Why Retirees Quietly Leave France After Moving Here 🇫🇷

Comments · 110

• IB

  @Ibanista · 4 months ago · pinned

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• SO

  @sophiejvk · 4 months ago

  I&apos;m french. I moved to the UK when I was a graduate. My english level was average. I got myself a job, a place to stay, friends, all on my own and in English only. I had zero french connection on purpose. I never expected anyone there to make an effort to understand me. In less than 6 months, I was perfectly fluent. I lived there 10 years + on and off. I moved back to France and met British people who&apos;ve been living here for 20 years and still can&apos;t speak french so I have to speak to them in english. Honestly, moving to a foreign country and not speaking the language after years feels like you&apos;re not trying and French people will feel that. It&apos;s like you&apos;re tourists and the french don&apos;t give their friendship to tourists. Sorry to be blunt but this is the harsh truth.

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• TR

  @Trique-e2e · 4 months ago

  I am an American who has been living in Europe since 2019, and in France for about two years so far, and it is great. For me, I don’t need to be in any community because I am an artist/designer that keeps to myself. France is perfect for the introvert that just doesn’t want to be bothered by people.

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• PR

  @productinnovationinternati6947 · 4 months ago (edited)

  There are two overstatements in this video. 1. French ‘bureaucracy’ has mythic status as the greatest of challenges but this is no longer the case. Every government office has a telephone help service, often with those who speak some or very good English and I have found the help and the service exceptional. Every medium sized village has a French Services office providing help with all admin matters. &nbsp;2. Moving to France is not really different from moving to any country, or for that matter, another part of one’s own country. In Hawaii, we saw at least 30% of Americans who moved there move back to their home state. <br><br>Otherwise, not learning the language is the biggest barrier. I live in France, learned and continue to learn French. Because of my location, I only know French people and they have been exceptionally kind, helpful and welcoming.<br><br>But for those who choose to leave, still be proud of yourself! You tried something new, had some new experiences and your life is richer because of your adventure. No shame in wanting to go back to your roots. Completely understandable!

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• DE

  @debraball2641 · 4 months ago

  I was privileged to spend a Summer in France when I was young. It was wonderful. I was offered an au pair position towards the end of my stay, but after careful consideration I decided to return to the U.S. and complete my last year of college. I met many people in the town where I lived (about an hour away from Paris) and made friends. I also met several Americans who had relocated and they were very realistic about the challenges they faced. I would highly recommend that anyone considering a move to France try a lengthy, non-permanent stay first to become more familiar with the language and culture. Perhaps enroll in a language course or a course in an area of interest to you. I think it would be helpful to do a non tourist immersion to get an idea of what it might really be like to reside there. I will be retiring soon. I am contemplating an extended stay to reacquaint myself with a place I loved. But as much as I loved my time there, I never felt the pull to make it permanent.

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• FR

  @FrugalQueeninFrance · 4 months ago

  Never underestimate how difficult and expensive it can be to learn anorher language. It takes hours of classes, preferably several a week and hours of self study. Even then, you may never master speaking as your foreign accent is incomprehensible to the French ear. Finding a community or association can be equally challenging and expensive. Good luck to all who try.

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• WA

  @wackthegood8884 · 4 months ago

  I also think that once you&apos;ve passed the &quot;everything is great&quot; honeymoon period, there&apos;s always going to be a time of homesickness, not just for family and friends, but for all the cultural references you&apos;ve been accustomed to. I&apos;ve been here 39 years, and was fluent in French 6 months after arriving. But I do remember being homesick in the first 2 years, but I made the effort, and after 5 years here, I already thought of France as home. I just think people need to be prepared for it not to be easy at first, but there&apos;s so much to be gained if you dig your heels in.

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• AN

  @andreasc.766 · 4 months ago

  France has a distinct language and a distinct culture. It takes years of education, formal and informal, for French people to become French. For foreigners, assimilation entails a good part of aculturation, a slow and painfull process. But becoming might be the most rewarding part of any process.

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• DE

  @derguy6480 · 4 months ago

  I am French. &nbsp; I lived in Canada for a lot of years before I decided to retire in France. &nbsp; I don&apos;t have many friends or &nbsp;family that cares. &nbsp; But then, I don&apos;t mind being alone. &nbsp; I have always helped lost tourists because I am bilingual (French and English). &nbsp; &nbsp;We have some British expats down the road, nice and friendly but they only spoke to me once. &nbsp;All this talk about France being so different, I don&apos;t see it. &nbsp; I have been to England too and the USA. &nbsp; There is paperwork everywhere, not just here. &nbsp; And people make fun of you when you don&apos;&apos;t know the language. &nbsp; &nbsp;I survived my experience as a high school student in Canada. &nbsp; So, for those who want friends here, I am open. &nbsp; Leave me a message.

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• AP

  @Ape4Apes · 4 months ago

  When I first retired, I flirted with the idea of moving to France. In my youth, I’d lived in France as an au pair. I was confident I could renew my language skills. I’d also lived in Germany for a couple of years as an au pair and later in Japan, where I taught English. <br>Those interludes were never intended to be permanent. Well, “permanent” was not even in my vocabulary at that time. While I have always appreciated the opportunities I’ve had to live in other countries and cultures, those experiences taught me about the challenges of picking up and moving to another country. Easier said than done.

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• JE

  @jeanmas4197 · 4 months ago

  If you move to France just because you picked it among a short list of possible countries, or because you ran the numbers and it made sense to you, you won&apos;t last long. If you move to a country without a deep reason, a deep driver, then you will never feel home and you will never even try to feel home.

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• EQ

  @equisader · 4 months ago

  I&apos;ve been in France 20 years and i don&apos;t feel like i belong but i never felt like i belonged in england after 30 yrars either. &nbsp;I&apos;d rather &quot;not belong&quot; in France. &nbsp;Better weather, food, forced to exercise the little grey cells.

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