Germany Vs. France For Expat part 2 – Pros and Cons of Living in France

Germany Vs France For Expat part 2 – Part one is here.

Pros and Cons of Living in France for Expat

If you’ve ever considered moving to France, whether it be for a year or good, chances are you have already done your research on the country of your dreams. If not, then take some time now to become more familiar with the beautiful nation nestled in Western Europe. Below are the pros and cons

Pros

France’s Work-Life Balance is Great

France has one of the best work-life balances in the world. It is very easy for people to take time away from work and maintain employment. On average, the French work 2305 hours a year, much less than many other countries. The average for France’s neighbors in Western Europe is 2,034 hours, and South Koreans work the most with an average of 2,402 hours a year.

The Culture of Food

Food is a big part of French culture. The focus on food and wine reflects the high priority placed on living well. In fact, there are six religious days where eating is prohibited each year by law. However, with all this talk about food, obesity rates have been rising in France for some time now. Despite this, the average lifespan in France is 82.

The Education System

Education is very important in France. They have many schools across the country for different types of students. This includes public schools like elementary and high schools, as well as prestigious universities like Sciences Po Paris.

There are also language schools that help promote French throughout the world. Many school-age children move to different parts of France to attend the public schools that are best for them.

Paris Is a Great Place to Visit

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum are France’s greatest attractions. In fact, over 25 million people visit Paris every year.

It’s a Great Place to Live

France has a very high quality of life. With excellent health care and employment opportunities, it is an ideal place to live. Also, France is one of the best places in the world to find high-quality wine.

Cons

The Language Barrier

There are three official languages in France: French (obviously), German, and Italian. However, because these are official languages ​​and not indigenous to the country, many people use an amalgam of them, which is why you will usually hear someone say something like “bon jour” instead of bonjour.

It’s frustrating because this is fine in casual conversation but can make communication difficult if you are ever in an emergency or de-escalation situation (say, for example, you need to talk to a police officer).

High Prices and Lack of Planning

On average, rent is 30% higher than in other European countries, and the taxes are high (especially if you drive a car). Also, there is no such thing as preparedness for food. Shops only carry fresh bread and not bread for toasting; jams and chocolate but no peanut butter or Nutella (they recently started selling Nutella, though).

The Weather Is Unpredictable

It can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but it’s not unheard of to have a heatwave in February and snow in May (and I’ve had both happen). There is limited sunshine, with most occurring from April to September. This weather is what makes skiing and hiking very popular.

The Culture Can Be Difficult To Understand

I will never forget the first time I witnessed a French person smash his cigarette into an ashtray for smoking it down to less than two inches, then put that same butt into his mouth to dispose of it properly (and light another).

Which One Is Best For Expat, France Or Germany?

Expats usually move to a different country for work, study, or both. Of course, some expats did all that because they searched for happiness. And if you are one of them right now, where should you go? Which is the best one for expat – France or Germany?

It is a hard question to answer as there are many pros and cons of both places. Let’s find out which one is truly the best for expat, France or Germany?

France for Expat

As you probably heard, France is a country where they love to drink wine all day long – so great place to be if you enjoy that too. It also means that people there are much more laid back when working than German workers, who are stricter and more professional.

Also, in France, you can easily find a job in public service, especially if you speak French fluently – it will be relatively easier to get public sector jobs there than in Germany.

On the other hand, Germany is a great place to go if you are more into technology. So that is something for foodie who loves to cook – France, or for the nerd who likes coding – Germany. But most importantly – the cost of living in France is much higher than in Germany. For example, an apartment in Paris costs around €2000 per month while in Berlin you can get something decent for €700.

The other thing is the weather – Germany has a milder climate, but it still varies a lot there. France is also quite unpredictable with its rain which makes it sometimes hard to plan anything. Also, if you are into fitness, you should go to Germany – why? Because Germans love to go out and do sports just as much as they love drinking beer – so yeah, there are many great possibilities for sports lovers there.

Conclusion

As you see, every country has its pros and cons, no matter how hard it may seem at first. But if we had to choose one of those two, then Germany would be a better choice for expat. Nonetheless, you can go through the pros and cons listed above to select the right one according to your preference or choice.