Known as the capital of European spirit, romantic atmosphere, lavender fields, high fashion, cheese, wine, gorgeous coast, and beautiful cities, La République is one of the most desirable destinations for living. Moving to France is definitely one of the top choices you can make, and if you agree, here is how to move to France from the US.
Can a US citizen move to France? Yes, it is possible! But before you start creating the relocation abroad checklist and make decisions on what to pack when relocating abroad, you should know some essential details that will direct the relocation process and help you move overseas to one of the best European countries to live in. Here is what you need to know.
How to Move to France as an American? Getting a Visa Is the First Step
The moment they meet all the beauties of the French lifestyle, many people start to ask, Can I just move to France? Although it may sound simple, the reality is actually quite different. Living in another country means being obliged to acquire a legal stay in the country. For all stays longer than 90 days, authorities require applying for long-term visas in advance and recognize two categories of visas like Long Stay Visas and Visas Specific to Certain Circumstances.
Long stay visas mean you can apply for a more extended stay in case of:
Can I Move to France and Get a Job?
If you’re wondering if you can move to France without a job, be prepared for a more complex procedure, which is in direct connection with the type of visa you’re trying to acquire. However, whichever plan you have, make sure to check all the rules and get all the necessary documents needed to travel before moving abroad.
Relocating to FR for the citizens of the European Union is much easier, so don’t mix up the information and check thoroughly what the options are to get a job in Europe as an American, as well as which jobs for Americans in Europe are on the table, overall.
How to Choose Where to Live? The Top Cities to Choose for Living and Working When Moving to France From the US
Anyone who has ever visited the City of Light at least once wished to become Parisian. For hundreds of thousands of Americans, living in Paris is a life dream that they are ready to relocate across the world for.
According to the National Institute for Statistics and Economy Studies, there are 31,000 Americans who live in the territory of La République, although it is estimated that the actual number is much higher. Those Americans live all across the country, from Provence to Paris, so finding an expat community to help you adjust to a new country will not be that difficult. Still, when deciding on a place to live in, you have to take into account some other details like the cost of living, commute times, or property prices. So, here are the top three places Americans choose as their French home base.
Paris Is the Most Common Choice of American Expats
A picnic in the city center, in the middle of the day overlooking the Eiffel Tower, terrace cafes, great infrastructure, and great prospects for finding high-paid jobs are the major reasons why Americans choose to live in the capital. Americans are the biggest investors in FR. The ten largest American companies operate in Paris, so there are pretty high chances you’ll find work quickly.
The American presence is so essential in the life of Paris that there are even the American University and Library, as well as restaurants serving traditional American food, so being so far from home won’t seem so terrifying.
Still, be prepared for pretty high costs in the City of Light. The prices of rent are among the highest in Europe, so for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, you should set aside around $1,500 on a monthly basis, while the same sized apartment outside of the city center will cost just over $1,000. And if you want to buy a property, you’ll need a huge amount, too. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,500 per square foot, depending on the location.
Not sure if the capital is the right choice for you and your family? This video might help you decide:
Nice – Skiing in the Alps, Swimming in Côte-d’Azur, and the Spectacular Scenery of French Riviera
Another most desirable place to live in among expats is Nice. This coastal, Mediterranean city is known for its luxurious lifestyle, high safety standards, and great healthcare system – which is one of the best in the nation. These are enough to consider relocating to France if you ask us. Only 123 miles away from Monaco and Monte Carlo, and 21 miles from prestigious Canes, Nice is one of the best locations for exploring this part of Europe.
Due to all these beneficial conditions, Nice is an especially good choice for retirees. Still, be aware that the costs of living in Nice are also pretty high, but at the same time considerably lower compared to the capital city. For instance, rent prices in Paris are 40.40% higher than in Nice, while purchasing prices are almost 50% lower in Nice than in Paris. So, if you’re looking for gorgeous scenery, great location, and seaside Mediterranean spirit, Nice is definitely the right choice! The vicinity of Canes and Monte Carlo, palm trees lined all along the coast, crystal-clear seaside, and high quality of life sound like enough reasons to move here.
Lyon Is the Capital of the French Cuisine and the Last Representative of Authentic Culture
Lyon is France’s third-largest city that is the best representation of the nation’s authentic culture and lifestyle. Cobbled narrow streets full of cafes where the time passes more slowly, rich history, and monuments were reasons enough to get the city listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Aside from typical French culture, Lyon also represents the best gastronomical point in the country. Here, you’ll be able to taste literally every specialty of traditional cuisine, so if you’re a foodie, Lyon is definitely your match!
When it comes to job opportunities, since Lyon is a major economic and trade center in this region, finding employment is not that difficult. Hospitality, healthcare and social services, trade, manufacturing, engineering, and pharmaceuticals are the leading fields if you want to work in Europe as an American.
Also, the cost of living is significantly lower than in Paris. Rent prices on average in Lyon are 45.63% lower than in Paris. When it comes to prices per square footage, if you want to buy a property, Lyon is winning again with 60-70% lower prices.
What Should You Know About the Educational System if Moving to France from the USA With Kids?
La République is world-known for its prestigious University of Sorbonne, which proves the quality of the education system and institutions here, and is considered one of the best in the world. But until your kids are ready for this chapter, here is how the schooling system for expat kids is organized and what you should know before relocating with kids.
Should Your Kids Know French Before the Move?
If you choose to enroll the children into public schools, then you can expect that all classes will be in French. Since learning a language abroad can be challenging, some schools in bigger cities can offer intensive language classes, a special teaching assistant, or have organized specially designed activities to help expat kids adjust more easily to the new environment and overcome culture shock.
Useful Resources to Check if the International School Is Licensed
Many expat kids find it very difficult to learn the language since the expectations from teachers can be pretty high. Each year, many of them can face repeating a year which is a pretty common situation. So if you want to protect the kids from such stress, then you should definitely consider enrolling them in a private, bilingual school where the classes are held in the English and French languages. The best way to check if the school is legal and fully licensed is to access the official directory of the Council of International Schools and see how the institution ranks.
How Is the Schooling System Organized?
Education is free and mandatory for all kids of six to sixteen years old who have citizenship. There are three stages that belong to compulsory education:
- Primary School – for kids from six to 11 years old,
- Middle School (collège) – for kids from 11 to 15 years old,
- High school or lycée – for children from 15 to 18 years old.
The high schooling system is organized in such a way that in this period, children can choose among three types of lycee after they pass the baccalauréat exam. Lycée general, lycée technique, and lycée professionnel are three options designed in terms of students’ preferences and talents, and in many ways, this defines and directs the rest of their education and profession in the future.
Schools also insist on wearing uniforms, and unlike in the USA, there are no organized activities in school, like sports or anything else related to hobbies. So if you want your kids to be active in any other fields, you’ll have to organize that on your own and pay for it.
The Health System Covers Foreigners Who Work and Have Legal Residency
Starting from 2016, new rules are applied for foreigners who plan on living overseas when it comes to the healthcare system. They now have full access to it after the three-month residency. According to the law, every resident is obliged to have some kind of health insurance, whether it is state or private insurance. The health protection provided by the state is practically free for all residents. Depending on the needed assistance, the national health insurance covers between 70-100% of costs, including doctor, specialist, and dentist visits, maternity, and emergency care. Also, all residents with low income and long-term sick patients receive 100% coverage.
When it comes to the process of acquiring a healthcare plan, the moment you start to work, the employer will take care of all paperwork. Although health coverage is provided for all, based on the principles of solidarity, you should keep in mind that the healthcare system is funded by the citizens, too, through income taxes.
French Is a Pretty Demanding Language to Learn – Be Prepared to Work on It
French is considered to be the most romantic language in the world, whose pronunciation sounds like a melody. However, because of its Roman origin and pretty complex grammar rules, we suggest you prepare yourself. You’ll need some time to master it and break the language barrier.
Although it’s known that the best way to learn a language abroad is to become a part of the society and in some way be forced to use the foreign language every day, when it comes to French, it is better to start learning it way in advance. So don’t start with the relocation until you have some basic knowledge, at least.
The Logistics of International Moving to Another Continent
Moving internationally and surviving all the relocation stress is a task in itself. However, if you have an overseas moving company by your side who can provide you with all the essential support when it comes to shipping overseas, the whole process of international moving will be significantly easier. Finding an international moving company to provide you with all services of overseas shipping, whether you need overseas vehicle shipping or professional packing services, or you need an additional storage facility, is definitely a crucial detail. So before confirming any quote with the overseas shipping company, make sure to choose wisely and relocate to another country seamlessly.
