In just a few years, Paris has lost some of its lustre in the eyes of executives, exhausted by a daily routine punctuated by saturated transport, exorbitant living costs and omnipresent stress. After months of confinement and forced telecommuting, one question stands out: what if the capital is no longer the ideal destination for reconciling professional fulfillment and quality of life?

Yet leaving Paris is no easy task. Between the fear of losing one’s job, the challenge of finding a new balance and the choice of a suitable host city, the obstacles are numerous. So what practical solutions exist for those who dream of a professional future elsewhere, without sacrificing their career or stability? An exploration of the paths to successful change, between geographical mobility, flexible working and professional reinvention.

In recent years, a fundamental phenomenon has taken hold among Parisian executives: a growing desire to leave the capital. Between interminable commuting times, an exorbitant cost of living and an impaired quality of life, the reasons for leaving are multiplying. But how do you reconcile this desire for change with your ever-ambitious career aspirations? What are the practical solutions for making a successful transition to a new life, without sacrificing your career? This article explores the motivations behind this exodus, the preferred destinations, and above all, the strategies for rebuilding a fulfilling professional future outside the Paris region.

Parisian fed-up: the reasons for a mass departure

Paris, long perceived as a city where anything is possible, is losing its appeal to executives. The figures speak for themselves: 84% of Parisian executives are considering leaving the capital, according to a recent study. Among the reasons cited, daily stress tops the list (63%), closely followed by the cost of living (57%), which weighs heavily on budgets. Saturated public transport and long commutes (48% of respondents) further discourage those who dreamed of a dynamic urban life.

Another determining factor isaccess to property. With prices per square meter among the highest in Europe, 27% of executives feel that investing in Parisian real estate is an obstacle course. The confinement has acted as an eye-opener, prompting many to question their lifestyle. Between forced telecommuting and the need for space, the capital no longer meets the expectations of a generation in search of balance.

Finally, pollution (71%), traffic jams (67%) anddistance from nature (61%) complete the picture of a city where quality of life is deteriorating. However, executives are not rejecting urban life per se: they are simply looking for a different balance, where the professional no longer overwhelms the personal.

Taking action: a growing trend

Contrary to a mere passing fancy, Parisian executives are taking action. 34% of them are already engaged in an active search, whether for a change of position, an internal transfer or a professional reorientation. Of these, 28% are holding interviews (+2% vs. 2019), while 4% have requested a transfer from their employer (+1% vs. 2019).

Their main motivation? To improve their living environment (89%), reduce their stress levels (75%) and protect their privacy (62%). To achieve this, they are prepared to make sacrifices: 61% plan to change jobs, and 46% would be prepared to resign if necessary. However, one obstacle remains: the fear of not finding an equally interesting job elsewhere.

However, one solution is emerging: hybrid telecommuting. 38% of executives plan to keep their Paris job while moving to the provinces, compared with 31% in 2019. Confinement has accelerated this trend, proving that remote working is not only possible, but desirable for many. Companies, for their part, seem more open to this flexibility, even if the culture of presenteeism remains entrenched in certain sectors.

Top destinations: where do they pack their suitcases?

If Paris no longer appeals, what are the alternatives? The majority of executives are turning to the major regional metropolises, combining economic dynamism with a pleasant living environment. Top of the ranking: Bordeaux (51%), Nantes (44% ) and Lyon (31%), followed by Montpellier, Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse. The appeal of these cities lies in their proximity to nature, their frequent TGV connections with Paris and their more affordable cost of living.

This attractiveness is reflected in the real estate figures. According to the SeLoger barometer, property searches exploded in these cities between May and August 2020: +40% in Nice, +36% in Bordeaux, +29% in Marseille and +21% in Toulouse. Paris, on the other hand, recorded a 23% drop in rental searches, a sign of growing disenchantment. Even buying demand, traditionally strong in the capital, is stagnating (+5%), while cities such as Bordeaux (+164%) and Nantes (+139%) are experiencing a real boom.

What are the solutions for a successful career transition?

Leaving Paris doesn’t mean giving up on an ambitious career. There are several strategies for reconciling personal fulfillment and professional success. The first step is to assess your priorities: do you want to stay in the same sector, change professions, or opt for a different status (freelance, entrepreneur, etc.)?

For those who want to keep their current job, partial telecommuting is a serious option. As a study on corporate well-being points out, reducing commuting times significantly improves quality of life. Some companies now offer hybrid contracts, with a few days of compulsory presence and the remainder remote. An ideal solution for those who want to keep one foot in Paris without living there full-time.

Another option: internal transfer. Many large companies have regional offices. A request for geographic mobility can be an opportunity to discover a new territory while retaining your position and its benefits. Certain cities, such as Bordeaux, are particularly attractive to executives thanks to their dynamic ecosystem and quality of life.

Reinventing yourself professionally: training and retraining

For those who want to take the plunge and change their career path, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Regional metropolises are developing centers of excellence in a variety of sectors: tech in Lyon, aeronautics in Toulouse, healthcare in Bordeaux… Short, targeted training courses (bootcamps, certifications) enable rapid retraining, while local professional networks facilitate integration.

Freelancing andentrepreneurship are also favored options. With the development of coworking spaces and incubators, setting up a business in the provinces has never been so accessible. In fact, a productivity study shows that self-employed workers in the regions are often more fulfilled than their Parisian counterparts, thanks to a better work/life balance.

Finally, for those who are still hesitating, intermediate solutions exist, such as the 3-6-9 lease, which offers rental flexibility adapted to professional transitions. Find out more about this scheme here.

How can companies retain their talent?

Faced with this exodus, Parisian companies have every interest in rethinking their business model to retain their executives. The first step is to improve the quality of their workspaces. As one study reveals, employees spend a large part of their day in the office. Offering them a pleasant environment, with bright, ergonomic and user-friendly spaces, can make all the difference.

Another lever is to establish a relaxed telecommuting culture. Today, 30% of French people think it’s frowned upon to leave the office before 6pm, and 28% feel judged if they arrive after their colleagues. Yet a more flexible approach to work, with adapted working hours and greater trust in employees, could reduce turnover and boost productivity.

Finally, companies can set up regional offices or develop partnerships with local coworking spaces. This enables executives to work close to home while remaining connected to their company. A win-win solution that meets both employees’ expectations and employers’ needs.

A new working model: towards greater freedom and balance

The desire to leave Paris reflects a broader aspiration: that of a more human workplace, where performance no longer rhymes with personal sacrifice. Executives no longer want to choose between professional success and personal fulfillment; they are looking for a model where both coexist.

Regional metropolises, with their economic dynamism and preserved living environment, offer a credible alternative. But for this transition to succeed, companies, local authorities and employees need to work together. The former must agree to rethink the way work is organized, the latter must invest in appropriate infrastructures (transport, housing, workspaces), and the latter must dare to take the plunge, by training and informing themselves about local opportunities.

One thing is certain: the era of the “all-Paris ” is over. Make way for a new geography of work, more balanced, more flexible and, above all, more human.

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FAQ : Executives want to leave Paris – What are the solutions for a professional future elsewhere?

Why do Parisian executives want to leave the capital?

More and more Parisian executives are considering leaving Paris for several key reasons:

• High cost of living (79% of executives dissatisfied),
• Daily stress (69% mention an exhausting pace of life),
• Pollution and traffic jams (71% and 67% of respondents),
• Long commuting times (47% of executives suffer),
• Away from nature (61% of executives regret this),
• Difficulty investing in real estate (27% of executives concerned).

A recent study reveals that 84% of Parisian executives would like to move to a better living environment, with work-life balance as a priority.

What are the most popular cities for executives to leave Paris?

Regional metropolises are particularly attractive to executives looking for a better balance. Here are the preferred destinations:

• Bordeaux (51%), appreciated for its living environment and TGV connections,
• Nantes (44%), dynamic and close to nature,
• Lyon (31%), for its thriving economy and quality of life,
• Followed by Montpellier, Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse.

These cities offer a good compromise between professional opportunities, accessibility and quality of life. In fact, the number of home searches has exploded (+40% in Nice, +36% in Bordeaux).

How do you prepare for a career change or transfer out of Paris?

Leaving Paris for another region requires careful preparation. Here are the key steps:

1. Evaluate your priorities: living environment, stress reduction, work/life balance or financial burdens?
2. Search for job offers in the target city (34% of executives are already actively looking).
3. Consider an internal transfer (4% of managers have already applied).
4. Train or retrain if necessary (61% of executives are ready to change jobs).
5. Test telecommuting: some companies now accept regular commuting (+38% in 2020).
6. Visit the city and its real estate market before making a commitment (prices are rising in regional metropolises).

Nearly 7 out of 10 executives are prepared to make concessions in their careers to improve their daily lives.

Can telecommuting ease the transition out of Paris?

Yes, telecommuting has become a major lever for executives wishing to leave Paris without losing their jobs. Several options are available:

• Negotiate partial telecommuting (2-3 days a week) with your current employer.
• Opt for a hybrid status: a few days of classroom training in Paris and the rest in the provinces.
• Work from a coworking space in your new city (e.g. Wojo, WeWork).
• Take advantage of post-Covid flexibility: 62% of companies are now open to teleworking.

But beware: 30% of French people are still afraid of how their colleagues will view their teleworking productivity (Poly study). A flexible corporate culture is therefore essential.

What are the main obstacles to executives leaving Paris?

Despite their desire to leave, several obstacles remain:

• Fear of not finding another job (main obstacle cited by executives).
• Loss of salary: salaries are often lower in the provinces (for equivalent positions).
• The distance from the Paris professional network, seen as a career asset.
• Initial financial expenses (moving, purchase/rental in a city with a real estate shortage).
• Adapting to a new environment (schools for children, services, habits).

However, 53% of executives now prefer their work-life balance to a salary in Paris.

How can Parisian companies retain their executives?

To prevent talent drain, companies can act on several levers:

• Improving workspaces: bright, ergonomic office designs to compensate for the lack of living space.
• Introduce flexible (guilt-free) teleworking to reduce the stress of commuting.
• Combat presenteeism: 28% of French people avoid being the last to arrive at the office (Glassdoor study).
• Offer “quality of life” benefits: flexible working hours, additional vacations, housing assistance.
• Create regional branches to enable internal transfers without job losses.
• Encourage autonomy: fewer unnecessary meetings, more confidence in remote working.

Companies that know how to adapt will be able to retain their talent while improving their well-being.

What impact is the departure of executives having on the Parisian and regional real estate market?

The trend for executives to leave Paris is already having visible consequences:

• Decline in searches for housing in Paris (-23% for rentals).
• Rising demand in the provinces:
  • +164% in Bordeaux for the purchase,
  • +139% in Nantes,
  • +100% in Strasbourg.
• +164% in Bordeaux for the purchase,
• +139% in Nantes,
• +100% in Strasbourg.
• Rent increases in regional metropolises (e.g. +40% in Nice, +36% in Bordeaux).
• Stabilization (or even a slight rise) in purchase prices in Paris (+5%), but with a supply/demand imbalance.

This migration could rebalance economic attractiveness between Paris and the regions, but it could also cause prices to soar in the most sought-after cities.

Should you buy or rent when you move to a new city?

It all depends on your situation and your goals:

✅ Rent first if :

• You want to test the city before making a commitment (neighborhoods, transportation, atmosphere).
• You’re considering a change of position in the medium term.
• Property prices are rising sharply (e.g. Bordeaux, Nantes).
• You want to retain flexibility (relocation, hybrid teleworking).

✅ Buy direct if :

• You have guaranteed professional stability (transfer, long-term contract).
• Borrowing rates are low and your budget allows it.
• You’re aiming for a city where prices are still affordable (e.g. Montpellier, Strasbourg).
• You’d like to benefit from local aid (some regions offer schemes for new arrivals).

In all cases, study the local market: some cities (like Lyon or Bordeaux) are seeing their prices soar, while others remain affordable.

What assistance is available for executives leaving Paris?

There are a number of schemes to help you settle in the region:

• Mobility allowance: some companies and local authorities offer financial assistance for relocation.
• Tax exemptions: some areas (such as Quartiers Prioritaires de la Politique de la Ville) offer tax breaks.
• Local aids:
  • In Nantes: facilities for families (crèches, schools).
  • In Bordeaux: support for entrepreneurs.
  • In Occitanie: installation bonuses for teleworkers.
• In Nantes: facilities for families (crèches, schools).
• In Bordeaux: support for entrepreneurs.
• In Occitanie: installation bonuses for teleworkers.
• Zero interest loans for property purchases in certain regions.
• Support networks: associations (such as Territoires d’Industrie) help people set up in business.

Contact your local chamber of commerce or town hall to find out what assistance is available.

How to find a job before leaving Paris?

Here’s an effective way to secure your project:

1. Target growth sectors in your destination city (e.g.: tech in Lyon, aeronautics in Toulouse).
2. Use specialized platforms:
   • General sites (LinkedIn, Indeed, APEC).
   • Regional platforms (e.g. Bordeaux Business, Nantes Métropole Emploi).
3. General sites (LinkedIn, Indeed, APEC).
4. Regional platforms (e.g. Bordeaux Business, Nantes Métropole Emploi).
5. Activate your network:
   • Join LinkedIn groups dedicated to your future city.
   • Participate in local professional events (face-to-face or online).
6. Join LinkedIn groups dedicated to your future city.
7. Participate in local professional events (face-to-face or online).
8. Telecommuting applications: some companies recruit Parisian profiles for 100% remote positions.
9. Consider freelance status (freelance, consulting) if your profession allows.
10. Negotiate a pre-employment contract: some employers agree to recruit before your arrival.

28% of executives in active search are already interviewing (+2% vs 2019) – a trend that shows the market is dynamic in the region.