Moving to France. Just a Dream?

Moving to France. Just a Dream? I’ve met many people during my ten-year journey as an expat in France. These days, I am thinking of those who turned around and went back home.

What were their expectations? 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 Uzès?

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 Uzès. As fate would have it, a perfect place in the center of the historic village became available for rent. I couldn’t believe my good fortune!

What if the perfect apartment in Uzès, within touching distance of the Chateau de Duché, hadn’t just become available for long-term rent? My story would be different. I believe where you settle first along your journey is huge. It shapes your initial experience and impressions in every way.

Housing Options For Foreigners

Being an expat has its own 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?

I asked one of my good friends in Uzès to tell me what he recommends as housing options to customers of his real estate services. Like me, he’s seen expats come and go. As a French native, he works with the French, too. So he knows things work differently for expats. Let’s ask Pierre.

Deborah: Pierre, can you introduce yourself briefly?

PIERRE: I am a real estate agent based in Uzès. I am a property finder, not a listing agent, meaning I work for buyers. I have been doing this since 2010, earning my broker’s license in 2011. My customers are usually English speakers with various budgets, so I have seen many situations. And I have been an expat myself, so I can relate.

D: How easy is it for an expat to find housing in France? 

P: I would say it depends on your objectives. If you’re looking to buy a home to live in France, it’s pretty easy. As a foreigner, you might need some advice to navigate the French system – but other than that, it’s not complicated if you have the cash.

D: But what if people want to rent before they buy? Wouldn’t that be a good idea?

P: Renting is another story. The reason is that even if you have the money (which you have to have to get a visa, right?), as a foreigner (or an expat – even a French expat), it is difficult to provide all the documents and proof that a typical French landlord or letting agent requires – that is if you want to sign a traditional long-term 3-to-9-year lease agreement.

D: Why is it so complicated?

P: French law protects tenants, including those who don’t pay their rent, so landlords are increasingly picky about who they accept as tenants. An increasingly popular alternative in France is renting a furnished place with a short-term (usually 1-year) renewable lease. Under that scenario, you don’t have to provide as many documents—you just need to prove you can pay the rent!

Another idea is “long-term Airbnb”: You offer an Airbnb landlord to rent your place for 5, 8, or 9 months and pay them their monthly weekly fee. I have seen this work. The landlord gets money out of season and only has to deal with one single tenant, you. In my experience, it’s worth a try. To tell you the truth, that’s what I did when I returned from Ireland!

D: What about fractional ownership? Isn’t that another way to “try before you buy”? I have visited a fractional ownership home near Uzès lately, and I was excited at the thought of it.  

P: It’s an excellent investment if you want to visit France for a few weeks each year and you want to feel like you are “home” each time you return – without buying the place. I have been interested in that concept for 20 years and am surprised that it is still not more developed. Maybe that’s because people often confuse “fractional ownership” with “timeshare.” The primary difference is that fractional ownership means absolute property ownership, not just for the time you use it. Fractional means you enjoy the benefits of home ownership without the headaches and expense of managing a second home. It is a great concept: a lifestyle and an investment. When you want out, you sell your share, get your money back, and move on.

The property I showed you the other day in Arpaillargues is a perfect example. It’s completely renovated, tastefully furnished, with lots of space (with 4 bedrooms, so you can invite friends), in a lively village —and with zero hassle. A strong selling point for Americans is that the property is set up as an American LLC. Owners are not bothered by France’s somewhat restrictive tax and inheritance laws. Instead, as members of an LLC,  owners are governed by US tax and inheritance laws.

D: So what do you tell your clients when they call from abroad and ask for advice?

P: I suggest they visit and explore first—for a few weeks or months. The most efficient option is to rent a place, like Airbnb or others. You can stay in a hotel, but that’s more expensive and less flexible. Some people decide that buying is not for them yet, so a short-term rental or “long-term Airbnb” is best for them.

D: What other avenues to you suggest for learning more about life in France? 

P: I would say that it’s important to get in touch with other expats as quickly as possible and meet them when you’re around. They will happily share their experiences with you and possibly help you find a place—who knows! I would say that following Facebook groups is a great way to connect. In fact, reaching out to other expats may be the first thing to do

.D: Thank you, Pierre! There’s some priceless information here. I’m looking forward to more of your professional input and advice. My quest to help others reach their “dream” destination is just beginning!

 

There are some fantastic views .

 

For more tips on expat life, please roam through the Barefoot Blogger website, especially “Expat Tips.”