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Moving to France – What You Need to Know

So, you are moving to France!

Whether you are emigrating, taking a short term assignment or joining family in France we have put together the information you will need to make your move a smooth one.

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7 Reasons Why It’s Better To Buy Than Rent When Moving Overseas

Whether you’re contemplating retirement under the Mediterranean sun, taking the family to Australia or a career relocation to the Far East, moving abroad is an exciting, life-changing prospect. But when it comes to finding a home, the question is whether to buy or not to buy. Renting a home has its merits, but so does…

A Comprehensive Guide For Expats: Navigating Loneliness Abroad

Working your dream job in another country is an incredible lifetime achievement. However, behind the wonderful experience of living in a foreign land, there’s a challenge that many people don’t talk about often. Living for an extended period in an unfamiliar place leads to loneliness. If mishandled, the isolation could affect an expat’s well-being, leading…

10 Must-Ask Questions When Purchasing Property Overseas

Buying a property abroad might be a dream for many, but for some, it can quickly become a nightmare. With different buying processes to the UK, legal systems, languages and currencies there are lots of potential areas for things to go wrong. However, YourOverseasHome.com believe that potential problems can be avoided, as long as prospective…

What To Know When Buying A Second Property Abroad

Owning a second property abroad has become increasingly popular among UK residents, offering a blend of lifestyle enhancement and investment diversification. Whether you’re purchasing a holiday home, an investment property or somewhere you are looking to retire, purchasing real estate overseas requires careful consideration and thorough research. Here’s what you need to know before taking…

Keeping Your Home Number Abroad: An Expatriate’s Guide

Understand how VoIP lets you keep your country’s phone number anywhere worldwide. We will cover how VoIP transforms expatriate communication by enabling the retention of your home phone number anywhere in the world. This guide delves into VoIP’s main advantages, from global connectivity to always-on access to SMS messages, explaining what makes it an excellent…

What Are The Most Popular Regions In France?

Moving to France remains a popular choice amongst expats looking to change their way of life. There are many different French regions to choose from and each has its attractions, but the following four have proved to be consistently popular with people looking to move to France to live and work, or to retire. Brittany…

Buying Property In France

The property buying system in France is completely different to what you might experience elsewhere. It is better regulated than in many countries, making a purchase safer, but more expensive. For a start, agents (immobilier) are licensed. They will have a Carte Professionnelle, be professionally insured and work under the Loi Hoguet, their code of conduct. They may…

Moving Abroad For Work? Five Tips To Help You Settle In Quickly

Moving abroad for work can be an exciting but also challenging experience, and settling into a new country and adapting to a different culture can take time. However, there are several things you can do to help make the transition smoother. Here, the overseas property experts at Property Guides have revealed their top tips for…

Young Expats Struggling The Most With Mental Health – Is Social Media The Cause?

Research by AXA has revealed that as many as two in five (41%) young expats aged 18-24 are negatively impacted mentally by social media and tech addiction. AXA – Global Healthcare has reviewed the Mind Health Index, looking at how young expats are affected by social media. The research found that those who report a negative…

Britons Willing To Overcome Brexit Barriers And Retire Abroad Again

New research from overseas property consultants highlights that Brits are coming to terms with post-Brexit restrictions, applying for visas and retiring to favourite European destinations in ever greater numbers. Your Overseas Home have released new data which shows a return to pre-Brexit levels of interest in retiring to Mediterranean and southern European hotspots. After ‘freedom of…

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.