Don't Move to France Until You Watch This | 16+ Years of Experience

[@firedupinfrance]

Thanks for watching! 😊 Are you thinking about moving to France? Are you struggling with any of the same things mentioned in this video?

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Not yet. I did want to comment about something. I sincerely feel that the couple in the article just started much too late in life, especially to learn French! That time of life is not for trying to figure things out, it's for already feeling settled in a location. I feel so sorry for them! ☹

[@margaretames6522]

@@enriquesanchez2001 I started taking French lessons again 18 or so months ago on Babbel. They have live zoom classes that get you speaking! I hadn’t studied French for decades and gained confidence by staying focused. I was determined to do well! I am now 71 and am prepared to follow my dream of living in France now that my kids are grown.

[@pei8136]

@@enriquesanchez2001I agree! Just long vacation

[@beauthestdane]

We are planning our move, but still 2 years or so out. We have been studying French for a year or so now in preparation, learning all about tax implications, what we will need to apply for our VLS-TS visas, etc.

[@lucretiabolin9851]

@@firedupinfrance yes I intend/ plan to move to Paris next June 2025 through December 2025. J’ai. commencé mon retraite donc j’ai le temps poursuivre mes rêves. A mon avis , ce n’est pas trop tard pour apprendre et se profiter votre vie. Ne regrettez rien. You only get this one life . . . .

[@williamramos3350]

I have been studying French for 7 months now. Determined to move there by the end of next year and no later than march of the following. I am absorbing the language like a sponge because I know that it's a must. I am determined to change the current course of my existence.

[@firedupinfrance]

Super ! Bon courage !!!

[@williamramos3350]

@firedupinfrance Merci Beaucoup!

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Welcome to France, dear William ! I hope everything will be ok for you but keep in mind that France is a country like any country, with highs and lows, good sides and bad sides, defects and qualities. In short, don't idealize the country : it is the best way no to be disappointed 😉 Bureaucracy is not a myth, here in France so get prepared but remember that it is quite an "European" thing : Italy, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, etc… are also very good at bureaucracy 😁 And as Suzi says : language is the key, and interaction. Do you already know people in France ? Will you come alone, without any connexion ?

[@williamramos3350]

​@@heliedecastanet1882I have not relocated. I will be within a year to a year and a half. Currently working to connect with French speaking individuals there via online. I have also been learning about the currency, transportation system and cultural differences. I thank you for your awesome gesture. If you have any other suggestions or know of anything that could help me. I will greatly appreciate it. I will be going solo if I am unable to connect with anyone. Thanks again.

[@lindadourte8263]

I moved to the Normandy region 2 years ago. I still don’t speak much French, but I have a huge group of friends who I adore. A lot of them speak some English, but not all. We use a lot of pantomime and laugh a lot. I think it is more your mindset and a bit of where you live. I get a text most everyday that someone or another is going for coffee and would I like to join. We have started a WhatsApp group which we add people to as they join us. I know I have been really lucky, but I think that being open to new experiences and being able to laugh at the awkward times.

[@BethRighi-o3b]

Good video - fair suggestions. I have a similar experience to you and I think it’s good to encourage people by saying the first years are the hardest. At the same time - I would stress that moving is soooo different than visiting that it won’t be right for everyone even if they love it. One piece of advice to add - celebrate the wins. I used to celebrate every year I was in France, every step - a visa renewal, getting a drivers license. They maybe don’t feel like milestones in America but they are true accomplishments in France in a foreign language. Patting yourself on the back can help get you through the hard times.

[@firedupinfrance]

Yes! Great point! Thank you ☺️

[@danashark1886]

What a pleasure to stumble across your videos. I’m a Canadian living in Dijon for ten years. I love how you have described our lovely little city in your other video. Both my partner (French) and I found ourselves here by chance, but we love living and raising our daughter here. I work near the Auditorium, and hope our paths will cross one of these days.

[@doubleas4414]

Hey Suzy , thanks for your video and view points to counter Joanna’s video!! My wife and I saw her video and arrived at same conclusion… people have different tolerance levels for even the most mundane challenges. My wife and I will be there by April of this coming year and look forward to the challenges of our first year. We travel full time already so this will add s bit more complexity, but for us, it’s part of the great adventure. We are thankful for your videos and videos from others like Baguette Bound for plowing the way for others and encouraging us through the various steps. Again, thanks!!

[@arborealscout4252]

I read that article too! You've been too kind to Joanna LOL! I'm not in France, yet, but I did take French for 4 years and know how trying to learn a language is even when trying hard every day, with a teacher. I did however live in Central America for almost 3 years and had to learn Spanish, starting at ground zero, once in country. Not just Spanish, but how to live and function in that culture. It ain't easy folks! It's hard! You have to work hard, learn the culture, then be willing to put up with things beyond your control, which you have to do anywhere. And you may not be fully aware of the privileges and pleasantries you already have (in the US) until you live in a different country. When I left my Spanish-speaking country I tested at the level below native speaker. The things Joanna said hadn't worked out for her, might, if she tried harder or tried alternate routes. Just keep swimming! If you want friends, join a church, or go the pub, or join community clubs and committees. If you want good quality vegetables, shop at a different store, or go to one of the thousands of farmer's markets! Which begs the reminder - do your homework before you buy or rent in France or anywhere: do you have quality food nearby? A pharmacy? Are restaurants, bakeries, bars, shops important to you? Etc... I do feel for Joanna because moving to any different country and culture is hard whether it works out well or not. If the article was fair and accurate, Joanna's comments and admissions were stunning to me, frankly, and her admittedly limited efforts to understand what life would actually be like seem fairly naive, all combining to seem to be overly high expectations compared to effort made. I hope she gives things another shot but she may just be better off back in the US, as she said. But for all of us thinking of moving overseas - there are thousands of resources out there, including KZbin, and this very nice channel trying to help, and by someone who knows of what she speaks, (so thank you). Moving abroad is usually not like a rom-com movie!

[@sacroyalty]

Thanks for the video. We are leaving the USA in January and are excited to start our new journey but also want to be sure to learn from others.

[@Tina-qp7py]

Wow. So many people are really leaving. I'm going to explore France to see what I think.

[@sacroyalty]

@Tina-qp7py France is awesome especially for Americans! It was in our final 2 country decision

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@sacroyalty Hey ! Frenchman here 😉 Where do you plan to settle ?

[@sacroyalty]

@@heliedecastanet1882 Hey! We had booked a multi month AirBnB in Southern France (due to the plan to start in January), then planned to head north for a long term rental in Lyon or Dijon... but then at the last minute we switched to Spain and have applied for a visa! We'll be posting about the why's on our channel in probably a month or so! :) It was a fun rollercoaster

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@sacroyalty I wish you the best !

[@LivinCindysLife]

We are about 24 months away from moving to France, and I hope to be fairly fluent by then. I studied French for several years over 40 years ago, but I had forgotten most all of it. Earlier this year, I enrolled in the Pimsleur program and am now completing their French 5 level. It takes a daily commitment to study -- and use of the language -- to retain all that you've learned, and no doubt I'll continue to learn for the rest of my life. I also watch several French KZbin channels, and I found a French conversation group that meets every other week at my local library (quelle chance!). Still, understanding vs. speaking are very different. I understand only about 50% of what I hear. Sometimes that's enough to get by or answer a question, but it takes time, effort and commitment to really learn a new language - especially as an older adult. Thanks for the great video!

[@Ellinillard]

This thing about French bureaucracy is so funny: whilst it is true, the remark comes from people who’ve never been confronted with their local bureaucracy as a foreigner. I can attest that dealing with US, Greek or Australian bureaucracy is equally maddening.

[@firedupinfrance]

I bet 😆

[@JMurfet]

I was going to make a very similar comment, all bureaucracy is convoluted is some way.

[@chrystele-fr]

@@JMurfet Very true! But the fact you are dealing with bureaucracy in a foreign country where you don’t master the language adds up to the maddening !

[@JohnCornellier]

They're all bad in different ways. Source: moved to five diffrent countries.

[@Jehau]

Very true! US administration has become horrible.

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Thank you for the video! When we lived in Mons, Belgium from 2001-2005, we were the only Americans in our neighborhood as well as work. However, we found ourselves surrounded by German, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Chechen, Turkish, Egyptian, etc., etc., expats and transplants and of course, Belgian locals who knew a little to a lot of English. We threw Halloween parties and they invited us to family dinners and weddings. In between getting lost on the road and ordering the wrong thing on a menu, we learned to sing to German heavy metal and our two toddlers began to respond to their preschool teachers in French. This is of course before the iPhone and GPS. Now empty-nesters, and having enjoyed some long vacations to Portugal, we are so ready to get back to Europe it hurts :)

[@firedupinfrance]

Oh! Thanks for sharing those stories! Sounds like a wonderful experience overall 😊☺️

[@ariannewdnotbe]

Great video. I’ve been married to a French guy for 40 years & although we live in the US, we’ve always visited 🇫🇷 frequently. My language level is intermediate. I had already read that article & what struck me was the vegetables, first of all. My SIL lives in a village which has a small daily market & they carry basic, seasonal veggies year-round. They have a weekly, much larger market. Even regular supermarkets such as Monoprix have good veggies. I think they just didn’t know where to go or look. There’s another couple on YT who moved to France who said in videos that it’s possible to live in France without speaking French & that absolutely mystified me. Yes, as a tourist ( but even then I’d think it must be difficult) but it’s impossible to integrate into a society happily without speaking the language. They eventually moved back to Florida. Like you, I am fortunate in that I have a ready-made social group there. We are looking at buying a place in 🇫🇷 & are exploring that. Even with my familiarity with the culture and language, I know it will be difficult. Some people are in love with the romanticized notion of France, rather than the reality. I think you made excellent suggestions about how to integrate.

[@chooselife1509]

Honestly, there is this culture of people moving to other countries without learning the language. I'm sorry, but it's just foolish. I can say that because I lived in Paris and Lisbon at different points in my life and though you can get by it's just flat out disrespectful to the culture and you just aren't able to live in the way that you should. To everyone reading, please, if you are thinking of willfully moving to another country, learn the language.

[@ShamimUrrahman-hb5py]

Absolutely.

[@SueIsRetiringToFrance]

Any time I think of an everyday phrase, I try to work it out in French. Sometimes I am fine, sometimes I need to use my translator app. But my dogs are benefitting - I think. Instead of breakfast or dinner, now it's "Les chiens, c'est l'heure du ...diner" or ...petit-dejeuner". Also: "allon faire une promenade!" 😄😄

[@zhaom7806]

Thank you for the good advice, and for countering the CNN article very well! Especially the "Sad-looking produce", has to be the most ridiculous untrue criticism I have ever heard about France.

[@patrickglass9323]

Most informative & helpful. Thank you, Suzi. You speak of volunteering and refer to a 'thrift shop'. Looks to me like a charity shop - even better reason for volunteering (?)

[@firedupinfrance]

Oh, yes, charity shop is the right term - thank you! Sorry for the slip up! It's a cool shop with a great vibe, it looks like a nice place to volunteer.

[@beauthestdane]

I had already read the article in question prior to this, and saw so many problems with how they expected things to be, and what they found. Even in the 3 weeks I spent in Brittany, I found the local market to be amazing, the boulangeries were great, and even the supermarket produce was not bad. The closest place was one of those small local store, and yes, the produce there was not great. We are still in the planning stages here, and will have several more scouting trips, but even so, I could see the problems with the way they went about their move and trying to settle in.

[@margaretames6522]

Your video has so much information and encouragement! I truly appreciate knowing what to expect so I can get prepared. Merci!

[@lucretiabolin9851]

Thank you for your video. I too, saw the other video. I was surprised by their comments and not surprised. Moving to another country is a huge transition and patience is required. Things just work differently, not necessarily good or bad, just different. Learning to speak the language is a huge undertaking, a necessity and great way to engage with the culture. I appreciate the « counterpoint » you offer.

[@imogendunstan3603]

Thank you…yes I have always wanted to experience France, Ive visited as a tourist and i was very sad when i left, the thing that is stopping me from moving right now is ensuring i have enough savings as its super scary not being proficient in the language, my entry would be via study, but its going to happen ive never been more sure of anything else, thank you for all your effort in putting together videos, im sure it would be a lot if work for you and your husband thank you Suzi from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@Francebound2024]

Recently moved to Nice! One of the things I’m doing (not always easy) but letting go of the need for immediate resolution. Patience needs to be had, and when I run into an issue, I remind myself to pause and remember that I’m in France, and what I’m dealing with is not unique on either expats living here or French citizens themselves.

[@firedupinfrance]

Yes, absolutely, good point, thank you! Hope you’re settling in well 😊

[@mr-vet]

As a former US Army linguist (speak/read/write in Spanish, French, and Indonesian-and currently studying Italian and Catalan), one should know, at least, the basics of the dominant language of the country you choose to live in….salutations, numbers, ordering food, telling time, etc…

[@tedgalperalper1828]

Some great advice. It does take effort but nothing worthwhile was gained without effort. I’d begin to learn Italian approximately 30 years ago in 2001 I bought a place in Tuscany. In 2004 I began to spend 2 to 3 months a year in Tuscany. I continued my language study using Rosetta Stone,pimsler, occasional tutors, and babel. My language lab was the bar centrale. Talking to the people in town was great. You have to be willing to expose your ignorance, but your head will not be chopped off. At this point, I can get along in most practical and social situations. My language is not good enough for practicing psychotherapy as I was a psychologist in my career when people consulted me for psychological help I went into town and got a book in the Italian bookstore that might be helpful for them.

[@brianwhite1189]

I read their article last week and my thoughts are that maybe it's because they're older (74/75) like me (69) and the move is just too much for them at this time in their lives and they've found reasons to justify their return. I visited Lisbon, Portugal exactly 5 years ago, loved it, returned and began the D7 Visa process. By March, 2020 I was awaiting my visa and had an April 1 ticket to Lisbon. Then the pandemic hit and everything shut down. Now, 5 years later, the world's changed, I've changed, and such a move now seems a lot more overwhelming. Since the Portugal NHR tax advantage ended, I've been considering an exploratory trip to the Var region of France, so we'll see. Doing 90/180 days travel may be the answer for me.

[@firedupinfrance]

Yes, could be anything, really, of course…😌 Your plan sounds great! 😊 Have fun!

[@brianwhite1189]

​@@firedupinfranceAfter thirty-four years in the Seattle area, but originally from Venice/Santa Monica, California, I would love to return to a Mediterranean climate, just not Southern California.

[@ED-z1q]

Hi Suzi! I've just found your channel and I'm hoping to spend a few months in France next year to improve my French. CIEF in Dijon is one of the programs I'm interested in, so I was thrilled to see you mention it! Would you recommend this program for middle-aged adults, or is it mainly for college students and 20-somethings?

[@firedupinfrance]

Hi! My impression is that it’s a lot of younger folks, yes, but I’m not really sure…I know it’s a great program though, really dedicated, fun, passionate teachers - the ones I’ve met anyway 😊 You’ll have to let me know if you wind up here - and what you think of the CIEF and Dijon 🤗

[@lorraine6947]

Thanks so much for your very informative video(s). I’ve been planning to move to France over the last year - want to make sure the economics work for me of course. Been looking at South of France. But Dijon looks like a beautiful place. Is Dijon more of a family location as I would be coming to France solo?

[@firedupinfrance]

Oh, exciting plan! I’m not sure what living in Dijon is like without kids anymore 😆 There’s certainly a lot here for adults, too, though 😊 It’s probably not AS vibrant as a bigger city, but maybe worth a little visit next time you’re in France if you’re curious ☺️

[@rlarson6107]

lol! I like your story! 😂 I live in Central Coast California (inland) and the allergy season for tree pollen is sometimes 4-5 months long! So I can’t go outside for that long…then the incredible heat comes for another 4 months… so 6-8 months of being stuck inside - yuck. So anything you can tell me even your experience and durations of the tree pollen and months would be super helpful! Ty!!😊

[@chucku00]

Avoid Rhône valley because ambrosia pollen season is very harsh to people who are allergic. Also avoid forest that contain a significant number of birch tree.

[@rlarson6107]

Thank you Chucku00! Do you happen to know how long Birch pollen last in the forest areas? And where these are located?

[@chucku00]

@@rlarson6107 In France, birch pollen is generally in the air from march to the end of may. _Betula_ species can be found all around France, but their density/frequency gets higher the eastern you're going. The best way to know if a given forest has a significant number of birch trees is to ask this question to locals in a shop, café, or even in the forest you want to visit : "Avez-vous beaucoup de bouleaux dans la forêt à côté ?" - Do you have many birch trees on the nearby forest ?

[@rlarson6107]

@@chucku00thank you! This is very helpful information 😊 And thank you for giving me how to ask in French too!

[@bradw2k]

We are thinking of moving to France for 1 year, maybe 2026-2027, as an adventure. Daughter would be in 1st grade (she's already in a French immersion pre-K) and my wife and I are A2 now and plan to achieve B1 by then. No idea which city we'd go to, we have no connections there. Thinking we'll find a furnished apartment that is walking distance to a primary school, maybe skip having a car completely depending on the neighborhood. Hearing that the first year is so hard is discouraging though ... is this a bad plan?

[@firedupinfrance]

I think it sounds like a great plan! What an adventure! 😊 Have you spent time in France before?

[@bradw2k]

@firedupinfrance Thank you, yes I've been to Paris twice, most recently last month. Paris is too big (and expensive) for us though. ... Just noticed I wrote above we're aiming for French level B2 before going, ha that would be nice but it's not practical. I meant B1 (edited), which I think can be done by using the multi-avenue approach you recommend. But even if we can only hold really simple conversations, I'll be excited for our daughter to soak up the language with a six-year-old's sponge brain.

[@firedupinfrance]

@@bradw2k Sounds good! She'll be your translator in no time! :)

[@BGTuyau]

This woman's presentations are practical, no-nonsense and highly informative. Meanwhile, in re the legendary "Joanna," why would one move to a country in which one doesn't speak -or be motivated to learn to speak- the local language?

[@monacollins298]

WHERE did you find the social worker who helped you??

[@firedupinfrance]

I think it was at a centre communal d’action sociale (CCAS) - there are several here in Dijon, you can get an appointment or just walk in and see someone. This is how the CCAS is described on the Dijon Metropole website : « Besoin d’un coup de pouce pour remplir un dossier administratif ou effectuer des formalités en ligne, besoin d’informations pour obtenir un logement à loyer modéré ou d’un rendez-vous avec une assistante sociale ? » Hope that helps 😊

[@CafeLu]

Where is the park you filmed in? It is so pretty!

[@firedupinfrance]

At the beginning, Jardin Darcy 😊☺️ Then it started to get crowded, so we headed to a little square on ave Victor Hugo (Madeleine Tournamille Garden), but we thought there was too much car noise there, so then we went to Square Marquerite - Jean Menneveau… 3 locations 😆 By then we were freezing and just decided to head home 😆

[@CafeLu]

@ sweet, thanks!

[@robynhudgens7820]

Thank you for all your positive and very helpful comments. Ed and Joanna were always so negative, pessimistic and not that bright.

[@akshatjain5394]

Things are a little more tricky for a brown guy like me, but I believe the more you practcei the better you get at french

[@inmytravelstoday]

I'm a brown lady and I worked hard to study French and now I speak it fluently. If you need help, let me know.

[@akshatjain5394]

@ Thank you, would love your help on improving my french

[@LaurenLeavellFitness]

@@inmytravelstodaywould love to hear how you learned! 🫶🏾

[@inmytravelstoday]

@@LaurenLeavellFitness I switched from being an English major to a French major while at university. I spent my third year in France, learning French at a great university there. Two weeks after graduation I started my first job teaching English there and spent 8 years working and living in Paris.

[@akshatjain5394]

French people are social enough but maybe not to people with limited french proficiency, they are usually very shy around me

[@chucku00]

It's not really shyness but "quant à soi" (keeping things to oneself), it's a significant part of politeness and respect in French culture, furthermore the language barrier might amplify this hardwired behavior about what's appropriate or not to say to someone who might have a hard time to understand the language (in order to not embarrass them) and/or specific social cues that could be interpreted in an inaccurate way.

[@rlarson6107]

Hi! Thank you for your videos! We are planning on moving to France in 2 years, once our son is done with college. Your videos are great to watch :-) You’ve hit some good points that are concerns I’ve been pondering. I think the biggest hurdle will be learning the language and fitting in. But I also think that with time, practice and patience, it’ll work out. I also think the location and feel of the community matters when finding a good fit. We’ve traveled to France many times, staying months at a time. We have family friends in Provence . I’ve noticed that some areas are more accepting of foreigners than others and we plan on finding an area like this to settle. I have a question for you off topic here: I have severe Spring allergies to tree pollen (oak, sycamore, walnut, olive, ash) and wonder how long the Spring allergy season is in your area? Does it rain a lot in Spring to help wash pollen away? And what are the main pollens in Spring for various regions? (If you know?) Can you do a video on these questions by chance? Ty!😊

[@firedupinfrance]

Oh, all good points - thank you! A (not really) funny story about allergies: I also have (mild) seasonal allergies, but I didn’t know what I was allergic to, so many years ago I went for allergy testing, and when the results came back and the doctor announced them to me, they said I was allergic to « boulot » (a French slang word for work) 😆😆😆 I didn’t get it, but I thought, « allergic to work? Hmmm, yes, could be. » Well, no, they were saying « bouleau » - a homophone - and the French word for birch 🤣😆 A video about allergies? Great idea! Thank you for the suggestion. My allergies seem to be the worst right at the beginning of spring, but I’m not even really sure why, I would definitely need to do a lot more research in order to put together a video, but the data must be out there, pollen counts and other info, I imagine…And good point about how communities’ welcomes may differ 😊 Very exciting plan you have! Thanks again for watching and for your video suggestion 😊

[@michelleglidingswan4334]

Is Dijon a good place for a 65 year old retiree, single woman? I'm researching areas of France for potential "last stops" and would like a place with some older people with which to mingle. The activities sound ample and amazing. Thanks.

[@firedupinfrance]

Hi - it’s certainly a compact, pleasant place you can live without needing a car that’s convenient to Paris, and retired folks seem to be very active in associations and sports, but it’s pretty gray here a lot of the year (like now 😆), which may discourage some people. Also, I would say you’d probably want to be proficient in French enough so that you could join in those social activities and make good friends. Maybe Dijon is worth a visit on a scouting trip to France? Hope that helps 😊

[@TheFroggie66]

You are being so forgiving to this couple. Lack of preparation, lack of effort at learning the language, lack of motivation to immerse in the local community were all their downfall. It seems like such an entitled way of approaching moving to a non-English speaking foreign country and it is entirely what’s wrong with this approach. I also find the French to be VERY social. More than this introverted American prefers, actually. 😂😂😂 I hope to be living in France in 3-4 years. In the meantime, I am deeply preparing and language learning is #1 priority. Thanks for this great video!

[@firedupinfrance]

Vous êtes certainement sur la bonne voie ! Courage 😊

[@TheFroggie66]

@ ☺️

[@drjill7]

I can certainly feel for anyone who tries to live in another country and finds the reality not quite as expected, and no one will argue about french bureaucracy being perhaps the main negative. I think it all would be worth it though, if you can create a social life there ..... but to say people aren't social while at the same time, you don't speak french, and don't "have time" to learn french, and ALSO are not be willing to reach out first to english and french speaking expats ..... you are setting yourself up for a very difficult lonely road. And if you haven't tried the open air markets .... which are EVERYWHERE.... to buy your food, you are truly missing out on one of the nicest parts of living in France. Anyway, I hope they find what they are looking for. But to plan to move to another country and not yet know that it is not such an effortless thing to .... register a car, open a bank account ...... when you are not a citizen, is just naive and not well researched. You can't even buy BEER in California if you don't have the correct documentation. You can be 35 years old but if your driver's license isn't from the USA, you can be denied sale - right or wrong. Alot of people just don't think of those things when you are a US citizen living in the USA all your life.

[@rjh2772]

can we get along without a vehicle in Dijon also we would like to learn more about your town my Wife and I are leaving the US and hope to retire in France

[@firedupinfrance]

Hi - you can do most things without car but if you need one occasionally for a few hours, for example, there is a car sharing program called Citiz. Otherwise some of the local supermarkets have reasonably priced car rental programs if you need a car for a weekend. Plus there are several traditional car rental agencies here, too. Hope that helps 😌

[@rjh2772]

@ we will be checking out more of your videos as we pursue our relocation to France. Thank you bonjour

[@inmytravelstoday]

Unfortunately this couple did not take into SERIOUS consideration the importance of speaking the language and most of all, understanding the culture of France and Southern France. You can't just "wing it".

[@jayzechab]

Looks like the CNN couple did not make any effort! No fresh produce? Come on..

[@blktauna]

seriously. I laughed when she said that. Also be seasonal which might not be what many Americans are used to.

[@aprianto1985]

France so romantic

[@rhdrhd3255]

i live in Montpellier and i can tell you you can easily find fresh food basicaly everywhere and not OGM like in the US lol What are they talking about?

[@firedupinfrance]

🤷‍♀️

[@rhdrhd3255]

@@firedupinfrance 🤣

[@aztro4581]

tons of french people like to speak english with our french accent but keep it secret :o

[@bodilyc]

Is it poss for you to slow down your speech? You talk very very fast and I couldn't keep up.

[@firedupinfrance]

Thank you for the feedback! Maybe it’s the nerves of speaking on camera, I’ll try to slow down ☺️

[@Jehau]

The problem with all these videos of Americans living in France is that they always speak about all the positive sides, while mentioning very few "negative" sides, like you have to learn the language - duh! - bureaucracy and a few others. They never mention the increasing violence in France, the maddening tax system, all the codes and restrictions for everything, how the real estate is going to plunge dramatically thanks to stupid climate change severe restrictions, how you do not have the right to defend yourself if criminals enter your property, and if you do how you will end up in jail after the criminals sue you, how massive immigration has completely changed the country for much worse, how impoverished the country is now, with multiple ramifications, how the media censure enormously and bombard propaganda, how polluted France is from agricultural chemicals and nuclear waste, how if you buy a property in the country the "chasseurs", the hunters, have the right to hunt and shoot on your property, how you cannot dress up to much and wear jewelry because you will be attacked, how bad is women's harassment in the streets, how bad the drug trafficking is everywhere, how stressed out people are because they became poor and stuck into a miserable life, and a few other things. I wish I could return to France, but the country is sinking.