My husband’s company offered us a two year contract in 2018. We are still here. We first lived in Rennes moved to a small village in SW France. We love our life here. I was a nurse in the states and cannot practice here. We just got our new 4 year visa and are studying for citizenship. We want to stay here forever. ❤
Awww, I so agree with you, it is wonderful, no perfect but wonderful. I am so glad you are also enjoying the country and integrating yourselves so well, I can't wait for that to happen to us :) Thank you for your comment! and support!!!
J'adore! - Sister, I needed to see this tonight and hear you talk about, verbatim, what I'm currently going thru. I am a couple of years behind you, finally sleeping at La Chev for the last 3 weeks and questioning my sanity. Total decision fatigue, the visa, the legal entities, buying a vehicle, getting quotes from tradespeople, roofers, septic, plumbers, electricians, shopping for basics, buying appliances, selling a house in the US, banking, where do I shop, buying mattresses, sheets, towels, absolutely everything because all of my stuff is in Atlanta... and all while trying to learn a new language and BTW alone!!! Holy craperson, It's soooooo much... but just hearing you talk about it honestly, and from the other side of this big giant leap gives me enormous comfort. You rock!
Wow, you’re amazing! Taking this on alone is no small feat, and I completely understand how you’re feeling. The endless to-do list can feel overwhelming, with everything seeming urgent, and not knowing where to begin. Relying on others without fully knowing the language adds even more stress, it’s truly a lot to handle. I’m so glad this brings you comfort. My suggestion is to remember that this is more than just moving to a new country; you’re on a journey of self-discovery. If you stay connected to that original feeling and decision that led you here, it will help you through the challenging moments. And if you ask for support with an open heart, it will come. I promise. We're still juggling so much, and my French is still far from perfect, but I’m doing my best to stay true to myself. It will take as long as it takes, and I want to enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity. Wishing you strength, courage (which you already have, but a bit extra for when you need it), and lots of love. Thank you again for your support!
@@AnArtistsLifeYT Thanks for the reminder to trust the process. Something I truly believe in on a soul level...The force that pulled us here is still doing its magic even when it feels like drinking from a firehose while jumping from an airplane without a parachute! LOL. ! So happy you stepped into the limelight with your channel, your authenticity, passion, self awareness and commitment to personal evolution is very compelling. Lots of love back-atcha! I'm cheering you on, big time!
@@GoGoChateau Think of all the people who are getting to meet you because you need something. You're an ambassador for You. Life isn't supposed to be easy but because some of us have easy lives when it isn't...well, it isn't. We are here to learn. "Miles (kilometers) to go before we sleep."
Thank you so much!!! As if I didn’t already have enough on my plate 🤪, but in all seriousness, I’m genuinely excited to share and dive into this new chapter of my life. It’s all about embracing the real, raw experiences that come with squeezing every last drop out of life. It’s not always easy, and it’s rarely what you expect, but the journey is always worth it, no matter what. Thank you so much for the support!!!!
Hi Cecilia! What a wonderful video, loved the way it was naturally paced, where you spoke from your experience. This was very interesting, it's really helpful to hear about the realities of moving to another country. I think these are my favorite types of videos, something valuable to learn / consider. The easy part is thinking about the good parts. Too often it seems that there's not enough focus on the logic and technicalities of such a transition, and instead focus lies on the end result, leaving me to wonder what actually happened in between. Thank you for being so open about these experiences!
I'm so glad you found this helpful! For me, any story feels incomplete if it doesn’t include the internal experience, that’s really what matters most to me. So much of what we see out there feels detached from any real purpose, making it overly logical or lacking in depth. Taking this journey is about more than just moving, it can spark profound insights within, if we’re truly connected to it. These insights, unique to each person, carry valuable meaning, after all, they touch on the very essence of our existence. I really appreciate the support and kind comment :)
I really do enjoy your personality! You're a gem !! We are in the process of organizing our leave from the USA and omgosh the stress!!! Its overwhelming. We have a daughter overseas and like you we want to be close to our child, so the madness begins as we have just received our residence visas!
Absolutely! I totally understand what you're going through! Take a deep breath and try to relax, letting the answers come naturally. Trust that everything will work out, even if some things feel uncertain right now, it’s just a part of the journey and will pass. Remember, taking chances is such a meaningful, spiritual experience. Going after what we want is exactly what we’re here for, to learn, grow, and expand our consciousness. This is an amazing opportunity for you, and I’m genuinely excited for all the beautiful things you’ll discover along the way. Wishing you all the best! 😊
I love that you and your family share what life’s really like living abroad! I turned 18 in March and graduated in May, so I’ve been thinking a lot about my own future and have been leaning more towards the possibility of moving somewhere in Europe. I can’t wait to see more of your content. You're doing great. 💛💛
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!!! You should totally do it. An experience that will change your life :) I am so glad you are doing your research and absorbing as much as you can about what it is like :) Thank you for your comment :) and best of luck and wishes to you :)
Hello Cecelia, I love your “joie de vivre” as we say in French. I think what strikes me the most about what you said in your video is how you followed your intuition. You felt as though Portugal wasn’t the right fit for you and Josh and you both went with it instead of simply staying there. I admire your tenacity and your courage, both yours and your husband’s. You are radiant.
Wow, what a loving comment!! thank you so much, you are so thoughtful. Sometimes I think we are insane, and then we laugh and carry on :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
Bravissima - great to see you back in the feed and to admire your beautiful new home. This will be me next year hopefully, moving over from the U.K. I’ve lived in Italy, Spain and Nederlands but I’ve chosen France as my last stop!
You are such a natural in front of the camera! Cecelia you were born for this! Not only your journey and life living change but your ease in story telling and honesty is so inspiring on so many levels. Even me, being a creature of habit who has lived and still to this day lives in the same small NYC apartment for over 35 yrs ...this gives me the will and desire to make changes in my home and life. Thank you! xo Madelyn
Wow, what a kind sweet message, I so appreciate your energy and love. I am so grateful to be doing this, I am learning a lot as well :) I really appreciate your support!!! and encouragement :)
Back in 2017, my husband and I made the decision to move to France once I was ready to retire (at that point, we tentatively set the date for mid 2025 - my husband had taken early retirement already). We spent the years since discussing, researching and preparing for various aspects of moving to and living in France, including: the visa application process; applying for the French healthcare system; where to live; whether to rent or buy a home; and much more. For a variety of reasons, our timeline got moved forward almost a year, and I retired this past summer. So two weeks ago, we arrived in France as immigrants (rather than tourists). We are currently experiencing many of the things that you did when you first arrived. We are living in a smallish university city (city’s population is about 175,000) in an AirBnB for 3 months (and most likely will have to move to a different one in three months) while we get to know the neighborhoods better and look for an apartment to buy. Despite the challenges that we’ve already faced and those to come, we are so excited to have finally embarked on this new chapter in our lives.
I love this! We are planning on retiring in Italy. We are still in the research phase and trying to narrow down the region we want to be in. We are so excited. Thank you for sharing this.
Cecilia, i love this discussion! We live in Sausalito (just over the GG bridge from SF in California) and don’t want to move permanently but think about a second home in S of France (unless the election goes sideways and then we may reconsider) My question that nobody ever addresses is what is it like socially? Have you made friends? I know your husband made a video saying he doesn’t really need friends at this point in life but for those of us who are extremely social, i wonder about that aspect? I watch Nathaniel too, thanks for sharing your lives with us and giving us a glimpse into the reality of dream scenarios!
Thank you so much! I’m an extreme introvert, which means I don’t socialize a lot, even though I have no issue talking to anyone, I’m not shy at all! 😊 I’ll probably do a video on this. Honestly, I find it easier to make friends in small villages if you want to. We’ve been invited to plenty of events and parties, and while we’ve gone to a few, I truly enjoy my own company. The French are incredibly kind and have a strong sense of community, so rest assured, you’ll be warmly welcomed! 😊
So nice to get more of your story, moving from the US to France. I have followed your husband for years so I have seen parts of the journey, but not really understood how you got to the small community in France where you guys currently live. How lovely to be in Europe with your two sons. Keep the videos coming. They are so much fun to watch and always raise my energy.
With regard to storage, i moved from Down Under to Canada a very long time ago (24 years but who's counting... LOL) and I sold or gave away all my furniture, my books, my magazines and my appliances. The only things I kept and packed were my clothes and some kitchen utensils and bowels. I have one microwave set of dishes that i loved and I packed those. I am still using them 24 years later!!! As for storage, my boxes (of clothes and kitchen stuff) got taken down to the shipping company and placed into a shipping container 1 month before I was due to fly out to Canada. I was told they had to wait for more stuff that would fill the shipping container up and we all know big those things are. This specific container was earmarked for North America. Anyway the container had to get filled up before it could be shipped, so it might take a few weeks or months to arrive. I flew out to Canada in November after my wedding. The shipping container arrived in Los Angeles in February of the following year and my boxes arrived in Ontario in March. We had no trouble getting them released and back to the house where we were staying. Things actually worked out quite well for me. Probably because I was not shipping a ton of big furniture pieces like a couch or a piano.
I live abroad in Belgium with the US mil and there are still so many hoops despite the helping hand we receive, so i can only imagine the challenges that arise when you're doing it on your own! It's great to see how you and your husband have managed and I love how you both push yourselves to learn and push through. I wish my parents would be more open to traveling so kudos!
Hello Cecilia! I found your blog and I love it so far. I'm sure I'm here to stay for all the creative projects and your beautiful house interior design I'll be seeing in your blog. I also love your philosophy in life. I wish you all the best in your TH-cam blog. Can't wait to see the blog grow.
I wondered where your videos went!! Glad to see you back in my feed!! I’m moving to France, to a small town for writers and writing crafts called Montmorillon, near Poitiers. 😊 it’s just a small pied a terre for now. Might get a bigger place eventually, with garden for pets. Very excited to be moving back to Europe, where I grew up!
Haha, don’t forget to subscribe! 😉 Wow, it sounds like an incredible place, I looked at the photos, and it truly looks dreamy. Wishing you all the best on that amazing journey!
Loved your video Cecilia! I am in my fifties as well and my husband and I are looking to move to Italy. I’m in the process of getting my Italian citizenship through descent. I so appreciate your willingness to openly talk about your experience and look forward to your videos. I can appreciate how important it is to meditate and be comfortable listening to the silence, being a yoga instructor myself. But I get overwhelmed researching and finding how insane Italian bureaucracy is. So thank you so much for continuing to talk about your experience.❤
Wow, what an incredible opportunity! I’m so happy for you, you’re about to embark on an amazing adventure. As I mentioned in my video, this journey will stretch you in new ways, and that’s a beautiful thing. The key is to stay kind and patient with yourself. You’re stepping into a lot of unknowns, and even when seeking guidance from your higher self, it can be challenging to interpret the answers or quiet the ego. So, give yourself compassion and remember: this is more than just a move to a new country; it’s about living your truest, most fulfilling life! 😊
We are in the process of moving to the Island of Madeira in Portugal. OMG... the bureaucracy! Coordinating our arrival with our furnishings is proving impossible, making it likely we will be living in our basically empty new house for months. At so many points along the way, we have second-guessed our decisions. But you are right; being spiritually centered, resilient, and extremely patient keeps us moving forward. It's exciting to start this new chapter. Watching your journey has been very helpful.
Wow, how exciting, and yes, it can definitely be stressful too! Moving to a new country takes a lot of patience and trust. Stay persistent, and remember that in Europe, people often prefer in-person or phone conversations over emails and texts. So, if things get tricky, try reaching out the way they’re most comfortable with if you can. And during those challenging moments, keep the big picture in mind: this is such a beautiful, spiritual experience. It's a chance to grow, learn, and really exercise your intuition and heart. Embrace the joy and discovery along the way, this journey is truly a gift. With all my love, wishing you all the best! 🌍✨
I live in Madeira and I can understand how you feel. It was very challenging to get the visa, move, buy a property, and adjust. Be patient with yourself. Madeira is beautiful. I may not be here forever but will never regret moving here. I am also thinking about France as an alternative to Portugal but time will tell.
@@desertdweller8520 Thank you for your encouraging words. We arrive on January 4th. Our condo there closed today. It is an exciting and hectic time. PATIENCE is the key. (Not my best quality)
That what I want!! Currently trying to grow y channel so I can move to Europe - either Portugal or France - on a Talent or Digital nomad visa. I am Brazilian, so I did like the USA for the first 5 years here, I’m still here just moving along with life but I can’t say I’m truly happy here. I think life in Europe will be the perfect middle ground between Brazil and The USA. Congrats on your journey! I’ll subscribed and can’t wait to see where your new life in Europe takes you!
I love hearing your experience. I moved from US to UK in 2010. I now have a PhD in Life. 😂 So many learnings and lessons. Lows and highs. But I love it. And I’m a completely different person 15 years on, all thanks to the people I have met and the experiences I have had. Enjoy your new home. It’s stunning! xx
Thanks for sharing!! You are so sweet, thank you for the compliment :) and Congratulations of your adventure, I am so glad you also view life in such a wonderful way, even when things get hard it is worth living it :) With much gratitude, thank you for watching ;)
I’m in Rome right now for my first extended stay, this is my fourth time here and what you said is exactly why I keep coming back and am thinking of staying longer the next time. It’s a challenge but it’s a way to grow and learn more about what you can actually do plus I just love Italy it always feels like home somehow. Thanks for the advice and honesty 🤗
Thank you so much for your comment, definitely explore the possibility to move to Italy, but do planty of digging on what it will take. Wishing you the super best!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience. My wife and I have been following your adventure of moving to Europe for the past couple of years and we are considering retiring in Spain. One question for you about the practicalities of moving. I've found that some US banks and brokerage firms will either close your account (Citi Bank) or restrict management of your investment portfolio if you change your address to a local outside of the US. What do you do to manage your address for your US credit cards, Bank, and brokerage accounts. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for watching :) We have banking still in the USA and we were able to open a bank account here in France thanks to our son. It is very tricky to open a bank account, you will have to make sure to find a bank that deals with international clients (usually the larger banks) We have a mail service in the USA that is for people like us, who live abroad, it is a service that open receives the mail for you and then notifies you and if you need to have it scan they do it for you. I hope this helps, Best of luck to you on this amazing adventure!!!
Ha ha, yes, we share the same feelings but have our own unique experiences and observations. I am glad you found it helpful :) Thank you so much for the kind comment!!
Cecilia thank you for the update. I love France and I love your family. Together you can do anything. I look forward to your next post. Much love ! ❤❤❤
Your story of picking up and starting new reminds me of our family moving from Belgium and no English! And now it’s pulling me back to our familiar French life style.. love your videos❤️🙏
Wow, thank you! you are so sweet!!! what a kind thing to say. I just posted on my community a couple of links to a podcast my husband and I were invited to if you like to listen us talk more about our adventure and relationship :)
thank you for blessing us today with another wonderful video straight from your heart 🥹 we feel the love you put into it❤ thank you sooooo much Cecilia! xoxo 🥰
Wow, Cecilia, you look radiant! I've been following your journey for a while and some of Drew's as well. I remember your frustrations and disappointment in Portugal and how much food means to you all and the joy you found with the food in France. I'll have to check out Drew's move video and your home walk through. You guys have come so far and now you can immerse yourselves in your new environment 🎉❤❤❤
I love hearing about your move to France, Cecilia. Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to France from Canada & the U.S. but France's visas make it a bit challenging to earn a living there. It's hard to take the leap without knowing what to expect financially on the other end. I take it you're currently on the Long Stay Visitor visa? And is the other visa you'll be eligible for after 2 years "profession libérale"? Thanks again for the insight and inspiration!
Thank you so much for watching! 😊 And yes, you're absolutely right about the visas. When we received our Portuguese visas, we were able to work, which was perfect for us since I'm a creative director in graphic design and a jewelry maker. But when we decided to switch to France, we knew it would be challenging, yet totally possible, given that both my husband and I can work remotely. Now, we're in the final stretch, waiting for the "profession libérale" working visas, as you mentioned. We’ve completed the two-year residency requirement, so we're excited to finally be eligible to apply. Thank you for your support, it’s been quite the journey, and we’re so grateful for every step forward!
Cecilia I love you and your family. I am following your son since he went to Mexico. Great admiration for your courage, it’s not an easy process even for a smart people like you all. Keep smiling and everything will go your way. Success!
I’ve followed your journey from the beginning. I’ve been looking at both Portugal and France for the past 3 years. If I was to pick on house styles, it would absolutely be France. But Portugal offers a more diverse growing season, like California. I wish I could have both. Still more exploring to be done since it will be 5-7 years before I go. For now I live vicariously through others that have made the move. ❤
Thank you so much for the follow!!! I am glad you are doing a lot of research and yes every place has it charm. You will know once you travel and experience each one :) Thank you for your support!!!
Cecilia, this episode is so timely for me! My partner and I are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the US presidential election and planning a move to France, depending on the result. We originally considered Spain as I was born in Cuba and speak fluent Spanish, but taxes there make it impossible. So now we are looking at either Nice or somewhere near Paris, as you have done. However, I'm concerned about the impacts of climate change and wonder if you have any insights on droughts and flooding in your area or elsewhere in France.
I totally hear you! We also considered the climate change impacts, which is why we decided against the south of France. It’s stunning but dealing with droughts is a serious concern. The center of France still lags a bit in modernization, and outside the big cities, medical deserts are a real issue. Choosing to live outside Paris was an easy decision for us, and it’s incredible having such convenient access to one of the most culturally rich cities in the world! I’m planning a video soon to share what life is like in our area and how easy it is to go to Paris and back in a day. Wishing you all the best on your journey, and thank you so much for the support! 😊
@@AnArtistsLifeYT I was wondering how the healthcare system in France and particularly where you live in the countryside works. Does your village have EMS services and how far is the closest hospital? As a retired critical care nurse I know time is of the essence particularly for heart attacks and stroke. Do you have to travel into Paris to see doctors or are there medical practices near your village? I feel these are important things to consider if one plans to live their elder years in France. I have followed your whole journey from the start and I give you and your husband a lot of credit for getting through the chaos and your still married! LOL P.S., be happy your not here in the U.S. for the election!
I completely understand where you're coming from. We are also considering moving to another country depending on the outcome of the election. So sad it's come to this.
love your videos and your style (same age, having exactly the same thoughts where to live, also lived in Paris for 4 years...) but I really love your blouse... would you share what brand it is? Merci beaucoup!
Thank you so much!!! The blouse on the thumbnail is from this boutique: bylenaetlola.com/collections/blouses/products/chemise-catherina and the one in the video is from LaRedoute www.laredoute.fr/ppdp/prod-601362578.aspx I hope this helps :)
Hola, Cecilia. Recién te encuentro. Yo también crecí en Mar del Plata. Y soy artista. Viviendo en los EU por miles de años. Pensando en irme. Gracias por tus videos tan cálidos . Abrazo
Hola Carmen, ¡qué lindo que me encontraste! Y qué maravilla que hayas crecido en Mar del Plata. No sé qué edad tenés, pero yo me fui de allí a los 18 años para estudiar en la universidad en California, donde conocí a mi esposo. Bueno, si estás pensando en dejar Estados Unidos, me imagino que ya sabes el esfuerzo que conlleva, pero entiendo completamente, siendo artista, la tentación y el deseo de tal vez buscar otro horizonte. Te deseo de todo corazón lo mejor. Por aquí seguiré compartiendo cómo es vivir en Francia, cerca de París. Con carino muchas gracias por tu mensaje :)
I have loved watching your husband's channel and the journey you two have been on thus far. You both have documented your experience so well and I'm sure you are so happy to be settled at long last! I love the area you have chosen as it seems to encompass your interests and lifestyle. Plus who wouldn't want to live just outside Paris!!! My husband and I moved 3 years ago from Eastern to Western Canada and we thought that was tough...we lived out of hotels and Airbnbs for over 4 months, but I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to move to an entirely new country where you don't speak the language! You are so adventurous (not to mention brave) and that's what I love about your channel! Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us - it's so appreciated! :)
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s been incredibly challenging, but also so rewarding and genuinely fun. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to do what we’ve done and to continue this journey. Everything fell into place so perfectly, and with our spiritual practice, we were able to navigate some very intimidating decisions with a calm and steady approach. I’m thrilled that you embarked on your own adventure, too. Even if it was tough, I’m sure it taught you a lot about yourself. I hope you’re now enjoying the rewards of all that hard work and finding time to relax. Here’s to the next adventure, thank you again!
My husband got a job offer in Germany in 2018, so while he was in Germany and I came to Italy for my citizenship, I rented a house and I stayed with my three dogs while he was in Germany, after he retired he moved here and we decided to stay, now we are living the Dolce Vita! Best decision ever.
Hi Cecilia🤗Just want to say how much I enjoy listening to you tell your stories. I'm subscribed and I always give you a thumbs up. I want to spread the word on your new channel! I watch your husband's and your son's channels as well. You are an absolute sweetheart and I wish you all the best!😊🇨🇦
I always wondered how you felt leaving your gorgeous place in Oregon. I can imagine a lot of people would follow the feelings of not wanting to leave because of all the work they put in to make such a beautiful home. But now you are building another beautiful home in France and that experience is so inspiring to me.
It was really hard, but I knew that leaving was essential. I grew so much from the experience, learning at a deeper level how to let go of precious things for what truly matters, my relationship with myself and my loved ones. Now I have the opportunity to reinvent a new home. I miss my Oregon home deeply and am incredibly grateful for the experience of building it and enjoying it for so many years. Thank you so much for your support.
Thank you for sharing, Cecelia! It's helpful! 😃 I'm looking at France, Portugal, and a few other places, and the fact that you and Josh ruled out Portugal gives me pause because I seem to share a lot of your preferences. I would be renting a small flat vs. buying, though, which seems WAY easier. A question I have is do you think Coimbra (and Portugal in general) might have been more appealing if you'd had a better housing experience to start? I love the intellectual life of university towns and living around lots of trees, but I can see how being stuck in a long-term rental with students partying all night & windows that don't close could sour one's experience! 😬😵💫 I'm so glad you persisted and found your beautiful home in France! : - ) ❤ P.S. You're being so modest about how you helped Nathan remodel his home in Paris. The changes you suggested for his kitchen were gorgeous!! 😍
Thank you for watching! :) I’m glad to see you doing your research and asking questions, this is a big endeavor, after all. Living somewhere, as opposed to just visiting, is a completely different experience. Renting in Portugal tends to be a bit easier than in France, unless you're considering Airbnb, which is indeed quite straightforward in both places. I agree that staying in the old town of Coimbra wasn’t the best choice for us, but we aimed to be centrally located to explore both the north and south for potential living spots. Ultimately, it helped us realize that Portugal wasn’t the right fit for us. Thank you so much for the kind compliment! I truly enjoyed working on that apartment, and it was a pleasure to see it come together.
Hola Cecilia! felicidades por tu canal. He visto su historia a través de los videos del canal que filma tu esposo. Geniales! Veo que han tenido un proceso largo con el tema de las visas para Portugal y Francia, no han considerado aplicar a ciudadania Española o Italiana por descendencia? así se quitan todo ese tramite y pueden andar libres por Europa. Mucho éxito!!
Ha ha, you are correct, for the first year we had the international driver license, but for this second year, my husband who is a much confident driver and better with french took the french driving test, all in french and passed gloriously :) I am currently studying for mine, but honestly going very slow :(, but the plan is to pass it as well, I might share the journey :)
Thank you for watching, We started with long term visitor visas, where you can live here for a year but you can not work, but trying to switch to long term with self employed visitor visa, but still waiting for an answer on that. I hope this helps :)
Thank you for your honest account of your international move, Cecilia. It's great to hear realistic experiences. I am an EU dual citizen born and bred in Australia. My husband and I will be making the move to Europe in the next 18 months, and even without the headache of visas, there is soooo much to prepare for. We also have 4 furbabies that will be coming with us, and I want to make their transition as smooth as possible. Thankfully I've found a private charter company that will fly us from Australia with our cats and dog in the cabin with us, but it's not a direct flight. It's exhausting just thinking about it. Because there's not much I can do to push things along, tonight I signed up for a language course to prepare myself so at least I'll be fluent when I land.
Thank you so much for your comment :) Wishing you the super best with the move, I am so glad your fur babies are small to be able to be with you, it is less stressful that way. Just in case, because this was a bit of a surprise to me, and I don't know the logistics from Australia, but you need certain certification to be able to enter France with your animals. In the USA was documents from the department of agriculture, and it is paper work that needs to be done by a registered veterinarian. In any case, best of luck, and thank you so much for your support!!!!
This video deeply resonated with me. My husband and I left the US nearly 2 years ago to live in Ecuador. Eighteen months into that "adventure," we realized Ecuador just isn't for us. We decided to try Europe by way of Bulgaria and came back to the US for three months to decompress while we applied for our Bulgarian D visas. I gotta tell ya, we are two months into our "decompression" stage and it's anything but! Our family has had a death and a substantial medical event, and our paid visa agent has been less than ideally communicative. I'm telling my husband I have no emotional bandwith left to oversee this process. It's just exhausting. I noticed you have a dog. Did you bring it back and forth with you on these trips? We have two cats and the expense and stress of getting them over there is the worst.
I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your family member, and I completely understand the frustration that comes with relying on others, such as visa agents, especially when communication breaks down and it feels out of your control. We're currently navigating visa issues ourselves, so I can empathize with your situation. It’s essential to take the time you need to center yourself and reflect. Consider sitting quietly each day, without expectations of a clear or immediate answer, and simply pose the question that’s on your heart. Remain open to receiving the response in whatever form it may come and be mindful of the subtle signals the universe often provides, signals we sometimes overlook. There have certainly been moments when I’ve questioned our path and even our sanity, especially when fear and insecurity creep in. However, those moments are rare, and most of the time, I’m grateful for living courageously and minimizing regrets. This past week was particularly challenging for me, and I felt out of sorts, but I reminded myself that negative thoughts will pass once I let go and allow reality to unfold as it is. My mind tends to amplify worries, but the truth is often much less daunting. I hope this resonates with you, and I’m sending my best wishes your way! and thank you for watching :)
Our two experiences have many similarities. My husband and I retired and we moved from Australia to Europe. A calling! And yes we experienced the same types of emotions, highs and lows but we have no regrets. We have a home in Italy but have been exploring France for the past 2 years with the aim of eventually moving there. Our next area to explore is Ile de France and we're hoping to find a base around Montfort l'Amury. If you are happy to recommend the property you leased for a while there we'd be very grateful. Best wishes Maria
Hello! Thank you so much for watching, and I’m glad to hear you feel the same way. It's challenging, but definitely worth it when it’s for the right reasons. Montfort-l'Amaury is a truly beautiful area, though prices continue to climb, and the competition is fierce. I believe that with patience, you can achieve it. Perhaps by the time you arrive in France, the situation may improve. I’ll look up the place we visited and send you the details as soon as I find them. Wishing you all the best, and thank you again for your support!
Wonderful ... I love the story of your journeys and the way you excite our imagination with possibilities and a true honesty. garder la France dans nos coeurs .. -Daniel (Paris)
👋 Hi I just found your channel! I want to know so much about moving to Europe! My husband left me last year after 37yrs of marriage. My adult kids want to move to Europe also! They’re 26 yrs old & 27. We would have moved already but I have an older horse who would not survive being moved over there. She is 26yrs old (same as my daughter). So next year or year after. When she(my horse) moves to “permanent pasture” 😢 So, any advice to have at least 1 yr to prepare 😊
Hello, I am glad you found my channel and thank you for watching. You are being presented with an incredible opportunity for this new stage in your life, and that is exciting, my advise would be to EDIT as many things as possible, donate, sell and throw away as much as you are able. Do as much research as you can about the different countries you are drawn to, to narrow your decision, and start a meditation practice, you will need a lot of inner guidance navigating a move to a new continent :) I hope this helps and thank you for the support!!!
I have an Argentine exchange student sister. I have been to Argentina once. Had the opportunity to visit Mer del Plata. I love Argentina. Once retire , I hope to visit for as long as my tourist permits allow.
I love this style of video (I love ALL your videos). please definitely feel free to do more videos where you sit down and discuss a subject in depth. you have so much wisdom to share and I feel like a little grasshopper learning so much from you hehe. also, I moved out of the USA a few years ago so the things you share about your journey honestly feels so validating for me because I've gone through it myself and still continue to do so 🥹 I feel like I'm not alone, you know? 🥲
Hi, thank you for sharing your story. :) I would love to hear about your experience in France so far. I was also wondering about the health system in France. We live in the Czech Republic and are considering moving to France in the future.
I will definitely bring that up, as we’ve noticed that the healthcare system is not as strong as it once was. There is a growing issue with what are called “medical deserts” throughout the country, and even in major cities, getting timely appointments with specialists can be challenging. I believe that, globally, the healthcare system is facing significant challenges. That said, I can tell you that, in comparison to the U.S., it is still far more affordable here, even with private insurance. Thank you for watching :)
Wow! I am exhausted just listening to all that you folks did to finally arrive at where you are. I hope Nathaniel's new fixer upper is close to you! My experience in life is that once you know what you want to do...then if you fix your mind like a laser beam on the end goal and not on how you arrive or even what the exact end is then it can happen. You just put on foot in front of the other and then you know what the next step is. There is a Sanskrit sutra that begins "Padam padam..." Step by step.... It is like driving in fog when you can only see a few yards in front and then another. So happy that you found a wonderful home but I won't say your forever home:)
Haha, yes, looking back, it’s amazing to see our journey. Every time those memories come to mind, I feel such joy. I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced this and don’t take it for granted. But yes, it was exhausting, and we’re still recovering! :) and crazy as it sounds, I agree with you about the house, who knows what will happen, we are a bit crazy for sure :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
Thank you so much! no I never shared the making of my home in the US, I am an extreme introvert (not shy at all) so that was not something I considered back then, but my entire family is in TH-cam (husband, and two sons) and they all encourage me to do this, and I am so glad because I am surprise how much fun I am having :)
That has indeed been the challenge. We initially started with Portugal because it allowed us to obtain a long-term visitor visa with work permissions. However, as I mentioned, we later pivoted to France, where we are currently on a non-working long-term visitor visa. At the moment, we're working to transition to a self-employed visa, as we both have professions we can manage from home. We’ve been able to make this possible through careful saving and conscious spending. I hope this explains it better :) thank you for watching :)
Cecilia, It was good to hear your story again. I picked up a few details that I had not heard before, mainly about your youngest son. I didn’t realize he was the one who had gone to Portugal. For some reason I thought he was still in the U.S. and attending university. One question I’ve had and that was whether you had considered Spain and, if so, why you did not choose to move there. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Haha, well, now you know the scoop! 😊 We never considered Spain, even though we speak the language, because Portugal initially appealed to us with its work friendly visa. But when I visited my son in Paris, I was smitten! the food, the visuals, the language, that was just the cherry on top. :) Thank you for your support!
Thank you for mentioning it’s expensive as well as mentally taxing. So many on YT who have left the US gloss over the expense of doing so. I have wanted to emigrate for years but sadly made a lot of financial missteps that make it financially impossible at this point in my life. Travel is still in the cards though and maybe even retiring there if I stay disciplined. 65 is only 9 years away for me.
Thank you so much!!! you are very sweet! I agree there is such little mention of what it takes to move to a new country and that it might not be for everyone. Don't worry, when the right moment comes to move you will know it, stay focus on the the goal and it will happen :)
Oh my god you’re Nathaniel’s mom 😍🥰🙌🏽🙌🏽 I recognized your face immediately - so happy to get to know a part of your life on here TH-cam. What a beautiful journey this must be for you to navigate online, with your son’s guidance I imagine. Can’t wait to dive into your channel ❤
It took us a bit of time to figure it out, but considering what went went through we feel we got super lucky. All things are replaceable but not missing experiences and not living to the fullest, even if we are afraid, is more important.Thank you for the caring :)
Tell me about learning French. I know a few phrases and words but certainly do not understand too much! Is there a literacy test to get a permanent visa! I know in Portugal there is a basic literacy test in order to live there. I’d be coming as a retiree. So, different than working there! A digital nomad visa wouldn’t work for me. Thank you! Just started following your son and now, you!
I love your videos! And your move story. I want to move abroad ❤ me and my husband were going to try living in France for six months but we could not get a visa to stay more than 90 days😢. So we have to return now to the US. I’m so disappointed. It sounds like you have enough money, which makes everything so much easier ❤
I am so sorry it didn't work out, but don't give up. We saved for a long time and sold our home and everything we owned, so yes that helped a ton, but now we are dealing with the bureaucracy of changing to working visas, and that has new challenges. I wish you the best, and thank you for watching :)
Wait…you’re exploring France now, outside of Paris, but in the meantime, where were you living after selling you CA home, and what visa did you get that allowed you to stay in the town outside of Paris for 4 months! Passports only allow 3 months, and up to this point you haven’t mentioned getting any visa, either for France or Portugal. How are you doing all this back and forth without a place to live or a visa?
Votre mari et vous semblez reposés et en forme. La vie dans la campagne française semble vous réussir à merveille. Bon courage à vous pour terminer l’agencement de votre maison afin qu’elle soit enfin à votre goût et le reflet de votre personnalité. Je vous souhaite de vous y sentir bien et heureux pendant longtemps.
Thanks for such an interesting view on relocating. What i wish to know is did you make new french friends ? Once the french know you are there for good are they welcoming ? Curious tnx tc
Thank you so much! Funny you ask, I’m actually an extreme introvert. I’m not shy at all; I feel completely comfortable talking to strangers and can chat about almost anything. That said, I’m not really looking to socialize much beyond the courteous, casual interactions that come with living in a small village. We've been invited to quite a few social events and have attended most of them, but I find myself immediately drained afterward. I prefer small, intimate gatherings that are short and sweet. So, I’m actually very content with the socializing I’ve done lately! I also want to add that the people here are incredibly warm and welcoming, it's such a lovely culture.
Love watching your videos and watching your face!!...so expressive!! Then your husband..."everyone is nice but shit doesn't get done!" Just tell it like it is!!...thoroughly enjoyable!!
If you are from Mar del Plata, why not consider moving to Nice or French Riviera area? That would elevate to a higher level your Argentine city experience. (Can’t compare!).
I’m not a fan of hot climates, but I love the rain and lush, green landscapes. I did extensive research on climate change and other issues like medical deserts, and staying near my son was important to me. For all those reasons, we chose this area, and we’re really happy with our decision! 😊
Have you thought about looking at this from a different perspective? You absolutely can do this, just make the decision to go for it with confidence! Once you commit, the universe has a way of stepping in to guide you and help things fall into place. Trust in yourself and believe, it’s amazing what can happen when you do! I am cheering for you :)
My husband’s company offered us a two year contract in 2018. We are still here. We first lived in Rennes moved to a small village in SW France. We love our life here. I was a nurse in the states and cannot practice here. We just got our new 4 year visa and are studying for citizenship. We want to stay here forever. ❤
Awww, I so agree with you, it is wonderful, no perfect but wonderful. I am so glad you are also enjoying the country and integrating yourselves so well, I can't wait for that to happen to us :) Thank you for your comment! and support!!!
Felicitations. Quelle bonne décision !
J'adore! - Sister, I needed to see this tonight and hear you talk about, verbatim, what I'm currently going thru. I am a couple of years behind you, finally sleeping at La Chev for the last 3 weeks and questioning my sanity. Total decision fatigue, the visa, the legal entities, buying a vehicle, getting quotes from tradespeople, roofers, septic, plumbers, electricians, shopping for basics, buying appliances, selling a house in the US, banking, where do I shop, buying mattresses, sheets, towels, absolutely everything because all of my stuff is in Atlanta... and all while trying to learn a new language and BTW alone!!! Holy craperson, It's soooooo much... but just hearing you talk about it honestly, and from the other side of this big giant leap gives me enormous comfort. You rock!
Wow, you’re amazing! Taking this on alone is no small feat, and I completely understand how you’re feeling. The endless to-do list can feel overwhelming, with everything seeming urgent, and not knowing where to begin. Relying on others without fully knowing the language adds even more stress, it’s truly a lot to handle. I’m so glad this brings you comfort. My suggestion is to remember that this is more than just moving to a new country; you’re on a journey of self-discovery. If you stay connected to that original feeling and decision that led you here, it will help you through the challenging moments. And if you ask for support with an open heart, it will come. I promise. We're still juggling so much, and my French is still far from perfect, but I’m doing my best to stay true to myself. It will take as long as it takes, and I want to enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity. Wishing you strength, courage (which you already have, but a bit extra for when you need it), and lots of love. Thank you again for your support!
@@AnArtistsLifeYT Thanks for the reminder to trust the process. Something I truly believe in on a soul level...The force that pulled us here is still doing its magic even when it feels like drinking from a firehose while jumping from an airplane without a parachute! LOL. ! So happy you stepped into the limelight with your channel, your authenticity, passion, self awareness and commitment to personal evolution is very compelling. Lots of love back-atcha! I'm cheering you on, big time!
@@GoGoChateau Think of all the people who are getting to meet you because you need something. You're an ambassador for You. Life isn't supposed to be easy but because some of us have easy lives when it isn't...well, it isn't. We are here to learn. "Miles (kilometers) to go before we sleep."
@@destinydeems Amen Sister!!! Love You!
OMG! I didnt know you started your own channel! This makes me so happy!
Thank you so much!!! As if I didn’t already have enough on my plate 🤪, but in all seriousness, I’m genuinely excited to share and dive into this new chapter of my life. It’s all about embracing the real, raw experiences that come with squeezing every last drop out of life. It’s not always easy, and it’s rarely what you expect, but the journey is always worth it, no matter what. Thank you so much for the support!!!!
Hi Cecilia! What a wonderful video, loved the way it was naturally paced, where you spoke from your experience. This was very interesting, it's really helpful to hear about the realities of moving to another country. I think these are my favorite types of videos, something valuable to learn / consider. The easy part is thinking about the good parts. Too often it seems that there's not enough focus on the logic and technicalities of such a transition, and instead focus lies on the end result, leaving me to wonder what actually happened in between. Thank you for being so open about these experiences!
I'm so glad you found this helpful! For me, any story feels incomplete if it doesn’t include the internal experience, that’s really what matters most to me. So much of what we see out there feels detached from any real purpose, making it overly logical or lacking in depth. Taking this journey is about more than just moving, it can spark profound insights within, if we’re truly connected to it. These insights, unique to each person, carry valuable meaning, after all, they touch on the very essence of our existence. I really appreciate the support and kind comment :)
I just moved to France this year. I love your family’s videos. Great job!
Welcome!!! how exciting!!!, thank you so much for the kind comment!
I really do enjoy your personality! You're a gem !!
We are in the process of organizing our leave from the USA and omgosh the stress!!! Its overwhelming. We have a daughter overseas and like you we want to be close to our child, so the madness begins as we have just received our residence visas!
Absolutely! I totally understand what you're going through! Take a deep breath and try to relax, letting the answers come naturally. Trust that everything will work out, even if some things feel uncertain right now, it’s just a part of the journey and will pass. Remember, taking chances is such a meaningful, spiritual experience. Going after what we want is exactly what we’re here for, to learn, grow, and expand our consciousness. This is an amazing opportunity for you, and I’m genuinely excited for all the beautiful things you’ll discover along the way. Wishing you all the best! 😊
I love that you and your family share what life’s really like living abroad! I turned 18 in March and graduated in May, so I’ve been thinking a lot about my own future and have been leaning more towards the possibility of moving somewhere in Europe. I can’t wait to see more of your content. You're doing great. 💛💛
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!!! You should totally do it. An experience that will change your life :) I am so glad you are doing your research and absorbing as much as you can about what it is like :) Thank you for your comment :) and best of luck and wishes to you :)
Hello Cecelia,
I love your “joie de vivre” as we say in French. I think what strikes me the most about what you said in your video is how you followed your intuition. You felt as though Portugal wasn’t the right fit for you and Josh and you both went with it instead of simply staying there. I admire your tenacity and your courage, both yours and your husband’s. You are radiant.
Wow, what a loving comment!! thank you so much, you are so thoughtful. Sometimes I think we are insane, and then we laugh and carry on :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
Bravissima - great to see you back in the feed and to admire your beautiful new home. This will be me next year hopefully, moving over from the U.K. I’ve lived in Italy, Spain and Nederlands but I’ve chosen France as my last stop!
That is wonderful!!! best of luck to you and your journey, thank you so much for the kind words!!!
You are such a natural in front of the camera! Cecelia you were born for this! Not only your journey and life living change but your ease in story telling and honesty is so inspiring on so many levels. Even me, being a creature of habit who has lived and still to this day lives in the same small NYC apartment for over 35 yrs ...this gives me the will and desire to make changes in my home and life. Thank you! xo Madelyn
Wow, what a kind sweet message, I so appreciate your energy and love. I am so grateful to be doing this, I am learning a lot as well :) I really appreciate your support!!! and encouragement :)
Back in 2017, my husband and I made the decision to move to France once I was ready to retire (at that point, we tentatively set the date for mid 2025 - my husband had taken early retirement already). We spent the years since discussing, researching and preparing for various aspects of moving to and living in France, including: the visa application process; applying for the French healthcare system; where to live; whether to rent or buy a home; and much more.
For a variety of reasons, our timeline got moved forward almost a year, and I retired this past summer. So two weeks ago, we arrived in France as immigrants (rather than tourists). We are currently experiencing many of the things that you did when you first arrived. We are living in a smallish university city (city’s population is about 175,000) in an AirBnB for 3 months (and most likely will have to move to a different one in three months) while we get to know the neighborhoods better and look for an apartment to buy.
Despite the challenges that we’ve already faced and those to come, we are so excited to have finally embarked on this new chapter in our lives.
Wow, congratulation on making it happen, and good luck with this exciting adventure, I wish you all the best and more. thank you for watching :)
This was great. I would definately be interested in hearing more in future videos.
Thank you so much! More to come! I super appreciate the support!!!
I love this! We are planning on retiring in Italy. We are still in the research phase and trying to narrow down the region we want to be in. We are so excited. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much!!! and best wishes on your adventure :) and thank you for the support!!!
Bonjour! We love your videos. Your journey inspired us. Our VLS-TS Visa appointment is on December 2nd in Seattle. Merci. Dean et Cindy
Awww, thank you so much, I am so glad you find the channel inspirational, I am very grateful for your kind comment and support!!!
Cecilia, i love this discussion! We live in Sausalito (just over the GG bridge from SF in California) and don’t want to move permanently but think about a second home in S of France (unless the election goes sideways and then we may reconsider) My question that nobody ever addresses is what is it like socially? Have you made friends? I know your husband made a video saying he doesn’t really need friends at this point in life but for those of us who are extremely social, i wonder about that aspect? I watch Nathaniel too, thanks for sharing your lives with us and giving us a glimpse into the reality of dream scenarios!
Thank you so much! I’m an extreme introvert, which means I don’t socialize a lot, even though I have no issue talking to anyone, I’m not shy at all! 😊 I’ll probably do a video on this. Honestly, I find it easier to make friends in small villages if you want to. We’ve been invited to plenty of events and parties, and while we’ve gone to a few, I truly enjoy my own company. The French are incredibly kind and have a strong sense of community, so rest assured, you’ll be warmly welcomed! 😊
So nice to get more of your story, moving from the US to France. I have followed your husband for years so I have seen parts of the journey, but not really understood how you got to the small community in France where you guys currently live. How lovely to be in Europe with your two sons. Keep the videos coming. They are so much fun to watch and always raise my energy.
Awww, I am so touched, thank you so much!!! such nice comment!! much appreciated :)
With regard to storage, i moved from Down Under to Canada a very long time ago (24 years but who's counting... LOL) and I sold or gave away all my furniture, my books, my magazines and my appliances. The only things I kept and packed were my clothes and some kitchen utensils and bowels. I have one microwave set of dishes that i loved and I packed those. I am still using them 24 years later!!! As for storage, my boxes (of clothes and kitchen stuff) got taken down to the shipping company and placed into a shipping container 1 month before I was due to fly out to Canada. I was told they had to wait for more stuff that would fill the shipping container up and we all know big those things are. This specific container was earmarked for North America.
Anyway the container had to get filled up before it could be shipped, so it might take a few weeks or months to arrive. I flew out to Canada in November after my wedding. The shipping container arrived in Los Angeles in February of the following year and my boxes arrived in Ontario in March. We had no trouble getting them released and back to the house where we were staying. Things actually worked out quite well for me. Probably because I was not shipping a ton of big furniture pieces like a couch or a piano.
Thank you for your sharing and for watching :)
I live abroad in Belgium with the US mil and there are still so many hoops despite the helping hand we receive, so i can only imagine the challenges that arise when you're doing it on your own! It's great to see how you and your husband have managed and I love how you both push yourselves to learn and push through. I wish my parents would be more open to traveling so kudos!
Thank you so much for your sharing and kind words. Yes to all you said, but I am so glad we did it :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
Hello Cecilia! I found your blog and I love it so far. I'm sure I'm here to stay for all the creative projects and your beautiful house interior design I'll be seeing in your blog. I also love your philosophy in life. I wish you all the best in your TH-cam blog. Can't wait to see the blog grow.
Thank you so much!!! what a lovely comment!!! You are very kind, thank you for the support!!!
I wondered where your videos went!! Glad to see you back in my feed!! I’m moving to France, to a small town for writers and writing crafts called Montmorillon, near Poitiers. 😊 it’s just a small pied a terre for now. Might get a bigger place eventually, with garden for pets. Very excited to be moving back to Europe, where I grew up!
Haha, don’t forget to subscribe! 😉 Wow, it sounds like an incredible place, I looked at the photos, and it truly looks dreamy. Wishing you all the best on that amazing journey!
Loved your video Cecilia! I am in my fifties as well and my husband and I are looking to move to Italy. I’m in the process of getting my Italian citizenship through descent. I so appreciate your willingness to openly talk about your experience and look forward to your videos. I can appreciate how important it is to meditate and be comfortable listening to the silence, being a yoga instructor myself. But I get overwhelmed researching and finding how insane Italian bureaucracy is. So thank you so much for continuing to talk about your experience.❤
Wow, what an incredible opportunity! I’m so happy for you, you’re about to embark on an amazing adventure. As I mentioned in my video, this journey will stretch you in new ways, and that’s a beautiful thing. The key is to stay kind and patient with yourself. You’re stepping into a lot of unknowns, and even when seeking guidance from your higher self, it can be challenging to interpret the answers or quiet the ego. So, give yourself compassion and remember: this is more than just a move to a new country; it’s about living your truest, most fulfilling life! 😊
We are in the process of moving to the Island of Madeira in Portugal. OMG... the bureaucracy! Coordinating our arrival with our furnishings is proving impossible, making it likely we will be living in our basically empty new house for months. At so many points along the way, we have second-guessed our decisions. But you are right; being spiritually centered, resilient, and extremely patient keeps us moving forward. It's exciting to start this new chapter. Watching your journey has been very helpful.
Wow, how exciting, and yes, it can definitely be stressful too! Moving to a new country takes a lot of patience and trust. Stay persistent, and remember that in Europe, people often prefer in-person or phone conversations over emails and texts. So, if things get tricky, try reaching out the way they’re most comfortable with if you can.
And during those challenging moments, keep the big picture in mind: this is such a beautiful, spiritual experience. It's a chance to grow, learn, and really exercise your intuition and heart. Embrace the joy and discovery along the way, this journey is truly a gift. With all my love, wishing you all the best! 🌍✨
I live in Madeira and I can understand how you feel. It was very challenging to get the visa, move, buy a property, and adjust. Be patient with yourself. Madeira is beautiful. I may not be here forever but will never regret moving here. I am also thinking about France as an alternative to Portugal but time will tell.
@@desertdweller8520 Thank you for your encouraging words. We arrive on January 4th. Our condo there closed today. It is an exciting and hectic time. PATIENCE is the key. (Not my best quality)
That what I want!! Currently trying to grow y channel so I can move to Europe - either Portugal or France - on a Talent or Digital nomad visa. I am Brazilian, so I did like the USA for the first 5 years here, I’m still here just moving along with life but I can’t say I’m truly happy here. I think life in Europe will be the perfect middle ground between Brazil and The USA. Congrats on your journey! I’ll subscribed and can’t wait to see where your new life in Europe takes you!
This was wonderful Cecilia - exactly what I needed to hear!
AWWWW, thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed it :) I so appreciate the kind comment!!!
Great video! So many good tips. I'd love to see more of your jewelry making--do you have a link where we can see some of your beautiful creations?
Thank you so much!!! My jewelry site is coming soon! I will announce it :) Thank you for asking and for the support!
So enjoy your ventures. Your family is just lovely.
Thank you so much! you are so kind, I am glad you are enjoying our crazy lives :) I really appreciate the support :)
I love hearing your experience. I moved from US to UK in 2010. I now have a PhD in Life. 😂 So many learnings and lessons. Lows and highs. But I love it. And I’m a completely different person 15 years on, all thanks to the people I have met and the experiences I have had. Enjoy your new home. It’s stunning! xx
Thanks for sharing!! You are so sweet, thank you for the compliment :) and Congratulations of your adventure, I am so glad you also view life in such a wonderful way, even when things get hard it is worth living it :) With much gratitude, thank you for watching ;)
Is it easier to move to the UK?
I’m in Rome right now for my first extended stay, this is my fourth time here and what you said is exactly why I keep coming back and am thinking of staying longer the next time. It’s a challenge but it’s a way to grow and learn more about what you can actually do plus I just love Italy it always feels like home somehow. Thanks for the advice and honesty 🤗
Thank you so much for your comment, definitely explore the possibility to move to Italy, but do planty of digging on what it will take. Wishing you the super best!!!
Guapa!! Admiramos tu pasión por la vida, el arte, la gastronomía, me encanta tu manera de ver la vida! Un beso desde España!!
Muchas gracias, que lindo tu comentario, sos muy amable y aprecio tu apoyo con todo corazon :)
Thank you for sharing your experience. My wife and I have been following your adventure of moving to Europe for the past couple of years and we are considering retiring in Spain. One question for you about the practicalities of moving. I've found that some US banks and brokerage firms will either close your account (Citi Bank) or restrict management of your investment portfolio if you change your address to a local outside of the US. What do you do to manage your address for your US credit cards, Bank, and brokerage accounts. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for watching :) We have banking still in the USA and we were able to open a bank account here in France thanks to our son. It is very tricky to open a bank account, you will have to make sure to find a bank that deals with international clients (usually the larger banks) We have a mail service in the USA that is for people like us, who live abroad, it is a service that open receives the mail for you and then notifies you and if you need to have it scan they do it for you. I hope this helps, Best of luck to you on this amazing adventure!!!
This explanation was so helpful! A different angle on the same story that your husband shared on his channel. Thank you!
Ha ha, yes, we share the same feelings but have our own unique experiences and observations. I am glad you found it helpful :) Thank you so much for the kind comment!!
Cecilia thank you for the update. I love France and I love your family. Together you can do anything. I look forward to your next post. Much love ! ❤❤❤
Thank you so much! you are so sweet!!! I super appreciate your support and kind wishes :)
Your story of picking up and starting new reminds me of our family moving from Belgium and no English! And now it’s pulling me back to our familiar French life style.. love your videos❤️🙏
Could listen to you for hours lol. Informative, fun, natural, intriguing, intelligent. Thank you
Wow, thank you! you are so sweet!!! what a kind thing to say. I just posted on my community a couple of links to a podcast my husband and I were invited to if you like to listen us talk more about our adventure and relationship :)
Love the videos, interesting to hear what you did and why❤️
Thank you so much!!! I super appreciate the support!!!
It's lovely knowing sometimes life is a journey and you don't know what the big plan is, just go along for the ride!
So true! Thank you so much for your kind comment and support! :)
thank you for blessing us today with another wonderful video straight from your heart 🥹 we feel the love you put into it❤ thank you sooooo much Cecilia! xoxo 🥰
❤️❤️❤️
Wow, Cecilia, you look radiant! I've been following your journey for a while and some of Drew's as well. I remember your frustrations and disappointment in Portugal and how much food means to you all and the joy you found with the food in France. I'll have to check out Drew's move video and your home walk through. You guys have come so far and now you can immerse yourselves in your new environment 🎉❤❤❤
Thank you for being so open about your experience and reason for moving! See you on Patreon, can't wait to hear more!!
Thank you so much! You are so kind :) I super appreciate the support!!!
I love hearing about your move to France, Cecilia. Thank you so much for sharing!
My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to France from Canada & the U.S. but France's visas make it a bit challenging to earn a living there. It's hard to take the leap without knowing what to expect financially on the other end. I take it you're currently on the Long Stay Visitor visa? And is the other visa you'll be eligible for after 2 years "profession libérale"?
Thanks again for the insight and inspiration!
Thank you so much for watching! 😊 And yes, you're absolutely right about the visas. When we received our Portuguese visas, we were able to work, which was perfect for us since I'm a creative director in graphic design and a jewelry maker. But when we decided to switch to France, we knew it would be challenging, yet totally possible, given that both my husband and I can work remotely.
Now, we're in the final stretch, waiting for the "profession libérale" working visas, as you mentioned. We’ve completed the two-year residency requirement, so we're excited to finally be eligible to apply. Thank you for your support, it’s been quite the journey, and we’re so grateful for every step forward!
Cecilia I love you and your family. I am following your son since he went to Mexico. Great admiration for your courage, it’s not an easy process even for a smart people like you all. Keep smiling and everything will go your way. Success!
Thank you so much! What a kind loving comment, I super appreciate it :)
Love, love your channel Cecilia. Keep up the amazing work content ❤
Thank you so much!!! will do!!!
I’ve followed your journey from the beginning. I’ve been looking at both Portugal and France for the past 3 years. If I was to pick on house styles, it would absolutely be France. But Portugal offers a more diverse growing season, like California. I wish I could have both. Still more exploring to be done since it will be 5-7 years before I go. For now I live vicariously through others that have made the move. ❤
Thank you so much for the follow!!! I am glad you are doing a lot of research and yes every place has it charm. You will know once you travel and experience each one :) Thank you for your support!!!
Cecilia, this episode is so timely for me! My partner and I are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the US presidential election and planning a move to France, depending on the result. We originally considered Spain as I was born in Cuba and speak fluent Spanish, but taxes there make it impossible. So now we are looking at either Nice or somewhere near Paris, as you have done. However, I'm concerned about the impacts of climate change and wonder if you have any insights on droughts and flooding in your area or elsewhere in France.
I totally hear you! We also considered the climate change impacts, which is why we decided against the south of France. It’s stunning but dealing with droughts is a serious concern. The center of France still lags a bit in modernization, and outside the big cities, medical deserts are a real issue. Choosing to live outside Paris was an easy decision for us, and it’s incredible having such convenient access to one of the most culturally rich cities in the world!
I’m planning a video soon to share what life is like in our area and how easy it is to go to Paris and back in a day. Wishing you all the best on your journey, and thank you so much for the support! 😊
@@AnArtistsLifeYT I was wondering how the healthcare system in France and particularly where you live in the countryside works. Does your village have EMS services and how far is the closest hospital? As a retired critical care nurse I know time is of the essence particularly for heart attacks and stroke. Do you have to travel into Paris to see doctors or are there medical practices near your village? I feel these are important things to consider if one plans to live their elder years in France. I have followed your whole journey from the start and I give you and your husband a lot of credit for getting through the chaos and your still married! LOL P.S., be happy your not here in the U.S. for the election!
I completely understand where you're coming from. We are also considering moving to another country depending on the outcome of the election. So sad it's come to this.
Hi Cecelia - I’ve loved watching you and your family’s content and journey. Thank you for sharing ❤
Thank you so much! You are so kind and very much appreciated :)
love your videos and your style (same age, having exactly the same thoughts where to live, also lived in Paris for 4 years...) but I really love your blouse... would you share what brand it is? Merci beaucoup!
Thank you so much!!! The blouse on the thumbnail is from this boutique: bylenaetlola.com/collections/blouses/products/chemise-catherina and the one in the video is from LaRedoute www.laredoute.fr/ppdp/prod-601362578.aspx
I hope this helps :)
Hola, Cecilia. Recién te encuentro. Yo también crecí en Mar del Plata. Y soy artista. Viviendo en los EU por miles de años. Pensando en irme. Gracias por tus videos tan cálidos . Abrazo
Hola Carmen, ¡qué lindo que me encontraste! Y qué maravilla que hayas crecido en Mar del Plata. No sé qué edad tenés, pero yo me fui de allí a los 18 años para estudiar en la universidad en California, donde conocí a mi esposo. Bueno, si estás pensando en dejar Estados Unidos, me imagino que ya sabes el esfuerzo que conlleva, pero entiendo completamente, siendo artista, la tentación y el deseo de tal vez buscar otro horizonte. Te deseo de todo corazón lo mejor. Por aquí seguiré compartiendo cómo es vivir en Francia, cerca de París. Con carino muchas gracias por tu mensaje :)
What a journey! It’s so inspiring to hear about all the stuff you guys had to overcome, specially at this time
Awww! Thank you so much!!! 😜
I have loved watching your husband's channel and the journey you two have been on thus far. You both have documented your experience so well and I'm sure you are so happy to be settled at long last! I love the area you have chosen as it seems to encompass your interests and lifestyle. Plus who wouldn't want to live just outside Paris!!!
My husband and I moved 3 years ago from Eastern to Western Canada and we thought that was tough...we lived out of hotels and Airbnbs for over 4 months, but I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to move to an entirely new country where you don't speak the language! You are so adventurous (not to mention brave) and that's what I love about your channel! Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us - it's so appreciated! :)
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s been incredibly challenging, but also so rewarding and genuinely fun. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to do what we’ve done and to continue this journey. Everything fell into place so perfectly, and with our spiritual practice, we were able to navigate some very intimidating decisions with a calm and steady approach. I’m thrilled that you embarked on your own adventure, too. Even if it was tough, I’m sure it taught you a lot about yourself. I hope you’re now enjoying the rewards of all that hard work and finding time to relax. Here’s to the next adventure, thank you again!
My husband got a job offer in Germany in 2018, so while he was in Germany and I came to Italy for my citizenship, I rented a house and I stayed with my three dogs while he was in Germany, after he retired he moved here and we decided to stay, now we are living the Dolce Vita! Best decision ever.
I plan to join your patreon in the future 🥹 how exciting that you're giving us the opportunity to connect with you via livestreams! hehehe
Thank you, no rush, whenever it feels right to you :)
10:00 - for exploring
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for your video! You are living the artist's life! Bravo! Is your sun by any chance Nathaniel Drew?
Thank you so much, you are so sweet!!! and yes I am Nathaniel's mom :)
Hi Cecilia🤗Just want to say how much I enjoy listening to you tell your stories. I'm subscribed and I always give you a thumbs up. I want to spread the word on your new channel! I watch your husband's and your son's channels as well. You are an absolute sweetheart and I wish you all the best!😊🇨🇦
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!!! what a loving comment!!! you are the best!!! much love back to you ❤️
Really enjoyed this video, thank you and yes I would love to hear what it’s like living in France.
You got it! I will be sharing more on the topic :) thank you so much!!!
I always wondered how you felt leaving your gorgeous place in Oregon. I can imagine a lot of people would follow the feelings of not wanting to leave because of all the work they put in to make such a beautiful home. But now you are building another beautiful home in France and that experience is so inspiring to me.
It was really hard, but I knew that leaving was essential. I grew so much from the experience, learning at a deeper level how to let go of precious things for what truly matters, my relationship with myself and my loved ones. Now I have the opportunity to reinvent a new home. I miss my Oregon home deeply and am incredibly grateful for the experience of building it and enjoying it for so many years. Thank you so much for your support.
Thank you for sharing, Cecelia! It's helpful! 😃 I'm looking at France, Portugal, and a few other places, and the fact that you and Josh ruled out Portugal gives me pause because I seem to share a lot of your preferences. I would be renting a small flat vs. buying, though, which seems WAY easier. A question I have is do you think Coimbra (and Portugal in general) might have been more appealing if you'd had a better housing experience to start? I love the intellectual life of university towns and living around lots of trees, but I can see how being stuck in a long-term rental with students partying all night & windows that don't close could sour one's experience! 😬😵💫 I'm so glad you persisted and found your beautiful home in France! : - ) ❤
P.S. You're being so modest about how you helped Nathan remodel his home in Paris. The changes you suggested for his kitchen were gorgeous!! 😍
Thank you for watching! :) I’m glad to see you doing your research and asking questions, this is a big endeavor, after all. Living somewhere, as opposed to just visiting, is a completely different experience. Renting in Portugal tends to be a bit easier than in France, unless you're considering Airbnb, which is indeed quite straightforward in both places. I agree that staying in the old town of Coimbra wasn’t the best choice for us, but we aimed to be centrally located to explore both the north and south for potential living spots. Ultimately, it helped us realize that Portugal wasn’t the right fit for us. Thank you so much for the kind compliment! I truly enjoyed working on that apartment, and it was a pleasure to see it come together.
Look at you! 👏🏻 I love watching how your journey is transpiring. I hope to achieve similar goals one day. ❤🎉 thank you for all the knowledge.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support!!!
Hola Cecilia! felicidades por tu canal. He visto su historia a través de los videos del canal que filma tu esposo. Geniales! Veo que han tenido un proceso largo con el tema de las visas para Portugal y Francia, no han considerado aplicar a ciudadania Española o Italiana por descendencia? así se quitan todo ese tramite y pueden andar libres por Europa. Mucho éxito!!
Thanks for the video. As an Oregonian, what are you doing about your French driver’s license? Oregon licenses are not exchangeable.
Ha ha, you are correct, for the first year we had the international driver license, but for this second year, my husband who is a much confident driver and better with french took the french driving test, all in french and passed gloriously :) I am currently studying for mine, but honestly going very slow :(, but the plan is to pass it as well, I might share the journey :)
Thank you so much for this !! Could you explain a little more about your visa choice?❤
Thank you for watching, We started with long term visitor visas, where you can live here for a year but you can not work, but trying to switch to long term with self employed visitor visa, but still waiting for an answer on that. I hope this helps :)
@AnArtistsLifeYT yes it does thank you!
I admire your courage, flexibility, patience, hard work, and sense of adventure.
Thank you! you are so kind and generous with your comment, I am touched :) I appreciate the support!!!
Merci beaucoup ❤ I am applying to retire in France and your information will be so helpful.
Thank you for your honest account of your international move, Cecilia. It's great to hear realistic experiences. I am an EU dual citizen born and bred in Australia. My husband and I will be making the move to Europe in the next 18 months, and even without the headache of visas, there is soooo much to prepare for. We also have 4 furbabies that will be coming with us, and I want to make their transition as smooth as possible. Thankfully I've found a private charter company that will fly us from Australia with our cats and dog in the cabin with us, but it's not a direct flight. It's exhausting just thinking about it. Because there's not much I can do to push things along, tonight I signed up for a language course to prepare myself so at least I'll be fluent when I land.
Thank you so much for your comment :) Wishing you the super best with the move, I am so glad your fur babies are small to be able to be with you, it is less stressful that way. Just in case, because this was a bit of a surprise to me, and I don't know the logistics from Australia, but you need certain certification to be able to enter France with your animals. In the USA was documents from the department of agriculture, and it is paper work that needs to be done by a registered veterinarian. In any case, best of luck, and thank you so much for your support!!!!
Great video! Very helpful information.
Thanks for watching! you are very kind! I appreciate the support!!!
This video deeply resonated with me. My husband and I left the US nearly 2 years ago to live in Ecuador. Eighteen months into that "adventure," we realized Ecuador just isn't for us. We decided to try Europe by way of Bulgaria and came back to the US for three months to decompress while we applied for our Bulgarian D visas. I gotta tell ya, we are two months into our "decompression" stage and it's anything but! Our family has had a death and a substantial medical event, and our paid visa agent has been less than ideally communicative. I'm telling my husband I have no emotional bandwith left to oversee this process. It's just exhausting.
I noticed you have a dog. Did you bring it back and forth with you on these trips? We have two cats and the expense and stress of getting them over there is the worst.
I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your family member, and I completely understand the frustration that comes with relying on others, such as visa agents, especially when communication breaks down and it feels out of your control. We're currently navigating visa issues ourselves, so I can empathize with your situation.
It’s essential to take the time you need to center yourself and reflect. Consider sitting quietly each day, without expectations of a clear or immediate answer, and simply pose the question that’s on your heart. Remain open to receiving the response in whatever form it may come and be mindful of the subtle signals the universe often provides, signals we sometimes overlook.
There have certainly been moments when I’ve questioned our path and even our sanity, especially when fear and insecurity creep in. However, those moments are rare, and most of the time, I’m grateful for living courageously and minimizing regrets. This past week was particularly challenging for me, and I felt out of sorts, but I reminded myself that negative thoughts will pass once I let go and allow reality to unfold as it is. My mind tends to amplify worries, but the truth is often much less daunting.
I hope this resonates with you, and I’m sending my best wishes your way! and thank you for watching :)
Our two experiences have many similarities. My husband and I retired and we moved from Australia to Europe. A calling! And yes we experienced the same types of emotions, highs and lows but we have no regrets. We have a home in Italy but have been exploring France for the past 2 years with the aim of eventually moving there. Our next area to explore is Ile de France and we're hoping to find a base around Montfort l'Amury. If you are happy to recommend the property you leased for a while there we'd be very grateful. Best wishes Maria
Hello! Thank you so much for watching, and I’m glad to hear you feel the same way. It's challenging, but definitely worth it when it’s for the right reasons. Montfort-l'Amaury is a truly beautiful area, though prices continue to climb, and the competition is fierce. I believe that with patience, you can achieve it. Perhaps by the time you arrive in France, the situation may improve. I’ll look up the place we visited and send you the details as soon as I find them. Wishing you all the best, and thank you again for your support!
@@AnArtistsLifeYT Thank you so much. best wishes Maria
Wonderful ... I love the story of your journeys and the way you excite our imagination with possibilities and a true honesty. garder la France dans nos coeurs .. -Daniel (Paris)
Thank you so much! you are very sweet! I appreciate the support!!! La France est dans mon cœur, c'est un endroit merveilleux.
👋 Hi
I just found your channel! I want to know so much about moving to Europe!
My husband left me last year after 37yrs of marriage. My adult kids want to move to Europe also! They’re 26 yrs old & 27. We would have moved already but I have an older horse who would not survive being moved over there. She is 26yrs old (same as my daughter).
So next year or year after. When she(my horse) moves to “permanent pasture” 😢
So, any advice to have at least 1 yr to prepare 😊
Hello, I am glad you found my channel and thank you for watching. You are being presented with an incredible opportunity for this new stage in your life, and that is exciting, my advise would be to EDIT as many things as possible, donate, sell and throw away as much as you are able. Do as much research as you can about the different countries you are drawn to, to narrow your decision, and start a meditation practice, you will need a lot of inner guidance navigating a move to a new continent :) I hope this helps and thank you for the support!!!
yes, please go deeper on what it's like to live in France!!! 🥹🥹🥹 ❤❤❤
Ha ha, yes I have a lot of topics I want to share, :)
I have an Argentine exchange student sister. I have been to Argentina once. Had the opportunity to visit Mer del Plata. I love Argentina. Once retire , I hope to visit for as long as my tourist permits allow.
That sounds great!!! I hope it happens sooner than you expect :) Thank you for sharing :)
I love this style of video (I love ALL your videos). please definitely feel free to do more videos where you sit down and discuss a subject in depth. you have so much wisdom to share and I feel like a little grasshopper learning so much from you hehe. also, I moved out of the USA a few years ago so the things you share about your journey honestly feels so validating for me because I've gone through it myself and still continue to do so 🥹 I feel like I'm not alone, you know? 🥲
Awwww, thank you so much!!! don't worry, I will share more, I understand, you are not alone, I promise you :)
Hi, thank you for sharing your story. :) I would love to hear about your experience in France so far. I was also wondering about the health system in France. We live in the Czech Republic and are considering moving to France in the future.
I will definitely bring that up, as we’ve noticed that the healthcare system is not as strong as it once was. There is a growing issue with what are called “medical deserts” throughout the country, and even in major cities, getting timely appointments with specialists can be challenging. I believe that, globally, the healthcare system is facing significant challenges. That said, I can tell you that, in comparison to the U.S., it is still far more affordable here, even with private insurance. Thank you for watching :)
Good to know, thank you very much🙏
@@AnArtistsLifeYT
I love your smile and vitality ! When will your jewels available for sale?
Very soon! I super appreciate the kind compliments :) you are so sweet!!!
Cecilia you are so inspirational ❤️
Awww, thank you, you are very kind :)
Wow! I am exhausted just listening to all that you folks did to finally arrive at where you are. I hope Nathaniel's new fixer upper is close to you! My experience in life is that once you know what you want to do...then if you fix your mind like a laser beam on the end goal and not on how you arrive or even what the exact end is then it can happen. You just put on foot in front of the other and then you know what the next step is. There is a Sanskrit sutra that begins "Padam padam..." Step by step.... It is like driving in fog when you can only see a few yards in front and then another. So happy that you found a wonderful home but I won't say your forever home:)
Haha, yes, looking back, it’s amazing to see our journey. Every time those memories come to mind, I feel such joy. I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced this and don’t take it for granted. But yes, it was exhausting, and we’re still recovering! :) and crazy as it sounds, I agree with you about the house, who knows what will happen, we are a bit crazy for sure :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
I love your channel and your style! Di you ever share your home in United States?
Thank you so much! no I never shared the making of my home in the US, I am an extreme introvert (not shy at all) so that was not something I considered back then, but my entire family is in TH-cam (husband, and two sons) and they all encourage me to do this, and I am so glad because I am surprise how much fun I am having :)
How would someone be able to work there? Or is that just off the table and we have to have income from elsewhere??
That has indeed been the challenge. We initially started with Portugal because it allowed us to obtain a long-term visitor visa with work permissions. However, as I mentioned, we later pivoted to France, where we are currently on a non-working long-term visitor visa. At the moment, we're working to transition to a self-employed visa, as we both have professions we can manage from home. We’ve been able to make this possible through careful saving and conscious spending. I hope this explains it better :) thank you for watching :)
Cecilia, It was good to hear your story again. I picked up a few details that I had not heard before, mainly about your youngest son. I didn’t realize he was the one who had gone to Portugal. For some reason I thought he was still in the U.S. and attending university. One question I’ve had and that was whether you had considered Spain and, if so, why you did not choose to move there. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Haha, well, now you know the scoop! 😊 We never considered Spain, even though we speak the language, because Portugal initially appealed to us with its work friendly visa. But when I visited my son in Paris, I was smitten! the food, the visuals, the language, that was just the cherry on top. :) Thank you for your support!
I love this channel! Thank you!
Thank you too! I super appreciate your support!!!
Thank you for mentioning it’s expensive as well as mentally taxing. So many on YT who have left the US gloss over the expense of doing so. I have wanted to emigrate for years but sadly made a lot of financial missteps that make it financially impossible at this point in my life. Travel is still in the cards though and maybe even retiring there if I stay disciplined. 65 is only 9 years away for me.
Thank you so much!!! you are very sweet! I agree there is such little mention of what it takes to move to a new country and that it might not be for everyone. Don't worry, when the right moment comes to move you will know it, stay focus on the the goal and it will happen :)
13:35 - "the unknown is a constant" so true 🥲 .... the decision fatigue is real.
It is very real, and part of the journey :) thank you again for your support!!!
Oh my god you’re Nathaniel’s mom 😍🥰🙌🏽🙌🏽 I recognized your face immediately - so happy to get to know a part of your life on here TH-cam. What a beautiful journey this must be for you to navigate online, with your son’s guidance I imagine.
Can’t wait to dive into your channel ❤
Switched accounts to follow you from this one 🙌🏽🥰
Thank you :)
Thank you so much!! You are so sweet!!! I hope you enjoy :) thanks for watching :)
So who is Nathaniel? oh he turns out to be the polyglot languages guy I used to watch a while ago. Must find his channel again...
@@francescathomas3502 www.youtube.com/@nathanieldrew
15:05 - oh my gosh how scary that a couple of your boxes went missing 🥺🥺🥺🥺 thank goodness it wasn't the most important stuff!
It took us a bit of time to figure it out, but considering what went went through we feel we got super lucky. All things are replaceable but not missing experiences and not living to the fullest, even if we are afraid, is more important.Thank you for the caring :)
Welcome to Europe, it's such cute moment to see how much you guys enjoy the food over here 😊
Thank you! 😃 ha ha, yes, we love food so much and we both feel we are in the right place for that :) Thank you for the lovely comment!!!
Tell me about learning French. I know a few phrases and words but certainly do not understand too much!
Is there a literacy test to get a permanent visa! I know in Portugal there is a basic literacy test in order to live there.
I’d be coming as a retiree.
So, different than working there! A digital nomad visa wouldn’t work for me.
Thank you!
Just started following your son and now, you!
I love your videos! And your move story. I want to move abroad ❤ me and my husband were going to try living in France for six months but we could not get a visa to stay more than 90 days😢. So we have to return now to the US. I’m so disappointed. It sounds like you have enough money, which makes everything so much easier ❤
I am so sorry it didn't work out, but don't give up. We saved for a long time and sold our home and everything we owned, so yes that helped a ton, but now we are dealing with the bureaucracy of changing to working visas, and that has new challenges. I wish you the best, and thank you for watching :)
@ thank you🥰
It looks like it was all worth it! (I love the smile when the TH-camr takes on! ;D)
Thank you so much!!!! I appreciate the support!!!
Wait…you’re exploring France now, outside of Paris, but in the meantime, where were you living after selling you CA home, and what visa did you get that allowed you to stay in the town outside of Paris for 4 months! Passports only allow 3 months, and up to this point you haven’t mentioned getting any visa, either for France or Portugal. How are you doing all this back and forth without a place to live or a visa?
Wonderful, thoughtful video.
Thank you kindly I am so glad you enjoyed it :)
Votre mari et vous semblez reposés et en forme. La vie dans la campagne française semble vous réussir à merveille. Bon courage à vous pour terminer l’agencement de votre maison afin qu’elle soit enfin à votre goût et le reflet de votre personnalité. Je vous souhaite de vous y sentir bien et heureux pendant longtemps.
Merci beaucoup !!! Vous êtes si gentils, quel gentil commentaire, j'apprécie énormément votre soutien !!!
so enjoy your videos!
Glad you like them! Thank you so much for watching :)
Thanks for such an interesting view on relocating. What i wish to know is did you make new french friends ? Once the french know you are there for good are they welcoming ? Curious tnx tc
Thank you so much! Funny you ask, I’m actually an extreme introvert. I’m not shy at all; I feel completely comfortable talking to strangers and can chat about almost anything. That said, I’m not really looking to socialize much beyond the courteous, casual interactions that come with living in a small village. We've been invited to quite a few social events and have attended most of them, but I find myself immediately drained afterward. I prefer small, intimate gatherings that are short and sweet. So, I’m actually very content with the socializing I’ve done lately! I also want to add that the people here are incredibly warm and welcoming, it's such a lovely culture.
That was a really great compilation of your journey . It’s been a journey to get to know you and discovering that😂❤ i really like you .
Thank you so much!! You are very sweet!!! I super appreciate the love :)
Love watching your videos and watching your face!!...so expressive!! Then your husband..."everyone is nice but shit doesn't get done!" Just tell it like it is!!...thoroughly enjoyable!!
Thank you so much!!! You are very sweet!!!
I could listen to you for hours😅Love your program. Look forward to more design programs too. ❤from South Africa 🇿🇦
Awww, you are so sweet!!! thank you so much!!! what a kind message :)
If you are from Mar del Plata, why not consider moving to Nice or French Riviera area?
That would elevate to a higher level your Argentine city experience. (Can’t compare!).
I’m not a fan of hot climates, but I love the rain and lush, green landscapes. I did extensive research on climate change and other issues like medical deserts, and staying near my son was important to me. For all those reasons, we chose this area, and we’re really happy with our decision! 😊
Thanks!
OMG!!! You are insane, thank you so much, I am so touched to your generosity :)
16:15 - SO true!! 🥹
Ha ha, yes crazy adventure.
If I could do what my heart wanted, I would move to France or Switzerland. I don’t see how it would ever work, but I really want to.
Have you thought about looking at this from a different perspective? You absolutely can do this, just make the decision to go for it with confidence! Once you commit, the universe has a way of stepping in to guide you and help things fall into place. Trust in yourself and believe, it’s amazing what can happen when you do! I am cheering for you :)