We came to retire and settle in the South of France, with our son and our dog from Australia, not recently but in 2002, welcome to this wonderful country!
As a Frenchman, I must say this family was so right to get off the beaten track. Usually, English and US expats go to Dordogne, Nice, Provence, Charentes… But Aveyron is just magnificent. Aveyron is so underrated (because quite "far" from everything) but what a stunning region ! It is just magnificent. I really wish them all the best.
I’m watching from a tiny apartment in Chateauroux on my exploratory trip. I hope that i find my area too. This family is so lucky to be doing it together as i am alone in my dream-but why not? 😊
Hello from South France, 🌴🌞 The best advice to give to this mother is not to start thinking, “I'll soon find English-speaking friends, and everything will be fine.” It's precisely the opposite that needs to be done. She needs to take classes, work on her French as much as possible, listen to podcasts, find French conversation groups, and watch shows, news, and films in French. She is lucky that her son speaks apparently superb French (his pronunciation is excellent), she must make the most of it. Otherwise, she will never get to the best side of our country, its true culture, all these things that she will only ever know on the surface without knowing it if she doesn't decide to get out of her comfort zone. Yes, it requires great effort. Of course, concentrating constantly trying to understand a conversation is often exhausting. But, inevitably, we end up really making progress. The result is typically beyond expectations afterward. Peace, people. ☮👈😎
She should do both, and first, she should do as she wants. Taking classes and learning french while living in France is the best way, but it also takes time. And if she wants to find some english speaking friends it will also make it easier for her. Since they can explain things to her, even help her. The danger would be to be only among english speaking people, but having some is not a problem.
@@FanNy-ku6wt It was a tip, not an order... 😋😅 And then, why come to a country with a different culture if it's to live what you experienced in your country? If you would rather not leave your comfort zone and make an effort, live in an Anglophone country. If you don't act like this, for locals, you just come to France to make a profit of our advantageous system. You just colonize, What else?
@@LetsChillPage I understand, I give my 2 cents. Speaking english is not "live the same as in your country". Everything is different and you have to relearn each basic step of your life. It's not easy. So, if having some english speaking friends to talk to to make you feel more comfortable, then it's all good. You make it look as if learning french comes in 2 months, but it's not the case. No, it may take 1 year, or 2, or 3 or more for someone to learn. And in the meantime you have no one to talk to ?! That would be unbearable. Put yourself in their shoes. If you had to live in Japan, or China for instance, you would be happy to find a french community to help you navigate and discuss about how things work there.
@@FanNy-ku6wt “You make it look as if learning French comes in 2 months, but it's not the case. No, it may take 1 year, or 2, or 3 or more for someone to learn.” In my first comment, I say exactly the contrary. And that's also maybe why it seemed to be a lil' pressing, wasn't it? 😉 I put myself in their shoes, it's even the purpose. To encourage them to take the French bull by the horns. I prefer to advertise them if they don't do the minima, French people will not appreciate them if they stagnate in their sphere. It's the case with East-South France, where foreign speakers (Netherlanders, to be precise) rest between them and don't make any effort to acclimate with locals.😊 There are tensions because of this. Because ultimately, they behave like colonizers and not in integration mode.
I stumbled upon this video by chance. I am delighted that such a charming family has found its place in Aveyron, which, by the way, is the cradle of my paternal family. I admire their attitude and open-mindedness and send them my best wishes for a fantastic integration. 🌹👍🌹
I very much enjoyed watching and listening to your journey with your move to France. Continue with the mindset of “why not” it keeps us young and adventurous!
Until we bought a property in the south of France, my only exposure to French was with the more northern, "standard" dialect of my French speaking in-laws. Wow. Moving to a small village in the south was quite the linguistic challenge... As a rule of thumb, women are easier to understand than men, younger people are easier than old folks (with the exception of teenaged boys, who are impossible!) It took me a number of years to understand the old men sitting on the benches waiting for their wives to prepare the noon meal ("On attend midi!") So if Mike can get to understand his golf buddies, he should be able to understand anyone! 😂
As a French 56 years old guy, I can tell you that sometimes I'm having trouble understanding the old men sitting on the benches myself :) In some villages with their "patois" it's often, shall we say, obscure :))
Don't worry Sarah, except themselves, NOBODY in France understands what the "old people" in the South-West are saying, they roll their "R"s so much ! (I remember seeing reports where the old people who were speaking were subtitled...) However, the different accents in my beautiful country are a REAL JOKE compared to those we hear in England, and I'm not talking about Irish, Welsh or Scottish ! Besides, I understand Americans ten times better than the English. In any case, welcome to our home and make the most of everything this country blessed by the Gods has to offer... 🇺🇸 🇬🇧🇦🇺 🇫🇷
@@MoSkent1 🤣🤣Point taken! I remember back when I was 16 and my family was headed back to the U.S. after a year in Southeast Asia, we traveled through Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France and when we arrived in London I thought to myself, "Now I'm finally going to understand what people are saying!" -- Ha!! Someone walked up to me in Hyde Park and said... something... and I couldn't understand a word! 😂
Wonderfully fun video to watch! We have three years until our retirement, and we've already begun doing our homework and planning our visits in France. I speak intermediate-level French, but I'm studying every, single day between now and when we're ready to move. I've even joined a local French-speaking group to become more fluent. My husband has started beginner's lessons, as well. I think it's essential to speak the language of your adopted country. Hooray for this entire family's adventurous spirit! Hearing your story made me smile. I am curious to know how the "cat move" transpired. We have a 27-lb Norwegian Forest Cat that we love like a child. He was a rescue and is fearful of unfamiliar surroundings. I'm having trouble imagining him on board an airplane unless we buy him his own seat (which I don't think they allow).😺
Hi thanks for watching! We can definitely help with all aspects of your move including your Cat 🐈 and due the bread maybe a special transport requirement could be best considered! Please feel free to book an appointment through our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com
What a delightful family! I have no doubt that this will be a successful move and a wonderful experience for all of them. They are people I would like to be friends with! If you need an email buddy, let me know. Wishing you the best in your new location. ❤
@@rjh2772 frenchconnectionshcb.com/visa-in-france-start-here/ sure, it sounds pretty straight forward if you want an extra bit of help here are a list of our available services
What a great interview! 😊
We came to retire and settle in the South of France, with our son and our dog from Australia, not recently but in 2002, welcome to this wonderful country!
As a Frenchman, I must say this family was so right to get off the beaten track. Usually, English and US expats go to Dordogne, Nice, Provence, Charentes… But Aveyron is just magnificent. Aveyron is so underrated (because quite "far" from everything) but what a stunning region ! It is just magnificent. I really wish them all the best.
I’m watching from a tiny apartment in Chateauroux on my exploratory trip. I hope that i find my area too. This family is so lucky to be doing it together as i am alone in my dream-but why not? 😊
Good luck! From a french guy 😊
Châteauroux ? 😂
Joli port de pêche...
Hello from South France, 🌴🌞
The best advice to give to this mother is not to start thinking, “I'll soon find English-speaking friends, and everything will be fine.”
It's precisely the opposite that needs to be done. She needs to take classes, work on her French as much as possible, listen to podcasts, find French conversation groups, and watch shows, news, and films in French.
She is lucky that her son speaks apparently superb French (his pronunciation is excellent), she must make the most of it.
Otherwise, she will never get to the best side of our country, its true culture, all these things that she will only ever know on the surface without knowing it if she doesn't decide to get out of her comfort zone.
Yes, it requires great effort. Of course, concentrating constantly trying to understand a conversation is often exhausting.
But, inevitably, we end up really making progress.
The result is typically beyond expectations afterward.
Peace, people. ☮👈😎
She should do both, and first, she should do as she wants. Taking classes and learning french while living in France is the best way, but it also takes time.
And if she wants to find some english speaking friends it will also make it easier for her. Since they can explain things to her, even help her.
The danger would be to be only among english speaking people, but having some is not a problem.
@@FanNy-ku6wt It was a tip, not an order... 😋😅
And then, why come to a country with a different culture if it's to live what you experienced in your country?
If you would rather not leave your comfort zone and make an effort, live in an Anglophone country.
If you don't act like this, for locals, you just come to France to make a profit of our advantageous system.
You just colonize, What else?
@@LetsChillPage I understand, I give my 2 cents.
Speaking english is not "live the same as in your country". Everything is different and you have to relearn each basic step of your life. It's not easy.
So, if having some english speaking friends to talk to to make you feel more comfortable, then it's all good.
You make it look as if learning french comes in 2 months, but it's not the case. No, it may take 1 year, or 2, or 3 or more for someone to learn. And in the meantime you have no one to talk to ?! That would be unbearable.
Put yourself in their shoes. If you had to live in Japan, or China for instance, you would be happy to find a french community to help you navigate and discuss about how things work there.
@@FanNy-ku6wt “You make it look as if learning French comes in 2 months, but it's not the case. No, it may take 1 year, or 2, or 3 or more for someone to learn.”
In my first comment, I say exactly the contrary. And that's also maybe why it seemed to be a lil' pressing, wasn't it? 😉
I put myself in their shoes, it's even the purpose. To encourage them to take the French bull by the horns.
I prefer to advertise them if they don't do the minima, French people will not appreciate them if they stagnate in their sphere.
It's the case with East-South France, where foreign speakers (Netherlanders, to be precise) rest between them and don't make any effort to acclimate with locals.😊
There are tensions because of this. Because ultimately, they behave like colonizers and not in integration mode.
I stumbled upon this video by chance. I am delighted that such a charming family has found its place in Aveyron, which, by the way, is the cradle of my paternal family. I admire their attitude and open-mindedness and send them my best wishes for a fantastic integration. 🌹👍🌹
Bien sympathique famille, je leur souhaite une bonne intégration en France
Love it
J'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à écouter votre témoignage, merci.
I very much enjoyed watching and listening to your journey with your move to France. Continue with the mindset of “why not” it keeps us young and adventurous!
WOW! What an adventure for all of you! Best wishes from WV. ❤️
Hi , I’m French , but fluent , and been living in Figeac ( 40 miles away ) for a few years now , retired , and would be happy to meet .
Oui !! Ce serait vraiment très drôle que vous parliez avec l'accent du sud ouest 😂😂😂👍👍
Welcome to France!!!
Welcome !
❤❤❤
Love their enthusiasm. Wishing them well from Marseille.
Bonjour, je voulais vous dire que vous avez de la chance, profitez, bonne chance
Until we bought a property in the south of France, my only exposure to French was with the more northern, "standard" dialect of my French speaking in-laws. Wow. Moving to a small village in the south was quite the linguistic challenge... As a rule of thumb, women are easier to understand than men, younger people are easier than old folks (with the exception of teenaged boys, who are impossible!) It took me a number of years to understand the old men sitting on the benches waiting for their wives to prepare the noon meal ("On attend midi!") So if Mike can get to understand his golf buddies, he should be able to understand anyone! 😂
As a French 56 years old guy, I can tell you that sometimes I'm having trouble understanding the old men sitting on the benches myself :) In some villages with their "patois" it's often, shall we say, obscure :))
Don't worry Sarah, except themselves, NOBODY in France understands what the "old people" in the South-West are saying, they roll their "R"s so much ! (I remember seeing reports where the old people who were speaking were subtitled...) However, the different accents in my beautiful country are a REAL JOKE compared to those we hear in England, and I'm not talking about Irish, Welsh or Scottish ! Besides, I understand Americans ten times better than the English. In any case, welcome to our home and make the most of everything this country blessed by the Gods has to offer... 🇺🇸 🇬🇧🇦🇺 🇫🇷
@@MoSkent1 🤣🤣Point taken! I remember back when I was 16 and my family was headed back to the U.S. after a year in Southeast Asia, we traveled through Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France and when we arrived in London I thought to myself, "Now I'm finally going to understand what people are saying!" -- Ha!! Someone walked up to me in Hyde Park and said... something... and I couldn't understand a word! 😂
Wonderfully fun video to watch! We have three years until our retirement, and we've already begun doing our homework and planning our visits in France. I speak intermediate-level French, but I'm studying every, single day between now and when we're ready to move. I've even joined a local French-speaking group to become more fluent. My husband has started beginner's lessons, as well. I think it's essential to speak the language of your adopted country. Hooray for this entire family's adventurous spirit! Hearing your story made me smile. I am curious to know how the "cat move" transpired. We have a 27-lb Norwegian Forest Cat that we love like a child. He was a rescue and is fearful of unfamiliar surroundings. I'm having trouble imagining him on board an airplane unless we buy him his own seat (which I don't think they allow).😺
Hi thanks for watching! We can definitely help with all aspects of your move including your Cat 🐈 and due the bread maybe a special transport requirement could be best considered! Please feel free to book an appointment through our website www.frenchconnectionshcb.com
What a delightful family! I have no doubt that this will be a successful move and a wonderful experience for all of them. They are people I would like to be friends with! If you need an email buddy, let me know. Wishing you the best in your new location. ❤
Tristan Richard was born in Rodez.
Welcome to France ! And Lorraine is a beautiful first name.
You should go in the north east of France and visit the Lorraine region.
Can you imagine deciding to live in Iowa without speaking english?
First thing: LEARN FRENCH
Did you have to get a long-term lease to obtain your visa I would prefer an Airbnb short-term to find something more long-term.
We can give you more information by a call if you want but we would suggest a minimum on 90days booking if you are using a short-term rental
@@frenchconnectionshcb So a 90-day booking with an Airbnb would be enough to get our visa.
@@rjh2772 In theory, but without having full background on your situation it is difficult to say.
@@frenchconnectionshcb my wife and I are retiring in France hopefully pretty straight forward
@@rjh2772 frenchconnectionshcb.com/visa-in-france-start-here/ sure, it sounds pretty straight forward if you want an extra bit of help here are a list of our available services