Why Everyone is Leaving Paris

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on the popular notion that everyone is leaving Paris, while sharing their own experience of living there. Despite the challenges of high living costs and a competitive housing market, they highlight the city's improved quality of life, such as reduced pollution and more pedestrian-friendly spaces. While some Parisians move to more affordable suburbs or their hometowns, the creator emphasizes that the city's problems are rooted in unaffordability rather than unlivability. Ultimately, the video explores why people are leaving Paris, offering insight into broader urban trends.

Takeaways

• 😀 93% of Parisians, including the speaker, love living in Paris despite common negative perceptions about pollution, stress, and high costs.
• 😀 The city of Paris has made significant improvements, such as reducing pollution levels and making the city more pedestrian- and bike-friendly.
• 😀 There is a growing issue of unaffordable housing in Paris, with a 40 m² apartment requiring a €97K annual salary, far above the median salary of €41K.
• 😀 Around 1 in 5 apartments in Paris remain empty for most of the year, with higher percentages in wealthier neighborhoods due to vacation homes and short-term rentals like Airbnbs.
• 😀 The rapid rise of short-term rentals has exacerbated the housing shortage, as many small apartments, which are in high demand by students and young professionals, are being used for short stays.
• 😀 There is extreme competition for apartments in Paris, with an average of 44 people applying for each listing and hundreds for desirable properties.
• 😀 Purchasing a home in Paris is also a challenge, with high prices and many properties not being renovated to modern standards, making them unsafe.
• 😀 Many Parisians, especially those wanting to settle down and raise children, are moving out of the city to the surrounding suburbs, where housing is cheaper and offers more space.
• 😀 The trend of people leaving Paris is not new—Paris has seen population declines since the early 20th century, though the current affordability crisis is a more recent development.
• 😀 The struggle to live in Paris is not unique to the city—more and more cities around the world are facing similar housing affordability issues that force people to move away.

Q & A

Why do many people think Paris is 'dying'?

Many people believe Paris is 'dying' due to the high number of people leaving the city, as well as the portrayal of Paris in the news, which focuses on issues like pollution, stress, and high living costs.

What surprising statistic does the speaker mention about Parisians' feelings toward the city?

The speaker shares that 93% of Parisians, including themselves, love living in Paris, despite common stereotypes of the city being polluted, expensive, and stressful.

What positive changes have been made in Paris to improve the quality of life for residents?

Paris has seen improvements such as reduced pollution, more bike lanes, wider sidewalks, more parks, and pedestrian-friendly streets, all contributing to a better living environment.

Why do so many people want to leave Paris, according to the speaker?

The main reason people want to leave Paris is the unaffordability of living in the city. With high rental and property prices, many residents find it financially unsustainable to stay.

How much do you need to earn to afford a 40 m² apartment in Paris?

To afford a 40 m² apartment in Paris, you need to earn €97,000 a year before taxes, which is much higher than the median salary in the Paris region, which is around €41,000.

What issue does the speaker highlight regarding empty apartments in Paris?

The speaker points out that a significant portion of Paris apartments remain empty, with around 20% of them unoccupied most of the year, especially in wealthier neighborhoods, contributing to the housing shortage.

What is the impact of short-term rentals like Airbnbs on the Paris housing market?

The rise of short-term rentals has led to fewer apartments available for long-term residents, especially for students and young professionals, as investors prefer the profitability of platforms like Airbnb.

What challenges does the speaker face in finding a place to live in Paris?

The speaker mentions the overwhelming competition for apartments, with an average of 44 applicants per listing, and highlights the poor condition of many properties, making it difficult to find a suitable home.

What is the current trend of people leaving Paris, and where are they moving to?

The trend of people leaving Paris is not new, but the main reason for leaving now is the unaffordability of living in the city. Many people are moving to the Paris region or to suburban areas, where living costs are lower.

Why are some people returning to their hometowns, like Toulouse, according to the speaker?

People, including the speaker's friends, are returning to their hometowns like Toulouse for a more affordable lifestyle, more space (such as a larger house with a garden), and the desire to be closer to family.