At Renestance we are not affiliated with any political party, but it was reported that 25% of Americans said they’d consider emigrating in the event of a Trump presidential victory. On the night of last week’s election result, Canada’s immigration website crashed. In France, real estate agents reported a surge in property enquiries the following day. So, if you have already been considering moving out of the US, moving to France might be a great option for you!
Here’s a little reminder of the benefits of life in l’Hexagone, whether for four years or much longer!
Culture
Part of the appeal of ‘the old world’ for anyone living across the Atlantic has always been its culture and heritage. We at Renestance adore Montpellier, but many of France’s cities enjoy an inviting mix of modern livability and historic charm. With high speed transportation by TGV to Paris and low-cost flights throughout Europe, these cities are easily accessible and make an excellent home base. Lonely Planet has recently placed Bordeaux in top spot as the best city to visit in 2017. The Cité de Vin, grand architecture, commerce and education make the city nicknamed ‘the Sleeping Beauty’ a lively and fascinating place to live. Equally, Lonely Planet has rated the scenic, rural Dordogne region among the top 10 European destinations for 2016, demonstrating that France has an enormous variety of places in which to make your new home.
Image by Marco Delucia from Pixabay
The climate
Unlike Canada and its cousins in northern Europe, France has an excellent climate all year round, with four varied seasons that highlight the country’s remarkable scenery. It allows the cultivation of the fresh fruit and vegetables that are staples of famous French cuisine. For outdoor interests, the temperate climate allows participation in a wide range of activities, from kite-surfing to skiing and snowboarding. In fact, the proximity of mountain ranges to the sea means that in many places you can do both on the same day.
Food and drink
From champagne to foie gras, it’s no coincidence that the most prestigious food and drink items have French names. Many cooking terms and signs of quality do too: think Michelin, cordon bleu, haute cuisine and you’re reminded that the French have always led the way when it comes to fine dining. Surprisingly, this high quality food and drink does not necessarily cost more, which you soon discover when comparing your grocery bills in France and at home – whether you shop in local farmers markets or the grands surfaces (supermarkets).
The Mediterranean diet and fresh food means the French are healthier and tend to live longer. Most of your preferred food brands are now also available in France, but will you need them once you’re surrounded by freshly prepared French cuisine? Here, coffee culture doesn’t mean walking around with a big paper cup but appreciating a well-prepared espresso. It’s not hard to adjust from fast food to savoring quality meals, all that’s required is practice!
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
English spoken here
The French have had a reputation for being resistant to speaking English, even though they all learned it in school. Well, speaking English has become increasingly fashionable in France as the younger generations realize that being bilingual is good for their careers. The French use the strategy to attract tourism, with taxi drivers encouraged to speak English, as well as to persuade businesses to relocate to France in post-Brexit Europe. It’s still a bonus if you do speak some French, as you’re even more likely to receive a warm welcome.
Image by Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay
Try before you buy
The world has experienced many changes in the eight years since Obama took over the White House. Moving to the other side of the Atlantic used to mean arriving with no real idea of what awaits you. Now, the internet makes it easy to research online; share experiences; ask questions in forums and seek help from experts before even leaving your armchair. Cheaper air travel in recent years also makes it easier to visit for a fact-finding trip before making a final decision. Equally, once you’ve “re-nested” it’s now much cheaper for trips home or for family to come and visit.
Remember that Renestance is just a call or a click away to help with finding accommodation, completing paperwork and answering all your questions. In fact, you can post questions during our free Q&A Facebook event on Friday, Nov. 18th. Our service is one that can’t be trumped. 😉
Annette is Renestance’s 'go to' girl for all things marketing and social media. Bilingual and originally from Surrey in the UK, Annette has lived in France since 2008. In addition to her web design and marketing consultancy, Annette is the founder of Languedoc Jelly (a network of free events across the region for anyone working from home) and also Urban Sketchers Languedoc (part of a global community of people that like to draw or paint on location). A fan of all things French and Franglaise, she also has a Citroen 2CV called Beryl.
All articles by: Annette Morris
