Just discovered your channel. Your commentary is really great: very perceptive, balanced and fun. I did the same as you: came to SW France for a sabbatical-type year five years ago with school age kids, then at the end of that year, I decided I didn't want to leave. I actually got emotional watching your video about why you decided to stay in France as I relived my own feelings on that huge life decision, the long personal, linguistic and bureaucratic journey, and how grateful I am for the opportunity to have this new life.
I live in Britain and as my son is going to live in Portugal, I will be going to France. All the points discussed plus both the channels have been super helpful as we , because of Brexit, are now in the same position as if you were coming from the US. So thank you so much for all the advice ❤
I loved listening to this discussion between folks who have done it. And the focus on the "Why?" is critical. And the "Why?" needs to be deep, motivating, and personal. (Maybe not "I want to buy a cheap house" 😁) Most fulfilling things in life lie outside your comfort zone. I get emails from folks in their 70's an 80's saying "I wish I'd done this 15/20 years ago!" Keep sharing these inspiring, down-to-earth stories with us!
I love this video! Two of my favorite RUclips expat channels. I've been following you both regularly as we plan on retiring from the US to France hopefully within a year or so, and it seems overwhelming until hearing the perspective of people who have done it.
Great interview! I've discovered Patricia on several interviews on RUclips a few months ago and it's great to see her featured here with you guys! The "American Expats in France RUclips community" is a quality one for sure!
Loved this video! You two have made some great collaborations and are hands down the best resource for people seriously thinking about uprooting their lives and moving to France and how to make it happen. Merci beaucoup, Raina and Jason!
I had watched other videos of Patricia’s, all were very insightful. The idea of bringing a few items that you find comforting is a great idea. We shipped all our household stuff, generational furniture, etc. Very very comforting to have familiar things around us. Noting your video locations, we are nearish you in Monflanquin and have been here 18 months. Thoughtful, helpful, accurate videos you are producing.
For anyone wondering, I think the cultural book series Raina referred to is Culture Smart. They have books on many countries and they are a small, quick read full of great info.
I love watching both of your channels. This was a really good interview with valuable information. I also watched the video of Baguette Bound on Patricia Brooks channel as well! ❤❤❤
Thank you, very interesting, even for people who don't plan to move abroad or who are French. May I ask ask how the Baguette Bound couple is professionally doing or planning to do (If you feel comfortable to tell) ?
Interesting video and I agree with most of what you and your guest said. First, moving permanently or for a long stay - like several years - to a foreign country is not something you should decide lightly, especially with a family. As you mentioned, you have to be deep in touch with your core aspirations and make sure this is what you really want - or perhaps even need - to do. Once you are certain and you have made the choice of the country - part rationale, part dream I would say - then you have to work on it as a complete project. I would advise not to focus too much on practical details except the immediate aspects of physically moving but to focus more on the long-term aspects, your goal being not to move but to start a new life with a lot of unforeseen events ahead. You did not insist too much on the financial aspects: once your long-term project is decided, make sure you have the financial means to support your choice even in the worst case scenario. This means for example if you plan to live abroad for 3 years, be sure you have the financial means to support yourself financially for those 3 years in all cases. Do your cost analysis, establish a budget for those 3 years, let's say you reach a 30k€ per year as cost of living, do not move if you have less than 135k€ available (your estimate + a 50% cushion), or revise your plan!
I was very happy, being french & living in this beautiful Southwest of France region, to find your channel. It's really interesting and so positive ! I'm wondering about one thing : would you consider, one day, helping your friends and clients to find their house in the region ? We (husband and I) live in a really nice village ( near Bergerac, 10mn from Gardonne train station) with all amenities. We love our house, a beautiful longère with a swimming pool, but, due to health condition (ALD for me too, Jason...), we may consider selling it. We haven't made up our mind yet, as we are not ready to go through this hectic process of finding an agent, dealing with countless visits... As you said in an other video, buying is easy in France, but finding/selling your house isn't always. Why wouldn't you come over and visit us one day so as to see the house (and have a nice pâtisserie)? I know British people in Eymet who started a successful real estate business, and even if it's not your primary goal, it may be worth considering. And as you already are an advisor for your clients, maybe you could just charge advising fees for this help?.😊
As a french, i recommend Patricia's channel (on top of this one). And "Oui in France". And "Transatlantic Living". While the latter is not maintained anymore, i always found that she had some interesting criticisms towards my country (sometimes harsh ^^), from a younger person perspective, and it is important to remember that not everything is good here. Far, far from it. I feel like you two have a different personality that feel pretty complementary. And when it comes to the culture, americans need to understand that France is possibly the country that is most at odds in Europe with how things are done in the USA, or when it comes to the values and system. Many americans seem to believe that it is not too different. This is a delusion. This is vastly different, and oftentimes clashes directly. One of the things that clashes the most is the fact France is a secular country since 1905.
Hi, you might want to pay attention to the sound volume. I have to crank up the volume to max to start hearing something and when the adds come I'll become deaf 😂
I am French living in the US and I am following in french what is happening in France. It seems that all videos about living in France are missing the gorilla in the room: insecurity and savage immigration that are spoiling French people's daily life, sometimes very brutally. Wanting to return to France for retirement, my main worry is the insecurity in France today. What is your perspective on the huge immigration and insecurity issue that is hitting France right now? How do you experience it?
I would say that in France yes insecurity is an issue in some parts of France but not everywhere but it is the same in other European capitals. Living in England, insecurity is also an issue but I think it is not as bad as in the USA where the shootings in schools or in other places are quite frequent. People buy guns like you could buy sweets in Europe. I still love the US but wouldn’t live there as it is too unsafe in my liking. Even though it is far from being perfect in Europe, I still feel that it is much better in France or even in England. Illegal immigration is a problem but I want to believe that European governments will end up solving the problem at some point as the far right parties are so prominent in France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and even in Spain. I am trying to be positive - another thing : the healthcare system remains quite good in France despite some problems - I love France and the culture is so great - vive la France !
@@paulin1606 Interessant, comme stayfocused je vis aux US et ns sommes choques par l'insecurite et la violence quotidiennes en France et par ce que nos familles sur place ns racontent. Rien de tout cela ici aux US la ou ns vivons, calme, aucune agression, crime niveau zero. C'est immense les US, et il y a encore enormement de coins tres tranquilles et hyper safe, beaucoup plus safe que la France. Faut pas croire tout ce que les medias francais racontent. Il n'y a pas que Chicago et NYC aux US!
What a beautiful guest with a great business helping others!
Just discovered your channel. Your commentary is really great: very perceptive, balanced and fun. I did the same as you: came to SW France for a sabbatical-type year five years ago with school age kids, then at the end of that year, I decided I didn't want to leave. I actually got emotional watching your video about why you decided to stay in France as I relived my own feelings on that huge life decision, the long personal, linguistic and bureaucratic journey, and how grateful I am for the opportunity to have this new life.
Thank you for sharing this. It's lovely to hear your story. 😊
I live in Britain and as my son is going to live in Portugal, I will be going to France. All the points discussed plus both the channels have been super helpful as we , because of Brexit, are now in the same position as if you were coming from the US. So thank you so much for all the advice ❤
Thank you. So glad this content is helpful. Best wishes with your plans.
I hope everything will be fine for you in France. I wish you all the best, dear Elizabeth ! Do you already know where you want to settle ?
I loved listening to this discussion between folks who have done it. And the focus on the "Why?" is critical.
And the "Why?" needs to be deep, motivating, and personal. (Maybe not "I want to buy a cheap house" 😁)
Most fulfilling things in life lie outside your comfort zone. I get emails from folks in their 70's an 80's saying "I wish I'd done this 15/20 years ago!"
Keep sharing these inspiring, down-to-earth stories with us!
I love this video! Two of my favorite RUclips expat channels. I've been following you both regularly as we plan on retiring from the US to France hopefully within a year or so, and it seems overwhelming until hearing the perspective of people who have done it.
Great interview! I've discovered Patricia on several interviews on RUclips a few months ago and it's great to see her featured here with you guys! The "American Expats in France RUclips community" is a quality one for sure!
Thank you. So glad you found us!😀
Aw, thanks!! 😊
Loved this video! You two have made some great collaborations and are hands down the best resource for people seriously thinking about uprooting their lives and moving to France and how to make it happen. Merci beaucoup, Raina and Jason!
I had watched other videos of Patricia’s, all were very insightful. The idea of bringing a few items that you find comforting is a great idea. We shipped all our household stuff, generational furniture, etc. Very very comforting to have familiar things around us. Noting your video locations, we are nearish you in Monflanquin and have been here 18 months. Thoughtful, helpful, accurate videos you are producing.
For anyone wondering, I think the cultural book series Raina referred to is Culture Smart. They have books on many countries and they are a small, quick read full of great info.
Yes!! Thank you!
Bonjour you three!! Thank you all for the wonderfully insightful videos!! Merci!
Definitely visit a place before you move there. Preferably a long visit to determine if it’s really worth it.
I love watching both of your channels. This was a really good interview with valuable information. I also watched the video of Baguette Bound on Patricia Brooks channel as well! ❤❤❤
Fantastic information and I love France. Thank you for sharing this and it makes me feel more at ease in considering to move forward with my dream.
Thank you, very interesting, even for people who don't plan to move abroad or who are French.
May I ask ask how the Baguette Bound couple is professionally doing or planning to do (If you feel comfortable to tell) ?
Interesting video and I agree with most of what you and your guest said. First, moving permanently or for a long stay - like several years - to a foreign country is not something you should decide lightly, especially with a family. As you mentioned, you have to be deep in touch with your core aspirations and make sure this is what you really want - or perhaps even need - to do. Once you are certain and you have made the choice of the country - part rationale, part dream I would say - then you have to work on it as a complete project. I would advise not to focus too much on practical details except the immediate aspects of physically moving but to focus more on the long-term aspects, your goal being not to move but to start a new life with a lot of unforeseen events ahead. You did not insist too much on the financial aspects: once your long-term project is decided, make sure you have the financial means to support your choice even in the worst case scenario. This means for example if you plan to live abroad for 3 years, be sure you have the financial means to support yourself financially for those 3 years in all cases. Do your cost analysis, establish a budget for those 3 years, let's say you reach a 30k€ per year as cost of living, do not move if you have less than 135k€ available (your estimate + a 50% cushion), or revise your plan!
I was very happy, being french & living in this beautiful Southwest of France region, to find your channel. It's really interesting and so positive ! I'm wondering about one thing : would you consider, one day, helping your friends and clients to find their house in the region ? We (husband and I) live in a really nice village ( near Bergerac, 10mn from Gardonne train station) with all amenities. We love our house, a beautiful longère with a swimming pool, but, due to health condition (ALD for me too, Jason...), we may consider selling it. We haven't made up our mind yet, as we are not ready to go through this hectic process of finding an agent, dealing with countless visits... As you said in an other video, buying is easy in France, but finding/selling your house isn't always. Why wouldn't you come over and visit us one day so as to see the house (and have a nice pâtisserie)? I know British people in Eymet who started a successful real estate business, and even if it's not your primary goal, it may be worth considering. And as you already are an advisor for your clients, maybe you could just charge advising fees for this help?.😊
As a french, i recommend Patricia's channel (on top of this one). And "Oui in France". And "Transatlantic Living". While the latter is not maintained anymore, i always found that she had some interesting criticisms towards my country (sometimes harsh ^^), from a younger person perspective, and it is important to remember that not everything is good here. Far, far from it. I feel like you two have a different personality that feel pretty complementary. And when it comes to the culture, americans need to understand that France is possibly the country that is most at odds in Europe with how things are done in the USA, or when it comes to the values and system. Many americans seem to believe that it is not too different. This is a delusion. This is vastly different, and oftentimes clashes directly. One of the things that clashes the most is the fact France is a secular country since 1905.
Hi, you might want to pay attention to the sound volume. I have to crank up the volume to max to start hearing something and when the adds come I'll become deaf 😂
Thanks, we realized after the fact this was a Zoom problem. We'll record future interviews some other way.
I am French living in the US and I am following in french what is happening in France. It seems that all videos about living in France are missing the gorilla in the room: insecurity and savage immigration that are spoiling French people's daily life, sometimes very brutally. Wanting to return to France for retirement, my main worry is the insecurity in France today. What is your perspective on the huge immigration and insecurity issue that is hitting France right now? How do you experience it?
I would say that in France yes insecurity is an issue in some parts of France but not everywhere but it is the same in other European capitals. Living in England, insecurity is also an issue but I think it is not as bad as in the USA where the shootings in schools or in other places are quite frequent. People buy guns like you could buy sweets in Europe. I still love the US but wouldn’t live there as it is too unsafe in my liking. Even though it is far from being perfect in Europe, I still feel that it is much better in France or even in England. Illegal immigration is a problem but I want to believe that European governments will end up solving the problem at some point as the far right parties are so prominent in France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and even in Spain. I am trying to be positive - another thing : the healthcare system remains quite good in France despite some problems - I love France and the culture is so great - vive la France !
Quand tu entends ce qu'il se passe ailleurs ( GB, USA, bresil, Mexique, Afrique du Sud)), ok on est pas top, on va pas se mentir, mais y a pire!
@@paulin1606 Interessant, comme stayfocused je vis aux US et ns sommes choques par l'insecurite et la violence quotidiennes en France et par ce que nos familles sur place ns racontent. Rien de tout cela ici aux US la ou ns vivons, calme, aucune agression, crime niveau zero. C'est immense les US, et il y a encore enormement de coins tres tranquilles et hyper safe, beaucoup plus safe que la France. Faut pas croire tout ce que les medias francais racontent. Il n'y a pas que Chicago et NYC aux US!
In France, we can’t carry a gun, a weapon. Except for some jobs. Unfortunately, Justice and prison sentences are too soft against some criminals.