Funny how the simplest things can become difficult in a different country. I'm experiencing some of this as I'm returning to France after 25 years abroad - I'm completely confused by their terms and acronyms and processes, but at least I'm fluent in French! You really did great!
I’m so glad you created this video. I can now see the difference between Portugal and France. I have a 2008 Golf TDi insured in Portugal for 292,00 euros/year. I still plan to move to France despite the higher cost. France is beautiful with much more activities, and I’ve found the French to be way friendlier. Also, I didn’t know that France has outlet malls, Shake Shack burgers, etc. Nothing like an outlet mall and burger to make you feel like your in a better ( less crime & guns) home away from your original home! Plus, the information about the license and records is extremely helpful!
This was a really good video, Patricia. We’ve been in France for 4 months now and I find I can bite off 1 thing at a time. Finding a doctor? Sliding and breaking a toe helped that one move forward. Finding a place to rent? Asking our Airbnb landlord if they knew anyone renting - and she asked if we wanted to rent the 3 bedroom apartment we were in. Getting our ‘stuff’ shipped over? Finalized the ShipMyBag steps, date for shipping is set, daughter in Los Angeles just has to do her steps so our things are picked up in 3 days. Now is the one I dread - leasing a car. My language skills are still low so i need to study up on “leasing words” so we can do that. Renting a car monthly is pretty pricey. But your video gives me a lot of confidence that I just need to do it!
Thank you, Karen. Congratulations on your four-month anniversary! Sounds like you have done a lot in a little time. I'm happy that this video is giving you the boost of confidence to just do it! 🙂
Wow! Congratulations on moving forward with your new life in France. I ‘m planning on a move there next Fall, and it’s all of these details that sometimes seem overwhelming. In 2018 I moved from Arizona to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and didn’t really research or prepare, like I am for France. Miraculously, everything worked out in Mexico. Moving abroad seems vastly more overwhelming than moving a thousand miles south of Arizona, where I currently live. I am soooo stressed out about the most minor of things, starting with my cats. You are encouraging by reminding me of the one step at a time process. Thank you.
Hi Patricia, that was a very informative video, thank you so much for the quality of information, I'm planning to move next year but I'm shipping my car to france so I won't need to purchase one and great info about the US license as I just renewed my Australian licence afew months ago.
Happy to help. I considered that but decided against it because of the size of my US vehicle and because I wasn't sure what would be required to have it upfitted to EU standards. I'm sure you've done your research on that. Definitely keep your expired license. It could save you a few euros. Bon courage !
What document did you have to show? As french resident card holder but living in belgium. I need to show proof of residence and maybe I can use just show my name in my friend's home adress. But I need to know if rental contract or bills are enough to show?
Hi Patricia, We also bought a car here in France and insured it with our U.S. driver's licenses. The premium started high, as he said, because we had not had our licenses that long. Ha ha. We have been driving for over 50 years, but whatever. He also said that the premium would diminish every year as long as we didn't get in any trouble. And it has (we bought in 2020.) Is this the case for you also? Another question: Have you since gone onto getting your French license? I see that, lucky you, Virginia is one of the states that has a reciprocal arrangement with France to exchange licenses. My understanding, however, is that it only works if you do so within a year of moving to France-- Is it now too late for you, or are they not that strict about it?
Ah, I just watched your "why" video and see that you were able to exchange your license -- hooray!! I agree with you that it was probably the Covid situation that made them bend the rules. One good thing that came out of that!
Now you have a car in France (is it a French car or not ?), what would you think about postin' a video in whiich you would list the good and bad sides of drivin' in France vs drivin' in USA (drivin' license, code of the road, road signs, miles vs kilomètres; different laws...) ?
I think I talk about this in another video. But briefly, I got the administrative assistant at my Language school to call the bank and make an appointment for me. Then, my landlord was gracious enough to copy his ID card so I could include it in my dossier. I went to my appointment and a couple of weeks later I had a French bank account.
What was the most interesting thing you learned from this video?
Funny how the simplest things can become difficult in a different country. I'm experiencing some of this as I'm returning to France after 25 years abroad - I'm completely confused by their terms and acronyms and processes, but at least I'm fluent in French!
You really did great!
Bienvenue en France ! 25 years away is a long time. Bon courage !!!
I’m so glad you created this video. I can now see the difference between Portugal and France. I have a 2008 Golf TDi insured in Portugal for 292,00 euros/year. I still plan to move to France despite the higher cost. France is beautiful with much more activities, and I’ve found the French to be way friendlier. Also, I didn’t know that France has outlet malls, Shake Shack burgers, etc. Nothing like an outlet mall and burger to make you feel like your in a better ( less crime & guns) home away from your original home! Plus, the information about the license and records is extremely helpful!
You are welcome. Glad it has helped with your research. As for the Shake Shack Burgers, I've not run across any but perhaps they exist here.
This was a really good video, Patricia. We’ve been in France for 4 months now and I find I can bite off 1 thing at a time.
Finding a doctor? Sliding and breaking a toe helped that one move forward.
Finding a place to rent? Asking our Airbnb landlord if they knew anyone renting - and she asked if we wanted to rent the 3 bedroom apartment we were in.
Getting our ‘stuff’ shipped over? Finalized the ShipMyBag steps, date for shipping is set, daughter in Los Angeles just has to do her steps so our things are picked up in 3 days.
Now is the one I dread - leasing a car. My language skills are still low so i need to study up on “leasing words” so we can do that. Renting a car monthly is pretty pricey.
But your video gives me a lot of confidence that I just need to do it!
Thank you, Karen. Congratulations on your four-month anniversary! Sounds like you have done a lot in a little time. I'm happy that this video is giving you the boost of confidence to just do it! 🙂
Wow! Congratulations on moving forward with your new life in France. I ‘m planning on a move there next Fall, and it’s all of these details that sometimes seem overwhelming. In 2018 I moved from Arizona to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and didn’t really research or prepare, like I am for France. Miraculously, everything worked out in Mexico. Moving abroad seems vastly more overwhelming than moving a thousand miles south of Arizona, where I currently live. I am soooo stressed out about the most minor of things, starting with my cats. You are encouraging by reminding me of the one step at a time process. Thank you.
Hi Patricia, that was a very informative video, thank you so much for the quality of information, I'm planning to move next year but I'm shipping my car to france so I won't need to purchase one and great info about the US license as I just renewed my Australian licence afew months ago.
Happy to help. I considered that but decided against it because of the size of my US vehicle and because I wasn't sure what would be required to have it upfitted to EU standards. I'm sure you've done your research on that. Definitely keep your expired license. It could save you a few euros. Bon courage !
Argus is the French equivalent of the blue book
Thank you, Patricia. Just what I asked for! :-)
Wonderful! Glad I covered your questions.
What document did you have to show? As french resident card holder but living in belgium. I need to show proof of residence and maybe I can use just show my name in my friend's home adress. But I need to know if rental contract or bills are enough to show?
Hi Patricia, We also bought a car here in France and insured it with our U.S. driver's licenses. The premium started high, as he said, because we had not had our licenses that long. Ha ha. We have been driving for over 50 years, but whatever. He also said that the premium would diminish every year as long as we didn't get in any trouble. And it has (we bought in 2020.) Is this the case for you also?
Another question: Have you since gone onto getting your French license? I see that, lucky you, Virginia is one of the states that has a reciprocal arrangement with France to exchange licenses. My understanding, however, is that it only works if you do so within a year of moving to France-- Is it now too late for you, or are they not that strict about it?
Ah, I just watched your "why" video and see that you were able to exchange your license -- hooray!! I agree with you that it was probably the Covid situation that made them bend the rules. One good thing that came out of that!
Now you have a car in France (is it a French car or not ?), what would you think about postin' a video in whiich you would list the good and bad sides of drivin' in France vs drivin' in USA (drivin' license, code of the road, road signs, miles vs kilomètres; different laws...) ?
Sounds like an interesting idea. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the suggestion.
Can you share how you got a French bank account. I have heard it’s hard because of FACTA.
I think I talk about this in another video. But briefly, I got the administrative assistant at my Language school to call the bank and make an appointment for me. Then, my landlord was gracious enough to copy his ID card so I could include it in my dossier. I went to my appointment and a couple of weeks later I had a French bank account.