Do you dream of moving to France but you just don't know if it's really the right thing and it feels too big to make it happen? Tu peux le faire ! You can do it! But you should think about it carefully before taking the leap.
This video is not about the details of visas and finding work and all the administrative things (which are without a doubt very important). Instead, it's sharing my thoughts about how to try to make sure you've got the best chance of knowing whether this kind of huge move is right for you.
So instead of "what to ask your lawyer" it's more, "what to ask yourself" and then some of my guidance based on what I did over the course of years while preparing myself to someday live in France (on my own, I thought!), before I ever met my French husband in the middle of the pandemic and picked up my life to move from NYC to Paris.
Best. Decision. Ever.
In the video I mention a couple of resources, so here they are and I hope they're helpful. As always, you know I love comments and I try to answer them all, so let me know any questions you might have and I'll do my best!
French language and culture immersion in Brittany. (www.frenchtoday.com/french-immersions/) This woman is a longtime online French teacher with an amazing site and a group of teachers who host students in person. It doesn't get more helpful to your French than living with a French teacher for a week or two!
Meetup.com (www.meetup.com/) - find conversation meetup groups close to where you are. Don't be afraid even if your level is not great. Look for a level that seems to fit and go for it!
This article, entitled "Europe Won't Fix You," (elizabethink.substack.com/p/europe-wont-fix-you) and this other article that is sort of a rebuttal (www.russellmaxsimon.com/p/europe-could-fix-you-actually) are both good perspectives for those who are thinking about moving to Europe.
It's true that I haven't discussed tax or inheritance implications here, and those along with many other things will have to be addressed. You can watch some of my other videos for a little bit more on admin stuff, but I'm not a lawyer or immigration expert. Just trying to help based on my own experience as a middle-aged American who moved to Paris (and loves it, but still struggles--true of anywhere you might move).
If you like this video, please come on over to my Substack at karenbussen.substack.com for much more about life in France, French language and culture, wine and restaurants and beautiful places and funny stories and recipes from my own transformation. We'd love to have you!!
If you do decide to move to France, bonne continuation et bienvenue !
Bonne journée,
Karen
Find me other places online for so much more!
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