Live abroad for a year: Paris or Amsterdam?

College Confidential Community
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<p>About a year from now, I will probably have the opportunity to live abroad for a year on a working holiday visa. I’ve narrowed my choices down to Paris or Amsterdam. The only part of Europe I’ve ever been to is Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow), and I’ve been waiting all my life to go at the right time when I’d truly appreciate the experience.</p>

<p>I’m actually leaning one way, but I’d love to hear your inputs. I’m mainly worried about Amsterdam being a bit boring and Paris being a bit crazy. I love the laidback life that I’d probably have in Holland, but I also don’t want to miss the cultural vibrancy of France (especially its infatuation with film, because I’m a big film guy).</p>

<p>I don’t speak any Dutch and know rudimentary French from my grade school days. </p>

<p>Any thoughts and reasons why? Thanks!</p>

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<p>Paris!!! I don’t like Amsterdam… :confused: it’s boring. You can do more stuff in Paris …you can even take a train to neighbouring european cities like London for a low cost (like 40 euros i think…?) and maybe you could also travel to neighbouring countries like italy and spain etc too :)</p>

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<p>In favor of Amsterdam, the Netherlands is physically a much smaller country than France, so it will be much easier for you to go to see Utrecht for example than if you wanted to go from Paris to see London or Marseilles.</p>

<p>Personally, for me the main factor would be if I would be annoyed by the prostitution etc. that is legal in Holland that is not so much present in France</p>

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<p>My god, choose Paris in a heartbeat.</p>

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<p>You can travel from France to Spain and Italy without noticing you are in the other country.There are no borders.It`s like traveling from state to state.However , it gets harder when you go to a country that is not an EU member.</p>

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<p>Haha, I am leaning heavily towards Paris. Can there be any conceivable reason to turn down living in Paris as a young 20-something?</p>

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<p>Paris. But Amsterdam’s a nice city, too.</p>