Since this blog receives many visitors from people searching for ‘living in France’ I assume there must be lots of readers who are contemplating it. So in a short series of posts over the next couple of weeks I will attempt to answer the question – would you make a good French expat?
I’ll post all the entries in the category ‘Expat requirements’ so you don’t need to trouble yourself reading about hedgehogs or swimming pools.
The series starts with a few questions that you should answer honestly, or dishonestly, according to whether you want to ‘pass the test’ or not. Or not at all if you can’t be bothered, it’s not really critical, you can just read the explanations in later posts. If none of the possible answers are suitable, make one up!
I’ve thought of five key areas to consider:
Can you speak French?
- Can’t speak a word of it and got no intention of trying, thanks
- I learned some words at school when I was 13 and can only improve from there
- I’ve been going to evening classes in preparation
- I’m completely fluent
Do you have loads of money?
- Money doesn’t interest me, I can always make do
- I don’t have any at all but I’m willing to work / beg / steal
- Not much, but I am sure I can earn a living by turning a coal cellar into a luxurious gite
- I have an enormously valuable house and a successful and thriving business to sell
Would you like to spend more time with your partner / family?
- No thanks, I think we’d drive each other mad
- As long as there is a big garden so I can escape quite often
- I suppose that would be OK
- Yes, that would be lovely
Do you like French people?
- No, but I’m sure I can meet plenty of other expats
- Never met one, are they different?
- I like warm, friendly interesting people regardless of colour, sex and nationality and I’m offended that you asked this question
- I have many French friends already and look forward to making many more
How well do you know France, especially the region where you might live?
- I’ve never been to France
- I have had many happy holidays at Disneyland Paris, so feel I know France quite well
- I spent a week camping in the Dordogne in 1974 and have always intended to come back
- I have spent every summer holiday for the last 10 years travelling around France, it’s such a beautiful country
Wel, that’s all for the questions. Don’t worry if you don’t think you chose the ‘correct’ answer, you might well still work out! And if you chose the final answer in each section, don’t be over-confident that you should be packing your bags already…
Note: The follow-up responses to these questions are all in the category Expat requirements . Please leave comments as appropriate so they can become a useful resource for later readers!
1. I can speak French but with mistakes. 2. I have a monthly annuity. But big money I do not have. 3. My family will visit me and the French side will be near-bye or visiting. 4. French people? Well, that is a two part question. French people are interesting as a group, and the French people I know I like or love. 5. I know France somewhat, especially the Paris region; but there are other areas of France I have enjoyed visiting. No. I don’t know France well, but well-enough to get around via train and/or bike. These are my answers to the questions you have asked. How well I personally get along in France is another question I can answer; I have had a great time traveling throughout some areas of France myself by bike and by train. I am female and over 60 years old. The next question would be for me is, Can I live in France alone? And, the last question is, Why would I want to do that?