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We are older and don't speak the language.

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Eulogia
  4/8/2023 11:12 EST

My husband and I are nearing retirement age and want to leave the US. My husband is a citizen of Greece and speaks Greek and English fluently. I speak only English. I adore France and would like to try living there full time permanently, but I am worried my husband will be isolated and bored. He does not want to learn another language this late in life. If we were to move to France, we were thinking of either Normandy, Brittany or the southern area around Lyon. Are we crazy to attempt this massive change so late in our lives? Should we stick with moving to Greece? I'm up for trying something new and I love the country so I think, why not give it a whirl? Our kids are grown and have been aware of our plans to move abroad, so our moving will not be a major upset to them other than we originally planned to move to Greece. I will continue working online, teaching English as a Foreign Language, from either country. Thank you for your advice!

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CapitolWoman
  4/9/2023 08:51 EST

Hi, your message resonated with me so I had to reply (I'm half Greek and prepping for TEFL.) You can do this and no you are not too old! It does take planning and prep, but take it step by step. Don't listen to naysayers! I'm 64, single and I'm relocating to Beziers in Occitanie region near Montpellier, in May. I highly recommend Beziers as one of your options. It's an up-and-coming city of about 80K. The real estate options will ensure that you get a lot for your money and there's a large anglophone population. Consider renting first in your city of choice in France with several trips a year to Greece. See how that works for you. You will have a much richer experience if you learn French. It's much easier now to learn another language with methods geared to helping you converse faster. I like Babbel and Pimsleur. For a wealth of info about everything expat, join French Passport Lifestyles on Facebook. I used an excellent realtor who was recommended to me by a member here! Let me know if you'd like to talk to him. Please feel free to answer any follow-up questions. You got this!

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We are the best possible negotiator to help our expatriate clients to safely, efficiently and effectively find the right property in the right place in the French Riviera. Whether buying or renting, French Riviera House Hunting's objective is to find the best place for you, making sure that there are no hidden problems in the acquisition or renting process!
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Ruthie05
  4/9/2023 09:13 EST

I wouldn’t recommend settling anywhere where neither of you speaks the language and one of you is unwilling to even try to learn. It’s easy to visit France from Greece so I’d suggest doing that instead.

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wonderlaur
  4/9/2023 12:22 EST

Northern France has many predominately- English speaking communities of British expats. However, to move to a country and not attempt to learn the language can create ill- feelings with locals.
Also, be aware that in France, retirement means you are literally no longer working, period. You sign a legal document saying that you will not earn income in any way, when applying for that specific visa. They do not have a digital nomad visa, and if you are going to be working in violation of the visa, you risk expulsion. We have good friends who found this out too late and had to start the whole process over under different visas, and return to the US in the process (with no home to go to). They just got it finished last month.
If your income is dependent on working (online or otherwise) you are not retired, according to the French government. You may want to consider living in Greece and vacationing in France to avoid potential headaches.

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Britt24
  4/9/2023 16:55 EST

I was in a tour through France in October and just loved it! The people were very normal, every day, down to earth and all expectation I had from reading were off. Paris...not the spectacularism as it is marketed. I liked it but liked getting lost because I'm directionally challenged. I got an uber that took me to the hotel. In Bordeaux, there's a "plaza-like" area where I separated from the group....they walked too fast. I am an introvert and need to get pushed....well, I sat in a cafe, a restaurant too small so they extend to the outside and get called romantic Cafe! Nope, the cute waiter asked in a semi- broken English for my order. The place was packed! Besides my order he brought me a cappuccino and creme broulai. No fear anywhere we went. Language not a problem! (I think I misspelled broulais). I loved the people! Unassuming. Love to chat.

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fldvrelocation
  6/8/2023 11:14 EST

Bonjour!

It is never too late to go on an adventure! We are a relocation agency and we have had clients make the leap and they were so glad they did!

Regarding the language barrier, you will pick it up as you go, even if you don't take lessons. However, you may find a larger expat community in the South. For example, Saint Rémy de Provence, Eygalières, etc... The climate is also more pleasant.

If you require assistance with your relocation, please contact us. We offer an extensive range of services including immigration/visa assistance, house finding, settling-in services, and even our bespoke concierge service.

You can contact us at [email protected], through our website https://linktr.ee/findinglavieenrose, or through our instagram @findinglavieenrose

Wishing you all the best with your new adventure!

- Finding La Vie en Rose Relocation

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