Indians do not go stealing and prostutiting like Nigerians. They work. Nigerians love to steal and are lazy and loud. Hence it is better to avoid them if you can. 9 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 3:44pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
megastu: read again what i wrote, this time very slowly and with an open mind...if you believe that moving abroad and staying with only Nigerians is beneficial for a traveler, then no wonder Indians are thriving abroad... they use everything at their disposal to thrive and dont limit themselves by staying with one specific community and certainly dont look at the citizen of that said country as the devil... 5 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by Davidson5(m): 4:25pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
Sincerely I concur with u brother.. In a strange land like France and you really wanna blend in. You have to mingle with the locals. Avoid Nigerians for a while though not permanently. I completely comprehend what you wrote bro. MrBrownJay1: 6 Likes |
Re: Living In France / Life As A French Résident by MrBrownJay1(m): 4:33pm On Apr 08, 2020 |
jesmond3945: celebrate you for what exactly? for being African, for being Nigerian, for being a foreigner? why would anyone celebrate a citizen of any country... again, we are sharing culture, sharing ideas, sharing a moment together, and its not some being above the other. you have low self esteem bro if you automatically view whites/foreigners as better than you and expect them to "celebrate" you... celebrate your own self and dont expect nothing more than friendliness and an open mind from strangers I think you have to redefine what you know about friendship. Europeans are nice but are not friendly this unlike Americans which are friendly but not nice. why would you be so judgmental about people? why would you want people to have some preconceived ideas about the world? let everyone go out there and make their own image about the world, instead of putting such a FOUL NEGATIVE image of the world in people's mind, just because YOU have failed to see the good in people. if you actually believe the above statement then i can only say that you attract the type of foul character that you carry. This is how we mislead our people and they make friends with the locals and at the end of the day they are set up for bad stuff. misleading people by telling them that the world is a great place if you are great; a nice place if you are nice to people and a friendly place if you dont judge people with preconceived negative failed mindset and instead to be the best you can be?! no wonder you can never succeed anywhere when you think the way you do.... The only people I can vouch for is in the workplace or religious places. Anything outside that is 50 50. Dont mislead people, giving them false hope. let me guess...and you call yourself a religious person... with such an evil heart?! is that really how your holy book tell you to act?! i see the good in everybody, while you see only bad, yet i am the bad one here, really?! Having small talk with people is different from being friends with them. When you exchange numbers with them, they wont even call you unless it is important. This is unlike our people who will call to check up on you. what the hell are you talking about...what kind of deluded people are you meeting? who would even want to meet someone so foul as you portray?! When I mean crumbling is when shit hits the fan, you will find out that you are all alone. At this point in time nobody needs friends with no emotional connection. You have people all around you but you feel alone. it is better you stick with your family or people of your race who share your sentiment. NOBODY will care about you in the Nigerian community unless they can get something from you, just like you expect something from them. I think you misunderstand me. You dont need the locals for anything. Europe is not Africa. If you want a job, apply for one and if you are qualified you will get. If you need direction use the map or you can ask and locals would be happy to help but dont think it is an invitation for friendship. If you need true[ friends join the local church dont allow this guy to deceive you that the locals are waiting for you with open arms. what the hell are you talking about? i am telling you to get to know the locals, to mingle, to open your mind, to make friends with the locals, to discover their culture, to try their food, to connect with them and be open minded about this new country....instead of being such a negative entitled close minded being that beats his chest, go to a new place and act like he knows everything and needs help from NO locals. anyone who follow what you are saying will turn into the negative good for nothing being with such a foul view of white people or others. you have so many insecurities and are so foul minded that you cant even make friends in a new country, as if it is so difficult to meet locals. ProudBiafran: AMEN!!!! megastu: isnt it obvious what i am saying: if you go abroad to meet and stay with Nigerians, (while believing that whites are evil demons) and not to discover new cultures, new people, new horizon NOTHING WHATSOEVER, then why dont you stay in Nigeria?! 2 Likes 1 Share |
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