Hello,
For France, it's the Long Stay visa which is fairly easy to get and covers you for 12 months, then you renew it in France. You apply in the USA. All of the details are covered on the IL France webpage under visas.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
In case you missed it! My article about why I enjoy living in France - there's a lot to love!
Tuula Rampont, IL France Correspondent
https://internationalliving.com/absolutely-fabulous-things-about-living-in-france/
For France, you can look at Nice which has a thriving expat community for singles. I'd also consider Lyon and even Paris.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello Gary,
Renting in Toulon is fairly easy and cheaper than other areas in the south of France. The expat life is a lot slower because it's still quite "under-the-radar." If you're fine with hanging out with mainly the French and a few small expat groups, you should be okay. Your French will improve very quickly in Toulon.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Bonjour!
Those are all great spots - for different reasons. A scouting trip is a good idea to check off all your "must-haves" and see what the local community is like.
Toulon and Hyeres have very few North American expats, just a quick FYI.
A lot of people like Antibes and, surprisingly, Cannes.
Also, you could check out Nice "adjacent" cities along the coast like Villefranche-sur-Mer.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
For France, you can try the Morning Croissant website to find one-month rentals of furnished apartments.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
Every situation is different, but a lot of people prefer to sell most of their stuff before moving. The fees to ship, depending on the amount of things you'd like to bring, can be very costly - extra customs charges might also apply. I do know someone who moved all her belongings to France... it's a certain budget and a lot of paperwork, but can be done. I moved with just my clothes and a few momentos and restocked here. I could find everything I needed.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
Well, I'm not an expert but I can tell you what I've observed by living here. There was definitely some "far right" traction a short time ago but, for me, it's calmed down considerably and lost a lot of steam. I think the French are quite fearful, as a whole, of any extreme right movement.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
There are English friendly cities in France. One of them is Nice and Paris is good too. Of course you'll pick up a lot of the language when you live there.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
For France, the south regions of Provence and Occitanie have pretty great weather year-round. There are some rainy days, but overall, 300+ days of sunshine.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
For France, you can try the Morning Croissant website. Many short-term expats I know who come to France once a year use their services.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello,
I would check out Nice or Lyon in France. Most of the expats I know there don't have a car and take public transport... and also the train for visiting other parts of the country, and even other parts of Europe. Nice is especially interesting as it has an airport in the city.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent
Hello! I just had a chance to reply to the above question:
Renting in Toulon is fairly easy and cheaper than other areas in the south of France. The expat life is a lot slower because it's still quite "under-the-radar." If you're fine with hanging out with mainly the French and a few small expat groups, you should be okay. Your French will improve very quickly in Toulon.
Tuula, IL France Correspondent