What do I need to know before moving to France?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to France, they said...

"Moving here was the best thing I've ever done. The French lifestyle suits me better, although there are plenty of things I miss. I was quite surprised when I learned how the people outside of the US view Americans and the American way of life. I felt suddenly very exposed. I suppose I had assumed that Americans amuse themselves with TV and movies, a lot of it being self-parodying and self-referencing, and that other countries did the same thing. What I wasn't prepared for is that the rest of the world sees and is interested in all that we do. That not only do they see the good stuff, but they see all of the silly, dumb things too (Cops, Dude, Where's My Car?, Jerry Springer). Then there's the stereotype of France which Americans harbor unconsciously. French people all seem to have a similar story of how some Americans came to visit, carrying with them every modern convenience (like toilet paper) in the belief that here in France, all they would find would be chamberpots and donkeys pulling vegetable carts. The fact that I too had this impression makes me feel both embarrassed for all Americans and closer to my fellow Americans that I've ever felt. I've noticed that small changes in culture can have profound significance on the psyche, while at the same time the world looks more and more homogenous," remarked another expat who made the move to Cannes, France.

"So many beautiful areas in France - so many people spend months finding a house - stick to one area and search," explained one expat living in Eymet, France.

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What do I need to know before moving to France?

If you live in France, newcomers to France would love to hear your answer to this question.

About the Author

Joshua Wood is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.