Why Expats Struggle in Paris | A Therapist’s Honest Take on Living in France

Is Paris really one of the worst cities for expats?

According to the Expat City Ranking 2023, Paris ranks near the bottom—but why? In this video, I share my personal experience of moving from one of the best expat cities in the world (Singapore) to Paris, and why adjusting to life in the City of Light is harder than you might expect.

As an Australian therapist living and working in Paris since 2021, I talk honestly about the challenges of expat life here—from housing struggles and the high cost of living, to French bureaucracy, language barriers, and the complex art of making Parisian friends.

👉 Topics covered:
Housing & affordability in Paris 🇫🇷
Why salaries don’t match the cost of living 💶
The reality of learning French (and why most classes fail) 🗣️
How to survive French admin 🧾
The truth about making friends in Paris 👋

Whether you're planning a move to Paris, already here and struggling to adjust, or just curious about the expat experience in France—this video is for you.

💬 Looking for support as an expat in Paris?
I offer integrative therapy for English-speaking professionals living abroad. Learn more or book a session:
🔗 https://www.robertkostherapy.com

Find me on social media:
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
📸   / robertkos.therapy  
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/robertkospar...

📊 Resources mentioned:
Expat City Ranking 2023 – Internations
EFI Paris (Language School)

00:00: Introduction / Where did my hair go?
00:36: Internations Report
01:21: Cost of living, salaries & housing
05:28: French is a must
07:41: Language classes suck
09:15: French people won't speak French to you
10:25: French administration is a nightmare
13:32: Making friends takes time and effort
17:11: Parisians are unfriendly?
21:39: Conclusion

#ExpatsInParis #LifeInFrance #ParisLiving #ExpatTherapist #ParisTips #MentalHealthAbroad #TherapyInParis #FrenchBureaucracy #LearnFrench #LifeAsAnExpat