17 Comments
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Emma dTR's avatar

Very insightful! Would love to read your thoughts about London, Amsterdam and Stockholm!

Gourav Garg's avatar

Same

Tom Arnold's avatar

One of the most useful posts I've read on substack. Interested in your views on Madrid!

Ben Saltiel's avatar

Thanks for the kind words @tom Arnold I’m glad you enjoyed it.

I’ve been to Spain a lot but never Madrid. I’ll be going there and San Sébastien in a few months, perhaps I’ll need to update this article after.

Gourav Garg's avatar

Loved this article , if possible please similar for London, Stockholm, SFO, Warsaw , Phuket and Bali

Ben Saltiel's avatar

Thank you for the kind words Gourav.

Without giving too much away, I can confirm a few of the cities you mentioned will be making an appearance in the next edition.

Les Barclays's avatar

Great post! Would love to see a part 2 of with different tier 1 cities!

Ben Saltiel's avatar

Appreciate that thank you!

One might be in the works

Tom White's avatar

You forgot New York City ;)

Cammi Pham 🍋's avatar

From someone who lived in Paris and left: Paris is not as glamorous as I thought. Also, the French are making way less than I expected. I came thinking they made more than us (Canadians). I think for entry level, it is comparable. But as you move up, it would be way less. A friend said for the same job, at her Montreal office the salary would be 2x.

The diversity is nowhere near London/NYC. It's pretty racist and the worst thing is how rude Parisians are. I cry every time I leave Paris because of how nice people in other countries are. I love Paris the city. But it is hard to love Parisians.

Paris is also hard to find a community and work on personal growth. The expat community is a lot more corporate compared to a city like Lisbon. The vibe is just not there.

Great for short term. Long term for me it was a struggle. I felt like I grew backward there.

Ben Saltiel's avatar

I visit quite often but it would be tough for a full time move. My 6 month stint was great but would not repeat.

This post lost me some Parisian Subscribers but hopefully eventually they’ll be back!

Cammi Pham 🍋's avatar

I think if I didn't lived in NYC and London, my time in Paris would be much better. I was too eccentric for the French even like me. I am too American for them to like me ( and I am not even American lol) So my time was worse.

Especially I was disabled half of the time I was there. Lesson learned - people don't like people with disabilities.

Paris is great when you are in yours 20s. 30s it is so much harder.

I don't get why they would unsubscribe. You are so nice.

Ben Saltiel's avatar

They felt I provided insufficient attention and praise to their great art scene beyond museums but that’s okay, im sure they’ll be back.

Cammi Pham 🍋's avatar

haha, so french.

Justin St-Louis Wood's avatar

Where’s Flint, Michigan?

Ben Saltiel's avatar

had to save that one for part X

(Apologies to the fine people of Flint, Michigan)

Alfred's avatar

Checking in from Paris. Three heat waves, before summer. Nowhere to hide. Factor that in.