This is long, so apologies. We have had the Brexit sword of Damocles hanging over us ever since the vote. Husband’s job can only be done in the EU (financial services) and only the Covid pandemic has saved us from an earlier move to Paris.
I’m really after suggestions of good Facebook pages for Paris expat parents - ideally British ones who will understand schooling differences etc.
Background is that husband currently still wfh in London, but expects to be in Paris by July or September latest. We’ve obviously not been able to visit Paris or check out schools etc. When he does go, he will initially go alone for the first few months to see if he likes it (if he doesn’t, he will resign and then move back to UK or, more likely, back to his home country (EU national). If he thinks Paris is ok, we will follow (at this stage, probably after October half term).
I’ve have ruled out his commuting home at weekends to see us. He doesn’t want to do this, and my son would see little of him. Our view is that we get the move done now before son moves to secondary (he’s Y4).
DS is 9. He doesn’t want to go, understandably, and will hate the idea. He does understand that the Brexit vote impacts us and this could happen. We would put him into an international school because he speaks no French and I’m not prepared to have him miserable in a French state school whilst he gets to grip with language etc. He is extremely sociable and makes friends very quickly - he basically lives for his friends, and so I’m confident that he’d quickly make friends in an English language set up. The other consideration is that he is dyslexic, so he would struggle trying to learn another language in class, and the smaller classes will benefit him.
Nominally, there is supposed to be a relocation consultant. Firm are not paying school fees though. In practice, they’ve offered zero advice to date so I’ve been researching schools myself and attending Zoom open sessions etc. I’ve whittled schools down to a couple, and one is a clear winner simply because they a) are used to dyslexic pupils (some didn’t want to know) b) they have self-paying reduced fees c) good communication and feel so far. As soon as France goes to green I will go out to visit the area and schools.
At this stage, I’d welcome knowing of any local Facebook pages for Paris for (I hate the term) expats moving for work. The majority of the int schools are to west of Seine - La Celle/St Germain area, and that’s where we’d probably want to live as good access into Paris with RER etc. I will need to look for estate agents etc and again I simply don’t think the relocation consultant will help.
Apologies for waffling! Any suggestions gratefully received.