I have always had a passion for culture and differences. I don’t know where it came from, or why I’m so intrigued, but my eyes still light up when I first see something new, especially when it comes to traveling. This is a thrill for me; I figured it out so much when I was thinking about going somewhere new, finding a hidden place and / or seeing something I couldn’t even dream of. Being an expatriate (expatriate) over the past year has undoubtedly filled this passion. This is a completely different experience, to really live in a certain place, and not just to visit, and if you ever have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in another place, I highly recommend it.
Holding last year in southern France was a unique experience that many only dream of. Life, as I mentioned, in a different place, is different from a visit. You really understand the subtleties of the city, how it functions and what cultural standards are present. The overall snapshot you get while traveling is often based on 1x instances where you live as expatriates, you can come to a clearer conclusion about customs, rules and standards. While living as an expat you may also encounter interactions with which you usually will not participate as a visitor, such as getting a haircut, going shopping for groceries, going to the post office, setting up a mobile phone and internet service, and buying home appliances. These interactions, although really exciting experiences, can be quite complex if you are not given any direction.
Below you will find some tips to live in Toulouse, France, which will be useful for expatriates, both new and experienced. Although there are many guides available on the Internet, these services have been helpful for my husband and me.
Language: Contact Julie at Activ & Langues. Regardless of whether you are looking for 1 in 1 lesson or want to participate in small groups, Activ Langues is very flexible and patient, no matter what level you start French. Believe me, I didn't have an understanding of the language when I started.
Hair: Check out My Hair in Seihl, just a few minutes drive from Toulouse. It is definitely worth the 15 minute journey. The dolphin is very pleasant, speaks English very well and has an ideal environment to make you feel at home. With massage chairs for shampoos, as well as coffee or gourmet tea, when you get a new edge, you will feel very relaxed. This is one place I really miss.
Souvenirs: It is surprising that in Toulouse there are not many souvenir shops, as well as in other major cities. In fact, I could not find anyone when I was looking for some gifts for the family. I was lucky to stumble over TLSE. when visiting the Christmas market in the city center. They do not have a shop window, but items can be purchased online or simply set a reminder to stop at their stands every festive season. You will certainly want a few items on your stay.
Happy hour: Although I was not going to hunt for the best cities, when you find good, why look elsewhere? V & B, the cell of all wine wines and beers, represents an interesting concept for expats. Affordable and, of course, more than just a typical bar.
Telephone / Internet / TV: With so many options, I am glad that I have found a service that can provide a package that offers a home phone, mobile phone, TV and the Internet. Orange is a major telecommunications company in France. Several package options were available, including options that included calling the US and other countries at no extra charge. SFR, another major player, offers similar packages. My husband used a cell phone service and had only good things.
When you think about TV, you understand that many channels will be in French. If you can't distract yourself from your favorite TV shows, Orange offers packages that usually support 5-10 additional channels in your own language. Another option is to buy a VPN service that masks your IP address on your computer, which will allow you to watch US shows through Netflix, Hulu, etc. We used Witopia and loved the service and value they provided. Not sure if we can do this last year without it.
Foodstuffs: If you live near the city center, you will probably find a Casino or Spar on every corner. These are small convenience stores, which usually have several grocery stores, and this is a good place to pick up a few things. You will also notice that Carrefour City is sprinkled, which usually has a lot more items.
For frozen goods, head to Picard. I love their concept and crave salmon salad. Yum Outside the city, or on the outskirts, you will find the main chains. Carrefour, located in a mall, often called a supermarket, is your one-stop-shop. From clothing to hygiene products and a full bakery and meat department, you will find everything you need here. Another key player is Leclerc. Located in the center of Commerce in Blagnac. Leclerc dominates the area, has specialized products and is always my guest for a full shopping trip.
Furniture: There are so many places where you can find furniture and household goods. You certainly will not be at a loss. If you're looking for new items, Ikea, Alinea, Casa, Boulanger, Conforama, BUT, Darty, FLY and Leroy Merlin are great starting points, depending on what you are looking for. If you are looking for used items or want to save some money, go to Troc. There are several places in the city.
Bank: BNP did not help and simplified the process when we needed to create our banking system. With partner partners in several other countries and a multitude of ATMs through the city, BNP turned out to be all necessary.
Groups: I wish I had known this before. Selling, sharing, selling and searching in Toulouse and the surrounding area, a private Facebook group is not only a great place to buy and sell items, it is a great community of immigrants who can answer questions and give advice.
Did I miss something? Moving to a new country can certainly be difficult. Although I have done my best to highlight those companies that I have often used and provided greatly, there are some other services that you will definitely need. Let me know if you need any tips or useful tips.
Disclaimer: the companies that I recommend, my family and I personally used. I recommend only quality products and companies that I support. But, although I had a lot of experience working with these companies, I cannot promise any particular result based on your decisions and efforts that you make on your own.
