This post resonated with me, and also made me think. I think my experience moving to France has been enhanced by the fact that we moved toward something, instead of away from it. I'm fairly stunned by the number of Americans I encounter on social media who are moving away from the US and have chosen France, even though they do not speak any French or even have never been in the country before. I fear they are in for some tough times.
Thanks for being here and sharing your perspective. I fear that social media and even to a degree Substack is selling people a dream that is actually very difficult to achieve.
Yes, if one made their money on cable news and rehabs a house in Italy then they’re going to have a great time. Not to be too specific or anything.
If you are middle class or even upper middle class and need to work or own a business and do the basic drudgery of every day life like going to the grocery store and renovating your home while staying on budget, you will have a drastically different experience.
I begrudge no one their happiness or success. My point is simply that moving to Europe is not a panacea and it is not vacation.
The only thing I'd add is to understand that if one leaves the US., it doesn't leave you. Complain as you might about French bureaucracy, henceforth you'll have to deal with two. Just ask the IRS or the State Department.
Absolutely! Also, and I am scared to say this and jinx it, I have found *most* of my interactions with French state workers have been neutral to positive and some of the websites helpful even.
My experience as well. I actually wrote a little essay about it not long ago. With all the tiresome complaining about French bureaucracy I'd have to ask: has anybody ever reached the U.S. Embassy in Paris by phone, had a reply to an email, or a response to a request for an appointment?
Super insightful points! This is such a great list, I may make my own for Thailand. You do a really good job of helping people understand what it's like when they actually hit the ground, compared to the fantasy they had before they left.
I think that there is something to life in Europe being better for sure, having experienced it myself. But I think approaching it with an understanding that you have to take the good with the bad, the plethora of delightful wines alongside the lack of fitness classes, Is the only way to do it
This post resonated with me, and also made me think. I think my experience moving to France has been enhanced by the fact that we moved toward something, instead of away from it. I'm fairly stunned by the number of Americans I encounter on social media who are moving away from the US and have chosen France, even though they do not speak any French or even have never been in the country before. I fear they are in for some tough times.
Thanks for being here and sharing your perspective. I fear that social media and even to a degree Substack is selling people a dream that is actually very difficult to achieve.
Yes, if one made their money on cable news and rehabs a house in Italy then they’re going to have a great time. Not to be too specific or anything.
If you are middle class or even upper middle class and need to work or own a business and do the basic drudgery of every day life like going to the grocery store and renovating your home while staying on budget, you will have a drastically different experience.
I begrudge no one their happiness or success. My point is simply that moving to Europe is not a panacea and it is not vacation.
The only thing I'd add is to understand that if one leaves the US., it doesn't leave you. Complain as you might about French bureaucracy, henceforth you'll have to deal with two. Just ask the IRS or the State Department.
Absolutely! Also, and I am scared to say this and jinx it, I have found *most* of my interactions with French state workers have been neutral to positive and some of the websites helpful even.
Taxes, paperwork, etc. exist everywhere. ;)
My experience as well. I actually wrote a little essay about it not long ago. With all the tiresome complaining about French bureaucracy I'd have to ask: has anybody ever reached the U.S. Embassy in Paris by phone, had a reply to an email, or a response to a request for an appointment?
Super insightful points! This is such a great list, I may make my own for Thailand. You do a really good job of helping people understand what it's like when they actually hit the ground, compared to the fantasy they had before they left.
I think that there is something to life in Europe being better for sure, having experienced it myself. But I think approaching it with an understanding that you have to take the good with the bad, the plethora of delightful wines alongside the lack of fitness classes, Is the only way to do it
Kayla, that means a lot, thank you. Something that drove me *nuts* when I moved here was the lack of credible information.
Facebook groups are a cesspool (see my recent post), social media is worthless and tells mostly lies, and a lot of the books are outdated.
And, even many Substacks, do very little research to understand the history or context behind *why* something in France is one way or another.
Not here to dunk on others' work, but it is an observation.
Anyway, thanks for being here and glad it was helpful. :)
Agreed!