You’re not alone. It was love at first sight for me too regarding Paris. As a fresh-faced 19yr old in 1982 who’d never even been abroad before, I was just blown away. That love is still very much there all those years later.
Hey you! Been following you for quite a few years now. I’ve never actually pursued writing until recently.. I began following you only based on the fact you moved to Paris. Now I feel even more relatable to your content. I love Paris , truly love Paris, I love Paris like she was my long distance girlfriend that is not faithful to me but I love her anyway. I can’t even describe why Paris and not any other great city in the world- like Rome for example (I also like Rome but not the same). I don’t think there’s a better city for a writer… it just has this magic❤️
I did not have a dream to move to France. I thought I might live overseas for a couple years due to my husband’s work. We came on a two year contract, with the agreement that of either of us were unhappy, we would go back. In month 17, something clicked and I knew I didn’t want to go back. I’m now working on citizenship and loving my life in SW France.
It's so funny to hear about your love for Paris and how the city felt so much more like home after you initially spent time in Nice. I've been in Paris and the surrounding burbs a lot this last month, and it just doesn't feel like me. And every time I go back south to Nantes, it feels like a completely different place - more comfortable, more fun, more like home. For many of us who've felt some sort of pull to France for a long time, I think it's good to frame it that there's a place here for all of us, even if that place isn't as obvious as Paris, Nice, or whatever place we're initially dropped.
It’s quite mysterious why we’re attracted to any particular place. I also grew up wanting to go to France, but in my case the reason was straightforward because my mother’s family is French by way of Québec and my mother and maternal grandparents spoke French. Once I started going to France I found that the special place for me was la Bretagne. While I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve been to in France, Brittany just felt extra special. I don’t really know why.
Bonjour, je suis Québécoise et j'ai épousé un Breton !!! Nous vivons cependant au Québec, je ne suis jamais allée en France, ma peur des avions m'en empêche.
Interesting comment. I've never been to la Bretagne, but I've heard so many wonderful things about it. And I love the old Arthurian legends rooted in the area. I can't wait to visit one day, hopefully take some very long bike rides through the area.
Somehow your channel showed up on my feed today - great thoughts and expressions, thanks! I am leaving from Texas for France in three days for a two-week scouting trip for long-term living locales. Making the hop end of May. I have my summer residence booked already as a precaution, so I can really enjoy this trip for the purpose of getting to know my hit list places better. Your messaging here is good timing!
Paris is a great choice! When I am not sure what keeps me in love with Paris, I take a look around (or just think of it) and feel blissed being around.
I’m happy to support you, Jay. Your emotional honesty is a breath of fresh air (and would be on any topic, but the ‘expat’ space on YT often seems to lack some level of introspection … for what are probably valid reasons … but your candor is so very appreciated). Big hugs.
What a great story. I know growing up my chaotic disfunctional family that I needed distance to heal and find myself. My go to was Boston and NewHampshire to become a great writer. Visited but never stayed. 45 years later and I'm finally traveling to Paris this March.
Jay - thanks for the shout out to your Patrons…glad to have been on board since 2018. Keep it rolling! Side note re: the final shot, we stayed over your left shoulder on Rue de Rene Boulanger last week…love area of town.
Hey Jay. Thank you so much for this video. That's what I needed to see today, when I'm ending a 5 years mariage and have the chance to go to France and flee this feelings and challenges, but I'm afraid to let it go, or even consider myself a coward for not just keep trying to make it into the relationship. Thank you for being vulnerable and by that embracing what I feel too.
While I definitely don't know the details of your circumstances, be careful that the voices calling you a coward aren't your own - being cowed into a life you don't want is its own form of prison long term. I hope you figure it all out and wish you the best!
A lot of people are running from things, mentally or physically. I'm glad that you stopped, looked around, and decided to work it out... a lot of people just keep running. Plus, you got Paris in the process. I think those are some pretty good wins!
I'm in a similar boat as you! I love the South of France. I skipped Thanksgiving to go to Paris 😅. I'm based in NYC, but I have this desire to learn french and move to France. I keep going back to France and any time I travel abroad, I meet and hang out with French people. 😄 I love France and their quality of life and beautiful architecture and landscapes.
Truly…when you post videos like this, I honestly want to get down on my knees to thank you! (Okay…so, I’m a bit dramatic, LOL!) Nonetheless, I hope that you will come to deeply recognize the GOOD you do for others with your vlogs….(or, at least for me)! You come across as someone that, I believe, many would find to be a precious friend, and my guess is that you ARE such; especially with those you have become close to. Gifted are we that have the privilege of those things you see fit to share! Thank you!
This video obviously touched a lot of people, myself included. We've been looking into moving to France for several years now. As I read the comments, I see how many viewers have similar feelings and experiences. They are so well expressed that I can't add anything, except, thank you for another great video.
Watching your videos, I think our mothers went to the same parenting school. I can relate to so much of what you're saying. Especially the part about getting annoyed by people don't get, or blow off your reasons for moving. I felt that in my guts. For me, that type of response, wanting validation from others, usually stems from the hole that is left from knowing you will never get validation from your parent. I'm so glad you're healing. I think running away from something or running towards a place where you can be healthy is just a matter of perspective.
Simple. It’s a past life memory. I was born and raised in Taiwan but moved to U.S. 40 some years ago. However, the very first time I went to Paris, I felt more at home. I kept coming back ever since. I’d very much like to spend half time in France when I retire.
Holy crap! the first minute completely discribes what I'm feeling. Just got my bachelors here in the US and have this erge to go to france, maybe even live there, yet I've never even been there or outside the US (besides mexico). Would love to discuss this with you one day, even regarding the "running from" part, maybe I'm dealing with that also with my parents. Great vid Jay!
So much of what you say is true for me too. I think that's why I became a patron. I am so glad to see you finding yourself and living your best life. Even though you have had a difficult 2024, you are on the right path.
I've always wanted to live in France after watching a movie on a black and white tv as a young kid in the 60's called Gigot with Jackie Gleason. There were a few other movies and shows on tv back then that took place in France. My parents used to used a few French expressions. I don't know. I just felt a connection. I took Spanish and French in high school. Then I took an intensive French course in college. So I guess I could say I've felt a French connection most of my life. But alas, I never ended up moving there. Been there a few times. Coming again soon. That's why I watch your channel, Jay. I admire what you've done with your life by moving there.
I had the same experience with going to Nice first, left Paris to head to the sunshine in November and then ultimately finding my a-ha moment in Paris. I can identify with so much about what you said, and the lingering desire/pull to be in Paris. I was just about to make the move (with my family in tow,) sold/donated everything to go but COVID broke out and shut down french agencies. I still long to be there but I appreciate you shedding light on getting down to the real "WHY". Although it could be that it's just a great city for some 😊
OMG this was so important to me! crazy how we all share some kind of common story and revolve in it in different levels of conscience through life… gonna take note of that and go to therapy as well.
You're breaking my Parisian heart...your opening street shot is Rue du Plâtre right around the corner from my old apartment above the chocolate shop on Rue des Archives. Plans still are to move back to the area but I have a large 5y work project in NYC to complete. 🤫
I had a very different situation since I only really started desiring moving after university, and focused on France once I started making internet friends there. But when you talked about falling in love with the city spontaneously on a second visit... I felt that exactly. I spent the next few years visiting a lot of American cities for various reasons but secretly to "scout" places to live since it would be so much easier to move domestically than internationally. And I was hoping one of those cities would give me a spark even close to the one Paris gave me but it never happened. Came back a couple weeks ago after a 3 week holiday visiting family. It was cold and foggy, I was tired after a 10.5h flight, and I was dragging heavy luggage, but even then a few minutes of walking outside here and it was like instant rejuvenation.
I never thought I'd visit Paris and never really wanted to. All because of an elementary school French teacher who used to tell me that because my first name is french (Desiree), I should speak it better even though I'm born and raised in NY. I'd associate all things French with her. Blech. Went to England in 2005. Wasn't sure when I'd be on that side of the world again so took a 1-day trip to Paris. BAM! Fell in Love. I can visit a place, come back home and not give it much more thought. Not so with Paris. Went back a few years ago & stayed longer to see if I'd still love it. I didn't just Love it. I became obsessed. Spent the past few years learning French and planning my move to France when I retire.
I first visited France, chasing after french girls. On the last day of my first visit in 2011 I met my wife. She moved to the US after a few years. In 2023 we finally moved to France. After living in Los Angeles we are not in a hurry to return to a big city though. We have found a nice place in Savoie to start our new lives and to hit the reset button.
Wow, your personal history mirrors so much of mine. I had a neglectful mother as well and even now I deal with the repercussions of that. I talked about visiting Paris as a kid, but didn't finally make it until 2019 when I was nearly 60 years old. I can't say I fell in love with the city, but I could see how many others do.
I lived in Japan for 20 years and also spent time in Australia and New Zealand, and like you, it became clear that everyone who lives outside of his home country is running away from something ... regardless of what they say.
It's always about a leap of faith...in yourself. I did so by moving across the country by myself with no job or any idea of what to do, but I knew I had to do it. FWD 20+ years it was the right path to take. Stay safe on your path Jay!
You are so handsome. I will be in Paris 18-27 March. Then back to the states until may. I’ll be checking out neighborhoods to see if I want to live in Paris or Bordeaux. Thanks for all the content.
I went to Paris 2 days ago and I was looking around for you for some reason since I was documenting myself from your videos in the last days.😅 I would like to meet you in person and have a proper beer.
my grown adult daughter and her husband and kid moved during covid to europe a few stops until Germany total 5 years but for the kid racing hes 19 now they moved back to the states texas. i think his electric racing is better over there. either way lots of people move. i have been several times and around the world but never have thought about actually leaving the usa. especially now at 70 and 75,
Bonjour Jay Swanson Great video…thank you for sharing the “why” behind what brought you to Paris…very insightful Up until 2021, I too, was a Francophile, that all changed during the mid JUNE 2022 when I first visited Paris w/ my family. Of course we did all the “tourist-y” things which were fun but then… - My pocket was picked of 250 Euros - I sat with my hungry family to be ignored for more than 30 mins with no waiter even acknowledging us - the hotel we stayed at …took room service order only 90 mins later to find out no one is there and the night hotel manager giving me attitude telling me to go to McDonalds The nicest memory of Paris was the day I went past Notre Dame (under construction) to visit an old book shop “Shakespeare Company” oh it was magical absolutely loved it And then I got COVID at Paris -- I could not leave Paris fast enough I wanted to get away from Paris and Parisians and never return -- The way you describe Paris is how I fell in love with an old city one of the worlds first metropolitan city - LONDON I absolutely love LONDON However one day I hope to return to Paris keeping an open mind as it will be my 2nd time and as you said you also fell in love with it on your 2nd visit.
I have been to Paris 7 times now. I’m stuck on it! lol Our family came from Alsace before they moved to Iowa. I’d love to see all of France but, there’s something about Paris! When I was a kid, I wanted to move to Switzerland. No particular reason but later found out I’m Swiss, French and German.
That was a lot of words to say the reason you came to France was you looked at your past life and country and said, "Fuck that!" 😉 Enjoyed the video. Nice editing, especially the cuts. And, of course, Paris is beautiful.
That’s me with the USA…😅 I’m from Brazil … lived in the USA for 22 years, became a citizen. Moved back home couple years ago, happy to be closer to family again.
Anybody interested in "strolling" around Paris should read "The flâneur" by Edmund White, an American writer who lived for 16 years in the French capital. The book is a literary as well as a tourist guide full of exciting anecdotes.
Great look inside your emotions and the city....thanks for sharing. Another topic, I want to but that winter cap, coolest color of black. I've looked online no luck. It has very light white coloring. Looks great!
Bonjour Jay! I saw this saying and thought about you.. "Work for a cause, Not for applause. Live life to express, Not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, Make your absence felt" Merci Beaucoup for changing my life
Many people, especially Americans, who live abroad are running from what they feel was a cultural hegemony stifling them growing up. They want something diametrically opposed to American culture, but still somewhat familiar and navigable, i.e. France and Japan. It also helps many high schools in the US offer courses in French and, to a lesser degree, Japanese
I think there’s an emotional link to France because so much of what we learn in school is also linked to France: Ben Franklin, the Revolution, Lafayette, the Louisiana Purchase, right up through WWII, the liberation of Paris, etc. Plus our language is something like 27% French words. (“Tish! That’s French!”) And yes, Spanish and French are often the only options for foreign languages offered in high school.
My mother came to the US as a teenager with her parents and two younger siblings, followed later by several other close relations. I myself was born and raised in Michigan, so my own desire to live in London was based on natural familial and cultural affinities, most notably literary, which I can pursue at a high level in both the US and Britain. I love French culture as well, but my merely functional French is quite inadequate for the sort of literary life London could afford me.
Sometimes we don't know why we need to be a particular place. I'm sorry people invalidated your desire to be somewhere - sounds like you were around some toxic folk for a while (happens to us all at some point!). Some of us don't get family support and learn to individuate quickly, and other times we who don't choose family make that choice for better reasons than a lot of folks who stay with family relationships and never make conscious choices about any of it. I was initially negatively distracted by the zhuzhy production value of this video as that tends to have inverse relationship with the authenticity of a video, but I appreciate how complex a share you were able to manage in 9 minutes. Jesus is so anticapitalistic but in the empire they need both levers to keep people apologizing for their own trauma and finding reasons to stay in it. Hit the nail on the head. What you described as how you fell in love with Paris was exactly what I felt when L.A. found me. I got too sick after a few years once they were putting up a ton of wifi towers so I had to go then, but I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. As I get ready to move to FR, I've been amazed at every turn how every law I learn about that is very different from US makes the exact sense that its correlate in the US never made to me. Only people who have never worked in immigration think FR's immigration process is onerous. As a process and efficiency designer by trade, and someone who has worked in immigration my whole life, I know FR's process is a fing dream. I'm really glad you found your space. It's rare that I find, as you say, people who have expatriated who understand privilege, margin, empire, and the differences between running away/healing/building, and how they don't always have to be 100% different either every day all the time. I don't anticipate Paris as my place in FR but you never know what will find you. Thanks again.
Jay, I’m romanticizing to live in Paris all my life. I visited 4 times there for the past few years and almost get a place in my last visit. What makes me pull out because I’m in a wheelchair and afraid of difficulties that I may face everyday life which will in turn make me hate Paris. Any advices and ideas you might have? Thanks
Paris is definitely not wheelchair friendly, I'm afraid. They've passed accessibility laws but they're ignored by a lot of businesses. I think the infrastructure will continue to improve, but from what I understand, it would be really tricky
Thank you for sharing. I am thoroughly enjoying your perspective of Paris and it is helping in my visit next year with my partner. If I may ask, what camera do you use for photography around town?
I have been intrigued by Australia since I was eight years old. In 6 weeks I'm taking my first trip there. It will be my fifth continent. I've been all over the place , but not the countey that sparked my travel bug. And I have no idea what i'm doing when I get there. I was going to go to 4 cities but I've dropped it to 3 because I'm not that crazy. I want to see a platypus so I'm going to a zoo and I want to go to an afl game if I can get a ticket. But basically I just want to exist there and I'm kind of afraid that I'm going to be massively disappointed and I'm kind of afraid that I'm not going to want to leave.
I am middle aged and of french descent (heugonaut) and don't love the US as a native... My French is quite terrible (un peu) as non immersive language education is difficult for me. I want to leave my birth country but it seems an unreasonable thing to achieve. At the same time I am embarrassed with where the country I was born in is behaving/has been behaving. Is this an actual thing people can reasonably do, or is it really just an aspirational thing that isn't practical?
Some people came here at 60, 70 or even 80, so, your idea is not more "unreasonable" than literally millions of other people from around the world. If you start to think about it, where would I like to live, in which region, what would I do professionally, would I have to apply in a company or create my own business, etc, it will become clearer in your mind, it will become more tangible, more concrete than just a thought, a fantazy.
@@walkerck Well, that's nice, it's a first step. Did you visit France already ? If not, you can spend a few weeks in the region, just to feel the mood, to have a better idea.
@@FanNy-ku6wt I've been to France many times. The notion of discarding everything else is a consequence of the last ten years of my life becoming more disheartening.
@@walkerck Oh I see. You need to fix other things than just moving to France, it's a process. You can have a 2 to 5 years goal. I just wanted to point that it's not unreasonable by itself. Best wishes to you.
Only european citizen can vote for municipal and european élections, thus if you are naturalized french, I don't think you can participate to all french élections. Jay should confirm it.
To answer your second question, if you’re living abroad as a U.S. citizen you are still registered in the state where you lived last, but you need to register as living abroad. You can usually only vote for national office, but that might vary by state as well. French elections are for parliament (national and European). And sometimes ballot initiatives. Oh and cities hold direct votes on budget priorities, which as an American I think is pretty cool.
P.S. Tried going to your website but am super bummed out to see that you are not up to legal standard to allow opt-out for cookies. Very disappointing on the integrity front. It's also not up to disability accessibility global requirement. Very marginalizing and not reflective of the integrity that seems to be in your videos, to have to give up one's privacy in ways that aren't actually legal in Europe anymore :(. Wanted to become more involved with your business but won't with those features. Bummed.
Hi, that's because we use an analytics system called Fathom Analytics that's up to GDPR compliance, meaning that it better protects your privacy and, as a result, doesn't require us to post the opt out buttons to be in compliance (because it anonymizes IP addresses and other user data without using cookies). We might have to change our analytics system in the future, which would require that banner to make its appearance, but for now we're in full compliance with GDPR as is. I'll leave you to investigate Fathom further if you like. As for the need to update the site's usability/accessibility, you aren't wrong - and we are working on it. We're building everything ourselves, so it's taking time, but I really appreciate being held to a high standard and want to do my best to hit it. Thanks for keeping an eye out 🥂
I can hear the new audio, Jay. I don't think I like it. It sounds a little too overproduced and makes the street scenes less authentic. Of course, nobody else is saying anything, and you're probably growing your audience. So, ignore me!
You’re not alone. It was love at first sight for me too regarding Paris. As a fresh-faced 19yr old in 1982 who’d never even been abroad before, I was just blown away. That love is still very much there all those years later.
Hey you! Been following you for quite a few years now. I’ve never actually pursued writing until recently.. I began following you only based on the fact you moved to Paris. Now I feel even more relatable to your content. I love Paris , truly love Paris, I love Paris like she was my long distance girlfriend that is not faithful to me but I love her anyway. I can’t even describe why Paris and not any other great city in the world- like Rome for example (I also like Rome but not the same). I don’t think there’s a better city for a writer… it just has this magic❤️
It's hard not to write when you're here 😂
“I did love Tintin books….”, said Jay while walking with a cute little dog.
If that’s not poetic, I don’t know what is.
I did not have a dream to move to France. I thought I might live overseas for a couple years due to my husband’s work. We came on a two year contract, with the agreement that of either of us were unhappy, we would go back. In month 17, something clicked and I knew I didn’t want to go back. I’m now working on citizenship and loving my life in SW France.
It's so funny to hear about your love for Paris and how the city felt so much more like home after you initially spent time in Nice. I've been in Paris and the surrounding burbs a lot this last month, and it just doesn't feel like me. And every time I go back south to Nantes, it feels like a completely different place - more comfortable, more fun, more like home.
For many of us who've felt some sort of pull to France for a long time, I think it's good to frame it that there's a place here for all of us, even if that place isn't as obvious as Paris, Nice, or whatever place we're initially dropped.
It’s quite mysterious why we’re attracted to any particular place. I also grew up wanting to go to France, but in my case the reason was straightforward because my mother’s family is French by way of Québec and my mother and maternal grandparents spoke French. Once I started going to France I found that the special place for me was la Bretagne. While I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve been to in France, Brittany just felt extra special. I don’t really know why.
It's a wonderful mystery to be sure. I hope everyone gets to experience it
Bonjour, je suis Québécoise et j'ai épousé un Breton !!! Nous vivons cependant au Québec, je ne suis jamais allée en France, ma peur des avions m'en empêche.
@@huguetteleblanc3678 Bonjour, on peut s'y rendre en bateau. C'est un peu cher et cela prend du temps, mais c'est possible.
@@thedavidguy01 😊
Interesting comment. I've never been to la Bretagne, but I've heard so many wonderful things about it. And I love the old Arthurian legends rooted in the area. I can't wait to visit one day, hopefully take some very long bike rides through the area.
Somehow your channel showed up on my feed today - great thoughts and expressions, thanks! I am leaving from Texas for France in three days for a two-week scouting trip for long-term living locales. Making the hop end of May. I have my summer residence booked already as a precaution, so I can really enjoy this trip for the purpose of getting to know my hit list places better. Your messaging here is good timing!
❤Seen your video colab with Les Frenchies, excellent as always Jay 🧸
I love them.
Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share this. This seems like a real key set of truths about what you've been sharing with us lately.
Thank you 🙏
Love how Jay displays Paris in such a casual way
I loved how this was filmed and thank you so much for sharing your story!
Paris is a great choice! When I am not sure what keeps me in love with Paris, I take a look around (or just think of it) and feel blissed being around.
Much of what you say I connect with. I hope to move to Paris in the next few months - at age 70!
Good for you!
I’m happy to support you, Jay. Your emotional honesty is a breath of fresh air (and would be on any topic, but the ‘expat’ space on YT often seems to lack some level of introspection … for what are probably valid reasons … but your candor is so very appreciated). Big hugs.
What a great story. I know growing up my chaotic disfunctional family that I needed distance to heal and find myself. My go to was Boston and NewHampshire to become a great writer. Visited but never stayed. 45 years later and I'm finally traveling to Paris this March.
Jay - thanks for the shout out to your Patrons…glad to have been on board since 2018. Keep it rolling! Side note re: the final shot, we stayed over your left shoulder on Rue de Rene Boulanger last week…love area of town.
Looks like it's been a chilly January in Paris.
So dang cold 🥶
Hey Jay. Thank you so much for this video. That's what I needed to see today, when I'm ending a 5 years mariage and have the chance to go to France and flee this feelings and challenges, but I'm afraid to let it go, or even consider myself a coward for not just keep trying to make it into the relationship.
Thank you for being vulnerable and by that embracing what I feel too.
While I definitely don't know the details of your circumstances, be careful that the voices calling you a coward aren't your own - being cowed into a life you don't want is its own form of prison long term. I hope you figure it all out and wish you the best!
A lot of people are running from things, mentally or physically. I'm glad that you stopped, looked around, and decided to work it out... a lot of people just keep running. Plus, you got Paris in the process. I think those are some pretty good wins!
No kidding! People who are still in the same place they grew up in and doing the same job for forty years might be running away through workaholism.
Love your story and how it unfolds as you discover more and feel comfortable sharing more
You are a true gem dear Jay!! ❤️
I'm in a similar boat as you! I love the South of France. I skipped Thanksgiving to go to Paris 😅. I'm based in NYC, but I have this desire to learn french and move to France. I keep going back to France and any time I travel abroad, I meet and hang out with French people. 😄 I love France and their quality of life and beautiful architecture and landscapes.
It's a great place to end up ✈️🥂
@@JaySwanson is there an American expat community? See you there 😄
Truly…when you post videos like this, I honestly want to get down on my knees to thank you! (Okay…so, I’m a bit dramatic, LOL!) Nonetheless, I hope that you will come to deeply recognize the GOOD you do for others with your vlogs….(or, at least for me)! You come across as someone that, I believe, many would find to be a precious friend, and my guess is that you ARE such; especially with those you have become close to. Gifted are we that have the privilege of those things you see fit to share! Thank you!
This video obviously touched a lot of people, myself included. We've been looking into moving to France for several years now. As I read the comments, I see how many viewers have similar feelings and experiences. They are so well expressed that I can't add anything, except, thank you for another great video.
Thank you for watching 🙏 Happy you're here!
Watching your videos, I think our mothers went to the same parenting school. I can relate to so much of what you're saying. Especially the part about getting annoyed by people don't get, or blow off your reasons for moving. I felt that in my guts.
For me, that type of response, wanting validation from others, usually stems from the hole that is left from knowing you will never get validation from your parent. I'm so glad you're healing.
I think running away from something or running towards a place where you can be healthy is just a matter of perspective.
Enjoyed this.Hope the apartment hunting goes well this year.
Simple. It’s a past life memory. I was born and raised in Taiwan but moved to U.S. 40 some years ago. However, the very first time I went to Paris, I felt more at home. I kept coming back ever since. I’d very much like to spend half time in France when I retire.
Holy crap! the first minute completely discribes what I'm feeling. Just got my bachelors here in the US and have this erge to go to france, maybe even live there, yet I've never even been there or outside the US (besides mexico). Would love to discuss this with you one day, even regarding the "running from" part, maybe I'm dealing with that also with my parents. Great vid Jay!
Thank you, Jay, for sharing your story🩵
Thanks for watching 🥂
So much of what you say is true for me too. I think that's why I became a patron. I am so glad to see you finding yourself and living your best life. Even though you have had a difficult 2024, you are on the right path.
I've always wanted to live in France after watching a movie on a black and white tv as a young kid in the 60's called Gigot with Jackie Gleason. There were a few other movies and shows on tv back then that took place in France. My parents used to used a few French expressions. I don't know. I just felt a connection. I took Spanish and French in high school. Then I took an intensive French course in college. So I guess I could say I've felt a French connection most of my life. But alas, I never ended up moving there. Been there a few times. Coming again soon. That's why I watch your channel, Jay. I admire what you've done with your life by moving there.
I had the same experience with going to Nice first, left Paris to head to the sunshine in November and then ultimately finding my a-ha moment in Paris. I can identify with so much about what you said, and the lingering desire/pull to be in Paris. I was just about to make the move (with my family in tow,) sold/donated everything to go but COVID broke out and shut down french agencies. I still long to be there but I appreciate you shedding light on getting down to the real "WHY". Although it could be that it's just a great city for some 😊
It is indeed a great city either way - happy I found it while I was on the run 🙏
OMG this was so important to me! crazy how we all share some kind of common story and revolve in it in different levels of conscience through life… gonna take note of that and go to therapy as well.
You're breaking my Parisian heart...your opening street shot is Rue du Plâtre right around the corner from my old apartment above the chocolate shop on Rue des Archives.
Plans still are to move back to the area but I have a large 5y work project in NYC to complete.
🤫
Loved this one, Jay. Thank you! 💜
You're welcome 🤗
I had a very different situation since I only really started desiring moving after university, and focused on France once I started making internet friends there. But when you talked about falling in love with the city spontaneously on a second visit... I felt that exactly. I spent the next few years visiting a lot of American cities for various reasons but secretly to "scout" places to live since it would be so much easier to move domestically than internationally. And I was hoping one of those cities would give me a spark even close to the one Paris gave me but it never happened.
Came back a couple weeks ago after a 3 week holiday visiting family. It was cold and foggy, I was tired after a 10.5h flight, and I was dragging heavy luggage, but even then a few minutes of walking outside here and it was like instant rejuvenation.
Really only Montreal comes even a little bit close to the feel of Paris.
I never thought I'd visit Paris and never really wanted to. All because of an elementary school French teacher who used to tell me that because my first name is french (Desiree), I should speak it better even though I'm born and raised in NY. I'd associate all things French with her. Blech.
Went to England in 2005. Wasn't sure when I'd be on that side of the world again so took a 1-day trip to Paris. BAM! Fell in Love. I can visit a place, come back home and not give it much more thought. Not so with Paris. Went back a few years ago & stayed longer to see if I'd still love it. I didn't just Love it. I became obsessed. Spent the past few years learning French and planning my move to France when I retire.
Growing up, I wanted to ‘move to France’ too. Teenage me is so happy I subscribe to this channel lol
You are so goddamned good at these kinds of monologues.
I love that I recognize and was in many of those locations last summer!
I first visited France, chasing after french girls. On the last day of my first visit in 2011 I met my wife. She moved to the US after a few years. In 2023 we finally moved to France. After living in Los Angeles we are not in a hurry to return to a big city though. We have found a nice place in Savoie to start our new lives and to hit the reset button.
Small town living appeals to the writer in me, at least in an idyllic sense 😅
Wow, your personal history mirrors so much of mine. I had a neglectful mother as well and even now I deal with the repercussions of that. I talked about visiting Paris as a kid, but didn't finally make it until 2019 when I was nearly 60 years old. I can't say I fell in love with the city, but I could see how many others do.
It's definitely not for everyone, but I'm glad you made it over! 🥂
I lived in Japan for 20 years and also spent time in Australia and New Zealand, and like you, it became clear that everyone who lives outside of his home country is running away from something ... regardless of what they say.
It's always about a leap of faith...in yourself. I did so by moving across the country by myself with no job or any idea of what to do, but I knew I had to do it. FWD 20+ years it was the right path to take.
Stay safe on your path Jay!
You are so handsome. I will be in Paris 18-27 March. Then back to the states until may. I’ll be checking out neighborhoods to see if I want to live in Paris or Bordeaux. Thanks for all the content.
And thanks for the compliment 🙏
I went to Paris 2 days ago and I was looking around for you for some reason since I was documenting myself from your videos in the last days.😅 I would like to meet you in person and have a proper beer.
Hope the trip and documentation went well!
I’m so happy about this all for you. And yes, you are worth it. 🙂
my grown adult daughter and her husband and kid moved during covid to europe a few stops until Germany total 5 years but for the kid racing hes 19 now they moved back to the states texas. i think his electric racing is better over there. either way lots of people move. i have been several times and around the world but never have thought about actually leaving the usa. especially now at 70 and 75,
Life circumstances definitely have a massive impact on our ability to pack up and move
Bonjour Jay Swanson
Great video…thank you for sharing the “why” behind what brought you to Paris…very insightful
Up until 2021, I too, was a Francophile, that all changed during the mid JUNE 2022 when I first visited Paris w/ my family. Of course we did all the “tourist-y” things which were fun but then…
- My pocket was picked of 250 Euros
- I sat with my hungry family to be ignored for more than 30 mins with no waiter even acknowledging us
- the hotel we stayed at …took room service order only 90 mins later to find out no one is there and the night hotel manager giving me attitude telling me to go to McDonalds
The nicest memory of Paris was the day I went past Notre Dame (under construction) to visit an old book shop “Shakespeare Company” oh it was magical absolutely loved it
And then I got COVID at Paris
--
I could not leave Paris fast enough
I wanted to get away from Paris and Parisians and never return
--
The way you describe Paris is how I fell in love with an old city one of the worlds first metropolitan city - LONDON
I absolutely love LONDON
However one day I hope to return to Paris keeping an open mind as it will be my 2nd time and as you said you also fell in love with it on your 2nd visit.
That's brutal - here's hoping your return trip is SIGNIFICANTLY better 🥂
You seem like such a stand up guy, and to be honest I would be really proud to have you as a son, you remind me of my own wonderful son.
A move with intent. Inspiring video. Thank you.
I have been to Paris 7 times now. I’m stuck on it! lol Our family came from Alsace before they moved to Iowa. I’d love to see all of France but, there’s something about Paris! When I was a kid, I wanted to move to Switzerland. No particular reason but later found out I’m Swiss, French and German.
The Alps are beautiful to be sure!
That was a lot of words to say the reason you came to France was you looked at your past life and country and said, "Fuck that!" 😉
Enjoyed the video. Nice editing, especially the cuts. And, of course, Paris is beautiful.
😂
That’s me with the USA…😅 I’m from Brazil … lived in the USA for 22 years, became a citizen. Moved back home couple years ago, happy to be closer to family again.
Jesus and capitalism don’t go hand in hand… funny I became a Christian in America. Ex catholic. My life is so much better now, more secure…
Anybody interested in "strolling" around Paris should read "The flâneur" by Edmund White, an American writer who lived for 16 years in the French capital. The book is a literary as well as a tourist guide full of exciting anecdotes.
Great look inside your emotions and the city....thanks for sharing. Another topic, I want to but that winter cap, coolest color of black. I've looked online no luck. It has very light white coloring. Looks great!
Bonjour Jay! I saw this saying and thought about you.. "Work for a cause, Not for applause. Live life to express, Not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, Make your absence felt" Merci Beaucoup for changing my life
Many people, especially Americans, who live abroad are running from what they feel was a cultural hegemony stifling them growing up. They want something diametrically opposed to American culture, but still somewhat familiar and navigable, i.e. France and Japan. It also helps many high schools in the US offer courses in French and, to a lesser degree, Japanese
I think there’s an emotional link to France because so much of what we learn in school is also linked to France: Ben Franklin, the Revolution, Lafayette, the Louisiana Purchase, right up through WWII, the liberation of Paris, etc. Plus our language is something like 27% French words. (“Tish! That’s French!”) And yes, Spanish and French are often the only options for foreign languages offered in high school.
I totally relate. Similar reasons why I moved to Boston in my 20s from the South. Wishing you peace. Not why I moved to Miami lol.
I hope i will have the honour to meet you dear Jay! Xxx Bisous dAnvers xxx
Great vlog! I have the same love but have yet to act on it. I will. 🙋🏽♂️😃👍🏽
My mother came to the US as a teenager with her parents and two younger siblings, followed later by several other close relations. I myself was born and raised in Michigan, so my own desire to live in London was based on natural familial and cultural affinities, most notably literary, which I can pursue at a high level in both the US and Britain. I love French culture as well, but my merely functional French is quite inadequate for the sort of literary life London could afford me.
I felt that too…..
Greetings from New Zealand. My maiden name was Swanson.
Sometimes we don't know why we need to be a particular place. I'm sorry people invalidated your desire to be somewhere - sounds like you were around some toxic folk for a while (happens to us all at some point!). Some of us don't get family support and learn to individuate quickly, and other times we who don't choose family make that choice for better reasons than a lot of folks who stay with family relationships and never make conscious choices about any of it. I was initially negatively distracted by the zhuzhy production value of this video as that tends to have inverse relationship with the authenticity of a video, but I appreciate how complex a share you were able to manage in 9 minutes. Jesus is so anticapitalistic but in the empire they need both levers to keep people apologizing for their own trauma and finding reasons to stay in it. Hit the nail on the head. What you described as how you fell in love with Paris was exactly what I felt when L.A. found me. I got too sick after a few years once they were putting up a ton of wifi towers so I had to go then, but I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. As I get ready to move to FR, I've been amazed at every turn how every law I learn about that is very different from US makes the exact sense that its correlate in the US never made to me. Only people who have never worked in immigration think FR's immigration process is onerous. As a process and efficiency designer by trade, and someone who has worked in immigration my whole life, I know FR's process is a fing dream. I'm really glad you found your space. It's rare that I find, as you say, people who have expatriated who understand privilege, margin, empire, and the differences between running away/healing/building, and how they don't always have to be 100% different either every day all the time. I don't anticipate Paris as my place in FR but you never know what will find you. Thanks again.
Jay, I’m romanticizing to live in Paris all my life. I visited 4 times there for the past few years and almost get a place in my last visit. What makes me pull out because I’m in a wheelchair and afraid of difficulties that I may face everyday life which will in turn make me hate Paris. Any advices and ideas you might have? Thanks
Paris is definitely not wheelchair friendly, I'm afraid. They've passed accessibility laws but they're ignored by a lot of businesses. I think the infrastructure will continue to improve, but from what I understand, it would be really tricky
Thanks 😢maybe someday
Thank you for sharing.
I am thoroughly enjoying your perspective of Paris and it is helping in my visit next year with my partner.
If I may ask, what camera do you use for photography around town?
I have been intrigued by Australia since I was eight years old. In 6 weeks I'm taking my first trip there. It will be my fifth continent. I've been all over the place , but not the countey that sparked my travel bug. And I have no idea what i'm doing when I get there. I was going to go to 4 cities but I've dropped it to 3 because I'm not that crazy. I want to see a platypus so I'm going to a zoo and I want to go to an afl game if I can get a ticket. But basically I just want to exist there and I'm kind of afraid that I'm going to be massively disappointed and I'm kind of afraid that I'm not going to want to leave.
2:37 Would it be possible to know the name of this street?
I am middle aged and of french descent (heugonaut) and don't love the US as a native... My French is quite terrible (un peu) as non immersive language education is difficult for me. I want to leave my birth country but it seems an unreasonable thing to achieve. At the same time I am embarrassed with where the country I was born in is behaving/has been behaving. Is this an actual thing people can reasonably do, or is it really just an aspirational thing that isn't practical?
Some people came here at 60, 70 or even 80, so, your idea is not more "unreasonable" than literally millions of other people from around the world.
If you start to think about it, where would I like to live, in which region, what would I do professionally, would I have to apply in a company or create my own business, etc, it will become clearer in your mind, it will become more tangible, more concrete than just a thought, a fantazy.
@FanNy-ku6wt My family (of French descent) is from La Rochelle and if possible I would want to relocate there.
@@walkerck Well, that's nice, it's a first step. Did you visit France already ? If not, you can spend a few weeks in the region, just to feel the mood, to have a better idea.
@@FanNy-ku6wt I've been to France many times. The notion of discarding everything else is a consequence of the last ten years of my life becoming more disheartening.
@@walkerck Oh I see. You need to fix other things than just moving to France, it's a process. You can have a 2 to 5 years goal.
I just wanted to point that it's not unreasonable by itself.
Best wishes to you.
❤
Tin Tin never went to Paris .
I didn't think so 😂
Matter of time before someone runs off with your camera
You can keep your bad juju 🙅📸
Wait if that guy was in the witness protection program, why did he tell you that he was in the witness protection program?
I'd guess it was less an official witness protection program, and more the FBI telling him "You might want to skip town until this trial is over"
As you get older you ealise that you need to stop looking for the good in people and sfart looking for GOOD people!
Will you be able to vote for the next French election ? Can you vote for the Congress in the US ?
Only european citizen can vote for municipal and european élections, thus if you are naturalized french, I don't think you can participate to all french élections. Jay should confirm it.
@@loustic59vda Jay is French now.
@@loustic59vda No, if you’re French, you’re French, no matter how you became French.
To answer your second question, if you’re living abroad as a U.S. citizen you are still registered in the state where you lived last, but you need to register as living abroad. You can usually only vote for national office, but that might vary by state as well. French elections are for parliament (national and European). And sometimes ballot initiatives. Oh and cities hold direct votes on budget priorities, which as an American I think is pretty cool.
You give me serious (eats) Alton Brown vibes.
The pilgrim fathers have a lot to answer for
Oh, what street is that at 1:27? It has the large invader artwork.
That was on Rue de Moussy 👾👾
@ thanks Jay!
P.S. Tried going to your website but am super bummed out to see that you are not up to legal standard to allow opt-out for cookies. Very disappointing on the integrity front. It's also not up to disability accessibility global requirement. Very marginalizing and not reflective of the integrity that seems to be in your videos, to have to give up one's privacy in ways that aren't actually legal in Europe anymore :(. Wanted to become more involved with your business but won't with those features. Bummed.
Hi, that's because we use an analytics system called Fathom Analytics that's up to GDPR compliance, meaning that it better protects your privacy and, as a result, doesn't require us to post the opt out buttons to be in compliance (because it anonymizes IP addresses and other user data without using cookies).
We might have to change our analytics system in the future, which would require that banner to make its appearance, but for now we're in full compliance with GDPR as is. I'll leave you to investigate Fathom further if you like. As for the need to update the site's usability/accessibility, you aren't wrong - and we are working on it. We're building everything ourselves, so it's taking time, but I really appreciate being held to a high standard and want to do my best to hit it. Thanks for keeping an eye out 🥂
Just added a little note to the FAQ. Thank you!
I can hear the new audio, Jay. I don't think I like it. It sounds a little too overproduced and makes the street scenes less authentic. Of course, nobody else is saying anything, and you're probably growing your audience. So, ignore me!