At the age of 69, I decided to move to France. I had already lived in the Paris area in my youth, first as the child of an expat working for a US company, and then as an architecture student … Continue reading
Life in France
How Healthcare for Expats in France Really Works
We often get asked questions about healthcare for expats in France. This is especially true for our older audience — retirees hoping to move abroad, folks over 50 who decide to make a life for themselves in Paris or elsewhere … Continue reading
Understanding La Rentrée in France
I’ve always loved late summer and early fall — “back-to-school” season if you will, though I’ve been out of school for many years at this point. It feels like a fresh start in many ways. My adopted country seems to … Continue reading
The Week Before I Move to France
I’ve got my visa, a year’s supply of my favorite deodorant, and a one-way ticket to France. The countdown to my departure began when I returned to Texas from France four months ago, but I’m still struggling to fathom how … Continue reading
Why Everything Closes in France in August
If you’ve ever tried to do anything administrative in France during the month of August, you’ve probably hit a wall — or a closed door. Or maybe a handwritten note taped to a window that reads, “fermeture annuelle, réouverture le … Continue reading
Living in France Changed my Relationship with Time
To be honest, I never really thought much about my relationship with time. Until I moved to France and realized just how differently they approach it in terms of, well, almost everything. Things that have become normalized in the US, … Continue reading
Living the French Life, Wherever You Are
Something that kept me in France for nearly a decade was my appreciation for the French way of life. There’s no denying that it’s slower and more intentional than the fast-paced ambiance you find in the US. I like to … Continue reading
Best Day Trips from Paris for Summer 2025
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I love Paris in the summer. Spring gets all the credit in books, poetry, and songs, but Paris in the summertime holds such a special place in my heart. Is it hot? Yes. … Continue reading
French Tax Office Rules Against Remote Work
In the United States, when there is ambiguity about a tax law, if enough accountants and people ask about, the IRS will give guidance which then means people will have to, at least from that time forward, act accordingly. For … Continue reading
The Secret of the South: Le Puy-en-Velay
“Le Puy-en-what?” This is often the response I receive when asked where I am living in France. Even many of my French friends from other regions of the country are unfamiliar with it. As I write during my return flight … Continue reading