Help Me Move to France

[Squiggy]

So, a little backstory...5 years ago I honeymooned in Paris and Belgium and ever since I haven't been able to get over Paris (Belgium, meh). The more I've read about the history and people of Paris, the more I've fallen in love.

Flash forward 5 years later and Macron is supposedly trying to make it easier for us non-EUers to move over there - and it's another way for him to give Trump the finger.

Child #2 is due in a couple of weeks, so in the next 2-5 years I'd like to relocate with wife, two kids, my mom, and a dog or two. My wife can telework from anywhere in the world, so her employment isn't an issue. If I read the current rules correctly, they can stay with me on a long term visa if I have gainful employment. I'm guessing I'll rely on my audio engineering background and try a get a job with a broadcaster in or around Paris, Eurodisney, or a large hotel, of course if no qualified French person is up to the task. I'll probably be talking with the local French Consolate in the next couple of months to get the ball rolling, which takes an eon.

Can anyone from France chime in? Am I on the right track? Is this realistic? Can you offer me a job? Hook an American up. I'm a good one! Je parle français aussi!

 

[MacLeod]

So, a little backstory...5 years ago I honeymooned in Paris and Belgium and ever since I haven't been able to get over Paris (Belgium, meh). The more I've read about the history and people of Paris, the more I've fallen in love.

Flash forward 5 years later and Macron is supposedly trying to make it easier for us non-EUers to move over there - and it's another way for him to give Trump the finger.

Child #2 is due in a couple of weeks, so in the next 2-5 years I'd like to relocate with wife, two kids, my mom, and a dog or two. My wife can telework from anywhere in the world, so her employment isn't an issue. If I read the current rules correctly, they can stay with me on a long term visa if I have gainful employment. I'm guessing I'll rely on my audio engineering background and try a get a job with a broadcaster in or around Paris, Eurodisney, or a large hotel, of course if no qualified French person is up to the task.

I might be wrong but I suspect it's more a case of not just French people but other EU nationals would have priority for a job (assuming they are qulaifed) before looking in the rest of the world for new employees..

 

[Squiggy]

That's correct.

 

[scotpens]

I can't offer a job or any practical advice, but if you haven't already read it, I recommend you read Adam Gopnik's book Paris to the Moon. It's a wonderful collection of essays about his impressions of France, and Paris in particular, when he and his family lived there as American expatriates.

 

[Australis]

Calling @Shaytan ... calling @Shaytan ... and calling @Roshi ...

There's a Brit writer called Stephen Clarke who's written a series of novels, starting with A Year in the Merde and Merde Actually about a Brit called Paul West and the culture shock he experiences when he moves to France to set up a tea shop chain. Highly entertaining and possibly a hint of what you might experience.

 

[Squiggy]

I think the familiar alien-ness of France, and Paris in particular since honestly that's my only interaction is one of its biggest draws. The culture is different, but not horribly so. The police sirens aren't the same but I still know what they are. I recognize the letters on the signs even if I don't know what the word is. There's also a shared theme of "we were once a monarchy but we revolted and we're democratic now" that's attractive (even though they ate human bones, yolo).

I want the culture shock. I know I won't like all of it and I probably won't ever fully integrate into French society fully, but...that's life.

 

[Australis]

The police sirens aren't the same but I still know what they are.

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[Jedi_Master]

As long as there is a cooler full of ice-cold Keystone Light as part of the bargain and I don't have to carry any sleeper sofas, sure - I'll help you move.

 

[Kor]

If your current employer has operations in Europe, that may be another way in through a transfer, or if an American corporation in your chosen field is hiring someone to oversee operations in their European branch. Or something.

Kor

 

[Squiggy]

If your current employer has operations in Europe, that may be another way in through a transfer, or if an American corporation in your chosen field is hiring someone to oversee operations in their European branch. Or something.

Kor

I'm a real estate agent, so no. And since French real estate is totally different I'd probably have to go back to my previous job of being an audio engineer, preferably for an English broadcaster in the Paris Metro...or lacking that Eurodisney or the AV department for a hotel.

 

[UncleRogi]

I'll help you load the truck if beer and pizza are involved...
Seriously, if you're in real estate, one of my clients designs furniture, and is always playing with
Eurofolk about property to furnish. A long shot, but you might want to talk to companies in
Morganton, NC.
Just a heads-up.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Reposting from elsewhere on this board.

Some data and maps here:
http://www.meilleursagents.com/prix-immobilier/
https://www.thelocal.fr/20160518/new-map-reveals-paris-flat-prices-by-metro-station (35 square metres is quite small, especially for Americans I expect)
https://parispropertygroup.com/blog/2014/buy-home-surface-area-interactive-paris-real-estate-map/ (links somewhat broken)

 

[Australis]

Thought. A popular show on Brit TV is Escape To The Continent, where Brits retire to various countries including France. For which they will need someone who speaks English and is perhaps local. Yes, many people in France speak English, but it could be a foot in the door, having RE skills and English. You should enquire.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

You will need a fuckton of money for this.

Also be prepared for much smaller living conditions than your current nice new house.

Still, a grand adventure! My most important advice: don't burn any financial bridges, make sure you can go back in a few years without bankrupting your family.

If you don't already speak french start now

 

[Squiggy]

1. Housing: Yes. Smaller and more expensive. I also know refrigerators are tiny compared to ours and the TP is pink - for...some reason. It'd like to keep the rent to under 3500€ for a 3-4 bedroom flat. I figure if this is 5 years out I can save up about 50K with another 30K from the sale of my house here. Probably not enough for a downpayment but a nice headstart a few years afterwards.
2. Location. Given my skills, the Paris metro would have the best density of jobs.
3. THE WEATHER. My god it was 35C here with 90% humidity. I think it was 24 C and 40% in Paris today. Anything better than a swift kick to the balls is better than the weather is here in the summer.
4. I've described my French as "if I'm dropped in the middle of the wilderness I could probably not die". I read it better than speak it and I'm going to relearn it over the next few years.

 

[Squiggy]

Apologies for my curtness - was in the hospital all day yesterday. My daughter's 45 minute tonsillectomy at 11:15 turned into an overnight visit.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

As long as there is a cooler full of ice-cold Keystone Light as part of the bargain and I don't have to carry any sleeper sofas, sure - I'll help you move.

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[T'Bonz]

Apologies for my curtness - was in the hospital all day yesterday. My daughter's 45 minute tonsillectomy at 11:15 turned into an overnight visit.

Hope all is well now.

 

[Squiggy]

She's good...she's one of the 1 in 7 toddlers who don't come out of anesthesia well so they kept her for observation.

 

[T'Bonz]

Ugh...scary stuff.