15 Pros & Cons to Know BEFORE Moving to France!

Are you wondering if you should move to France and if it's a good place to live? Here are 15 things you need to know before you decide!
📚 Rather read? Check out the blog post here happilyevertravels.com/is-fra...
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Read More About Language Learning on the Blog:
12 Duolingo Tips Most Users Don’t Know
happilyevertravels.com/duolin...
The Super Simple Language Study Plan You Need to Try
happilyevertravels.com/simple...
Can Duolingo Make You Fluent?
happilyevertravels.com/can-du...
Like & Subscribe for more videos! youtube.com/@happilyevertrave...
Read More About Moving to France:
How to Apply for the Long Stay Visa France Using VFS
happilyevertravels.com/long-s...
34 Pros & Cons of Living in Nice, France in 2023
happilyevertravels.com/living...
Check out Not Just Bikes KZbin Channel: youtube.com/@NotJustBikes?si=...
Should you move to France?
Becoming an expat in France is a dream for a lot of people and the allure of moving to France from the US, particularly to the captivating city of Paris, holds a magnetic appeal. Whether it's the dream of strolling along the Seine, savoring exquisite pastries in a charming café, or embracing the rich cultural tapestry, the idea of being an American living in France is a vision that sparks a sense of adventure. Many Americans moving to France find themselves captivated by the romantic ambiance of Parisian streets, while also discovering the challenges and rewards of navigating life in a new country. The process of immigrating to France from the US might involve intricate details, but the promise of a fresh start in the heart of Europe is a compelling reason for those who want to move to France and experience the joie de vivre firsthand.
The community of American expats in France is diverse and vibrant, contributing to the cultural mosaic of their adopted home. The journey of moving to France as an American involves more than just changing physical locations; it's an opportunity for personal growth and adaptation to a different way of life. The decision to move to France from the USA is filled with possibilities - from embracing the language and cuisine to understanding the nuances of French social customs. This path of emigrating to France signifies a pursuit of new experiences and a chance to broaden one's horizons. As American expats settle into their lives in France, they weave their stories into the intricate fabric of the country, forever cherishing the moments that come with being an American living in France.
#lifeinfrance #movetofrance #france #moveabroad #lifeabroad

[@happilyevertravels]

If you've lived in France, did I miss anything? If you're planning to move to France, leave a comment and let me know where!

[@runningforviews]

Moving to France was the best decision EVER! Love it here!

[@happilyevertravels]

agreed

[@jak3__]

France = best country in the world 🌎 🇫🇷

[@davidmusset3435]

You need to buy an ac unit before summertime so price is affordable, you can buy them either with the tube going out or buy one that is a split, so the noise making unit stays outside and the cool making unit stays inside, it’s still a mobile unit (unlike the one you install on the wall). Make sure you buy one that’s powerful enough for the size of your room/apartment. 12,000 btu should be good for most spaces

[@Louisejames23]

I’m moving to France next year and it’s nice to see a really positive and informative video, my friends ask me why I want to move (from the UK) and I’ll just show them this 😊👍

[@happilyevertravels]

Aw thank you! I always see negative reviews of living in France, and they bring up a lot of good points, but living in the South is also very different than Paris. A lot of what they say doesn’t apply to my experience in Nice, but I have had trouble speaking French in Paris and some grumpiness lol but after years of living year, I don’t mind grumpiness and it doesn’t happen often here

[@williamramos3350]

Getting things in motion to relocate to a part in Europe. I am currently learning French because I plan to relocate within 2 yrs. This has been some really good advice. Merci Bo coup.

[@goaliemojo4310]

really perfect video (and links) for me at this time, thanks. best wishes on your Happily Ever Travels and life!

[@bericl]

Loved this!

[@ashley_dyer]

This video has been sooo helpful! Hoping to make the move soon myself 🙂

[@bluewaterstudio]

Thank you for your enlightening video .. anxious to follow your adventures in France. -Daniel (Paris)

[@happilyevertravels]

Hey Daniel! Thanks for the sweet comment, excited to post more about life in France and learning French! Hope you’re enjoying paris (:

[@bluewaterstudio]

I live here, own a nice apartment across from Jardin du Luxembourg. Stay cool @@happilyevertravels

[@christinabayma119]

If you have the ingredients available. Suggest you make your own Mexican food. It’s France, they don’t need to have Mexican food. But yes I love Mexican food too.

[@happilyevertravels]

Oh we definitely try, but it never is as good! I don’t agree about France not needing Mexican food, I’ve gotten good Indian food, Italian food, Vietnamese food, all here in nice. Mexican food should be next! (:

[@christinabayma119]

You did a pretty good job for your first video. Congratulations

[@happilyevertravels]

Thank you! 😊

[@davidmusset3435]

Marseille airport serves many locations and is accessible by ter train (you then need to ride the bus from vitrioles train station to airport which takes 5 mnish, and costs 1,40 euros. It’s interesting if you live within the area that has a train station nearby. I would say 1hr away by train isn’t bad. If you live near a tgv station then you can reach paris CDG airport easily. But tgv can be costly. I feel like nice is really practical for flying out.

[@ulrikebulow8155]

We will be moving close to Cannes next summer and I can't wait to get there!

[@happilyevertravels]

That’s so exciting! Hope you love it there (:

[@kristenkim3681]

I only live in France part time, on the 90/180-day system. I have a second home in Lille. There is an Amazon locker in one of the train stations, and for items that don’t fit in the largest locker, they can be delivered to a nearby shop that accepts Amazon deliveries. It’s walking distance from my place. But I speak French fluently (retired French teacher), and have been home to answer the phone.

[@happilyevertravels]

Good point, you can get your packages sent to a drop off point as well, I’m just too lazy for that and they’ll be sitting there forever 😂 if I didn’t work from home, I’d have to do that option.

[@lorraine6947]

Very nice and informative video. Thanks. How do you navigate the tourist season in Nice? I haven’t decided on where to live in France yet. It will be either Nice or Paris.

[@happilyevertravels]

Thank you! This summer (tourist season) was so hot that it actually wasn’t that bad with tourists, it seemed like they were on the beach or at their Airbnb, not much in between. But on a normal summer, it gets packed and we usually just stay home and work more in the summer besides going to the beach. Only about 2-3 months like that! The rest of the year is super nice.

[@Kim-J312]

Thanks for all the tips . Im considering a move to France . I did take 5 yrs of French language in HS and college . Thats was 20+yrs ago . As for re-learning French, those apps made me want to rip my hair out . They teach cutesey sayings and two word answers 😳. How can anyone one learn a thing ?? I think the key to understand any foreign language is learn grammar 😊. French is one easier languages to learn . Spanish and Italian will click quickly in your brain too ❤ 🇫🇷

[@happilyevertravels]

I’ve found that italki classes (conversations in French for pretty cheap) are basically the only way to move the needle toward fluency. I speak Spanish and Italian and it definitely helps but French is so hard still! But i think it’s pronunciation for me, I’ve gotta keep working on it to feel more comfortable using it in public. I hope you get to move here! Alliance francaise was also super fun but expensive :/

[@tericam5154]

If there there 5 thumbs up for your video I would totally do it. Thank you thank you, just what I need.

[@happilyevertravels]

Oh my god, you’re so nice! I’m so glad you liked it and I hope it helps with your decision! I might make a part 2 cuz I thought of like 10 more pros and cons lol hope you make it to France if you’re not here already! (:

[@erykahhoney588]

I’m looking forward to moving there. Just need a job (consistent income) first. But I’ll definitely be living there soon

[@happilyevertravels]

That’s awesome! Where are you thinking of moving? I’d choose Lyon or Annecy if I were to leave Nice

[@davidmusset3435]

I lived in California and you’re right there are no good Mexican food. It’s the truth. But you can make it at home and order black beans and other hard to find ingredients.

[@user-ht7bi8mp6b]

Hey I’m moving to Nice soon too! How did you find a place to rent? Did you find a place before you you in France or once you were there?

[@happilyevertravels]

Hey congrats! We found our place here, actually hired an agency to help us after we struggled for so long. I outlined the whole process on the blog so you’ll know what to expect! happilyevertravels.com/crazy-story-finding-an-apartment-in-france/

[@artnodulot1525]

i live in the coutryside and i know there is some usa people in saint cirq la popie .a beautifull little village on the river lot

[@happilyevertravels]

Oh wow, that village looks amazing!!

[@artnodulot1525]

typical village of the lot. you can also see figeac, rocamadour, carennac, espagnac saint eulalie, saint martin de vers and many others

[@artnodulot1525]

if you don't speak French, a few words like hello or thank you can work. You just have to show a little effort. Afterwards, more and more French people speak more or less English, especially young people.

[@jodiehebert8285]

I have visited Nice, FR as a college student and dying to go back. Appreciate the reminders of how you can take the train to Italy and other countries. So cool. I was wondering if you liked Italy as well? I noticed Italians seem warmer and more accepting, and French more reserved and distant. However, I am of French descent (Cajun French) and enamored with the language, culture and food, of course! Any thoughts?

[@happilyevertravels]

I love Italy! It was actually our first choice but the visas were too difficult and we ended up loving nice instead! But we go to Italy every year and I speak Italian because I’m so obsessed (: last year we did Calabria and it was incredible. I agree that Italian people are warmer, but the French aren’t necessarily cold, just colder than Italians. I feel like it would be easier to make friends in Italy but I haven’t lived there long enough to know for sure!

[@GeoffVentures]

#1 benefit = baguette

[@happilyevertravels]

literally lol

[@lindadorman2869]

Agree with nearly everything you mentioned except...I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and don't own a car. We have a subway and bus system that takes you everywhere and I rent a car every few months if I need to. Just saying....NYC is not the only place with public transit.

[@aidashvygina8620]

We moving to Nice also. What private insurance do you have?

[@happilyevertravels]

Hey! We use Insubuy Insurance, you can find it here: tp.media/r?marker=363498&trs=170737&p=4736&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insubuy.com%2Fschengen-visa-insurance%2F&campaign_id=165

[@-white-elephant]

hello! thank you for your information How long should I enter France after receiving a French long stay visa? Do I need to arrive in France within 1 month? Or should it arrive within 2 months? Is there a set period?

[@happilyevertravels]

Hey! So when you’re applying for the visa in the US, you should tell them the date you plan to arrive in France. You don’t want to waste a day of the visa, so ideally you should get there as soon as your visa starts! (: you have to register your visa in France 90 days after the first day of the visa, so there is a set period. You should have an address and a phone number and hopefully a French bank account by the 90 day point. Let me know if that answered your question!

[@-white-elephant]

@@happilyevertravels thank you so much

[@imogendunstan3603]

Ive watched a few ‘living in france videos’ im picking up that it’s comparable to Melbourne Australia except the food and vicinity to Europe is better…is Nice a clean city in your opinion? I would prefer not to live right in Paris it is beautiful but im scared of trying to find somewhere to live as an Aussie? My french is beginner i would say…

[@happilyevertravels]

I haven’t been to Australia, but I would consider nice to be a clean city and it was recently voted the most walkable city, it’s super nice to walk around and they keep the streets clean and safe. My friend from Melbourne loves it here and comes back often.

[@destinytapia9879]

I am highly thinking about moving but I am not sure the best places to live when looking for an environmental sustainability job, help please 😅

[@happilyevertravels]

Hmmm since I work from home I’m not sure, but France is usually good about environmental sustainability. I would look into Bordeaux or Lyon, if not Paris. Are you already in that field? Maybe transferring would work!

[@christianc9894]

Be serious ! Why should a country like France, which has a gastronomy recognized throughout the world, care about Mexican cuisine? In France we eat French or we return to Mexico.

[@happilyevertravels]

So no Italian food then? Lol

[@Raquel-op6xo]

Loved it til I heard no ac :(

[@happilyevertravels]

lol it’s definitely something to consider! I think the summers are heating up too much tho for French apartments to not have some ac at least in July and August. But most of the time we don’t need it!

[@ulrikebulow8155]

We have ac in every room!

[@ulrikebulow8155]

Amazon puts the package in front our door! No problem.

[@AkamaiOkole]

Do you look like you are anywhere close to Mexico ?

[@happilyevertravels]

Not sure what you’re trying to say here, but I’m in France when I recorded this!

[@RoadToBounce]

28 day paid paternity leave is nothing

[@happilyevertravels]

Agreed! But America gives none, so in our case it would be better!