Will we be ok? The jury is still out. In the meantime, here are some tools and tips to help you feel a little better, plus resources for moving to France.
Particularly appreciate these generous resources, Sacha! We’ve been in Portugal for several years now and are starting to plan a potential move to France later this year. It’s always difficult to wade through resources to find the good ones so this is especially valuable. 🙏🏻 Also, it looks like you’ve got immigration professionals listed here but just in case it’s helpful: I consulted with immigration and tax attorneys at Lexidy and was impressed. They aren’t the least expensive, for sure, but they are very good at what they do, are very responsive, and have a good track record. They quickly helped me figure out our visa options and tax scenario.
Hi Jude--the language course we're taking is at the University of Dijon. They offer 2,4,6, etc. week-long immersion classes for all levels. You can learn more at this link: https://cief.ube.fr/en/intensive-summer-courses
Thanks for sharing Sacha. I deleted Facebook years ago then Twitter when it became X and I struggle to believe I wasted so much time there 😭
Like you I have also taken a step back from an overdose of news this year and am choosing to tap in at select times a week to specific podcasts or publications.
Thank you for sharing your resources, it’s very generous. Take care in these tumultuous times.
Thanks for sharing Sacha. I deleted Facebook years ago then Twitter when it became X and I struggle to believe I wasted so much time there 😭
Like you I have also taken a step back from an overdose of news this year and am choosing to tap in at select times a week to specific podcasts or publications.
Thank you for sharing your resources, it’s very generous. Take care in these tumultuous times.
Sacha: I am very interested in your column as I, too, held a dream of moving at least part-time to France upon retirement. I bought a beautiful Hausmmannien apartment in Nimes, FR last September and my partner and I are in the process of renovating it. I intend to obtain a retirement visa to stay in France and one day hope to pass the DELF/DALF test and speak better French than I now do. I think a lot of your links are very helpful, especially Preply. I have a wonderful French "instructor" on Preply who was born in Alsace and now lives in Quebec. Looking forward to staying in touch here on Substack! Joanne
Hi Joanne--I so appreciate your comment, and congratulations to you on making your dream come true! I'm curious how you chose Nimes and also how you went about finding a property. May I ask where you live when you're not in France?
I live in Los Angeles when not in Nimes. I chose Nimes for several reasons: (1) ethnic diversity; (2) it has theaters, museums and gardens; (3) population of 150,000; (4) access to the train and the TGV (3 hours to Paris, for example); (5) I love the feria and concerts at the arena; (6) love the Roman ruins; (7) it has a teaching hospital; (8) access to airport(s) locally and in Montpelier; (9) it is sunnier and warmer than northern France; (10) less expensive real estate than major cities and the Cote d’Azur; (11) friendly ambience. I bought my place after searching for a couple of years both online and in person and after searching in Nimes in particular for more than 260 days.
I live in Los Angeles when not in Nimes. I chose Nimes for several reasons after looking at real estate for several years: (1) diverse ethnic community; (2) population of 150,000; (3) it has several museums, theaters and gardens; (4) easy access to the train and the TGV (3 hours to Paris, for example); (5) has a teaching hospital; (6) the weather is sunny and warm in comparison to Paris or northern France; (7) I love the Roman ruins, the feria, the concerts at the arena; (8) real estate prices are reasonable; (9) friendly ambience overall. I also searched for a place to live in Nimes both online and in person for more than 260 days before I bought my place. It is now being renovated and should be ready in the summer.
First))) Greetings from Belarus!
Great post Sasha! I love that you give well researched resources to help people make the move and settle in in France. So helpful!
What a wonderful article Sacha jam packed with fabulously useful resources! It’s an example of your generosity.
Merci
Judy
Particularly appreciate these generous resources, Sacha! We’ve been in Portugal for several years now and are starting to plan a potential move to France later this year. It’s always difficult to wade through resources to find the good ones so this is especially valuable. 🙏🏻 Also, it looks like you’ve got immigration professionals listed here but just in case it’s helpful: I consulted with immigration and tax attorneys at Lexidy and was impressed. They aren’t the least expensive, for sure, but they are very good at what they do, are very responsive, and have a good track record. They quickly helped me figure out our visa options and tax scenario.
I'd love to hear and get more information on your French Language course.
Hi Jude--the language course we're taking is at the University of Dijon. They offer 2,4,6, etc. week-long immersion classes for all levels. You can learn more at this link: https://cief.ube.fr/en/intensive-summer-courses
Thank you so much!
I would love to upgrade but right now I am too poor-puet etre things will look up so I can
Thanks for sharing Sacha. I deleted Facebook years ago then Twitter when it became X and I struggle to believe I wasted so much time there 😭
Like you I have also taken a step back from an overdose of news this year and am choosing to tap in at select times a week to specific podcasts or publications.
Thank you for sharing your resources, it’s very generous. Take care in these tumultuous times.
Thank you for writing, Lauren! We all have to take care of ourselves- it's all we can count on.
Thanks for sharing Sacha. I deleted Facebook years ago then Twitter when it became X and I struggle to believe I wasted so much time there 😭
Like you I have also taken a step back from an overdose of news this year and am choosing to tap in at select times a week to specific podcasts or publications.
Thank you for sharing your resources, it’s very generous. Take care in these tumultuous times.
Great post!
Thank you Jana!
Hi Sacha, I am not a FB fan, I try to spend as little time on it as possible.
Sacha: I am very interested in your column as I, too, held a dream of moving at least part-time to France upon retirement. I bought a beautiful Hausmmannien apartment in Nimes, FR last September and my partner and I are in the process of renovating it. I intend to obtain a retirement visa to stay in France and one day hope to pass the DELF/DALF test and speak better French than I now do. I think a lot of your links are very helpful, especially Preply. I have a wonderful French "instructor" on Preply who was born in Alsace and now lives in Quebec. Looking forward to staying in touch here on Substack! Joanne
Hi Joanne--I so appreciate your comment, and congratulations to you on making your dream come true! I'm curious how you chose Nimes and also how you went about finding a property. May I ask where you live when you're not in France?
I live in Los Angeles when not in Nimes. I chose Nimes for several reasons: (1) ethnic diversity; (2) it has theaters, museums and gardens; (3) population of 150,000; (4) access to the train and the TGV (3 hours to Paris, for example); (5) I love the feria and concerts at the arena; (6) love the Roman ruins; (7) it has a teaching hospital; (8) access to airport(s) locally and in Montpelier; (9) it is sunnier and warmer than northern France; (10) less expensive real estate than major cities and the Cote d’Azur; (11) friendly ambience. I bought my place after searching for a couple of years both online and in person and after searching in Nimes in particular for more than 260 days.
Did you get my reply? Not sure if I sent it.
I live in Los Angeles when not in Nimes. I chose Nimes for several reasons after looking at real estate for several years: (1) diverse ethnic community; (2) population of 150,000; (3) it has several museums, theaters and gardens; (4) easy access to the train and the TGV (3 hours to Paris, for example); (5) has a teaching hospital; (6) the weather is sunny and warm in comparison to Paris or northern France; (7) I love the Roman ruins, the feria, the concerts at the arena; (8) real estate prices are reasonable; (9) friendly ambience overall. I also searched for a place to live in Nimes both online and in person for more than 260 days before I bought my place. It is now being renovated and should be ready in the summer.
Oui, oui!