MM

November 28 2006

-Where were you born?
England

-In which country and city are you living now?
France, Lille

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with my boyfriend and soon with our baby, due in about 5 weeks.

-How long have you been living in France?
Since May

-What is your age?
26

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?
My boyfriend and I lived together in England for four years, but the cost of living, the way of life, the attitudes were getting me down…I was bored, so I wanted to try living in France (my boyfriend is French and had been in England for seven years so was ready – with some persuasion to return, too). I wanted to challenge myself and learn another language. Also, the idea of being able to buy my food in a market and not in a supermarket appealed without paying over the odds like I did in England trying to support local businesses. I like to eat well and drink red wine, so that was a factor - as well as a better social welfare and schools system… It took about a year in the planning, to choose a place to move to and find jobs – well, job in the end as we decided to have a baby, so I haven’t been working – but here we are!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No as I’m English and so don’t need one.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
We are still working through medical insurance issues. It’s been a bit complicated as we started the process for me to be an ‘Ayant Droit’ dependent on my boyfriend’s medical insurance, but it wasn’t processing successfully. As he had been in England for so long he had to apply for a Carte Vitale for himself, so eventually I applied through an E106 form to have temporary cover here due to my NI contributions in England, which seems to be ok. So I have cover until 2008 at present.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?
I will be an English Language Teacher as I have a CELTA qualification and was teaching foreign students in England in preparation for moving here. I would use the Internet to find schools or the Pages Jaune. I am not working at present much (as I am pregnant) but I do run an English Conversation class through the British cultural centre/Centre culturel britannique in Lille.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
It’s extremely important for me to speak French; if you want to integrate into a culture you have to speak the language. So I am learning, I go to a class twice a week, it’s difficult and I am quite shy when I speak and I don’t speak very well. I understand a lot and I have a good vocabulary, but it’s the speaking part at the moment that is most difficult. It is also difficult to meet people and make friends in a foreign language as your topics of conversation are limited! I’m trying and will continue to try…I can’t wait until I can speak well, it will be SO good!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do miss my family and friends sometimes, but never so much that it’s unbearable. I’m lucky as England’s not so far, so I know I can always go home. I get lonely, but that’s because I don’t know many people here yet. I miss going to the pub, lazy boozy Sundays over lunch. I miss English TV and I could get it here – but I don’t think it would help my French so I’m resisting…French TV is pretty dire, but in a way it’s good as I watch less TV. I have to try and be a bit more creative with my time or just sit in front of the computer…as I’m doing now!!

-Do you have other plans for the future?
Well, I’ll try to be a good mother, that’s my future plan. Also, make new friends and keep the old ones!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We’d like to buy in the future, we are renting at the moment.

-What is the cost of living in France?
Cheaper than in England

-What do you think about the French people?
Well they’re pretty friendly and polite most of the time, unless they’re driving or at the supermarket! I think it’s quite a myth that the French hate the English. Well, they don’t say it to my face at least!

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?
Positives: good food, good wine, good social welfare, poetic language, good men! Hee hee! Varied and beautiful scenery, architecture and culture.

Negatives: sometimes racist attitudes, high unemployment, bad-tempered drivers, bad queuing etiquette! Maybe perceived as arrogant and unfriendly sometimes, but not in the North so much, I don’t think. And hey I’m English, so I’m not really into overfriendliness anyhow, I like a bit of reserve!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?
Don’t expect it to be like where you come from, watch out for dog poo and try and learn the language as soon as you can!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?
An English Girl in Lille: Me!!
Total France.com: A useful resource for expats
Mumsnet: Useful for mums
BBC Languages: French: Useful for the language
From Florida to France: Another perspective of life in France