London, or Paris?

Question

I'm planning during my gap year to travel europe for 6 months and then live in either London or Paris for 6 months. I've heard London isn't that great to live in and I speak quite a bit of French so can you please tell me a bit about living each place? suggestions? thx so much. :)

Answer 1

From checking your other questions I note you are an Australian.

An Australian entering the UK as a visitor can stay no more than 6 months unless application is made for permission to stay longer.

An Australian entering France as a visitor can stay no more than 90 days unless they apply for a long term visa.

You should pay careful attention to these requirements because you will discover that European countries pay considerable attention to who is running about their territory.

In France, for example, every foreigner checking into a hotel must provide his passport to the clerk, a form is filled out by the hotelier, and the information given to the police on a daily basis.

You will not be permitted to work in either country without specific permission to do so which may be difficult to obtain.

Those ugly legalisms over with, I would personally prefer Paris to London.

Although I certainly enjoy London, having been there many times, and despite having dual UK and USA citizenship, and even given the fact that my English family despises France and the French, I find Paris an easier city to be in.

To begin with, London is considerably more expensive than Paris. Budget accommodations in London, for example, are hard to find and those you do find tend to be grotty, awful places in inconvenient parts of the city. Paris, while not cheap, has a better selection of places for a short term visitor to stay. I often stay in a delightful little hotel in the very center of Paris which costs only 86 euros for a double (taxes and a French style breakfast included). There just is nothing comparable in London.

Paris is a lot safer than London. The fact is that over the last decade, London's crime rate has been skyrocketing and you are more at risk of becoming the victim of violent crime in London than in New York City. Paris has seen a rise in crime rates also but almost all of it is confined to the banlieues far from the center of the city.

Paris is generally more attractive and comfortable a city. London has always had a grittier, tougher edge than Paris and I've watched the gulf widening over the decades ( I spent time in London commencing as a child some 55 years ago and started traveling to Paris some 35 years ago.) Paris is, in many ways, the most bourgeois city in the world and its devotion to comfort and pleasure shows.



.

Answer 2

All the other points that have been raised are all valid and relevant. So unless you are independently wealthy already (which I doubt since you are a student) your best bet would be Paris. Don't forget that London is only 2.5 hrs away by TGV!

I would add that as a person who traveled around Europe extensively, that passport and visa checks weren't that rigorous, except when traveling by airline. For someone from Australia I don't believe that the French authorities would give your passport more than a cursory glance.

I you can find a vacation rental in Paris, you might be able to hang around for 3-6 months under the radar.

Lastly, I'd recommend you spend more than 6 months traveling Europe. There is a ton to see! You should even try to go as far as Turkey and Russia

Answer 3

I don't know where you're from but I assume you're American. You cannot live in Paris for 6 months (you can in UK though). You will get a Schengen visa. This is for 3 months out of every 6 months so it's not like you can get out of the Schengen district and then come back in for the 3 months to start again. What you can do though is spend 3 months in the Schengen (Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg , Austria, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Iceland, Portugal ,Noway, Sweden, Greece and Germany) , go to the UK (not in the Schengen district) for 6 months and come back to the Schengen again.

Edited to add: Found out that you're Australian. As an Australian, you are eligible for UK Working Holiday Visa. This allows you to work in the UK and travel across Europe with no problems.

Answer 4

Hi,

I have been in London and I liked there so much ...

The temperatures in London are set to hit an all-time high this summer, but as long as you make sure you lather on the SPF45 sunblock lotion evenly everyday, have handy a pair of stylish UV ray-reflecting sunglasses, and take in lots of water, you'll be set to work on that sun-deprived skin on one of the many exotic and exclusive patios LondonTown.com has shortlisted.

If you'd still rather not risk the sun's rays, we've got a couple of night terraces (including a spine-chilling one) for you to explore - because summer's not just about the sun, it's about being able to have fun, outdoors.

Whatever your tastes, and wherever you are, in summertime London you are never more than a few minutes from a comfortable outdoor table laden with delicious food.

Have Fun

Answer 5

Apply for student visa, often they will allow you to live and work in the country of your choice for a longer period and allow multiple entries.

If you travel before settling down, speak with the people you meet while traveling. When you do get to Paris and London, check housing situations, talk with people who live there as expats and see how you would fit in.

And as the people in the answers above mine stated, CHECK VISA RULES and requirements.

This site is often rather helpful:
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

Answer 6

London!!! Paris is nice too tho.