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First 90 Days in Paris: FREE Facebook Live Q&A Session

First 90 Days in Paris: FREE Facebook Live Q&A Session

by | Sep 10, 2021 | Family services, Relocations, Upcoming events

When you arrive in Paris, the party is just getting started. There’s more to the immigration process than just getting your visa in-hand, hopping on a plane, and landing at CDG. There’s a whole other part of it that begins after you arrive here, during your first 90 days.

What’s to start during those crucial first 90 days?

Join the Your Friend in Paris Facebook group to access our free live Q&A session! Our co-founder, Justyna Simmons, will answer your questions about all of the things that might hit you out of nowhere – because the best questions arise after you’ve already landed and hit the ground running. 

Join the Your Friend in Paris Facebook group!

Grab your evening glass of wine (or tea, whichever floats your boat!), late night snack, your laptop, and we’ll have a good time learning! Make sure to join the group prior to the live event, so we can answer any & all of your most burning questions. Topics that we’ll discuss include getting all set up with French healthcare, dealing with French immigration after you arrive, receiving CAF benefits, exchanging your drivers license, becoming a tax resident in France, and more!

À bientôt, and we’ll see you there!

DETAILS

  • When: Monday, September 13th at 10:00 PM Paris time
  • Where: Your Friend in Paris Facebook group
  • What: everything you need to know about your first 90 days in Paris
  • Why: because there are still trials & tribulations after happily ever after begins!
What your first day in Paris should look like

What your first day in Paris should look like

by | Sep 3, 2021 | Family services, House hunting, Relocations

It’s the day you and your family have been (im)patiently waiting for (and a little bit anxiously as well, let’s be honest). It’s moving day, and your destination is… Paris!

The Your Friend in Paris team will be hard at work to make this day as relaxing (yes, you read that right) and enjoyable as possible for you and your family. Your only job is to prepare yourself to get pampered!

What your first day in Paris should look like? Picture this:

After you’ve gone through immigration & gotten all of your luggage at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle, you’ll find our driver Fabien waiting to welcome you. He’ll greet you in perfect English and get you to your new home safe & sound (with any car seats that are needed for your little one(s)). Oh, and don’t worry about lugging your bags up the stairs, he’ll bring them up (yes, all of them!).

Your relocation consultant will be the first to welcome you into your new Parisian home with a delicious French breakfast (croissants, fresh fruit, hot chocolate, you name it!). They’ll hand over the keys, show you around the house, and give you your privacy shortly thereafter.

Food prepared for your first day in Paris

Craving a bite to eat once you’ve arrived at your new Parisian home?

Our concierge has already filled your fridge, freezer, and cupboards with the yummiest groceries and essentials of your choice. 

full fridge on your first day in Paris
Source: Your Friend in Paris

Ready for that post-flight shower and nap? No need to run to your local store before or set anything up: your furniture (and any other items) has been assembled, all of the beds are made, and fresh towels & toiletries are in the shower.

What about the kids?

They’ve slept the entire flight & are ready to explore their new home! No worries, our trusted nanny will take care of them while you sleep off the jet lag.

Source: Your Friend in Paris

Your relocation consultant will meet with you again the following day to go through the laundry list of things we took care of for you prior to your arrival in Paris.

Here’s what we did: 

  • Organized a rental car
  • Found the perfect school for your little expat(s)
  • Set up all contracts
  • Set up your internet and mobile phone
  • Hired your new housekeeper and nanny
  • Purchased public transit passes
  • Everything else you needed us to handle.

And this is not the last time you’ll see us! We offer all of our clients unlimited assistance throughout the first 30 days. We know that questions often arise after the first few days, which is why we’re here to answer them during your first month (or even after that).

Because Your Friend in Paris was created by expats for expats, we know what a perfect relocation should look like. Let us show you!

Moving to Paris?

Let’s talk. We’re here to make your move to Paris simple & easy. Click the link below to book a free call with one of our relocation experts: Justyna, Elena or David:

BOOK IT NOW!

See you soon!

We’re all coming to Paris for a better life, after all

We’re all coming to Paris for a better life, after all

by | Aug 27, 2021 | Relocations

I grew up in Poland, behind the iron curtain, in the ’80s.

My friends’ parents fled to Western Germany, France, and the US for a better life, often leaving their kids behind with loved ones, knowing that they would come back for them as soon as they could. Sometimes this meant a few long years, while they were building their new life. They were all illegal immigrants. 

Freedom was the word of those times.

We were not exactly imprisoned, yet we were not entirely free. Our passports were kept at the local militia station, and no contact with “The West” was possible without them knowing about it. However, there were a few things that the militia was unable to hijack. Amongst them was the absolutely iconic “Radio Free Europe”. We grew up hearing about it, but we were never allowed to listen. It was strictly forbidden. 

More than entertainment

Our parents would go to secret meetings where people listened to the station on secret radios. The bravest ones were having parties with “RWE” (AKA Free Europe). Creatives were singing songs and writing poems about it. That being said, it also served a far greater purpose than just entertainment. We could hear the voices of freedom fighters who gave us hope & joy. They lifted our spirits and gave us the strength and courage to dream of a better future.

A beacon of hope

Today, Radio Free Europe reaches citizens of countries where democracy and freedom are most at risk. Just like many years ago in Communist Europe. Although its formatting has changed from a radio station to a website, it still serves as a beacon of hope and a source of light for those who have all but lost it. It’s present in very few countries in Europe, unfortunately, Hungary now being one of them.

When Malik Game Szilvia, a journalist for Radio Free Europe in Paris, approached me and asked if I would contribute to her article, alongside experts such as a sociologist from the University of Lausanne, I was simply proud to be chosen. To me, it was a big deal. Because it provided me with a meaningful opportunity to create dialogue about a social justice cause that is near and dear to my heart.

France is a country which values human rights

Szilvia wrote a fantastic article about the life of undocumented Filipino workers, and how France provides them with the opportunity to regularize their status through their work. It only solidifies what we’ve always known: that France is a country which values human rights. At Your Friend in Paris, we’ve proudly helped implement this law for nearly hundreds of Filipino (amongst other nationalities as well) employees.

Take a moment to read through this excellent article:

We’ve translated and included a few important snippets from the article: 

“French laws are very controversial. A company, for example, could never hire anyone who doesn’t have a work permit. But, if you’re an individual, it’s a gray area legally (…) because if you do it in good faith, you can’t be charged. There is also a very clear procedure on how to do it (…) how many monthly payments need to be certified, what needs to be done to make a report, but nonetheless, an illegal step must be taken to start the process. It’s amazing,” explains Justyna Simmons.

Simmons’ clients are also more than happy to help their employees reach the number of hours that they need. Your Friend in Paris hires nannies on behalf of their clients. They also assist with the application process for residency permits.

“We’ve also helped a Filipino family where the woman was a nanny. As soon as she received her permit, her entire family obtained the legal right to stay here. She can even bring her children to France with her under the country’s family reunification law. That’s awesome,”explains Justyna Simmons, founder of expat relocation company Your Friend in Paris .

“When we hire someone for a job, we give them the dignity and security they deserve. It is their right. If we don’t do this as employers, there can be serious consequences,” Simmons explains.

I was originally expatriated to France in 2007. I come from a project management background and still like to apply this methodology for out clients when handling large endeavors such as moving your life to Paris!

I am also a PCC level certified coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

I can not only take care of all the intimate details of your relocation and administrative needs, but I am also able to take care of your mental needs and help manage the stress, fears and doubts (personal or professional) you may have while here.

Justyna Simmons, Co-Founder of Your Friend in Paris