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Dual citizen French/US: what is needed to move?

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lunavolpe
  10/16/2020 19:26 EST

Hi all,

I'm a dual citizen who was born in the US with French citizenship. I've been to France often with family and lived there briefly as a student. I'm considering a true move, and I'm trying to figure out what my priorities should be in terms of logistics. I don't need a visa, so I'm more focused on what comes after the move (ID, bank, etc.). Language-wise I'm fluent in conversation (no American accent), but don't have as much professional vocabulary since I never learned/needed it in the US.

So, some questions:

- Find a job beforehand or get there and then start looking? Again, I'm a little nervous about my language level.
- How have others dealt with the bank account / apartment catch-22?
- Any thoughts on meeting people when abroad? Despite my fluency, in previous experience I've found native French folks to be fairly insular.

Thanks in advance!

xantippe
  10/17/2020 02:55 EST

It depends what work you are looking for, and if you have transferable qualifications. Can you increase you vocabulary in your field by reading. A good dictionary may help with that. If not it will come to you when you start working. I have found French people to be very helpful. They aren’t really any more insular than most Europeans. Just not as overly enthusiastic as Americans. Also by the time you have grown up you have your friends base so even moving to another town means you have to start again to establish a circle of friends. Being fluent in French will help you talk to people.
You may want to look for a job before you arrive, which will help you get a bank account and a place to live. Although being American may hinder your ability to get a bank account due to FATCA. If you have relatives here perhaps they can help you with accommodation at least in the short term. There are many variables in your questions. Good luck.

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Kathling9
  10/21/2020 04:40 EST

The bank account is no problem. You can open one in the US before you leave.
HSBC is a good one, and there’s good info on opening an account and other immigration issues on this website.
https://www.hsbc.fr/en-fr/international-services/new-to-france/
My advice would be to job hunt before you leave the US, if for no other reason than that during this pandemic, unemployment rates are right now very high in France. I’m a semi-retired American living near Montpellier, and I have found the French people to be very welcoming and gracious here.
As to the rest, there are relocation companies here that can help you with finding a rental, obtaining insurances, and
all the other details of your new life. Many of them sell their services for one-time assistance as well as annual contracts.
I’ve lived in 8 US states and 3 countries, and I have never been happier than I am in France.
PM me if you need more.

Kathling9
  10/21/2020 04:45 EST

The bank account is no problem. You can open one in the US before you leave.
HSBC is a good one, and there’s good info on opening an account and other immigration issues on this website.
https://www.hsbc.fr/en-fr/international-services/new-to-france/
My advice would be to job hunt before you leave the US, if for no other reason than that during this pandemic, unemployment rates are right now very high in France. I’m a semi-retired American living near Montpellier, and I have found the French people to be very welcoming and gracious here.
As to the rest, there are relocation companies here that can help you with finding a rental, obtaining insurances, and
all the other details of your new life. Many of them sell their services for one-time assistance as well as annual contracts.
I’ve lived in 8 US states and 3 countries, and I have never been happier than I am in France.
PM me if you need more.

traceyspada
  10/21/2020 05:21 EST

My husband and I came over from USA with dual citizenship. Irish/American. Italian/American. We had no problem opening a bank account with Credit Agricole once we got here. Our monthly fee is .95 and the debit card is 40 euros a year. We live in the Herault dept and also found rentals through local expats so we rented for a couple of years before buying a house. You can find so many resources on FB groups for renting, banking, healthcare, advice etc.. Look at specifica areas and search. I have lived in Ireland, England, Spain, Australia, Italy and 10 different states in the USA. The key is to do one thing at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself with all the paperwork. Speaking French is a big plus, my husband is a musician here and has found working with local French musicians easy and many people are friendly although not as forthcoming as Americans. We found an 8 month furnished rental before we moved over through an Expat group on FB and once here we were able to open a bank account, buy a car, and then get into the system for healthcare. Look at areas where there's a good size town or city with life all year round as so many places become very quiet during the winter.

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