New to forum

[Patricia L]

Hi.  I'm new to the Forum.

We have had our house in France for six years, but haven't made the permanent move, yet.

Our son is now 16 and daughter 22.

Has anyone had the experience of moving en famille when their kids are older?

Thanks

[Val_2]

Welcome. The only comment I could make on this subject of older children moving to France is how are they going to eventually earn a living here with no recognisable qualifications as unemployment is very high here currently. Your 16 year old should be in education anyway or in an apprenticeship here with day studies as most kids don't leave their studies until their mid-twenties (my daughter will be 24 before she finishes and my son even older if he continues into specialist training). Personally I would not even consider bringing a 16-year old here unless they have full french language skills and can catch up asthe next stop at that age is the Lycée and the courses are specialist,the pupil chooses the career and hence the course,until they have at least some UK qualifications. This is a mainly negative response because unless you live here day to day over a number of years with your kids starting in primaire,english people have no idea of the education system and how important qualifications are to get a good job afterwards. Appologies upfront too if your kids are fluent french but just a warning from someone who knows along with many other parents on here.

[Turnip]

Val is correct in telling it as it is.

It's easier for someone in, say, early retirement with a pension to move to France. However, you have to be very practical and consider all that Val has said since it will effect the future lives ofyour children. Maybe you could plan as a family, assuming your children want to move, which means your children achieving a level of educaton or pracical skills to assist their survival in France where jobs are in short supply for the native French people. Good luck anyway