Be prepared for a move to France

A MOVE to France is something not to take lightly, so reading up on subjects like how to buy a property, employment prospects and improving your language skills is very important.

Here Ros Williamson, who runs the Relocate France event, passes on her top tips on what to consider before crossing the Channel.

Learn French before you go
Essential for everything from finding and keeping work, tackling French bureaucracy, making friends with your neighbour and integrating into your French community. Quite simply, it makes your life much easier and contrary to popular opinion it is not that easy to ‘pick it up as you go along’.

Plan your finances
You need to be realistic about money and whether you will have enough to tide you through the initial few months. Be aware that work might not be as easy to get hold of as you think; the cost of living isn’t significantly less than in the UK and, renovation costs can spiral.

Healthcare provision
In the last 12 months, legislative changes have been brought in which could affect your right to free healthcare – especially of you are not contributing to the French social security system. Check your status before you go.

Location
Living in the middle of a field may be a dream to many, but it can be pretty isolating, especially in the long cold winters. If you are a city dweller or conversely a country lover, step back and think whether your new environment will retain its novelty during all four seasons.

Make friends with the Maire
A font of all knowledge and a much-needed friend during those first unsettling months in your new French home. Besides, it is considered rude not to introduce yourself and you don’t want to ostracise yourself from the most respected member of your new community.

Develop an entrepreneurial spirit
It can be hard to make a living in France as work is not as freely available as we would like to think, especially if you are not French, and especially if you don’t speak the language. A bit of innovative thinking combined with the skills you may already have, could prove very useful – even if you are looking for a part-time role to supplement your income.

Make the first move
It is up to you to take the first step to get to know your neighbours and members of your local community. As a foreigner, you are likely to be viewed with curiosity however, it is often the French way that as the new kid on the block, you should introduce yourself. Whilst daunting, this is very likely to be met with a warm response.

Be patient
Things take time and it may at times feel that you are not making any progress at all. Work, social life and getting to grips with French bureaucracy are things that are unlikely to fall in to place overnight.

Do your research
This is vital. The more you do to prepare for such a huge life-changing event, the more you will make the move with your eyes wide open. Attend a seminar and get all the facts in one sitting. Read a magazine or one of the many books on the subject. Browse exhibitions. The more research you can do, the smoother the transition into your new French life.

The Relocate France event is a one day course on June 14 in Guildford for people planning to move to France and costs £100 per person or £175 per couple.