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Top five tips for beginners moving to France

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25/05/2011Top five tips for beginners moving to France

Expat Audrey Hill writes on five important considerations when moving abroad to France, from language preparation to being equipped with the proper electronics.

Notes from an exiled Franglais: Moving to France

So you've decided you want to move to France. Congratulations, you are in for an exciting adventure. France is a culturally rich country with lovely landscapes and architecture, steeped in tradition yet uniquely modern. Countless tourists visit the country only to fall in love with it and later dream of living there for a period of time or even permanently. But that reality doesn't happen-and simply isn't plausible-for everybody. Here are some tips to consider before moving.

1. Identify a purpose.

What's driving your move there? Did you relocate to France with your current company, or were you offered a new job there? Are you going to study abroad in France as part of your university programme? Or are you planning on becoming an EFL teacher, getting certified and then teaching with an English school or private lessons? These are all valid reasons for a move to France, and if yours is one of these or another clear purpose, then it sounds like you are on the right track for your move.

2. Make sure you have a plan.

Now that you have a clear purpose for moving to France, how are you going to make it happen? Things to think about are: in what part of France are you planning to live? Do you already know the language, or do you need to brush up before you leave?

If you are not a citizen of the EU, is your employer going to provide you with a working visa once you get there, or do you need to get one yourself? If you're going to teach English, do you have your certification, or do you need to find a school to become certified in France? Are you going to find a place to rent or buy before you go, or are you going to stay in a hostel or hotel temporarily while you find a home?

Need to brush up on your Frence? Buy a French-English dictionary. Take a French class or two before you go, or practice with French-speaking friends. Or set up a language exchange once you get there. Language exchange is a great (and free) way to practice your conversational French, and also to meet potential friends in your new home.

Find a map of the city. Once you have narrowed down the city in which you want to live, do some research on the areas of town you may want to target, based on distance to work or school, proximity to public transport, restaurants, parks, etc. What neighbourhood offers the quality of life you are seeking?

Start house-hunting before you go. Consider a shared apartment if you're interested in saving money. Also weigh the value of renting a furnished place so that you can save the expense of shipping your own furniture to France. Through websites, you'll be able to set up some appointments -- or even find a place to live -- before you move. The more you can prepare before you leave, the easier your transition will be once you arrive.

3. Gadgets, Gadgets, Gadgets.

Let's face it. We're in the technology age, and you're not moving to a new country without being technologically prepared. Invest in a decent digital camera. Snapping photos or recording short videos is the easiest way to share your France experience with your family and friends at home, giving them a true peek into your new life.

Or even better, start a blog where you can post your photos and videos and write about people you meet and cultural differences you encounter in France.

Consider buying an unlocked mobile phone before you leave. That way, once you arrive in France, you can shop around between carriers for the best plan, and then simply buy a SIM card with the carrier you choose. Not only will you likely save money, but also if you travel to any other country for any length of time, you can buy a SIM card there with a different carrier and use it in the same phone.

If you're arriving from another country besides Europe, buy travel adaptors for any appliances or electronics you are taking (they won't work in France). And for your more valuable electronics, be sure to check the voltage conversion so that you don't destroy your laptop or MP3 player.

4. Protect your money.

If you're planning to live in France for over a year, consider transferring your bank account(s) to a French bank. This will save you ATM fees from cash withdrawals, and will simply be more convenient for deposits and day-to-day transactions. Some landlords will require that you make a transfer for your rent, and transferring from one French bank account to another is much easier (and cheaper) than paying for a wire transfer from your home bank.

Also, keep in mind that some banks will not only charge you ATM fees for cash withdrawals, but also a fee for every debit card transaction you make for purchases. If you plan on keeping your home bank as your primary account, make sure you talk to someone before you leave about the fees so that you know what to expect. Check out "Guide to banking in France" channel for additional information on the subject.

5. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

Look into buying health insurance for your time there if it isn't offered through your job. France has an excellent public healthcare system for routine illnesses and doctor visits, but should anything more serious occur to you during your time in France, it is never a bad idea to have supplemental health insurance.

Treat your move to France like any other move. Use common sense by brainstorming, making lists, and contacting friends who have experience moving to a new country. Anything you can do to prepare for your move ahead of time will obviously make your transition smoother and will minimize your "settling in" time. And the sooner you get settled, the sooner you can start to explore all France has to offer and truly begin to make it your new home.

Audrey Hill / Expatica

Audrey Hill is a writer and editor who has spent time living in and traveling Europe. She moved to Europe to study abroad and experience living and working abroad and soon settled as a private English teacher before moving back to the US in late 2007. You can read her Expat Voices profile here.