The proposed changes in the French healthcare system applying to expats in France are a source of much discussion at the moment, and it is still not quite clear exactly who will be affected, and to what extent. Nonetheless the implications could be serious, above all for those expats living in France who are below [...]
A few years ago, when we first arrived in rural France, there were a few ‘downshifters’ around. Families who believed a peaceful, low-impact, low-cost, environment-friendly life was A GOOD THING. Or rather, parents who had dragged their kicking and screaming children with them, telling them that growing their own vegetables and learning to knit was [...]
I thought it might be useful to explain how expats in France make ends meet. Just possibly this will give you an idea of how you could earn money as an expat and enable you to make the big leap yourself. I am not concerned here with expats who work in France as an employee [...]
I already knew I had a memorable birthdate – when my mother was halfway through giving birth to me a nurse rushed in and disturbed the special moment by announcing that President Kennedy had been assassinated. Unfortunately the horror of the world that was waiting for me was all a bit too much, and I [...]
A lot of people find this blog when they are searching in google for expat information about France. I fear they will sometimes be disappointed to find instead my ramblings about cycling and belly-button piercing. If you would prefer some good hard facts about the tax implications of owning a second-home in France, or need [...]
I received the following question as a comment on an earlier post, but it’s too big a question for a ‘comment response’ (and not an easy question in any case) so I thought I’d give it a post all to itself…the question was: “I came across your site while searching out how to live in [...]
What is the difference between family life in France and family life elsewhere, I sometimes get asked. Well in truth, much less than you would think. Eating habits and mealtimes are more formal in France, and it is much more common for families to eat together. But, it is also common for a television to [...]
We quite often get asked about French schools and how schools in France compare with those elsewhere. Although I’ve written a general guide elsewhere on the site (see French schools) a few recent conversations with teachers have given us new food for thought. This has included teachers with experience of schools in both the UK [...]
A question we are often asked, is how does the quality of life in France compare with that in the UK? A tough question because it depends so much on the individual (yes, you!) and their circumstances. If you are retired and living in luxury in Berkshire the answer will be different than if you [...]
Ooops that’s about two weeks since I posted here. Been rushed off my feet with all sorts of things – people coming to visit for Easter for example, and the glorious sunshine keeping me out on the tractor and my bike. A week or so ago I had fish and chips for the first time [...]
Suitably dramatic headline, don’t you think! Lots of people do it, and move back to the UK or wherever they came from, for a whole load of reasons. Well, two really – running out of money, and the French language – but lots of different explanations are given. Actually there is also a third reason. [...]
Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of our arrival in France, so today I’ll treat you to some recollections ‘from the olden days’. The day we arrived was not a pleasant one – Mrs B had twisted her neck and couldn’t move; it was blisteringly cold; and there was a howling gale blowing. We were also [...]
Thought I’d comment on the thorny issue of English expats in France today, because I just read an article about it in the local newspaper. Are there too many English Expats in France? Not enough? Is France being over-run by the English, have property prices escalated because too many expats buy all the properties, and [...]