5 Reasons I Love My Life in France as an American Expat

[@Sergecalifornia]

I am French and was married to a African-American for 40 years. she did love france. She was fluent in French the people did love her. I said that because she passed away years ago. But her life in France was wonderful, we used to live in the south of France, the people ar much warmer, the culture is different. I wish you a lot of happiness.😀🗼🌞

[@patriciadyer5567]

With what is going on in the world (and especially in the US )your description of your wife and her life in France is so very beautiful. 🌸

[@alyria76]

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m a USA-born and raised Latina living in SW France with my French husband and I’ve never felt more at ease in my life. I’m glad your wife got to experience this kind of peace in her life.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I was married to a French who passed away two years ago. I hope you're doing OK now, but I know what a life-changing loss that is. All the best to you.

[@Sergecalifornia]

@@RonRobertson-lafrance never will forget those wonderful memories.

[@Sergecalifornia]

@@patriciadyer5567 merci Patricia. Lots of wonderful memories , she was my Josephine Baker. AfterThe famous American singer, from Saint-Louis Missouri that came to France in 1927 and never left France. She had a famous song. The title . Mon pays c'est la France. She was a World War II hero. For France,🌈

[@ariannewdnotbe]

I’ve been watching your videos for a long time. I thought I’d mention that when you arrived at the beauty section of your list, I thought:”She looks really beautiful.” Your life obviously brings you joy, peace, & fulfillment, & that shines from you.

[@michelesauret7779]

On voit que vous êtes épanouie, j'en suis très heureuse pour vous après toutes les épreuves que vous avez dû affronter pour arriver à ce résultat. Vous avez gagné car vous êtes forte et courageuse. Mes compliments et continuez ce qui vous réussit si bien.

[@PhilippeOrlando]

After many years in the US I'm ready to move back to France, not too far from where you are.

[@gutisha]

It is so nice to hear your experience in France. It takes guts to do what you did. Congratulations. ❤

[@etherdog]

Thanks for sharing your story and the thoughtful rationale. We can make things better here in the US by hearing stories from people like you, so thanks!

[@DavidHall-vb9cu]

Very sweet video Patricia! Well done.

[@constanzebauer1021]

Feeling free and at home as well as surrounding beauty are definitely things I would look for when moving to a new place. But as I am already living between Germany and France where I find both to perfection, no need to move.

[@celinefederici6951]

I am a native New Yorker. I retired to Cape Cod because whenever I went over the bridge, I felt like a different person. People say it is because of all the negative ions, the cape being an island with 90 miles of beaches. The second reason is the beauty. Everywhere you drive it is beautiful..even the highway...no billboards...strict housing laws in all 15 towns/no business building higher that 2 or 3 stories. All houses and buildings are either white clapboard or gray shingle so it has a very serene and calm atmosphere. There are many other but feeling good and beauty are my top reasons. I think it is wonderful that you want to keep challenging yourself. Although it was not on my list... being a single first time homeowner is still a challenge and first time gardener has its challenges. I studied French in HS and college so my written grammar is actually decent for studying decades ago, but conversational french is almost absent. I do regret not being able to speak another language and good for you that you are now fluent.

[@jbetha825]

I can't thank you enough for doing this video. I am VERY interested in relocating to the South of France. Thank you so much.

[@Putzickle]

Wonderful feel good video, thanks for sharing.

[@carolmartin4413]

Congratulations on taking that step and having it pay off handsomely!

[@jeanmas4197]

As I watched this video, I wonder if you should consider something else in your list: the noise is gone. I live in the US and cars with modified exhaust making so much noise and everything everywhere making so much noise all the time and I remember in France this was rarely the case. They have laws preventing loud noise everywhere and that makes a difference in the level of stress. I never hear US expat talk about noise but I bet there's a big difference.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

I've been away from the US long enough that I'd forgotten about that. Yes, that's one of the things I noticed was that it is far less noisy in France, even in cities. It does help with the peacefulness of life here.

[@nicadavelife]

Great video. Thanks so much!

[@SenorJuan2023]

I've been blessed with super health for years. Only been to a doctor 3 times in 40 years (my adult life) for anything other than medical exams.

[@tral403Hrytw]

where do you live?

[@SenorJuan2023]

@@tral403Hrytw In Panama City, Fl, for a few months to be around relatives, then to South America.

[@SenorJuan2023]

@@tral403Hrytw Would like to move to France when I'm fully retired.

[@流浪漢パリ]

10:38 we are happy with you!

[@stephaneislistening6103]

Bravo madame ! Pour avoir suivi votre cœur !

[@Sergecalifornia]

I'm waiting for the next video,

[@papadougpapadougsadventures]

Sounds like a wonderful place to live. Maybe I’ll give it a try. I’ve been focused on SE Asia over the last 3 years and am planning a move in October. I do plan on branching out

[@felixgarcia6104]

How much is deducted from the average French paycheck for health coverage?,

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

I don't think there's a separate deduction from your pay (I could be wrong, I pay my "social charges" via URSSAF because I'm a "microentreprise", so haven't had a regular pay check here). But my entire social charges cost (covers everything) is around 22%. The thing is, if you lose your job, you do not lose health coverage.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

I almost could have made that video myself, you said so many of the things I find so valuable here. About the only difference is that I was so tired of all the ugly architecture in the US, and knew that I liked how beautiful so much of it is in France before I moved here. I fully expected to find relief from that type of ugliness here. There still is some architecture (modernist stuff) that I dislike, but it's not so overwhelming as it is in the US, in which 99% of what's been built after WWII is poorly thought out, generally does not value any aesthetic consideration and in fact treats it with contempt. One other thing I like is the climate is not as extreme here as it is in nearly all of the US, and having really hot nights that are almost as unbearable as the days are rare pretty much throughout the country. I like that the longest days of the year are not necessarily the most miserable, and one can enjoy them outdoors.

[@GeoffreySchepps]

I am interested in this region. I know some French, having studied in Geneva many years ago. I am a musician and would like the proximity of culture, concerts, and schools.

[@GeoffreySchepps]

PS- where are you, and what is the nearest city?

[@ChrisCuellar-x7b]

Hello Patricia. I’d love to retire in France but taxes from what I can tell would be roughly 25-30%. For example if I have 60k / year that would be about 15-18k. Not to mention the complications of having to also pay US taxes. From what you’ve seen from American retirees is this what they’re paying? I’d have a hard time justifying that much in taxes even with a great cost of living.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

For that income I don't think you'd see any major difference in take-home pay (in fact, if you're paying for health insurance in the US, you'll probably find you have more take-home pay here than you would there). If it is social security income, that is not taxable in France. Under $100K in income you will not be taxed in both countries, you pay in one or the other-it's whichever country you have residence in. You have to file taxes in both countries (it's very easy in France to do so), and if you're "fiscaliser" in France (taxed in France), then you will not be paying any tax in the US. In fact, a bit of my income from the US had tax withheld in 2023, and in 2024 when I filed my US taxes it was 100% reimbursed to me even though it would not have been had I still been in the US.

[@ChrisCuellar-x7b]

@ Thank you very much great explanation and very helpful

[@tral403Hrytw]

@@RonRobertson-lafrance Are you sure, social security income is not taxed? In portugal it is, I believe.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

@@tral403Hrytw Yes, I'm certain. There's an agreement between France and the US about that. French people living in the US and receiving their version of Social Security aren't taxed in the US, either.

[@tral403Hrytw]

@@RonRobertson-lafrance thanks. I guess it is not the same one between portugal and US. They tax like 40%. They have a treaty too where you pay only portugal tax, and it is higher than US, then you dont pay US.

[@frankmontague7544]

❤Patricia, MILLIONS OF US need your help! Thank You. ❤ We are an American couple who got free of our properties 5 years ago and have been living partly in Europe, UK and in beautiful, beautiful California. But TRUMP has ruined any dreams of continuing. NOW it's time to fully adopt France & Spain 🎉

[@enriquesanchez2001]

♥♥♥♥

[@peterz53]

Civilized medical care.

[@chrismathis4162]

Yes it’s better. Anywhere is better without Trump!

[@josephinebrevig8748]

😅😅😅

[@felixgarcia6104]

US income is much higher than France.

[@jeanmichel2642]

whatever if the cost of living is much lower

[@tral403Hrytw]

much of this way too general, and there is hardly anything I learned. Only fact she mentioned was health care. The rest like beauty, and "personal growth" are nonsense. Sorry. Nothing about taxes, nothing about cost of apartments, etc.

[@elleelle9730]

Where in France do you live? I have lived in France for over 2 years and found the French racists.

[@zeitgeist888]

Ceret She has a YT channel that discusses many details of her time in France including social issues and interactions.

[@PhilippeOrlando]

Racism exists everywhere, but I I find it worse here, and I observe what's going on, and I white.

[@mabeaute8963]

@@zeitgeist888do you know the name of her YT channel? Thanks

[@zeitgeist888]

@@mabeaute8963 Patricia Brooks The Courage Catalyst

[@jf2187]

Les Français en général ne sont pas raciste on demande seulement pour les personnes qui veulent vivre en France de respecter nos valeurs, notre laïcité, être honnête , de s'adapter, de s'intégrer, d'essayer de parler notre langue et de ne pas penser que tout est dû : vous avez des droits mais aussi des devoirs. A partir de là, vous serez les bienvenus comme Patricia.

[@scpmdt]

It’s great as long as you’re healthy & have money. Wait till you are older & start having health problems. Then get in touch with me.

[@lcdesigns6145]

Prayerfully, she will r3main healthy. 😊

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

It's better to have health problems here than in the US. You won't be bankrupted with them here. There even is support for some in-home care here as part of the national health system. So, I have no idea why you make that statement in regards to living in France. It's the US one could say that about.

[@scpmdt]

@ try getting doctor’s appointment. Try getting a skin specialist appointment or a heart specialist or even an x-ray. I know I am speaking from experience. I am not an American but from Australia & believe me the system is Aus is one of the best. Even the level of care is second to none in Aus. I won’t elaborate too much but I know what I’m talking about even with having private insurance in France which is not cheap. Duty of care in hospitals is very poor.

[@RonRobertson-lafrance]

@@scpmdt It's not as easy as before in France, but if you compare to the US, where friends of mine WITH INSURANCE cannot get appointments in less than 3 months, that is definitely not an improvement over France. And this video is from an American perspective. Sure, the system isn't perfect, but compared to the US there are FAR fewer worries, not least of which is that one won't be bankrupted for medical care here.

[@scpmdt]

@ I am not disputing what you are saying about the US. I am speaking from experience in France in comparison to Australia & some unfortunate episodes. It’s to inform that everything is not as rosy as it’s made out to be if you happen to have illnesses. That’s all.