ehnels12
10/20/2016 03:55 EST
Hello:
I'm a retired American (professional) in Colorado wishing to move to France. I have no family (except my dog). I'm looking for a support group of Americans who have moved to France who I can contact (or who will contact me) and from whom I can begin gleaning the information I need to begin (and continue) the transition.
Thank you.
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LovetheBeach
10/20/2016 09:18 EST
ehnels12, I do not live in France, yet, but just a hint about using a forum such as this: you might get better response if you ask specific questions. France is a large country. You might want to let people know what city or region you are interested in, then ask specific questions about that area. Also, before asking basic questions you can use the search bar at the top, type in a general topic, i.e., "veterinary care in (city)". Hope this helps! Bonne Chance!
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Maribeth
10/20/2016 14:48 EST
Get on facebook and join Americans in France page. Also join the AARO -- you can see their Facebook page to see what they're about. We have a place for sale in the pyrenees. If you're interested, you can message me. Best of luck.
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OldPro
10/20/2016 16:43 EST
I agree with Lovethebeach. You need to do some of your own basic homework first and then as you begin to narrow things down, ask specific questions you cannot find answers to for yourself.
First, comes the question of whether you can qualify to get a visa to go to France and then apply for a Residence Permit. Have you got that first step worked out already?
If not, asking about anything else is a waste of time asking and a waste of other people's time answering.
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ehnels12
10/21/2016 13:19 EST
Thank you for your advice. Obviously, I'm new here. .. a step at a time.
Yes, France is a "large" country, and I'm thankful there are "Americans in France" who have survived the gauntlet. They look to be my most likely support group and resource for info.. I will try to be more specific too.
Speaking of visas, I'm still waiting to hear from the French Consulate in Denver about "rules." Will they ever respond? I wonder.
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Beachstruck
10/21/2016 14:26 EST
I just moved from California to Dinan, Brittany and i am not having much luck so far finding other expats as a support group (and before anyone comments, yes i will be connecting with the community). I could not get ant response from the French Embassy in Los Angeles. So I just made an appointment, took the required paperwork and two weeks later, I had my passport have with the visa
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OldPro
10/22/2016 12:32 EST
You might find it useful to read the following thread ehnels12.
http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=260&tpcid=3407026
In particular, the part about who to listen to. They fall into categories as far as what they can help you with. New arrivals for example can help you with the visa issue but cannot tell you what it is really like to live there.
As someone who has lived in various countries and met a lot of 'expats' (I hate that word), I can tell you that I have learned to avoid most of them when possible. But that's another story.
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jbarta
10/25/2016 05:43 EST
Hello, I am also a retired American from Erie CO. My wife and two dogs arrived in France (Port Vendres) last October. We are in the process of relocating to Paris so the adventure continues. If I can help answer a few questions I will. Good luck!
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RubyTooz
10/27/2016 12:12 EST
Well aren't you courageous, moving to a foreign country on your own to start a new life! You are an inspiration :-)
Tapping into forums like these, Facebook groups, and associations (AARP, Alliance Française, AARO, etc.) is a good way to start getting basic information and testing ideas. As other posters have hinted, however, it's unlikely that you'll find someone who was in your exact same situation a year before you to provide the crystal ball you're probably hoping for. ;-)
What kind of questions did you have for the Denver consulate? I noticed that it's the only one without a website, so that's not very helpful! If you're looking for information about applying for the long stay visitor visa, you could have a look here for general information http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/Long-stay-visa-for-visitors although each consulate does tend to have their own rules. Basically you'll need to show that you have the financial resources to support yourself, health insurance for the duration of your stay, and a French address.
Do you know yet where in France you want to live? I developed a questionnaire a while back to help people who are considering a move to France to get clarity about their thinking/planning. Here's a link to it https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/S9DXmX
If you're interested in the South of France, we assist people conduct Regional Reconnaissance missions to get a feel for the area and see where they'd like to settle in. Our first one ever, in fact, was with a new retiree who came over on his own for a look last year and ended up moving to Montpellier in the summer!
Best of luck,
Dennelle
www.renestance.com
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Leamuse
11/8/2016 06:21 EST
No doubt there have been some changes but I believe a few of the steps I took when I came to France nine years ago still valid. I knew my priorities and checked to see how they lined up with the way things would be here. I found someone here in France to correspond with who would answer any questions, we have become good friends and I bought a car from her daughter after my arrival. I found a book, older edition, of An Adult's Guide to Running Away From Home. The book is by Roseanne Knorr which at the time was inclusive for much of Europe but its current edition is specific to France. That little book saved me thousands of Euros and a lot of stress. About the same time I put my house in California on the market, I took a trip to France armed with a backpack and a rail pass. The places I visited were based on my interests but I was sure I would be inclined toward the south and the sea and the Mediterranean is only minutes away. I wish you the best.
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mariegroh
11/20/2016 11:45 EST
I live in Boulder and after the election I'm looking to retire pretty much ANYWHERE! But I recently heard about PAU and UZES as good places for American expats.
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jaym
11/20/2016 15:37 EST
I would wait until after France's next election. They could be in for something even worse than the USA. good luck, I'm in the same boat.
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LovetheBeach
11/21/2016 02:52 EST
jaym, What do you know, or what have you heard that could be troublesome re: the next election in France? Thanks!
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ehnels12
11/21/2016 03:25 EST
I'm in the same boat along with so many others. I'm retired, live in Colorado Springs (which is bad enough politically) and I'm seriously needing to consider another country now. I'm healthy but need to think about affordable/universal healthcare now. As a liberal I'm not a "good American" anymore; that is, I don't believe in the (economic or political) system here anymore. It's irrevocably broken. This election capped it off. - I'll look into PAU and UZES. Thanks.
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ehnels12
11/21/2016 03:25 EST
I'm in the same boat along with so many others. I'm retired, live in Colorado Springs (which is bad enough politically) and I'm seriously needing to consider another country now. I'm healthy but need to think about affordable/universal healthcare now. As a liberal I'm not a "good American" anymore; that is, I don't believe in the (economic or political) system here anymore. It's irrevocably broken. This election capped it off. - I'll look into PAU and UZES. Thanks.
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jbarta
11/21/2016 06:47 EST
Good luck with all that. Life will go on here in France and back in the States regardless of the Politics. You have to get comfortable in your own skin no matter where you live.
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RubyTooz
11/21/2016 06:51 EST
You're definitely not alone in the sentiment! In fact, we just wrote a blog article about this very subject https://www.renestance.com/move-to-france-after-us-election/
Uzès is a small town, but there are a lot of English-speakers living there, so it's easier to find resources in English than in most places of similar size.
Regards,
Dennelle
www.renestance.com
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pleasehelpsarl
11/21/2016 07:09 EST
Hi Folks,
I help US expats on a regular basis relocate to France, I wonder if I might be of some help to you?
Kind regards,
John Dislins
SARL PLease Help
https://www.pleasehelp.fr
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Maribeth
11/21/2016 14:00 EST
We have a home with land in the Pyrenees near St. Girons and are selling there to move closer to family. Please private message if you'd like photos and information. It's simply gorgeous here.
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ehnels12
11/22/2016 10:05 EST
They might get a conservative in office here and there in France, but the "fundamental" needs and rights of people have always stayed intact. They don't ever mess with that because it's simply too important to reduce to a political football, as is done routinely in the US. - Politicians here trifle with us simply because they can. They don't dare to that in France (or Germany, England, or the Netherlands), fundamentally "socialist" nations. Hence, I don't worry about their long-term politics, not nearly as much as I "used to" worry about our own (the US is a travesty). We can get involved with local/national politics when we get there.
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DONSCHALL1
11/22/2016 14:04 EST
My wife and I would be interested in your details. We intend to relocate to Europe next summer.
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frabound
11/22/2016 15:30 EST
FYI, there is a good blog called "The Barefoot Blogger" - she's also on FB - by an American who retired to Uzes! This one is moving to the Dordogne~
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frabound
11/22/2016 15:36 EST
Agreed, and putting Arizona in my rear view mirror in the next couple of years (if my SSI is still available under donald). La Belle France here I come!
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frabound
11/22/2016 15:36 EST
Agreed, and putting Arizona in my rear view mirror in the next couple of years (if my SSI is still available under donald). La Belle France here I come!
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jaym
11/23/2016 07:45 EST
I don't want to get into a political discussion, but the far right party fronted by Marie la Pen with neo Nazi ties is being funded by Putin (like Trump in the USA). Hopefully, they won't gain control, but these days you never know. They said it could never happen here, and now we have neo Nazis in the White House. god help us all.
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jaym
11/23/2016 07:48 EST
not sure why that did not work. Anyway, I was referring Marie la Pen, and her far right party. They said it couldn't happen here, and now we have neo Nazis in the whitehouse.
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jaym
11/23/2016 07:54 EST
and Putin is spending millions to get her elected (like in the US). Europe may be in for some trying times. Will the EU and the free world survive? Hope so!
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