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Relocation to a new country can open up many new opportunities for getting the best from life, and expats in France will confirm that relocating across the channel is an excellent option. Living in France presents a lifestyle based on culture, great food, amazing scenery and a climate to suit just about everyone, with property to match any taste.
Moving to France is helped by its central location in Europe and the ease of getting to and from the country, as well as moving about within it. French education, healthcare and real estate options are among Europe’s best and like most countries the French cost of living ranges from the value of sleepy rural villages to the expense of buzzing city living.
Many expats choose to live the urban high life in Paris, but the regional hubs of Lyon, Toulouse and Nice have their own cosmopolitan appeal, including a more southerly location that provides much warmer year-round weather – one of the key benefits to expats from the cooler north.
Opportunities for children and families to find indoor and outdoor activities range from mountain walks to beach fun. A choice of good international schools works alongside the free local French schools system to provide plenty of opportunities to study the English-speaking curriculum or to become bilingual and immersive in French society.
Expats will tell you that if you are looking for things to do with toddlers and kids of any age and give them an interesting start in life, then France is an excellent option. Indoor activities are plentiful and outdoor activities benefit from the excellent climate, although parents will also take advantage of the babysitting and childcare to explore a few more grown-up benefits of relocating to France.
The French property market ranges from summer villas to chateaux, and the property buying process is helped by unrestricted access to mortgages in France for foreign buyers. Like the rest of Europe, real estate prices in France can suit any budget and French estate agents are happy to help in your search.
Becoming a French citizen and fulfilling the visa requirements may change if you are planning to move from the UK to France after Brexit and it may be sensible for UK citizens to get their French visa application in early.
But given the many companies who call France home and the booming tourist industry there are opportunities to work that will hopefully remain available for expats from all countries, and relocating to France with your current company, or to explore new challenges, will continue to be an excellent idea for the whole family.
"Before moving to Spain, I wanted to know more about the local school system, international school options and areas to live in with children. You have to get it right and I had many questions and apprehensions and MumAbroad proved an immensely useful site. Once in Spain I started my own company and hooked up with other mums in business through MumAbroad as well. Exchanging ideas with women in my own situation who are foreign mums juggling home life and business has helped on many levels from personal to marketing and networking."
Petra, Barcelona
"I moved my family to Barcelona in 2010 but started the process of researching and making decisions in 2008. MumAbroad was totally invaluable. I have worked and travelled abroad but moving three children of multiple ages was much more complex. I cannot express my gratitude in what I learned about schooling, places to live, health care and the links to local people. It has totally directed us to good times and aided us in the low points. MumAbroad, I would hate to have done it without you or be without you! You are the Lonely Planet/Rough Guide equivalent to relocating a family!"
Kayte, Barcelona
"MumAbroad is a great source of information for any mother who finds herself living overseas and in need of relevant information. Personally, I have found fantastic holiday recommendations on the site and also appeared on their Mums in Business section for Madrid alongside other women who have started their own businesses since moving abroad."
Lucy, Madrid
"By embodying the essence of being a foreign mum in a foreign land, MumAbroad Life brings readers insight to familiar scenarios in our new environs. No matter whether we are a mum abroad in Munich, Milan or Madrid, we have a lot in common. How many kisses are we supposed to give and/or receive in our new country? Should we home-school or world-school our children? What is the best way to keep our children cool in the summer? You name it, MumAbroad Life have tackled it providing priceless peer-to-peer advice on every subject under the sun. Want to know why we enjoy our quality of life so much as mums abroad? Step inside this blog to discover why!"
Dominique White, Madrid
"The MumAbroad events attract the most interesting, dynamic and entertaining women from around the Barcelona area. Lots of fun & loads of great connections"
Nadine Astorga, Barcelona
