Paris

Paris is a high-upside but high-friction move for software engineers. Reddit sentiment is surprisingly consistent: people love the city’s beauty, density of culture, food, walkability, public transport, and the feeling that life is happening right outside the door. Many residents describe it as magical, addictive, and one of the best places to live in France if you can afford it.

For tech careers, the picture is more mixed. Paris has serious companies, startups, AI labs, banks, luxury groups, and international employers, but commenters do not see France as a top-paying engineer market. The city ranks poorly for purchasing power and housing affordability among tech cities, and Redditors often say the salary-to-cost ratio is the main reason they would leave or work remotely from elsewhere in France.

The practical warning is: do not move for the tourist fantasy alone. Living there means dealing with small apartments, strict landlords, high taxes, bureaucracy, noise, density, and a job market where French often matters. But if you land a good role, speak at least workable French, and can afford a quiet place, Paris can offer a lifestyle that many residents genuinely adore despite the drawbacks.