-Where were you born?

In Paisley, Scotland, in October 1946. 

-In which country and city are you living now?

A place called Vauvert in the Department of the GARD, Region Languedoc-Rouissillon, France.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

At the moment, I am alone after my wife's death in 1992, but I'm getting "company" in October/November this year 2011!

-How long have you been living in France?

11 years here now, but in France in all since 1992, before that almost 40 years in Germany.

-What is your age?

Indiscreet people but....well....I'm almost 65 years - vintage model! 

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

After the death of my wife, in Germany, I needed a new outlook and a new place - France was an automatic choice because we had a small place already installed. 

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

In France - no. In Germany in 1969 - yes, very difficult, but it's the same all over Europe (EEC) now. Visas are not required, neither are working permits by citizens of the EC countries.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, because I was insured by the German System (payable from my pensions) - it was simply transferred to France. I understand the British get it for free (under certain conditions) which doesn't please me too much, as a person who has to pay! 

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I'm a German pensioner with A British passport, French health insurance - living in France. I didn't have to look for a job, but I know that it is quite difficult right now in the current job situation. I would recommend using the official agencies and/or private ones. In France, "knowing people who know people" is quite important in job seeking!

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

Yes - I speak the local language, even the "Patois" - I also speak German and English which can break the ice with locals as well. Local traditions are fine - for locals, since the bullfighting (Tauromachie) is the prelevent one, not my cup of tea. It is more than important to accept the locals and their customs, even if one isn't particularly in favour oneself. Observing them is something else, if you can then ok, if not that's ok as well. Everybody will find one custom they could and should respect/observe.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

Not in the slightest - I have little or no family, what's left is far away in Australia and the USA.

Recreational is outdated for me now, I used to enjoy all sports. Nowadays, I enjoy Internet, blogging, creating Web sites - WATCHING sport on the TV as well, and I spend an enormous amount of time cooking, eating and wine drinking! Hey - this IS FRANCE you know! 

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Yes - I am going to be the happy guy receiving his fiancee installed here in France later this year and together we plan to open "Tian Entreprises" a web based, creative, International Site - in 2012, doing just about anything and everything (legal) for others on the Internet/Web - cheaply and openly, for everybody to be able to profit - without being exploited - in 3 languages as well!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

On my own currently, even with 2 later, I rent an apartment in a small Southern France village. At my age it is not reasonable to purchase. I currently pay 300 euros/month, for a 2-room apartment. About half of this sum is refunded by the French Social authority (CAF) - everybody legally living in France is entitled to these "aids". 

-What is the cost of living in France?

Locally very reasonable. A country region, agriculture, fruit, vegetables and wine is available at prices unthinkable in the UK or elsewhere. The only problems are when the tourists descend in summer - the local supermarkets drive the prices way up!

-What do you think about the French? 

Locals are relatively friendly if "introverted" - they tend to keep themselves to themselves and within small groups who know each other since birth! Simply being polite and friendly (not overly friendly) often is the best policy - at some stage, some of them come "out of their shells" just out of sheer nosiness about a foreigner....! 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

Positives are the standard of living, the quality of living, and the price of living - and, being the South of France, the air - the sea - the weather and the scenery.

Negative is the "closeness" for a long time of the locals, and negative also is the sometime arrogance of Parisians and other tourists who come to live their later years in the area, and don't want church bells ringing or cocks crowing...! Negative for me personally is the local main pastime "Tauromachie" - everything to do with bulls, arenas and bullfighting. 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Speak the language - stand up for the same rights as everybody else French or foreign - be polite - try to mix - appreciate local things, but don't be scared to criticise also.....mildly! 

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

http://marquisdugalipot.blogspot.com/  (My main Weblogspot in English with links to the other sites and Blogs.)

https://profiles.google.com/iwmPOP/posts  (My Google profile with links to ALL my activities on the Internet - and there are a lot!)

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1qgCmRCMJz4gnvfn5axk8d0Io6Bsu6nOmV7u-aSTAKKg (A document link about myself)

-Where were you born?

Birmingham, England

-In which country and city are you living now?

Puy D'Arnac, Corrèze

-Are you living alone or with your family?

With my wife Bridget & our collection of animals

-How long have you been living in France?

In France since the start of 2001. Originally in the Poitou Charentes, about an hour inland from La Rochelle, but we bought our Corrèze house in 2007, and move this month.

-What is your age?

57

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

1999, mainly due to work stress and a total lack of quality of life in the UK. We initially looked at Scotland & Ireland, but discounted them because of the weather. We then looked at Portugal, where we had a timeshare, but found that too expensive, and then decided on France.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No, but the French are famous for their bureaucracy, and the reputation is well earned!

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, we used our E106 cover tostart with and then took out a French "Top-Up" policy which has been absolutely great.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I work as an Agent Commercial, selling houses, principally to ex-Pats, running my own business Allez-Français, which was started at the end of 2001. We have a highly acclaimed website www.allez-francais.com and around 300 houses for sale currently.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

My French gets me by. I would love to be fluent, but the most important thing is to make the effort to speak the language. We try to participate in village events and have integrated well into the community, and we even got married here in 2003.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Not really, we get depressed watching the UK news on the TV at times !

-Do you have other plans for the future?

To start to explore France a bit more - there is just so much to see. We have new business partners in the Poitou Charentes, and we want them to run the business to its full potential.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

You can still buy a lot of house for your money in France. Small 2 bed houses are available for around 100,000 Euros, whilst a grand house with 4-5 bedrooms will cost more like 300,000. For the seriously rich a château will set you back in excess of a million.

-What is the cost of living in France?

Dearer now than when we first moved here in 2001.

-What do you think about the French? 

Really great. No hostility, just curiosity !

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

+ the quality of life, medical services etc.

- undoubtedly, the bureaucracy

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Do your reasearch first. Use a good estate agent. Budget for no income for at least a year.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

http://www.allez-francais.com

http://allez-francais.blogspot.com

http://www.survivefrance.com

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com

-Where were you born?

London, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?

SW France, near Montauban

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Husband

-How long have you been living in France?

13 years

-What is your age?

Early 50s

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

1997 - having reached a crossroads in my career, I felt there was more to life than four office walls. My husband had already lived in France for four years and we usually holidayed here, enjoying la vie française. He was self-employed as a consultant, which he could do from anywhere, and I decided to do the same.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Not an issue. EU citizens have the right to live in other EU countries.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

We got straight into the health system because we set up a French company. Nowadays there are residency qualifications before you can get in if you are below retirement age. Best to get advice on this before taking the plunge.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated? 

Freelance writer. I write research reports, annual reports, brochures, etc., for UK corporate clients and am moving into magazine articles and features as well. I also teach English as a sideline.

We were lucky to have another British expat help us to set up our company, especially as our French wasn't brilliant at the time. He had lived in France for 20 years and knew the ropes. There seemed to be a lot of paperwork (all in French) and lots of rules and regulations to follow. I'd advise anyone planning to set up a business to get help and not try to do it alone, unless your French is very good and you know the system already.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes. I think it's essential to speak French if you want to integrate. It also makes it easier to deal with the legendary bureaucracy.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? 

No, I visit the UK regularly on business; it's 1.5 hours away by air.

-Do you have other plans for the future? 

If I can ever afford to retire I will travel more and see more of France, especially. France is great for walking and, of course, food and drink.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it? 

We own our house. Real estate prices have fallen in recent years in the countryside but have remained stable in booming cities like Toulouse, with a likely tendency upwards in 2010.

-What is the cost of living there?

In the countryside it's cheaper than in big cities anywhere, but watch out for currency fluctuations if you come from outside the Eurozone.

-What do you think about the locals? 

Friendly and helpful especially if you make the effort to speak French.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

Positive: health system, countryside, culture.

Negative: bureaucracy, government interventionism, winters are colder than anyone lets on before you move here.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Learn French, don't come if you don't have a regular income or aren't sure of getting one, don't discard your winter clothes!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

My own blog about French life, A writer's lot in France, which gives the lowdown on what it's really like to live in rural France:
www.vanessafrance.wordpress.com

I also find the following useful:

www.livingfrance.com

www.frenchentree.com

www.expatica.com

-Where were you born?

I was born in Manhattan in New York City, USA.

-In which country and city are you living now?

We are living in the countryside near Nice in France.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living here with my husband of 37 years.

-How long have you been living in France?

We moved to France during the winter of 1999.

-What is your age?

I'm not telling, but I am from the Woodstock Generation...more or less.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

Having been raised in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural neighborhood in New York City, my interest in exotic people and places was sparked at an early age.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Being a full time author and painter, I have not had to seek a work permit.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

We arrived in France with our American Health Insurance, but after 2 years we changed over to the French system. It was easy for us to make the transition. The French system is far less expensive and cost effective. It is a fantastic system. Quite possibly the best in the world.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

My husband is retired from the US Government and I am a painter and full time writer of literary fiction.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Having studied French in the US and here in France, I am fluent. Fluency in the language makes it far easier to interact with the population and to negotiate the complex French bureaucracy. I couldn't imagine surviving with any quality of life without the language.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

From time to time we miss family and friends, although we have had frequent visitors.  There is nothing we miss from home since France and Europe in general has everything we desire. Besides the US had changed so much, especially since the events of 9/11. We hardly recognize the place any more! 

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Our plans are to continue to travel throughout Europe and Africa. We are thinking of starting a writer's retreat here in the South.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

Living in the South of France is expensive. Nevertheless, for us it is not more expensive than New York City where we lived before we moved here. One can expect to spend 300000 euros for a 3 bedroom house on the French Riviera. 

-What is the cost of living there?

Although life is relatively expensive here (compared to the rest of the country...outside Paris, of course), the quality of life justifies the cost of living.

-What do you think about the locals?

The French in the South are very welcoming.  The South is a "cross road" to everywhere and is a well known resort, so as a result the locals are accustomed to foreign populations and visitors.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

I can find no negative aspects of living here.  I find that France is the most cosmopolitan country on earth.  The country is brimming with culture: museums, galleries, concerts, theater....etc.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Learn the language and rid oneself of ethnocentric baggage.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Of course there is mine: www.deloryswelchtyson.com and Epat.blog.

-Where were you born?

San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Mauves sur Loire, France

  The Loire from our town

-Are you living alone or with your family?

With my French husband, two Franco-American kids and two rabbits

-How long have you been living there?

5 years in January, 2009

-What is your age?

41

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

My husband and I met in Paris when I was studying there. But we've spent most of our time together in San Francisco. We'd always thought we might come back someday but the combination of  the dot-com market implosion, post-2001 politics and our son being ready for elementary school convinced us five years ago that it was time.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

No, as I'm married to a French citizen. It was actually easier for me here than for him there.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, we joined the French health system immediately. In fact, you have no choice if you're to be a legal resident. After I got my first French job contract, I received my own French Social Security number and health care card.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

Well…this is the tricky part. I'm a journalist and I've freelanced regularly since I got here; I've also had a couple of short-term contracts doing a bit of this, a bit of that. But I can't say as I've really "made a living here" yet. This is mostly because we chose, for our children, to not live in Paris. As an American journalist, all professional roads lead to Paris. Now my kids are older, however, and I'm actively job-hunting, including in Paris.

  The Deux Chevaux I rented on Belle Ile, right off the coast of Brittany

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, I speak French well. But I have an accent and, unlike some of my friends, I don't think I'll ever reach the day when I "pass" for a French person. In my experience writing for the expat press and interviewing other expats, it is possible to get by in Paris without much French. But it's not possible to really settle here happily unless you do. But as long as you're trying really hard, the French will make more linguistic allowances for you than their reputation would imply.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I miss Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (the French hate peanut butter) and real Mexican food including a real margarita. There are other guilty pleasures I use to miss that have faded with time, like US Magazine and the Oscars. But I miss how Americans chat with people they don't know in public. I miss "shooting the breeze" in a way I may never be able to do in French. I miss the excitement of having just elected Barack Obama to be our President. But mostly now, I just miss my family. The hardest part of all this is having my mother get old and my children's cousins grow without really knowing who we are. These are the only things that sometimes make me doubt our choice to come here.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Yep: get a job! I really want to stay in France, but not if it means radically downsizing my professional expectations. Provided I can fix this problem, I still don't know if I'll be here forever but I don't feel like I've finished with my adventure yet.

  Nantes Château de Ducs de Bretagne

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We bought a house; we paid just under EUR300,000 for a four-bedroom house with a big yard 30 minutes out of Nantes. Unfortunately, we probably bought at the peak of the market; I fear we're going to lose some money if I find a job elsewhere and we are forced to sell next year.

-What is the cost of living in France?

Higher than we thought! Schooling, housing and insurance are still all much cheaper than in San Francisco, but transportation, food, clothing, gas, heating, and other household expenses are about the same. And salaries are fully half of what we could command in California. Plus the cost of airline tickets has gone up by fully a third since we moved here and the exchange rate has gone from bad to worse. If the dollar were to stabilize against the euro, it would help us a lot.

-What do you think about the French?

It is said that the "failure rate" for expats assignments to France is among the highest in the world and it is true that the French take an effort to get to know. They are never going to be what Americans consider as "friendly" and moving here requires that you try to understand them on their terms. On the other hand, I've received a lot of support for my efforts to do that and I can count on one hand the number of encounters that have been truly hostile. So, as long as you don't arrive expecting less culture shock than if you were going to, let's say, China, you can find your place here, even in a small town like where I live.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

For us, the most important part of being here is that our children are bilingual and bicultural. And we like having our own sub-culture just for our family. Never having to worry about healthcare coverage is a huge comfort for us. And I also really like being able to travel to other parts of France and Europe.

Dealing with French bureaucracy, including the education system, however, is a constant frustration for me and my husband and he's French! Also, see above, I'm having trouble reconciling our choice of where to live with my desire/need to earn a living, but I hope to solve this problem by being more creative about defining what I do.

Super Duponts at Nantes Carnaval

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Americans tend to think they know more about France than other countries, like Kuwait or Thailand. You don't: expect culture shock. But don't get wrapped up into trying to be more French than thou: the French love eccentrics! If you're going to be here longer than a year and you think you'll want to drive here, try to get a driver's license before you come from one of the 14 states that let you trade it for a French license. This sounds like an unnecessary hassle, but passing the French driver's test is crazy hard and expensive. Lots of French people never pass it. Also think hard before sending your kids to public school and not just because of the strikes; French teachers tend to have rigid ideas about how to do things and throwing your kids into the middle of your culture shock can make it harder for all of you. If you have a special-needs kids, research carefully and in advance how to get what they need.  And…never, never, never take Non for an answer. The French always say Non first; they don't always mean it.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Let's start with mine: Francey Pants, www.franceypants.com
It's a collection of my writing for the culturally confused English-speaker living in France. Plus the Francey Pants Bookstore and a full collection of ALL my favorite sites!

My other favorites:
Bonjour America, http://www.bonjour-america.com
Gender-bender humor that pokes fun at both sides of the Atlantic. Genuinely funny but good-hearted.

Insider Paris Guides, http://www.insiderparisguides.com/index.htm
Where to download the best practical guide on moving to France.

Writing Letters in French, http://www.askoxford.com/languages/fr/french_letters/?view=uk
Helps you with all those pesky formulae for all kind of French letters…so much more formal than in English!

Service-Publique.fr, http://www.service-public.fr
Mostly only in French…but the absolute best view online of the labyrinth of French administration. If your French is up to it, it will really help you get the paperwork out of the way.

-Where were you born?

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

-In which country and city are you living now?

Antony, France

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Living with my husband.

-How long have you been living in France?

2 years 3 months.

-What is your age?

43 this month!!! 

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

Ever since I was a teenager, I had always wanted to live in another country.  I took French when I was 14-19 years old, so a French-speaking country was one of my choices.  I always dreamed of being bilingual!  I had also really wanted to live in Australia and also Dubai!

One very important factor that helped my decision was the fact that my husband is French... In the early stages of our relationship (before we got married), I told him I would gladly live in France if we had to chose between living in France or the U.S. I am very adaptable to living in a new country.... 

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

I had to wait 3 months because of my husband's insurance policy from work - kind of like an initial enrollment period, and somehow I had just missed it.. Weird, because here in France... we have such great coverage!!! 

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

After I got legal authorization to work - took three months, too... I went to the employment office in my town and spoke to the woman in charge of helping individuals find a job. In my case, it was very difficult even though I hold a undergraduate degree from a prestigious university as well as two teaching credentials...

Nothing seemed to just "transfer" over here as an equivalent... So, she recommended I teach English privately and in the public schools.  The first year I had six students and this year I have 22 with possibly a new student to start next week. 

-Do you speak French  and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, I do speak French (well enough by now) and I feel that it is necessary to speak the local language wherever that may be when you go to live in a foreign country.  It helps on so many levels!  Book French is definitely NOT the same as day to day spoken French, though!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Not really as much as I did in the beginning.  I talk with my family enough by phone and email.  I don't really miss "home" because this is "home" to me now!  There are certain things that I miss about living in the U.S. but I prefer living here in France! 

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I would eventually like to buy a home with my hubby in another region in France (near the ocean) and open a Bed & Breakfast!  I know that there are probably a million out there already but this is something I have been keeping in my brain for a while now.... Definitely MORE travel!! 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

Apt. owners.  No rent... 

-What is the cost of living in France?

Don't know but it's very high and salaries are very low.  I don't know how everyone does it!  Especially with a family. 

-What do you think about the French?

I have had very few problems with the locals since I have lived here.  I have had  sooooo many more wonderful experiences!  I think the people are great - and friendly, esp. when you speak the language.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

Negative aspects first:

• For me, colder weather - I'm from southern California you know! 

• SMOKERS EVERYWHERE!

• Cost of living is high. 

• There is no ocean near by.

• People spit all over the streets.

• People don't clean up after their dogs. 

Positive aspects:

• Great food and wine

• I get to live in a country whose language I love.

• It's great to live in Europe and be a part of this lifestyle.

• Changing seasons - even winter - it has its charm, too.

• So much to see of this beautiful country.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

Don't be afraid to speak in French to people!!  They will appreciate it.  Be nice to others around you.  Take the time to socialize with strangers!!  SMILE at others when you walk on the street - don't be afraid to do this.  Have a good time!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

 My blog, News From France: http://islandgirl4ever2.blogspot.com

-Where were you born?

New York City, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Besançon, France

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I'm living with my boyfriend. My family is back home in the States.

-How long have you been living in France?

1 year

-What is your age?

23

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

I've known that I've always wanted to live abroad, notably in Europe while I was young. The first time that I was sure about the idea was when I took a high school trip to France and Italy. I absolutely loved France and wanted to return. In college I studied abroad for a semester and met my boyfriend. 2 ½ years later we're still together and I'm back in France!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Yes, it can be hard, but for me it was very simple. However, I was able to get a job as an English teaching assistant beforehand which facilitated the visa process.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, it was relatively easy but it just takes a long time for your request to be processed. For about 150 euros I will be reimbursed for all medical costs for one year. I've been hired by the government so it's easy for me to get health insurance. I'm not sure what its like for other expats in France. Contrary to the US, health insurance is very affordable here in France.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I'm working as an English assistant at the primary level. I found this job through the website www.frenchculture.org while still in the US. There is an online application that I filled out and sent in. About 6 months later I heard through the mail that I was accepted. I make about 740 euros per month after taxes and social security are taken out. Last year I was given a 7-month teaching contract at the primary school level. This year I received a 9-month contract. It's not a very demanding job and considering the small amount of hours that I work, I get paid decently. You are expected to work 12 hours per week but you have at least 5 weeks of paid vacation throughout the school year! It's great!

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, It's extremely important to speak the local language. The first few months when I studied abroad in France I was completely lost because I couldn't communicate or understand anything in French. It's very frustrating when you can't express yourself in another language. You feel like a part of the country and the community when you can speak the language. If you don't speak it, you are excluding yourself from a lot of great things and experiences. As we all know the French are very proud of their language so they love when foreigners know how to speak French!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Of course! I miss home every day. I enjoy just walking around the city that I live in and meeting new people. There are all different kinds of activities here. I started going to a public pool for some exercise and I also want to start biking. Anything you can think of, they have it. Shopping and traveling are of course my favorite activites.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

As far as travel plans go, I basically want to visit as much of Europe as possible. I've only visited a handful of countries here. Of course I would LOVE to go to other continents, but I'm waiting for some real revenue before I do that. I'm always thinking about what I could do for a career. Teaching English is fun but I don't know if I want to do it forever.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I'm renting a one-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend. Our rent is 440 euros per month plus utilities which include water, heat and a few other things. To buy a home in the Besançon area is anywhere around 90,000 euros to 300,000 for an average size house I‘m estimating.

-What is the cost of living in your area in France?

It's cheaper than Paris!

-What do you think about the French?

Everyone is really nice. I've never had any problems. I love talking to the locals here. They are very interested in foreigners, especially Americans. There is also a university here so there are lots of young people.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

I think about 100 books have already been written about the good and the bad things about the French.
Let's see, the positive aspects would be:

• Cheap health care!
• The food!
• The wine, the cheese etc etc etc
• The beautiful country and the history
• Good public transportation
• Government aid for underprivileged people

Negative aspects:

• Stores are always closed on Sundays, between 12-2pm during the week, and closed after 7pm. Growing up in the US of course there's ALWAYS something open until late at night or even all night.
• There are never enough employees for customers, i.e.; the Post Office, the Bank, the super market, etc. etc. etc., so you always wait forever to get something done.
• Strikes, all the time.
• All English/American movies and TV shows are dubbed in French. I prefer watching VO (Original version).
• The French don't give a crap about the laws; example: if there is a handicap parking space, without a doubt someone will park there who isn't handicapped.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

• Try to integrate with the French and don't just stick within your comfort zone of other English speakers.

• Travel as much as possible not only in France but all over Europe.

• When in France, do as the French do...

• Try all of the French specialties and wines.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Yes, here's my blog: http://nouvellevieenfrance.blogspot.com

And for anyone who is interested in doing the English assistantship in France here's the website: www.Frenchculture.org

-Where were you born?

Scotland born and bred

-In which country and city are you living now?

I now live in France - Versailles to be precise, which isn't quite Paris, but it's still in the surrounding area. 

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live with my French boyfriend and our cat (who we had to fly over from Scotland!)

-How long have you been living in France?

I've been living in Versailles for six months now, and I lived in La Rochelle in the West of France for a year in 2006. I've not been an expat for long, but I'm learning that some things are easier than I initially thought, and a lot of things are much more difficult.

-What is your age?

I’m 22 years young.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

There was no light bulb moment where I suddenly realised I wanted to live in France, I think it was always something I wanted to do. My mother lived in France for several years when she was in her teens, working as an English teaching assistant, and then she went on to make a career out of teaching French back in Britain. Thanks to her love of France and its language we spent at least two weeks holidaying there every year when I was a child, which may have helped shape me into the Francophile I am today (although it certainly didn't help me with my knowledge of the language whatsoever, more's the pity!).

And then, in my final year at school, the time had come to make a decision on what I was going to do with my life. I didn't need to think much through; I'd had my heart set on studying French at university and then living abroad for as long as I can remember.

But dreams as a teenager don't always stay the same once we are adults. At university I went through phases of loving my French classes and hating them, making me wonder whether I had actually chosen the right uni course. In the end, I eventually came to live and work in France for two reasons:

1. I spent one year living in La Rochelle in the west of France as part of my degree, studying at the local university and realised something; learning to speak French was easiest and most rewarding when living in the country.
2. I met a Frenchman and fell madly in love with him.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

As a European Union citizen I am lucky enough to not have to worry about getting a visa or a working permit. I understand that the French administration is … a little complicated, shall we say, but there are plenty of non EU citizens who have obtained their visas and working permits to live and work here, so it can't be that hard … can it?

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Well now! This is a sore point for me at the moment because I'm in the middle of applying for a carte vitale in order to get my medical insurance and it is – admittedly - a tad complicated. I have sent off my papers to the officials several times only to have everything returned to me a couple of weeks later telling me that I need to do this or that before they can give me my carte vitale (If only they could tell me all the papers they want at the same time instead of having me send everything one by one!). I've been told I need to get my birth certificate translated and officially stamped, but all the officials that I get in contact with – the British Embassy in Paris, the British Council, the French Embassy in Britain, the registrar who originally did my birth certificate – keep saying they can't/won't do it and claim it's the responsibility of the others. Frustrating. Very frustrating.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I have a job in Paris, thanks to my boyfriend's mother. I hate saying that, because it makes me sound lazy, like I didn't try, or as though I'm not worthy of the job, but I did have to go through the interview process and I have had to prove myself since that I can do the job. I think, despite my degree in Foreign Languages and Tourism, that I would have had some difficulty to find a job when I first came here six months ago as my French was nowhere near fluent and I had no job experience behind me whatsoever. Not to mention that a degree that hasn't been achieved in France is often overlooked completely.

The job I currently have has really nothing to do with my degree, and it doesn't interest me in the slightest, but it is on a short term contract which will end in December, and was only ever meant as an experience to improve my French and something to put on my CV to show I have worked in the country.

I have already started searching for my next job here, which I will take on as soon as my current contract has finished in December. There are so many job centres and temping agencies here, but for the moment I have put my CV on Monster.fr and other job search websites. Already I've had some interest and I know that anyone who is bilingual – especially those who are fluent in English – is sought after by employers on these websites. I'd advise anyone who doesn't have contacts in the country to help them find a job to put their CV on these websites and to keep their minds open.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I do speak French, although not as fluently as I'd like to. One thing I know for certain though is that every French person I have ever met has always appreciated the fact that I try very hard to speak their language rather than allow them to speak to me in English. Anglophones have such a bad reputation, apparently, for not even trying to speak French and for just expecting the locals to automatically speak English to them. I don't want to be that kind of person, I want to fit in here.

I think if you are going to move to a foreign country for any length of time, you have to do it 100%. You have to respect that you are living in a foreign country and embrace everything that that means. Language, culture, everything. So even if you only know a few words of the French language it never hurts to use it. At least when you say 'bonjour,' 'merci' and 'au revoir,' to a local they know that you are trying, even if the rest is in broken French and extravagant arm gestures.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I do miss home and my family a lot but I have only been here six months and luckily I have a really busy life that keeps me from moping about and getting too down about things. The other day I was feeling nostalgic and realised that I actually miss the smell of cow poo. Yes, the smell of cow poo. Coming from a tiny little farming village in Scotland filled with fields of cows and moving to Versailles where there are no fields and no farmyard animals might do that to you, I suppose.

But more than cow poo - more than anything - I miss my friends and family. Here I have a boyfriend and my colleagues and that's about it. At home I have my family, my friends, the friends of my friends, old friends and new friends. I have an entire support network. Here I have one person.

It seems to me that at home it's so much easier to make friends, no matter what age you are. But here people seem to make their friends in school when they are young and they stay friends for life, making it much more difficult to let anyone new into a group of friends. I have tried oh-so-hard at work to be friendly and to make friends with my colleagues but it hasn't worked.

So what I really miss is my favourite people. I wish I could bundle them all on a plane and fly them out here and force them all to live with me, but life isn't as ideal as that. I miss having a laugh with girlfriends, sharing secrets, knowing that I've always got someone to lean on, but in reality, I don't think I will ever find that kind of friendship here in France. It's maybe just something I will have to deal with.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I don't really have solid plans for the future as of yet, but I do have dreams that I'd like to pursue. One of them is to become an English teacher here in France, and the other is to improve my French so that I can really begin to feel more like myself here. Apart from that, I have no idea where my life is heading and I can't make up my mind whether this is a good thing or a bad thing!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I'm renting an apartment (60m²) in the centre of Versailles (which is said to be a rich and expensive town but in actual fact there is not much of a difference between here and the surrounding towns of Paris) which consists of 2 bedrooms, a living room, a dressing room (I love it!), a kitchen, a shower room, a WC and a cellar for roughly 920€, some charges included. We pay the electricity separately.

-What is the cost of living in France?

I find that anywhere I go in France I seem to spend a lot of money just trying to live. I've never actually sat down and noted the difference between prices of food or clothes in France and Britain but I just have the impression that there are less bargains to be found here.

Each week, despite the fact we try hard to find the cheapest brands, my boyfriend and I spend at least 100€ on our supermarket shopping to feed ourselves and the cat (also on toiletries and household cleaning products, etc.). And I'm sorry girls, but shoes sold here just seem to be quality, not quantity. In my quest to find a shoe shop selling fashionable shoes at reasonable prices I have been rather disappointed. I once asked a French girl for advice and she told me that the French buy their shoes in extremely good quality so that they last up to ten years. Ten years?! But no shoe stays in fashion for ten years!

-What do you think about the French?

Like everywhere on this planet you get goodies and baddies here. I have come across a lot of very pleasant Parisians and Versaillais, and I have also come across the odd French stereotype – an arrogant b*****d. I suppose a lot of it is to do with me and the way I approach them, so my only advice here is to be polite and respectful and friendly. Of course, when someone is mean to you (as they can be as soon as they hear your accent) you have the right to be mean back. I just don't have the guts to do that.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

Positives : living with my Frenchman, the joie de vivre, the food, the wine, the beautiful language, the culture, living the dream!

Negatives : being far from friends and family, the French administration!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

The best thing would be to take language lessons before you even arrive in the country because that in itself is going to help everything a billion times more than anything else. Also to really read up on France and its culture and to know for certain that this is a step you want to make. There is nothing more ridiculous than packing up your life and moving to a foreign country on a whim. Really think it through, do your homework and ask yourself if it's really what you want.

Remind yourself it's France. Don't expect to come across the same culture as you are used to in your native country, there will be a lot of things that will shock and surprise you, and don't forget that just because France does things differently from your native country doesn't mean it's wrong. Expect a culture difference. Prepare yourself for the shock and don't get hung up on it when you come across a difficulty.

Also, buy as many cheap and fashionable shoes as you can before you come to France so that you don't have to go out and buy an extortionate pair that are made to last ten years.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

I write my own blog about my life as an expat in France which you can find here http://www.princesseecossaise.com but there are many interesting and insightful websites out there that could be of help to potential expats in France. A few of my favourites are:

http://french.about.com: A great resource for those of you who want to brush up on your French or to learn new French vocabulary and grammar.

http://www.parisdailyphoto.com: A lovely photo blog filled with photos of Paris and its surroundings, posted daily. Watch out, it's addictive!

-Where were you born?

Seattle, WA (USA)

-In which country and city are you living now?

I currently live in Paris, France.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Neither, I live with a roommate.

-How long have you been living in France?

I’ve been in France 5 years and in Paris around 4 years.

-What is your age?

30 (but in my head I’m still 19)

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

My high school graduation gift from my parents was a trip to Western Europe. We visited several different countries and I think on some level, I knew then that I would live somewhere in Europe for at least a few months.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Yes! The student visa wasn't a problem, but it required a lot of paperwork. The work permit was very difficult and required "sponsorship" of a company.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No. As a student, I had insurance through the school and kept it through my internship and until I was employed in a full time and permanent position. But even if someone is in France without insurance, doctor visits are inexpensive.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

I work in marketing. After grad school I found a marketing internship with an international company. The working language of the office is English and the person who interviewed me is American, both are factors which worked in my favor. After my internship ended, a different manager in the same department had an opening and hired me. The company used an immigration consultant to help with the work permit paperwork. It took several months of waiting, but the work permit was approved. I now work for a different company.

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I speak French and I don't know how I would manage if I didn't. My personal belief is that it's important to at least attempt to learn the local language if you're going to be in the country for more than a few months. It's also important to try to understand the local customs. That said, I have known foreigners who lived in Paris for a year or more and didn't learn French. One person told he didn't see the need since Paris is such an international city and a lot of people speak English.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Yes, I do miss home and my family sometimes, especially my mother's cooking. In general I miss the conveniences of the U.S. such as 24-hour grocery stores, finding restaurants that serve food any time of the day (other than a McD or boulangeries). Sometimes I miss understanding how things work without having to asking someone.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

No specific plans at the moment.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I'm currently renting and share a 2-bedroom apartment with a French roommate. It's tough to give a range for rent in Paris because it can vary widely depending on different factors (e.g., the neighborhood, size of the apartment, if the building has an elevator, etc.). If you rent a chambre de bonnes (maid's room) or studio in a "not great" area, your range will be very different than a large apartment in a posh arrondisement like the 8th or 16th. I prefer to share an apartment because I get more space.

-What is the cost of living in France?

That's very hard to say. If you live outside of Paris, the cost of living will be less. I prefer to pay more on rent and live in the city. When I moved to Paris from the small city where I went to grad school, my rent doubled. Outside of rent there are ways to save money. My company pays for 1/2 of my monthy public transport pass. And most companies have a subsidized cafeteria or provide you with restaurant tickets that are usually worth €7- €8 per ticket. Part of the cost of the ticket is taken from your salary and the company pays the rest. Many large companies also have what's called a comite d'entreprise that provides benefits such as reduced price cinema tickets.

-What do you think about the French? 

It really depends on the individual. I've met and become friends with some French peple who are extremely friendly and helpful. I've met others who are just mean. Parisians have a reputation for being rude to foreigners. But once you've been here a while you see that they are that way with everyone, including French people.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

The list of both could go on forever. I love how the French tend to take time to enjoy life. For example, long vacations are common and they take time to enjoy meals. The universal healthcare system (which we currently lack in the US) is great. 

The more negative aspects are that the country is slow to change - look at the strikes that heppen whenever changes in employment laws/regulations are proposed. There is also a self-assuredness that can come across as an arrogance and/or a disdain for anything not French.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

If you don't speak the language, learn it or at least learn a few key phrases. Find a local who can explain certain things like taxes and the healthcare system. Also, read a book about the French that will give some insights into the culture. I recommend Steven Clarke's Talk to the Snail and Sarah Turbull's Almost French. And don't try to make sense of everything. Sometimes you have to tell yourself that certain things are the way they are and not try to figure out why.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Of course there's my own blog: A Seattleite in Paris.

I would also recommend ParisBlog (a site that has posts from different Paris bloggers), Stuff Parisians Like (a funny explanation of Parisians) and Paris Daily Photo (wonderful photos from around Paris).

-Where were you born?

I was born In London, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?

I live in Southern Brittany, France, in the beautiful medieval town of Josselin

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I now live happily with my partner Keith and my 12 year old son Joshua.

-How long have you been living in France?

I have lived here for 8 years.

-What is your age?

Old enough! 

-When did you come up with the idea of living in France?

The idea of living in France came about 9 years ago, I was working all hours for no joy, just to pay bills, too tired for entertainment etc.,  there was no quality or purpose in life, so after lots of hours spent researching and thinking you only live once; I decided to just go for it, a big factor in this was that I wanted my son to grow up in an environment that I grew up in at his age - so here we are!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Not necessary

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, not at all.

-How do you make your living in France? Do you have any type of income generated?

Started off, like many Brits, buying a property to convert and turn into Gites, which I still run to this day, but there is no money to be made here really.  I decided to register with 'Interim' Agencies, and landed a job working in an Abattoir (not as bad as it sounds) packing bits of dead meat into boxes, the 'clean' end so to speak!  It is hard work but nice to have a feeling of 'belonging to society' and to make lots of new friends, good for your French as well, speaking of which you really do need a basic level of French to be able to work here although not totally necessary as I do have one or two English friends who do not speak it and have found jobs, their French is now coming on!

-Do you speak French and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes I do speak the language although not fluently, whereas my son is totally fluent in both English & French, what a future he has!  You really do need a basic level of French to be able to integrate and 'profit la vie' I really cannot understand why so many Brits over here do not want to bother, they are missing out on so much!  They feel that the French should speak English to them and expect steak and chips!!  I suppose they are so used to a multi-cultural UK! I do hate the 'enclaves' which are apparent here as well, why not integrate?  The answers usually are 'I'm too old' or 'I can't be bothered' - so untrue - find that embarrassing for me as a Brit.  I often wish I could just shake them and say look what you are missing out on!  Respect for the culture is extremely important in my view.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

No, I don't miss UK at all (I don't class it as home). I don't really miss my family either as they are often visiting me here.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

My partner and I are looking forward to building our 'wooden house' hopefully within the next few year, we find that a very exciting prospect! Also to grow all our own veggies (like so many others) and lots of flowers (my love), and chickens, geese etc.  We also have some business plans in the pipeline - which of course have to be thought over very carefully whilst sipping a glass of wine or two in the French sunshine!!! 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

My partner and I rent a house in the medieval town of Josselin Southern Brittany,  I also own my own property which has 3 Gites that I rent out near the pretty town of La Gacilly Southern Brittany, a beautiful Breton Longere with stunning oak beams, a Breton fireplace etc., an acre of land and was bought for £91,000 inclusive 7 years ago, I have it on the market at the moment for 230,000E  which is relatively cheap but the economy the way it is, is a realistic figure.  For anyone interested have a look at my website at http://www.farmhousegites.com. Whilst waiting for my house to be sold which is obviously difficult in this difficult economic clime, I am still renting out my Gites, if anyone on here would like to rent a Gite from me, just mention Expats and I will give you a good discount!

-What is the cost of living in France?

I have certainly noticed the cost of living has gone up a lot in the last year or two, although wine still remains very cheap (thank goodness), properties are still relatively cheap compared to the UK.

-What do you think about the French?

I find with the locals as long as you try to speak a little bit of French with them however small, they welcome you with open arms and bend over backwards to help you - and you feel great as you feel you have achieved a bit of integration!

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in France?

The positive aspects for living here I feel are the pollution-free countryside, more space, pleasure to drive - no overcrowding on the roads, the respect is second to none, especially in schools, (that has just about gone in UK schools now)  not as much crime as UK, weather is better, time to think, no overcrowding and miserable people, here the people are so friendly and want to help, you walk past a local and it will be very rare they don't say 'bonjour.' People here have time for you!

The negative aspects? Well I can only think that the French language is hard at times getting to grips with especially the pattoir - but perseverance will bring rewards eventually!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in France?

If your heart says you want to try this country, then just go for it. I know that there are a lot of things to think about to make it happen, but my tip would be do not think for too long, otherwise it will be too late and your dream will not be realised - after all you only live once - and if you find you come over and its not for you, well all I would say is 'well done' you have tried and you will feel better and richer for that experience!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about France?

Well I would like to thank my clever partner/copain Keith, who created my website for me: http://www.farmhousegites.com, what a good job he has done!  Check out his websites at http://www.bretondiary.com.

http://lustinbrittany.blogspot.com/