Elegant, sensual, chic, charming, arrogant, brusque, bureaucratic, stubborn... The French are probably the most stereotyped citizens in the world. Over the centuries, they have been given a whole host of labels, more or less true. What is certain is that the French have three fundamental values, their national motto:

Freedom: of expression, of thought, of worship, of way of being. The French are a very free and open-minded people. All the fundamental freedoms of human rights are guaranteed. If you move, you must be just as free and respectful.

Equality. There is no difference for the French when it comes to rights and duties. All citizens have the same rights and the same obligations regardless of their origin, their religion, their opinions or their sexual orientation. Men and women share the same responsibilities.

Fraternity: if there is one thing the French have, it is their sense of solidarity. They have learned over the centuries to be a united people, working together to keep their country as one of the most important in Europe. Most French people are proud to be French and are staunchly nationalistic, based on the country's republican tradition, which places nationality (rather than religion, for example) as a fundamental feature of their identity. This has given rise to a self-confident nation, both culturally and intellectually, although this can sometimes translate into a certain attitude of superiority.

Both capitals are considered among the 10 most expensive European cities to live in. But, in general, living in Paris is slightly more expensive than living in Amsterdam. At least 15% to 30% more expensive. Housing, rent, utilities, food, leisure, shopping... everything costs more in the French capital. So if you're moving to Paris, get your wallet ready!

The exact monthly expenditure of a person depends mainly on his or her (obvious) lifestyle. However, the approximate cost of living in Paris for a couple is €2,200 and for a student it is €1,300.

Housing is likely to be the biggest expense. In general, living in or near the city centre will be more expensive than living on the outskirts. And naturally, the more attractive the neighbourhood, the higher the price. Renting a one-bedroom flat can cost up to €2,000. 

In terms of transport, Paris has an extensive public transport system that allows you to reach every corner of the city at an affordable price. A single one-way metro ticket will cost you €1.90. But if you plan to use public transport regularly, opt for a monthly pass for €73. The monthly pass covers all zones of the metro, bus, regional train and tram journeys. At this point there is no comparison with the capital of the Netherlands, because the least expensive way to get around Amsterdam is by bicycle, and it's usually the fastest way too. A bus ticket can cost around €3.20. 

And the average cost of grocery shopping in Paris is about €350 per month. Ah, if you plan to go out for dinner and drinks one night, expect to spend a fair amount of money - at least €75 per person.

Living in either of these two European cities is a dream for the thousands of tourists who visit them every day - choosing is almost impossible! Their culture, nature, climate, museums, architecture, gastronomy... the interesting and lifestyle of all its cities!

The Netherlands and France have their own unique character and offer a range of experiences for those who live there. The best choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and individual needs.

Nothing difficult! If you are an EU citizen, once you arrive in France, the steps to follow are:

1. Open a bank account. Is the first thing you should do, because without it you will not be able to rent a flat. To open a current account, as a resident in France, you must show some documents: ID card or passport, a document proving your address, a rental contract or a declaration of hospitality, (issued by someone who is temporarily hosting you) or a utility bill such as gas and electricity. Sometimes an employment contract is also required. But if you are still a tax resident in your home country, you must show the following documents: ID card or passport, European Health Insurance Card, certificate of residence in your home country, copy of the latest tax return. A resident bank account is much more convenient and cheaper, a non-resident bank account costs much more.
2. Finding accommodation which can be a really difficult task. The French are very suspicious of the unemployed and fear that you won't be able to pay the rent. In France it is forbidden to evict during the winter, under any circumstances, so they want to make sure you pay every month. To have any chance of renting, you must not only have a regular income, (permanent job), but also pay a security deposit equivalent to two months' rent. In addition, 80% of landlords require a guarantor. The guarantor is a person who guarantees you in case of non-payment of rent. The guarantor must be French, although the law says that landlords are also obliged to accept foreign guarantors. Therefore, it would solve many problems to find a job with accommodation included. This is especially the case in the hotel and catering sector or baby sitter. It is of course difficult to find accommodation if you don't have a job. So, apart from the lucky ones who have someone to take them in and allow them to take up residence, everyone else will have to struggle to regularise their position. The easiest way is to find temporary accommodation, as cheaply as possible: residences, B&Bs or a sublet room with a family (chambre chez l'habitant).
3. Some of France's top employer sectors include technology, financial services, tourism, professional services and consulting, energy and natural resources, manufacturing, logistics and trade, and health and care services. The technology sector is experiencing sustained growth and offers many opportunities in areas such as software development, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. There is also sustained demand in the financial and tourism sectors, while manufacturing remains an important employer in France.
4. Registering for social security. The Sécurité Sociale is the public health service for people living in France. It is the employer's obligation to apply for and obtain the foreign worker's provisional social security number. You will then have to apply for the definitive one. At this point, the carte vitae (health card) will be sent to your home address.
5. And finally, register your residence. You must register your residence at the municipal registry office after 90 days of your stay in France.

There are many advantages to living in France. In fact, there are too many to mention, but here are the top five reasons to consider packing your bags and heading to the City of Love:

• Great medical care
• Slower pace of life
• World class gastronomy and wine
• Warm climate
• Sustainability
• Accessibility

Of course, no place is without its drawbacks. Here are some of the major disadvantages of living in France that you should be aware of:

• High living costs
• Language barrier
• Difficulties in adaptation
• High bureaucracy
• Some cities are very touristy and overcrowded

Health insurance in France depends on residency, not employment status. So, if you have a permanent residence (you will live in France for at least 6 months), you must obtain a French health insurance within 3 months after your arrival.

French health insurance will cover around 70% of medical expenses and 80% of hospital expenses. And the average cost of health insurance for one person is €40 per month. Of course, prices vary depending on the policy. In general, the basic cover will also cover basic dental costs. But complex procedures will be on you.

International students: International students from the EU/EEA region can simply use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if they are temporarily in France.

For longer stays, all students (both non-EU and EU) must register with the Student Social Security (Sécurité Sociale Etudiante). You will pay €38 a month for a full package as a student. There are also cheaper plans for those who have fewer doctor visits and medical check-ups.

If you decide to emigrate to France with school-age children, you should know that in France a secondary educational institution is called a college, and an institute or lycée. One of the things to do before moving to France is to contact your local service des écoles. If your children do not speak French, there are primary schools with French language courses. If non-French education is desired, there are a number of international schools offering education in other languages, but tuition fees can be as high as €15,000 per year.

Although secondary education is compulsory, students can choose between lycée general, lycée technique or lycée professionnel. On this depends the future of their education and career: a vocational training, to specialise in technology and computer science or to go to university. 

Expatriates in France have opportunities to find skilled work, especially in the fields of aerospace engineering, aeronautics, electronics, the automotive industry, tourism and agriculture. IT professionals, such as programmers and engineers, are also in high demand.

Although EU and EEA nationals do not need a work permit, all other professionals from other countries do. However, for professionals in the field of IT, engineering and other highly skilled workers there is the possibility to apply for an EU Blue Card or a talent competence visa. Workers with training and experience that are valued in the French market will find it easier to navigate the procedures for moving to France and will be able to extend their residence permit in France.

If you have all your documents up to date and your level of French is intermediate or high, you are likely to find a job paying the minimum wage (€1,500) or more.

The legal working week in France is 35 hours a week. If overtime is worked, it will be paid. For this reason, many people prefer to work longer hours in order to save money and enjoy the French paradise.

In France, there are several types of taxes, including income tax, property tax, value added tax (VAT), corporate tax and payroll taxes and social contributions. Taxes are administered by the French government and are used to finance public expenditure and social programmes. They are exactly the same taxes as in the Netherlands, but in a higher amount. 

While the cost of living is high, it is well worth it. France ranks among the top 10 countries for health and well-being. And no wonder! Fans of gastronomy, wine, culture, museums, art, fashion, nature, the sea... everyone will find something to love in France.

Here are the top 10 reasons to live in France:

• Good work-life balance
• High-quality health care system
• A multitude of social benefits
• Excellent infrastructure 
• Quality education system and one of the cheapest in the world
• Fashion capital of the world 
• Stunning architecture
• Gastronomy
• Great variety of leisure activities
• Culture and open-mindedness

Retirement in France would be the best way to enjoy life! In other words, France is a large and extremely varied country, with large cities, towns, renowned tourist resorts and large rural areas, so everyone is sure to find the lifestyle option that suits them best. 

And with a pension from a northern European country, such as the Netherlands, you can live comfortably in any French village.

Before you move to France, here are some tips to help you make a smooth transition:

1. Learn French: Knowing the language can help you integrate into society and make it easier to find a job.
2. Research the cost of living: Research monthly expenses and compare housing and food prices to get an idea of costs.
3. Obtain health insurance: Make sure you have health insurance before arriving in France.
4. Familiarise yourself with local laws and regulations: Get to know local laws and regulations, especially regarding housing and employment.

If you decide to immigrate to France, whether on your own, as a family, with children or with your partner, you will need to prepare yourself for the culture shock of starting a new life in a different country. We've consulted with French natives and expats in France to put together this list of the best and worst things about relocate to France:

• Gastronomy and culture. French cuisine is known the world over for its refinement and quality, both in top restaurants and at home. Studying in Paris, Lyon or Reims, living and working in Bordeaux, Orléans and thousands of other French cities and towns gives you the opportunity to be surrounded by historic buildings, museums, temples and palaces.
• Workers' rights. Trade unions and workers' groups in France have won the right to strike, 35-hour working weeks, 5 weeks paid holiday and the creation and improvement of health and safety standards at work.
• Travel opportunities. France is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Living in France will allow you to visit hundreds of amazing places without having to fly. You will also be able to enjoy the country's great scenic and cultural variety.
• Strikes and demonstrations. You can check routes and blockades on the internet and organise your commute to work or university in advance.
• Bureaucracy and red tape. Whether it's applying for or renewing a residence permit in France, registering a change of address or applying for a family visa, the paperwork involved in moving to France is complicated. We recommend that you consult the official guides and prepare in advance all the documents you may need.

Moving to France is a desire of many travellers. More than a few have visited the country for the first time as tourists and have dreamed of staying for at least one season - France is beautiful and there is so much to see!

But all these benefits come at a high price. The capital for example, Paris, ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world.