Shopping List for Moving in - Exhaustive Guide 2.0 for Settling in France
- Shiuology
- Feb 1, 2019
- 3 min read
Walking into the apartment, you might realise your fridge is empty; you need a microwave, and you are missing a piece of furniture or two... Don't panic, you are on the right page! Following Find a Comfy Nest - An Exhaustive Guide for Settling in Toulouse, which has received positive feedbacks from readers, I have compiled another 'guide', this time from E to H, 4 steps for you to move into a flat in France!
E for Essentials
Shampoos, toothpaste to toilet papers, things that you need to 'gather yourself together'! Of course, back in the UK, you will buy them in Tesco, Sainsbury or Price Saver if there is one nearby. Yet, you won't find these brands in France! So, how do we know which is which?
Let's start with Carrefour as it is probably the most well-known brand to foreigners. I would say it is the French equivalent of Tesco, the largest supermarket chain in France. You might also come across Auchan and E. Leclerc (French don't read out the 'E'), they are French 'Sainsbury's'. These three brands as the larger retailers in France. For middle-scaled supermarkets, you will have Casino, Leader Price and Intermarché. They are all in different price ranges. Based on experience, Leader Price tends to be the cheapest, while Monoprix, which is the French version of Marks & Spencers, is the most expensive.
F for Furniture
As soon as you move in the new apartment, you will find out that you are missing some furniture and beddings. In France, IKEA is probably the best place to get them in a reasonable price. Even though French IKEA outlets are located quite far away from city centres, they tend to offer some sorts of transport for shoppers. In Toulouse, as an example, IKEA provides free shuttles that run between the city centre and the store.
I am currently living at CROUS (for those who might not know what CROUS is, please refer to Find a Comfy Nest - An Exhaustive Guide for Settling in Toulouse), and once I arrived, I realised there was not enough storage space. In IKEA, I bought a storage tower (tour de rangement) for storing my jackets and winter clothes.
G for Groceries
What's more important than food! Finding a groceries shop near your accommodation is very important. Apart from visiting supermarkets, popping by the local groceries stores and checking out some outdoor markets are also great alternatives for 'faire des courses'. Meat, vegetables and fruits sold in these places are relatively cheaper and fresher! Vendors might also give you a discount as well!
Moreover, buying groceries is definitely an effective way to experience the local lifestyle. When learning French at the university, you will hardly come across daily vocabulary. la velouté, la brouillon, le navet... every time I go into a store, there is always something new that I can learn from! You can also practice your daily conversation with the vendors or staff there. Trust me, when you cannot find cereal in Carrefour Market (similar to Tesco Extra), your French will come in handy!
H for Homeware
Last but not least, homeware and electrical appliances are something you that you might need! Pans and pots, cutlery and microwave are some of many things you need. If you are staying abroad for a year in France and you happen to be staying at CROUS, I strongly recommend you to buy a microwave. Sometimes, you want to reheat food, microwave can do the job for you quickly! You can buy most of the cutlery in IKEA, which is one of the options. Midica is an alternative that I would recommend. You can get decent electronics (microwaves, ovens) and homeware (pots and pans) there in reasonable prices!
Also, for Exchange students from Anglophone countries, do remember to bring a few adapters with you! It is really difficult to be European adapters in France!
That's all for today and hope you find the information helpful! If you have any enquiries, tips or even experience on travelling abroad for studying, please comment below!
Bon Courage!
Shiuology
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