French Life-expat France

It seems that packing up and moving to a different country can be a bit confusing - presumably people enter into a state of delirium and nervous excitement in the weeks before moving. Now I mention it, so did we…this is a guest blog article, see credit below, although I have rudely added my own comments as well…)

1) Forgot to tell friends and relatives

Tip: Let people know you’re going. Don’t forget to tell relatives and friends you are moving. Better still, send them all Change of Address cards before you go.

Mr B edit: you should also tell them to use a ‘Europe’ stamp not a UK 1st class stamp otherwise La Poste will stick the letter in a cupboard for a few weeks

2) Forgot the BMDs!

Tip: Put all important documents, such as birth certificates, marriage/divorce certificates and medical records together in an envelope to take with you.

3) Forgot to sort Utilities over here.

Tip: Whether Electric, Gas, Phone or Water, let all your suppliers know you are leaving and when you are moving out. This also applies to your car and house insurances and council tax.

Mr B edit: It is very possible to move, miss a bill, and get a court judgement for non-payment (happened to Mrs B once and she only found out years later when she applied for a loan)

4) Forgot to sort Utilities over there.

Tip: Make sure you’ll be all ready and connected when you arrive in France by placing your orders with your chosen providers in France.

5) Forgot to tell postie.

Tip: Contact Royal Mail to get your mail redirected to your new address in France.

6) Forgot the dosh!

Tip: Get enough of your money changed to euros so you have at least enough for the journey and the first few days. You are going to be too busy to find a cash machine or bank.

7) Forgot doctors orders

Tip: Take prescription medicines? Then do make sure you have enough for a couple of weeks, and take copies of the prescription with you.

8 ) Forget not to have a breakdown!

Tip: France can be a long drive, make sure you get your car serviced before you go.

9) Forgot the map.

Tip: Check you’ve got your France Road Atlas ‘before’ you set off.

10) Forgot where they packed what

Tip: When packing, always remember to mark on the box what it is and which room it came from. It’ll save you hours later. You could even use coloured stickers, using a different colour for each room.

Mr B edit: separate ‘everyday living’ items from decorative items. The decorative vase can sit in a shed for six months while you sort yourself out, but you’ll need the kettle straightaway.

11) Forgot the lifesaving essentials

Tip: It’s a good idea to make up a box of essential items, such as sugar, uht milk, kettle, mugs, cleaning products, loo roll and candles (just in case).

12) Forgot it was a moonlight flit

Tip: If you are planning to arrive in your new home in the evening or late at night, you may wish to have an impromptu meal and keep sleeping bags handy rather than assemble a bed in the wee hours after a ten hour drive.

Mr B edit: a torch is often useful, it gets very dark in the countryside at night

13) Forgot to keep the overnights handy

Tip: Never pack toothbrush toothpaste, night clothes and a change of clothes for the following day with the rest of your packing. It’ll only cause arguments when you arrive exhausted at night.

14) Forgot to be nursemaid

Tip; It’s a stressful time, who know’s what you may need. But at least pack those essential medicines for the journey; for travel sickness, headaches, migraines, you get the picture.

And finally….

15) Forgot to pack your passport and any other essential paperwork you might need during the journey!

Tip: Keep these in your glove compartment.

Mr B final tip: keep a dictionary and phrasebook to hand if you don’t speak French quite as well as you should…

The author helps people find property in Burgundy and elsewhere in France. Got any tips yourself? Please post them below.