Living In France: The Reality After 1 Year

Comments · 127

• KE

  @kerouac2 · 9 days ago

  I am a French citizen but born abroad so it was almost as complicated for me to get my papers in order as a complete foreigner. &nbsp;However, I found a foolproof way to get through all of the bureaucracy. &nbsp;I would ask exactly what I needed to secure various documents, and I would have them write it down or I would write it down in front of them. &nbsp;Then, when I collected the various certificates and papers, I would numbrr them according to the list. &nbsp;This is #1, this is #2, this is #3, etc. &nbsp;I would write a nice letter saying how much I appreciated their assistance because I knew how hard they worked, and I would attach a copy of their numbered list with all of the numbered documents that I had collected (always keeping photocopies of course!) and make it very clear that I have now provided absolutely everything they said they needed. &nbsp;It has always worked incredibly well.<br>I avoid telephone calls at all costs, so everything is by printed letter or in this century, by internet. &nbsp;I always compliment them on their hard work. &nbsp;If there is a glitch, I say that I am sorry that I misunderstood and please tell me exactly what I need to do to solve the problem. &nbsp;Basically, being obsequious in front of any functionary works wonders in France.

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• JA

  @jaeger4966 · 9 days ago

  Diner time is an interesting subject that says a lot. At 7 pm, most people I know are still at work or maybe just leaving and commuting home. It’s not uncommon to eat around <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXyBdCPYi6o&amp;t=510">8:30</a> or even 9 pm in the summer. Not quite the cliche certain foreigners have about the French barely working. Good luck with your projects.

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• JO

  @JohnHughesChampigny · 9 days ago

  One thing you may not realise: the CAF and the CPAM are not part of the government. &nbsp;You had to give a lot of stuff to the interior ministry, but the CAF and the CPAM don&apos;t get to see that.

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• DO

  @dou40006 · 9 days ago

  if you have an activity after your work it is hard to eat at 6:00PM

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• NE

  @nellygs702 · 9 days ago

  My husband DIYed a mosquito trap this year with a net on a bucket of water and....honestly, it made a very surprisingly big difference. I recommend it to everyone !

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• ZE

  @zepp2498 · 8 days ago

  I am french and lived 20 years in Seoul, Korea.<br> Of course the french bureaucratie, that&apos;s common knowledge. <br>The heat and the drought are also new to us: this year is the hottest and driest on record. In short, there are some things you just can’t change.<br>That said, I think one year is far too short a time to pass judgment on a different country. It took me years—learning the korean language, the culture (which is so different from the West), understanding the traditions… and, oh, I too had to struggle with paperwork, visa renewals, and so on—to feel at home. It’s a choice everyone has to weigh before deciding on to stay or to leave<br> I’d just like to add two things....from my experience. <br>1. The kids: Mine (who are adults now) speak Korean, French, and English fluently—they’ve embraced two cultures: and for them, the experience has been so enriching. <br>2. When things aren’t easy, we tend to see only the negative aspects....at least that was the case for me at first.<br>......and weforget the good things.<br>I wish you and your family all the best, no matter where you are.<br>Thanks for sharing, and good luck.🙏<br>P.S.: My daughter lived in Spain (Barcelona) for five years... where they eat dinner even later than in France, hehe.

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• MI

  @michaelmoreno6431 · 9 days ago

  Hi Shaun, as a French, it took me 10 years to be happily rooted in the UK. When relocating, the language is a barrier that most people underestimate. Although we can work with a B2 level, we can only make friends with a C1/C2 level. Within the safe comfort of your home, try to only speak French until words come naturally to you and you can pronounce them well. Kids learn poetry by heart for that reason. We make them repeat and repeat and repeat. I wish you guys well and yes &quot;on creve de chaud, la clim devient une necessite pour notre bien-etre !&quot;.

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• YV

  @yvesd_fr1810 · 6 days ago

  6:00 pm is merely &quot;apero&quot; time, and eating at this time is kind of &quot;uncivilized&quot; with respect to french standards. We eat at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXyBdCPYi6o&amp;t=1200">20:00</a> generally, a very light diner. At noon, we eat at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXyBdCPYi6o&amp;t=780">13:00</a>.<br>Regarding bureaucracy you are totally right, it&apos;s France major problem (and I agree as a french guy). Regarding the documents requested by various administrations, CAF is not a state run agency per se. &nbsp;So no surprise that the immigration services have your docs but not CAF. Mosquitos can be a problem in the sumer time, especially in the south as some of them can transmit dengue and chick. Best advice is to use repellant. Last, no country is a perfect place. We always have to go thru a cost/benefit analysis to decide whether you wish to move, stay or leave. Wishing you all the best !

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• NE

  @Nevsdog · 8 days ago

  It must be amazing to be able to experience living in so many countries. I lived in France for a year, back in the early nineties (showing my age, there!) I don&apos;t think I realised at the time just what a wonderful privilege it was. <br>Enjoy, and I wish you and your family all the best.

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• RO

  @RomainG6409 · 8 days ago

  Great attitude, philosophy, and resilience! 👏Living abroad broadens your perspective and helps you become more adaptable. Your children will also grow stronger mentally 👍

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• ST

  @stevedavis5699 · 6 days ago

  Hi Shaun, a small suggestion if you keep your shutters and windows closed on the sunny side of the house during the day and windows open on the shady side definitely helps keeping the house cooler.❤

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• PO

  @poppyalameda9968 · 9 days ago (edited)

  I am a dual French-American citizen, as is my husband. We recently completed and submitted our forms and documents to the local CPAM office in their own secure office mail box for our Cartes Vitales. My husband, as a French citizen who has returned to France after decades, is still waiting after 4 months for his Carte Vitale. The local CPAM office told us last week, my husband&apos;s file is under review by the regional International Foreign Affairs department. CPAM appears to have lost my entire file submission, which was dropped off in their secure mail box at their local office, after having been thoroughly reviewed by one of their staff, who said it was complete. The local CPAM staff said they were sorry but I would have to re-submit a complete file again to them (form + documents). It&apos;s very upsetting to keep having to submit and re-submit documents and never get an answer.

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