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25/08/2007, 2:22 Daniel5791 Joined on 19/07/2007 Posts 16 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Yeah, I wasn't expecting a warm winter by any means :) That kind of temp would suit me fine! Definitely though, good heating will be the order of the day!    Report

25/08/2007, 8:30 LyndaandRichard Joined on 01/05/2005 Posts 1,024 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France  Ian wrote: Got to agree with Jane and Danny - you do get all four seasons here in the South West....but not usually all in the same day like most of Northern Europe!   Aussies would be welcome here too sport! Or Victoria! Your Property in France    Report

13/04/2008, 13:27 Cheilly Joined on 13/04/2008 Posts 1 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Dear Daniel   Did you find anything in France?   Collette in Cheilly les Maranges, Burgundy    Report

21/07/2008, 4:25 Daniel5791 Joined on 19/07/2007 Posts 16 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Hi, I went on my voyage of discovery and returned home a few weeks ago. I started in Paris(which I loved), went to Rome for a bit and Amalfi Coast for a bit, went back to France via Switzerland and got myself a rental car and drove from Nice to Toulouse and lots of places in between in order to get  a feel for what France can offer me. Unfortunately my timetable was very tight, because I had to be back in London at a certain date, so I saw a lot of towns, but didn't really get the chance to immerse myself in any of them for any great length of time. :( My thoughts on a permanent move....well at times I thought this is the place for me(especially in towns like Narbonne-I really pictured a life there) and then at others when I was trying to manoever through peak hour traffic in Marseille and Toulouse and getting lost along the way, I was cursing the place and couldn't wait to leave for the UK. Now that I am home and the dust has settled, I can say that overall, France is great. It's friendly(even in Paris!! when you make an effort with people), it's for the most part cheap. (Supermarket food and certainly market food is excellent and I found that even with our hideous exchange rate it was cheaper in France than Aus for many things) It's beautiful in many parts, and there is terrific choice between coastal areas and the country, both of which have a lot to offer. My main worry and probably the deal breaker in making a move is employment. Although I have been learning French  (have stopped for the time being tho-needed to get a life and read other things and watch things other than french movies!) I realised that it would likely take me a few years at least to become comfortable to feel part of the place, and as such get gainful employment. I really didn't see any evidence that I could realistically step into any sort of job in France with my limited French, and make enough money to support myself to the extent that I could enjoy the environment in which I would be living in. So for now, things are on hold. I still have hopes of making a move to Europe at some stage, just where and when remains a mystery. Buying a property is only a very small part of the equation. There are bargains to be had and it will probably get even cheaper soon in some areas, but there is a lot to consider and that will take some time to sort out. Daniel    Report

23/07/2008, 8:29 megane Joined on 06/07/2008 Posts 12 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Oh No Daniel, I was so hopeful for you !! I'm planning to do the same as you in about 6 months (see post "nurse and husband moving to France for more than a year"), but I've not been getting much encouragment. I've been slaving away at french lessons every week for nearly 40 weeks, I still feel totally incompetent. I've been hoping to find somebody that believes it can happen, now you might drop out of the race and I feel more hopeless than ever! I love Australia and will always call it home but I have dreamed of living and speaking french for over 10 years. In retrospect I should have done a gap year straight after high school. So now I want a grown-up gap year when my husband I can afford it but it just seems so hard. I wish someone would say, "Go for it, you'll pick up the language once you are speaking it everyday." It hasn't happened yet. Argh, I feel like giving up.    Report

23/07/2008, 8:50 Daniel5791 Joined on 19/07/2007 Posts 16 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France I actually wouldn't feel hopeless about it at all. It's funny but now that I'm home I realise how much French I really did pick up without even knowing it. Just looking at road signs ,  going shopping and reading billboards will add hundreds of words to your vocab subconsciously. Even now I still listen online to RTL2 radio from France and I can decipher the commercials quite well.  I was watching an interview with the Tourde France French stage winner last night and understood what he was talking about...i wouldn't have before I had gone there. My experience there was too short, I needed longer in hindsight. But I was only there for a total of maybe 14 days and did gain a lot...I imagine a couple of months would be a different story altogether. I haven't given up...I just have a more realistic and less naive and romantic view on the whole pack up and leave thing. That'sa good thing. It's just about doing thorough research and planning....I would go for it, but use your head to guide you and not just your heart!    Report

18/08/2008, 15:38 LyndaandRichard Joined on 01/05/2005 Posts 1,024 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Don't give up your dream.  I am a 40 year old Australian woman who decided three years ago that France would be a lot of fun to live in.  I moved over here with about three words of French and haven't stopped laughing yet.  For me, the frustration with the language is a constant source of amusement.  I suppose it all depends on how you look at it.  It is really surprising how you can manage to get yourself understood by the French and being an Aussie gives you an added advantage over being English (sorry to all the English out there) because Australia is so far away and they will love talking about it. Coming from Queensland, I find the climate where I live (Centre) much better i.e. not so hot!  The wine has less chemicals and doesn't give me a headache the day after and the French love my relaxed Aussie spirit.  My days off are spent wandering around Chateaux and trying to work my way through French paperwork (the not so fun bit). If you want to know more about this Australians experience in France, you can have a look at my diary at www.lucaylemale.com   Your Property in France    Report

26/08/2008, 7:46 megane Joined on 06/07/2008 Posts 12 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Thanks LyndaandRichard. I'm also from QLD but I love the heat so I'm in for a challenge dealing with european winters. Thanks for the votes of confidence. Did you find it hard getting work as an english speaker? I think now work is my major hurdle. I'm looking foward to improving my french skills and testing your theory on wine. I'm going to read your web page and get as many tips as I can.      Report

27/08/2008, 16:10 Daniel5791 Joined on 19/07/2007 Posts 16 Re: Considering a move from Australia to France Funny, now that  I have REALLY had time to evaluate, I want to be back in France yesterday. There's a property I have had my eye on(several actually!) and it's upsetting me that I can't just head over and spill the cash. Would be a dumb and impulsive move, but the dream is still alive.....as is the prospect of a snow laden winter..would be great for me! oh well ..all in good time I guess..:) PS..is this French dream a QLD thing?? The Gold Coast is just not doing it for me anymore! :)    Report

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France Forum » Moving » Making the Move... » Re: Considering a move from Australia to France

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