Moving to France: Carolyn's Journey from Boise, Idaho to Creuse, France | Real French Connections #3

In this video, we follow Carolyn's incredible journey from Boise, USA, to Creuse, one of the least populated Departments in France. Carolyn shares her experience of relocating to rural France and the invaluable support she received from French Connections HCB.
Highlights:
Comprehensive Relocation Assistance: Carolyn utilised the full "Moving to France" package offered by French Connections HCB. This all-inclusive service covered every aspect of her transition, ensuring a smooth and efficient integration into French life.
Vehicle Sourcing and Delivery: French Connections HCB went above and beyond the capabilities of other relocation sergvvices by sourcing, purchasing, and delivering a car to Carolyn as she arrived in France, helping her maintain independence and mobility in her new rural setting.
Expert Support: From visa applications to healthcare registration, tax code creation, and driving license exchange, Carolyn's transition was seamless thanks to the dedicated and professional team at French Connections HCB.
Personal Touch: Carolyn highlights the personal care and attention to detail that French Connections HCB provided, making her feel supported and confident throughout the relocation process.
Watch to learn more about Carolyn's successful move to Creuse and how French Connections HCB can help make your dream of living in France a reality.
If Carolyn's story resonates with you, don't hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation. And don't miss our upcoming episodes filled with more incredible stories!
Stay tuned for more episodes of "Real French Connections," where we continue to bring you closer to the heart of France, one inspiring story at a time.
Credit: Creuse Footage Sources - @Creuse Tourisme - images Saison d'or and ©ParachuteProduction
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0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Why did you choose to move to France?
2:33 - When did you decide to start your journey of moving to France?
3:49 - Were you relieved you had professional assistance for your move?
5:14 - What impressed you most about the service?
6:43 - How easy have you found it to integrate in your new local area?
9:35 - How have you found your experience with the French language?
11:17 - In your local town, what is your favourite spot?
12:21 - Challenges of house renovations
13:39 - What has been the most refreshing change from Idaho to where you are now?
15:34 - Have you taken the opportunity to travel around France since you've been here?
17:40 - Buying a car with French Connections HCB
20:57 - Do you have any words of wisdom for people looking to move to France?
23:17 - Is there anything you would do differently if you were to start the relocation process again?
24:37 - Outro
#movetofrance #anewlifeinfrance #frenchproperty #realfrenchconnections

[@ninafritz2089]

I’m loving this interview.I’m 71 and ready to make the move to France! What she has done is exactly the life I want.

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Hi Nina thanks for watching so please reach out we would love to help!

[@ninafritz2089]

@@frenchconnectionshcb Thank you, I’ve made the appointment.

[@JD987abc]

Hello. I am a regular traveler to the beautiful city of paris as well of many other towns such as Lyon, Nice, Vance, Chartres, Saint Germaine en laye and on one occasion 3 months in a 5th floor walk up around the corner from place de la Bastille. Last year i visited France twice. in January for two weeks staying in Montmartre and the latin quarter. And in mid September i back packed starting in le marais, and via scnf to Saint Malo, Angers, Caen, Honfleur, Mount Saint Michael, Issy les moulineaux and back to the Latin Quater. transportation was via SNCF, local trains, buses, and on foot stayi g in prearranged airbnbs. 5 days in each town and location. i fit tight in getting buy with my gractured French but mostly understa ing and appreciating the people snd the country. now im 73 and my biggest regret is not seriously taking steps to move there premaritally as family snd professional responsibilities got in the way. your thoughts would be appre iated. fondly, Joe and Frenchie Gigi retired in Cape May.

[@micheledenes5940]

Les français ne veulent plus être envahis.

[@freshsoapcompanybreckenrid4151]

Congrats to Carolyn on doing this on her own. I love her humble attitude to embracing a simpler life. Well done!

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Thanks for watching and your kind words

[@Shari-tt9qh]

What a lovely lady Carolyn is. So real and unaffected. A kind heart always shines brightly.

[@pauladosch7062]

This woman is excellent and so brave! I wish I could visit her or be her pen pal as we transition to France.

[@gsbeak]

Beautiful picture of Sisteron in the background !

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Hi thanks for watching! 👀

[@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz161]

Yes, the photo has been taken from "Le Rocher de la Baume", La Baume is a little part of the town accross La Durance, the local river.

[@castelnou3531]

Bravo à vous madame , vous êtes très courageuse , gentille et humble , les Français sont très heureux de recevoir des gens bien comme vous , bon courage à vous !

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Merci d’avoir regardé notre vidéo

[@micheledenes5940]

Les français ne veulent plus d'immigration et d'étrangers qui profitent de notre généreux système de santé.

[@didierlacroix6488]

Welcome to you in our beautiful country. I wish you a happy life here

[@Jts449]

These videos are so helpful. Thanks to all who participate and prepare them.

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Glad you like them!

[@fabricem.4870]

Welcome to France Carolyn !

[@elizzy8754]

I live just 90km away from this lady. One of the criteria which determined our move, apart from house prices, was population density and crime stastics. So I can understand why Carolyn is enjoying Clugnat. She also has reasonable access to Montluçon, Chateauroux and Limoges. Carolyn also mentions that her small commune of 600 people has a library - this is common in France and was also one of our important criteria. I wish Carolyn a long and happy life in Clugnat.

[@lioneldemun6033]

Some small towns have " libraries " with a few random books and magazines, the offer is generally scarce.

[@IRACEMABABU]

​@@lioneldemun6033 Not anymore. Nowadays small villages or towns are associated in "communauté de commune" who put in common all their books, and have a contract with the local "département" (the county) to adquire new books. It ends up to a 4000-5000 books library shared by all the villages, and constantly renewed and enlarged. If 10 villages, then each one has currently 400 - 500, with a turnover every 3 monthes. With this system the offer in thoses small places changed drastically and even can be better than in some big cities.

[@lioneldemun6033]

@@IRACEMABABU what a scam. In my local Médiathèque 90% of books and magazines are left wing. I wanted to offer them books by Renaud Camus and Richard Millet, they declined.

[@IRACEMABABU]

@@lioneldemun6033 Then your "communauté de commune" didn't do its job yet. It will come sooner or later.

[@SavoirFlair]

A very inspiring interview - thank you Carolyn!

[@LeHoink]

When you pass your young days buiding your familly while your siblings & friends trips & move to foreign lands, you early feel rooted. Those days pass & all along somewhere in your mind you kept this idea to challange & adapt yourself to a new life. A french citizen may leave france to embrace your nation lifestyle aswell.

[@Kirkkirk-rr5cw]

I'm from Coure 'd lane Idaho how fun....

[@yiddishshmiddish]

Oh! To be 75 again!

[@elsenm3965]

Nice, keep the good work !

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Thanks!

[@altheagochenour6821]

I would love to move here🤗

[@sacroyalty]

Nice story, I’m trying to talk my parents into doing something like this! Inspirational

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Thanks for watching we can definitely help if you want any further information visit our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com

[@michelesauret7779]

J'ai 77 ans et j'aime le courage et la détermination de cette dame. Je vis loin en France dommage, il doit être plaisant de faire sa connaissance. En cas d'intérêt de sa part...

[@Jerome-pr5jz]

Bonjour, la creuse est le département le moins peuplé de france...mais assez joli

[@branlotin]

Il me semble que le département le moins peuplé de France métropolitaine est la Lozère, la Creuse arrive en second.

[@elizzy8754]

I don't quite understand why it was difficult to get an internet connection or electricity supply. We had no problem at all in that regard. On arrival in France, we purchased SIM cards from Orange and then a full internet subscription once we had found a house, purchased it and moved in. The electricity via EDF was not a problem.

[@jem64130]

I expect it was the lack of "attestation de domicile" which is required for a lot of things, sometimes absurdly. Most of the time they ask for utility bills, tax papers can also be used, but if all else fails, you can also go to your local city hall and ask them to write you one.

[@chriscran2003]

Once the house bought, the "titre de propriété", which is the official document stating that you own the house, should have been sufficient.

[@slicksalmon6948]

I've got all this in the US, as well as air conditioning.

[@chriscran2003]

It's not because air conditionning are less frequent in France that it doesn't exist ! In the south it's more common.

[@tararasque932]

My $600,000 800 sq ft bungalow in the San Francisco east bay didn't have air conditioning, either. Because it wasn't needed and would have been pointless.

[@Nickysmom]

I am only worried they won’t give me a long term visa since I am over 80, though healthy. Do you know of anyone who moved to France in their 80s? Not likely, I guess

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Absolutely we can assist you with all requirements and guarantee the outcome of your application. Please feel free to contact us through our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com

[@catharinekurtz3951]

My husband and I are in our early 70s and want to move to France. Would Carolyn be open to email questions?

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Hi thanks for watching we can certainly ask perhaps if you wouldn’t mind emailing your contact details [e-mail]

[@catharinekurtz3951]

@@frenchconnectionshcb Thank you I have done that.

[@bjjack5760]

What services does the French Connection HCB offer? Do they help with finding housing?

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Hi thanks for watching you can visit our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com and find out more about us!

[@rene29200]

❤😎👍👋

[@Justin06241974]

Did you obtain a French driver's license? If so, was it difficult?

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

We assist with all admin procedures please feel free to visit our website for more information www.frenchconnectionshcb.com

[@chrystelelacroix4681]

Some states of the USA have an agreement with France and it means you can use your American driving license to drive in France. Even for those who come from states where there’s no agreement you can use your driving license for one year.

[@michaelfox278-m3p]

Will somebody pronounce "CREUSE" properly ! It rhymes with "hers" in English !

[@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz161]

Creuse is effectivly a good place to live if you are looking for a peaceful life... France itself is a beautiful country but we have a disastrous political class...🙁

[@robaire.b]

But how do you get round the visa restrictions regarding staying in France as you can only stay for 90 days in every 180. I left France (aged 67) for this reason, when brexit took place, as I would need an additional home elsewhere (eg UK) to spend the 90 days outside France. USA like UK is a third country and this restriction applies throughout the EU

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Hi, we looked after all of Cathryn’s visa applications and then moving on to her residency application this is something that is part of our relocation package for more information please visit our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

If you were living in France before Brexit, you could have applied for a residency permit (Cart de Sejour)

[@tararasque932]

She has a long-stay visa. Usually you apply for a long-stay visa, showing that you have the funds to support yourself and health insurance, and they give you a one year visa. At the end of that year you have to go back to the US (or wherever you're from) and apply for a 2nd long-term visa, then they usually give you a three year visa. At the end of those 3 years you can apply for extension annually from France, without have to go back to the US to do it. After 5 years you can apply for permanent résidence status, I think you can apply for citizenship after 7 years. It may be 5 years.

[@isabelortega6303]

Love to watch you,and if I move I will contact you

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Thank you so much for watching 👀

[@margueritebenoit6539]

So why is she not video tapped in her own house?

[@carolynsmith-kizer]

My house was in the middle of rennovation when this was taped and had no finished wall to be taped in front of--therefore the zoom background.

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Unfortunately we conduct a lot of interviews and can’t send videographers to every client but if you guys keep on watching 👀 it will be coming soon!

[@margueritebenoit6539]

Looking 5 years now. So much deception in real estate marking. So much divsions of properties. Changing of price to buy the complete villa that was created to sustain the expenses of the villa. Is so sad to see the huge neglect of rual farms and ruins everywhere in France. Its is a survival skill to be there still looking for something that has been maintained without cheap ikea fitted kitchens and expensive marble bath rooms, while letting the exterior plaster walls are soaking and turning moldy and falling off the same house that they've installed a $5,000 marble bathroom in. There are greedy people in France that are not doing smart things with otherwise viable property. You got parked disappoints me I feel the immobilers are ruining everything.

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Sorry to hear that Marguerite we can perhaps help with your search please visit our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com to find out more

[@chrystelelacroix4681]

We are an old country. We have tons of old farms that were abandoned when 50 years ago or more the young generations were looking for jobs in big cities. People in France have much lower incomes that in the United States. So people buy the furniture they can afford or fix a room and not the others because they don’t have the means to continue. Some houses are 400 years old or even more so they need a big fixer upper. Like everything that old you have the good (the stones walls, the charm, the authenticity ) and the bad (a lot of things to fix) and upgrade. If you can’t understand this I guess you can’t live in Europe.

[@enrichissez-vous9468]

Ah c'est très joli la Creuse, très calme, mais y a rien du tout.

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

Alors, le calme et la beauté sont rien du tout ? 🙄

[@enrichissez-vous9468]

@@LowPlainsDrifter60 bah tu nous rediras ça le jour où t'auras besoin de faire des examens médicaux et de consulter des spécialistes 😘

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

@@enrichissez-vous9468 S'il y a un besoin, j'ai un grand hôpital à environ 80 km de chez moi, ce n'est pas si mal. 😁

[@IRACEMABABU]

C'est apparemment ce qu'elle cherchait.