If you’ve ever watched the 1954 movie, Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn, you may remember the iconic line, “Paris is always a good idea.” When you think of how many expats decide to call Paris home, you can understand the meaning behind this famous quote.

Paris is one of the best places to live in Europe, if not the world and if you’re an expat, it won’t take you long to fall in love with this charming old city. The city is famous for many different things from fabulous cuisine, high-end fashion and a culture that is the envy of many other cities around the world. You’ll also quickly fall in love with the city’s rich history and culture. It’s almost everywhere you look. While Paris does have a lot to offer, not everything is rosy. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of calling Paris home.

Many Parisians Speak English

Pro: Gone are the days when language was a real barrier in Paris. With English becoming such an important language in the world, many people in Paris have learned to speak English with great fluency and finesse. This means you should be able to get around the city, ask for directions and communicate in English.

Con: Parisians are not exactly what you’d call user-friendly. Many are quite impatient and are often suspicious of foreigners. While they may answer any questions you have, the tone some use when responding may come across as not so friendly. Don’t let that stop you from making friends. Once you break the ice, you’ll find Parisians just as friendly as people all over the world.

The Best Cuisine in the World

Pro: Whether you have money to burn or you’re on a tight budget, food is one thing you will enjoy in Paris. From a simple sandwich from an artisan French bakery to a restaurant that offers fine dining, Paris has something tantalizing for every palate and every budget. If you’re a bit of a wine connoisseur, you’ll also love living in Paris. After all, France has some of the best wine regions in the world so take your time and sample some of the best.

Con: Most Parisians drink a lot of coffee but the way they drink their coffee may not be appealing to those who have come to enjoy all the additions that are available in a famous international coffee house. Parisians tend to drink their daily coffee black with a touch of sugar – maybe. Other than that, milky coffee is usually only consumed in the morning with breakfast. If your daily caffeine hit must include a shot of some flavored syrups or foams, you may need to do a little exploring to find a cafe that offers these with coffee.

Paris is Pleasing to the Eye

Pro: Look around any part of Paris and you’ll be impressed by the stunning Haussmanian Architecture. Paris is quite an old city and the buildings still hold much of that old-world charm and grace. Everywhere you turn, you will see iconic landmarks and gorgeous buildings. If anyone knows aesthetics, it’s the French.

Con: While the old buildings, particularly the residential ones, may look stunning on the outside, many are quite outdated and in need of renovation on the inside. Also, many of the old buildings don’t have elevators so if you’re planning on living on a higher floor you will have to take the stairs. You can avoid this by exploring residential properties via an online platform so if this is going to be an issue for you, narrow down your search using filters to either find a building with fewer floors or look for a rental at street level.

Living in Paris is an Experience

Pro: You don’t need a fancy car to get around Paris and you will most likely find some great clubs, restaurants, cafes and more all within walking distance. Paris offers a vibrant nightlife too and there are also many parks you can enjoy.

Con: Parisians are not known for their patience and if you stop while you are walking to get your bearings, you may encounter a very annoyed Parisian. Also, many Parisians are chain smokers and while smoking is now banned in most public indoor spaces, you may still need to put up with secondhand smokers in outdoor areas.

The only way to navigate your way around the pros and cons of living in Paris is to decide which are important to you and which ones you want to avoid. You’ll find that almost everything in Paris is a little jolie laide. In short, this means pretty ugly. While living in Paris is wonderful, don’t expect perfection.