Moving to FranceโJust a Dream? I’ve met many people during my ten-plus-year journey as an expat in France. These days, I think of those who left and returned home.
Expectations
What were the expectations of those who tried to expat only to return home? Were they chasing a dream? What would they have done differently? Was I just “lucky?”
I fell for a fairytale village in France that has become my home. I had no expectations, except I could always return home if it didn’t suit me. I’m still here. What makes our stories different?
Moving to France is like any other move. You have to pack up your stuff to get there.
Different Outcomes
The difference in outcomes seems to boil down to adaptability, resilience, and a lot of luck.
What if I hadn’t changed my travel plans to return to look for a place to live in Uzรจs?
As you remember, I cut my travel adventures short when I decided to move to France. Instead of exploring Barcelona, I returned to find an apartment in Uzรจs. As fate would have it, a perfect place in the center of the historic village became available for rent. I couldnโt believe my good fortune!
What if the perfect apartment in Uzรจs, near the Chateau de Duchรฉ, had not become available for long-term rent? My story would be different. Where you settle first along your journey is huge. It shapes your initial experience and impressions in every way.
Housing Options For Foreigners
How easy is it for an expat to find housing in France?
Being an expat has its share of housing issues in France. Personally, I was lucky to find the perfect apartment. But what other options exist when considering moving to France as a foreigner? How do you make such an important decision?
Securing housing can be one of the biggest challenges for foreigners moving to France. While purchasing property is relatively straightforward if you have the funds, renting often presents unexpected hurdles. French landlords are highly protective of their rights due to strict tenant laws, which makes them cautious when selecting tenants.
Landlords typically require extensive documentation for those seeking long-term rentals, including proof of income, a French guarantor, and detailed financial records. Unfortunately, ex-pats oexpatsruggle to meet these requirements, especially if they’ve just arrived and lack a French credit history or employment.
Why is it so difficult?
Tenant Protections in French Law
French rental laws favor tenants, offering strong protections even if they fail to pay rent. For example, evicting a tenant can take years, and evicting someone during winter (known as the trรชve hivernale) is illegal. These laws make landlords cautious about who they rent to, often requiring extensive documentation to prove financial reliability.
Extensive Paperwork Requirements
To rent a long-term property in France, tenants must typically provide:
- Proof of income (often requiring three times the monthly rent).
- A French guarantor (someone who agrees to cover your rent if you default).
- Recent bank statements, tax returns, and employment contracts.
Expats ofExpatsruggle to meet these requirements, especially if they’ve just arrived and don’t have a French guarantor or established financial history in France.
Language Barriers
Many rental contracts and communications with landlords or agencies are in French. If you are not fluent, misunderstandings can occur, and navigating the process may require hiring a translator or local advisor.
Cultural Differences
In France, renting a home often involves meeting landlords’ expectations that might feel unfamiliar to newcomers. For example, landlords may be skeptical about self-employed tenants working remotely or not having traditional job contracts (CDI or permanent employment contracts).
Limited Housing Stock in High-Demand Areas
Rental properties, especially long-term, unfurnished rentals, can be scarce in popular areas. Many landlords prefer to rent properties as furnished, short-term rentals (such as through Airbnb), which often generate higher income with less risk (although new French laws seem to be cracking down on Airbnb.)
Deposit and Advance Payments
For long-term rentals, landlords typically require a deposit (up to one month’s rent) and may ask for the first month’s rent in advance. However, the costs can be significantly higher in the short term, and landlords often require payments for several months upfront.
Renters also pay a percentage of the realtor fee. The division of the fee is regulated by French law, particularly for residential properties, and the amount can be shocking — often as much as 1000 euros. It is usually paid with the security deposit and the first monthโs rent.
What are the Alternatives?
If a long-term lease feels out of reach, there are other options:
- Short-Term Furnished Rentals: Renting a furnished apartment with a one-year renewable lease is popular. These leases usually require less paperwork and are easier for newcomers.
- Extended Airbnb Stays: Some experts negotiate long-term stays with Airbnb hosts. This arrangement can be mutually beneficial: Landlords earn off-season income, and tenants secure flexible housing without the typical red tape.
- Fractional Ownership: For those who want to spend part of the year in France but are not ready to commit fully, fractional ownership is worth exploring. Unlike timeshares, fractional ownership provides a share of full property ownership, allowing for investment potential and fewer responsibilities. Properties managed under U.S. LLCs also offer Americans tax advantages and simplified inheritance rules.
Practical Tips for ProspectivExpatsts
Before committing to a permanent move, consider these steps:
- Visit First: Spend time in your chosen region. Rent a short-term place and explore the area thoroughly.
- Connect witExpatsts: Join local Facebook groups and expat communities to gather insights and build a support network.
- Understand French Bureaucracy: Navigating the French system, from rental agreements to utility contracts, can be daunting. Research in advance or seek professional advice.
From my first apartment in Uzรจs, there are some fantastic views .
For more tips on expat life, please roam through the Barefoot Blogger website, especially Moving To France.
14 Responses
Hi, Deborah. I still love reading your blog. Meeting you and your friends in Uzรจs was a highlight of our year in France. We were planning on selling our house in KC and moving to someplace between Uzรจs and Avignon when my cousin got cancer. Since Iโm her person we decided to stay. I was able to go to each doctor visit and chemo treatment with her and be with her when her mom died. And then John suddenly died and I found out how important a strong network is. I am so thankful that I have that here. You have that in Uzรจs. I donโt think that has much to do with luck, but more to do with your ability to draw out people and your sense of curiosity. You have a wonderful zest for life. I do miss you.
After John died I thought I could never return to France without him. It will be hard, but Iโm thinking about returning for a couple of weeks next year in May. I hope to see you then! Xoxo
Trudy,
Iโm so happy to hear from you. YouTube canโt imagine how often I think of you and Johnโฆ and Jewels! Itโs definitely every time I pass Fornes on the way to Avignon. We had some great times together. There are days Iโm still in disbelief that John is gone. Iโm so happy to have been part of your life and memories of France.
Please do come to visit when you can. Our lives change in so many ways. You may find this is your perfect place now!
Deborah, This is so helpful. Thanks so much. Jane (Ellis)
Thanks for commenting, jane. Let me know if you have more youโd like to know. Iโm really happy to help others find a place to live in France.
Deborah,
I love reading your blogs! If you recall we had lunch with Nancy McGee when I came to Uzes as a participant on her tour. We had both worked for IBM in previous lives. I was in awe of how you settled into Uzes. I agree that luck plays and important role and more importantly I believe people can make their own luck!! I truly love how you write and share. I keep returning to Provence each year as it is a place to cherish joie de vivre. Best, Phyllis Brock
Yes, I remember, Phyllis. So happy to hear from you again. I really appreciate your note. Hope to see you again?
Iโm glad to see more information about long term rentals. We research Airbnb and VRBO to gather website addresses for property owners and then we contact them directly to inquire about pricing for off season, long term rental. They are generally very happy to consider our request and will offer lower prices. Itโs a win/win!
We hope to see you either Autumn 24 or Winter 25! Itโs always such fun catching up with you!
Stay wellโค๏ธ
Love your posts! Patty and I just returned for a month in Beaufort, SC, where we stayed at a perfect little Airbnb cottage by Scott & Duke Streets. We could walk downtown to the shops and coffee shops on Bay Street. Everyone was kind and helpful. We loved the Pat Conroy Literary Center and got to attend an event at the Penn Center on Lady Island. We met authors and bought way too many books. The Beaufort International Film Festival happened while we were there and we went one day. We loved Beaufort! After eating way too much shrimp & grits, we ventured up to Pattyโs old stomping grounds in NC where we had some serendipitous events sheโll have to share with you. Now itโs back to chilly Wisconsin which is okay.
Rod, so good to hear from you. Yes, Beaufort was a tough place to leave, but France was calling! I had a wonderful time living in Beaufort, especially experiencing life in the historic district. Maybe that was a good entre here?! Hopefully you and Pat will visit here. Patโs last visit is still enshrined in this blog!
Great blog post, very helpful to anyone interested in moving to France. I particularly noted the difficulties of doing a long-term rental. Thanks for providing this very useful information.
Thank you for your comment. Iโm glad to know the post is helpful. I remember needed help desperately! Let me know other questions/ concerns and Iโll hope to bring some answers.
Hello,
What would you recommend(website) in looking for long term rental. How did you find yours?
Thank you
Linda, good question. When you decide on an area where you want to land, I would visit the local real estate agencies. Check them all. They each have a “special” listing that you won’t find other places. Some friends have had luck with Airbnb owners who have decided to get out of the seasonal market. A good resource that I recomment because of their geographical scope is Renestance. You can find the listing on my “Moving to France” page om barefootblogger.com Please stay in touch. I love hearing from readers who are on the journey.
Linda, good question. When you decide on an area where you want to land, I would visit the local real estate agencies. Check them all. They each have a โspecialโ listing that you wonโt find other places. Some friends have had luck with Airbnb owners who have decided to get out of the seasonal market. A good resource that I recomment because of their geographical scope is Renestance. You can find the listing on my โMoving to Franceโ page om barefootblogger.com Please stay in touch. I love hearing from readers who are on the journey.