Moving to France - Need advice

[kantboy]

Hi all,

I am a 32 year old computer programmer in Northern Ireland. My grandfather was French, although I never knew him (from Laval), and I seem to have had a connection to France all my life in one way or another. I have been quite a few times, all over. I met a French girl a while ago, from Hautes-Pyrenees, and I intend to move to France to live with her.

I had always intended to move anyway, but this has obviously given me the incentive to get things moving. She is currently living with me here in Ireland for the next year or two to help me get my French up to a good standard, as well as improving her own English. I also have a house to sell, which in the current climate could prove difficult.

Basically, what I am looking for is any kind of advice on moving to France in terms of language, employment (in the south-west), somewhere to live (probably rented), and the rest....

The problem you see is that all of the websites, books, and any other information seems to be aimed at retirees with a bit of money looking for property, or young students with no responsibilities looking to work in a bar, not at people like myself - 32, plenty of debt, house to sell, no extra cash, basic French.... looking for a nice place to rent, a half-decent job, etc.

Perhaps you will say I'm dreaming (and it's true!) but remember, I have 1-2 years to work on the language and hopefully get my house sold, clearing any debt I have. This will leave me young (enough), free and ready for adventure.... (I'd go tomorrow if I could!)

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[odile]

Hi Chris,  no specific help I'm afraid, just here to wish you Bonne Chance. Your first priority I think is to learn as much languages as poss. to help with finding employment (and get on with people). And of course, seek advice on your debts from specialists. But ... make the dream come true- but off with the rose tinted glasses! Living in France will not solve your problems- but will probably give you a fresh start. Can your girlfriend's family and friends to a bit of networking for you?

[chessfou]

With a year or two to go, get down there when you can and start to get local arrangements set up - once you're decided on the general area get the bank account up and running, say hello to the local immobiliers (there will be several who specialize in rentals - they're usually difficult to spot on the internet but easy on the ground), go into the local ANPE and ask what you will need to do to register and seek a job through them ... generally just start to make a few contacts. Above all, remember that here in France almost everything is still done on a personal level (as opposed to the UK's culture of email and phone).

[kantboy]

Thanks guys... good advice so far about networking. Because my girlfriends family is from the south-west I will be over and back quite a bit so I'll start to make contacts. Even in the beginning I have ma copine to translate if necessary. Can you tell me a bit more about ANPE? Is that like a job agency? Can they find me a job in IT? I have heard that the French would prefer to give work to a a native, rather than a foreigner - which I suppose is fair enough, but will it be very difficult?

Also, which is a good bank to open an account with and do I need a French address or can I open one now and start putting money in it?

Oh, and don't worry about rose-tinted glasses! I have a dream, but my feet are firmly on the ground... I know this will be a hell of a lot of work!

Thanks again so far, I look forward to hearing more advice, and also stories oof people in a similar position who have uprooted on their own and moved to La France!

[odile]

I was 19 when I came to the UK. got a job as PA/assistant translator for big pharmaceutical firm. I'd only got the BAC + 6 months of secretarial school. I really have no idea how I did that - the audacity- and only because I wanted to go to Carnaby Street and the Isle of Wight (1970!) - got on the wrong train 2 weeks later - ask the guy opposite if he could help and he ... married me . that was 38 years ago. At that time I was only sure of 3 things I didn't want - get married, have babies, become a teacher (like all my friends were doing!) - so got married at 20, first daughter at 22 (with a car accident in between- 6 months in hosp + 2 years to learn to walk again!) , second at 25 and started B.Ed degree at 30 and started teaching 4 years later. Life can be so bizarre, and wonderful - Bonne chance again from Odile the Oldie.

[Sprogster]

Hi Chris,

I think it is fair to say most of the members on this forum who have permanently moved to France are retirees and therefore probably not in the best position to advise on employment opportunities in France for a computer programmer. However, what I am sure everyone will emphasise is the importance of learning the language fluently and I would imagine in your line of work that includes the technical jargon.

I would have thought one way to research job opportunities in France would be through your French girlfriends and her family's contacts, or your existing employer if they have a French office?

Bon chance.

[Frenchie]

Chris , best of luck to you!

[tinabee]

You could try looking for international companies that have offices in the area you want to live. For example, Airbus is massive in Toulouse (along with CSC). Or just Google "IT jobs France" and see if there are sites where you can narrow down the geography.  You will probably stand more chance if you have expertise in something like SAP.

Good luck.

 

[Albert the InfoGipsy]

Chris,

What sort of programmer are you?  Embedded systems, business apps, DBA ...? Are you up with the latest sexy languages & methodologies or can you hack old, boring but indispensible stuff like C? In my experience, getting closer to the business end brings more money but you'll need better language skills.

It may be worth your while researching the demand for different skill-sets in France and getting some training. I'll be retiring soon, so for me it's not economic, but spending a couple of grand on a SAP course, for example, could be a good investment for you.

Also it depends if you expect to settle into a permanent position or look for contract roles that may involve being away during the week. I've been in projects where people have done weekly commutes from all over Europe.

[dave21478]

Well, I was 28 when I moved to France, and am now 30 and reasonably settled here.

I had no ties in the Uk though, no house, no debts etc, but also, no money, so it was completely clean start here. I moved in with my older sister who has been living here for over 20 years, and from there I was able to set things up for myself - Job, house, bank accounts, insurance etc etc. Im not an office-based peson, I am a mechanic by trade (although unqualified as such) , and am more of a hands-on person. Im currently working running a Gite complex - ie janitor / handyman and I do casual work here and there as I find it or as I need the money. I do the minimum to keep me solvent, and have no qualms about digging ditches if thats whats needed. Im not going to get rich here in France, but thats not why Im here. Whether I will stay here permanantly?....I dont know.

Selling up and moving here is a big step, but your younger age lessens this somewhat. The worst case scenario is it all going wrong and you move back to Ireland. For someone in their 30`s this is less of a blow and less stressfull than it would be for the crusties who post here [;-)]

[kantboy]

Thanks all so far.... some fantastic advice and great stories of people transferring their whole lifes to another country. Odile, what a fantastic story, I hope you are very happy now.

tinabee, funny - thats exactly what I was thinking, that Airbus is made in Toulouse so they must have plenty of work for programmers. For those in IT, I'm not exactly a programmer, Albert the InfoGipsy perhaps, I'm a DBA and SQL developer, but I can also work as a Business Analyst.

dave, you say you're not in France to get rich, and I have the same attitude. I just have a passion for all things French and want to live my life in France as if I were born there. I want to eat french food (here in Ireland I have cassoulet, foie gras and charcuterie in my cupboards anyway!), I want to speak French as if it were my first language, and I want to have a family in France. 

In France, of course, I'll always be an Irishman, but it is this unique position - being both a local, and a foreigner, that is somehow strangely attractive. That, and the fact that it is the home of my ancestors (and my girlfriend)

Oh, and of course the weather.... for all you ex-pats, we've just had the dullest, wettest August for over 100 years. That should make you smile. [:)]

Anyway guys.... keep it coming. I didn't expect such as response! It's a great community you have here.

[Albert the InfoGipsy]

[quote user="kantboy"]I'm a DBA and SQL developer, but I can also work as a Business Analyst.[/quote]

Sounds similar to me. All my work is in data conversion and migration nowadays. With that skillset you could learn what you need for something like SAP quite easily. There's always demand for ABAP, BASIS and LSMW (sorry about the jargon) people. Other possibles would be PeopleSoft, although that's probably a dying product, or Oracle enterprise apps.

You really need to plan your next year or two to try & get a job that will give you skills that are in demand in France. It's much easier if you separate the professional changes from the country move.

 

[Fay]

Just wanted to wish you and your beloved the very best of luck Chris - go for it, life is not a rehearsal.

And Odile, what a lovely and amazing example.

Good for you both.

Fay

x

[HoneySuckleDreams]

hi kantboy

did you get anywhere? I'm in IT (finance software so unfortunatey nothing useful) and i'm just about to pitch up at ANPE with my CV as things have gone a bit Harry Hat Stand with the contract market in euro land.

I did manage to get  a short term contract in Paris but they cancelled/delayed etc a week before I was due to start. Another interview for a job in Lyon didn;t work out (French wasn't stong enough) So i'm trying to put more irons in the fire and see if the local ANPE can come up with anything

 

[Bugsy]

My youngest daughter works in unix programming in Sofia Antipolis (Just north of Nice) which is the French version of the Californian, Silicon Valley.

Website here

There are often vacancies but good french is, naturally,  a usual requirement. Well worth a look.

Gary.