Moving to France on your own

[swink]

I'd really like to hear from anyone who has moved to France on their own - especially if they're female, in their 60's and retired!!!  Everyone I talk to about such a move seems to suggest that France is such a family-oriented place that anyone who is going there on their own is going to be really out of it!! I'm prepared to take that risk - but I'd love to hear if anyone has coped and survived all those harbingers of doom!!

Cheers

swink

[Teamedup]

I would hate it. In fact I would hate to be a woman alone in France. I don't even know where I would chose to live where I could imagine it being easier to establish a good social life, which is what I would be after. And yet some posters have done this successfully and are happy with their move so there you go.

 

[PossumGirl]

There is a woman in our village who has done this and she seems quite happy and settled.  She has several dogs, lots of friends in the village and is quite active.  I think it's like anywhere else, it's all in the attitude.

PG

[sclarke2208]

Hi,

 

I am 59 in August and am convinced that moving to France is right for me. For various reasons, less expensive housing for a start, weather (I am hoping to move to the Vendee) and general peace of mind. I have no real reason to stay in UK and feel a challenge would be just the right thing at this point in my life. Some one once said the only risk in life is not taking one! Perhaps he/she was right. As someone who doesn't want a 'social' scene full time, I hope I can integrate and make friends be they French or English. Good Luck to you, keep in touch and let me know how you get on.

 

Sandra

[cal]

Hi

I'm moving to France at the end of June and am in a very similar situation to Sandra - I'll be 60 in January and female.  Also moving to the Vendee.  The last time I was there (last month) I heard of another lady of similar age who had done it on her own.  Even though I have children and grandchildren in the UK I have always wanted to live in France.  I've spent quite a lot of time there starting as an au pair aged 17! I don't want to reach my 80s and regret I hadn't done it.

I'm now in a position to make the move and even though my friends think I'm either mad or brave I can't wait.  All the stuff of registering my car, sorting out internet connection, etc is a challenge but with all the help of forums like this not too difficult.

Do more ladies than men in this age group make the move on their own?

 

[sclarke2208]

Hi Cal,

It's so good to know that there are more people than you think making this move alone. And why not? I moved 40  miles from my roots 2 years ago and wished I hadn't bothered, but gone straight to France instead. I think most people would be deemed mad or stupid but like you I don't wish to reach 70 and think' I wish I had done it' . Where in the Vendee are you going? I am over there from 13th to 20th May to do a scouting mission to see if the area is as lovely as ex pats make out. As I said on my earlier posting, keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Oh and the very best of luck to you, perhaps see you soon?

Sandra