It's not just the rich history, the broad boulevards, the leafy parks, the fabulous food and the vivid sense of style that make it such an attractive destination for tourists.
It's also about the fact this is a city that generally works.
Paris is a manageable size, a city that is easier to navigate than London. If the roads are crowded, the public transportation is efficient: Not just the reliable Metro but the RER suburban train service. Even taxis are easy in these days of Uber and its Kapten, the former Chauffeur Prive.
The schools, the health care, the whole social infrastructure may come as a pleasant surprise to those used to the less-extensive and more-expensive provisions in London.
Paris is family friendly but it's also good for young people, who help to boost its energy and fill its bars, restaurants, stores and galleries. That's when they are not whizzing past you on electric scooters that make life hazardous for pedestrians. (Plans to ban scooter-riding on pavements should help.)
Prices are generally lower than London. If you are on an expat package - ideally one that compensates for higher taxation - you may enjoy a higher standard of living, especially as property prices are lower.
It's not all great. Bureaucracy can be tiresome and time-consuming, while partners who don't speak fluent French will obviously find their employment opportunities severely limited. But Paris is a great city and one to enjoy.
The main international business hub is La Défense, to the west of the city, and you might think that it would be handy to live there, too. Well, you might be wrong. This new district is short on charm, and the efficiency of public transport means you need not fear commuting.
If you are looking for somewhere relatively affordable, it's worth looking at the 70th arrondissement, around the Gare du Nord. This formerly unfashionable area is on the way up. Apartments are larger than elsewhere in central Paris for a similar price. It's handy for the Eurostar and home to decent restaurants. And it has character, undiluted by much tourism.
The Sentier neighborhood of the 2nd arrondissement, the old garment district, is also worth a look. It's a lively area, popular with internet start-up businesses and other entrepreneurs. It's also home to rue du Nil, a small street that has become a destination for food crowd since chef Greg Marchand opened the first Frenchie restaurant there in 2009.
The 6th and 7th arrondissements, on the Left Bank, are beautiful if you can afford them. This area is home to the Eiffel Tower and beautiful parks such as Le Jardin du Luxembourg. There are museums and galleries and quiet squares, and there are small streets filled with interesting shops and bistros.
Montreuil, a former industrial and agricultural district in the eastern suburbs, is home to artists and a more Bohemian crowd. It's cosmopolitan, with a flea market and many small bars and restaurants. It's sometimes compared to Brooklyn 20 years ago.
If you want to raise a family away from the center of the city, Le Vesinet is a green and gracious suburb, loved by the wealthy. Or you might prefer the nearby Saint-Germain-en-Laye, home to an international high school.
Suite Mercedes at the Hôtel Montecristo. Photo credit: www.mrandmrssmith.com
Best for millennials: The Hôtel Montecristo is a real discovery. It's a small hotel, also on the Left Bank, decorated in a colorful tropical style. There's a very lively bar, where Jean-Paul Gaultier was hosting a fashion event when I visited. The room was quirky and attractive. And the service was friendly and helpful. Hipsters may normally head straight to the Hoxton, Paris, but I love the Montecristo. Check website for room rates.
Gourmet blowout: Tour d'Argent. The prices at this historic restaurant can be shocking. But there is a three-course lunch served from Tuesdays to Saturday for 7 05 euros. You get dishes such as pike dumpling or duck fillet, and fabulous views over the Seine to Notre-Dame. The wine prices are horrible.
Modern bistro: Semilla is part of the new wave of French bistros, serving a number of dishes rather than set meals. You might order petits pois with Brocciu cheese from Corsica and a savory ice cream; and roasted green asparagus with hazelnut butter. The place is informal and friendly.
Fun lunch: Clover Grill is a retro diner/grill from the highly respected chef Jean-François Piège, with very engaging service. The menu includes quirky dishes such as a deconstructed pizza (with the topping actually inside crispy pastry) and an lnstagram-friendly bone marrow starter served atop bones.
Traditional bistro: Chez Casimir is an inexpensive and unfussy bistro across from Gare du Nord. It is my favorite place to eat in Paris. Dishes such as lievre a la royale burst with flavor and there is a generosity reflected in the large cheeseboard left at the table so you help yourself. The lunch menu is 28 euros.
Counter dining: Aux Pres is a fashionable bistro at Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It's been around for years but has been given a makeover by chef Cyril Lignac, who serves an Asian-inspired menu. Dishes may include beef fillet with sate spices, lemon marmalade. You can eat at the bar or in a booth. Book early.
Roasted duckling fillet, duck crackers, liquorice from stock, beans & purslane from Tour d'Argent.
Shrimp dumplings at La Sociéte.
Fashionista haunt: La Sociéte is a favorite of the fashion crowd. It's owned by the Costes brothers and designed by Christian Liaigre. It's so painfully hip, I wondered if I would be allowed in. But if you make it past the door, the Asian menu and people-watching are both fun. Dishes include shrimp dim sum.
Casual dining: Avant-Comptoir du Marché is a tapas-style bar by chef Yves Camdeborde in the Saint-Germain market. There's a tiny kitchen for plates such as pork belly and ham croquettes. There are no menus and young diners stand or perch on high stools.
Wine bar: Septime La Cave is a dark and crow ded natural wine bar from the owners of much-lauded Septime restaurant. (Good luck getting a table there.) The place is usually packed and the crowd spills out onto the street. There are small plates of food but La Cave is really all about the wines.
Speakeasy: Castor Club is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar in St-Michel that is deliberately hard to find. Behind an unmarked door there are creative cocktails, such as the Banana Flip, with whisky, sherry, banana syrup, quail egg and crème fraiche. It's dark and moody looking, but the bar staff are friendly.
