Want move France, any mumsnetters in france?

[divamummy2]

Hi,
We would like to move France, DH got in position that we can live anywhere in EU, so decided France will be the most suitable choice.
DH thinks Bordeux area, where he is got friend. I dont speak French, but Dh got basic. We got dd 2.8y and ds 4m.
Have looked old threads, will go France and look for property. We think renting for the first a few months is good idea.
Hope to hear from other mnetters, got loads to ask.
Happy new year,

How can 6 months of experiencing a new culture, new country and new people be damaging? We took our kids then 9, 8 , 2 and 6weeks!! to France for 4 months as a trial period, and it was so enriching for them. They learned some french, got to see how school life was there, met nice people and saw nice places. Change does not have to be negative it can be interesting, educational and fun, it all depends how you view it.

We found that 4 month experience of france had no negative effect on our kids whatsoever. I helped them see life is much broader than they had originally thought and also my dh and I learned so much from the experience.

Now we are making the move permanantly with no question about wanting to do so.

The kids are reluctant to leave their family and friends, but are also very excited about it.

1 week to go!!

Sometimes you just gotta take a chance!! If it had not have worked out for us we would not have looked at it as a mistake, it would have been a learning experience.

Good luck with your decision!!

Thanks joedar. it's good to hear your four month experience was a success.

i think i am slightly anxious after my own childhood of moving alot- i have spent my life swearing i wouldn't do that to my own children but now find myself seeing the advantages and can't resist!

can you tell me how long your 9 and 8 year olds took to feel comfortable in the french classroom? How did french school approach it? my 8 yr old daughter is very anxious about even the thought of it, but i think the reality would be worse for 7 year old ds who has never been that keen on school.

Hi LubenT,
We are also thinking about moving for 3months trial by the end of this year. At the moment im looking for place to rent near Bordeaux, Toulouse area.
Joedar, i was thinking about today. Im so excited for you. I hope i will be soon moving to my dream home. Im hooked on french property websites, and keep shouting dh for a look. But we will rent first and look for location property etc...
We decided to take it slowly, we might as well stay longer than 3m for trial.
One question? Re charantemaritime post Wed 23-Jan-08 15:48:11 about French changed their system? Healthcare and etc..
DH will still be working for company that got head office in Portugal. We are with Bupa due to dh`s work in here. I understood, if you dont work for French, you are not covered health care, have i got it wrong?
Diva

www.french-news.com/ has info on the healthcare situation (click on useful info tab)

Divamummy - are you lookubg around Bordeaux? Do you want a proprerty magazine? have wriggly bab on lapso typung imp

Thank you Othersideofthechannel,
Ill check that. Just worried we got 2 under 3yrs.

Ggglimhoho,
Yes, property magazines will be great. Would you mind to email me to urieej at yahoo dot com
We still got heart on Bordeaux, so that will be very kind of you.

Diva,

I think if you are paying social security contributions in another European country and can get an E106 you are ok to go in the French system.

If not, would your DHs work accept to pay the premiums for French private healthcare rather than BUPA?

Good point Othersideofthechannel, Why did i think about that? Got to ask dh to confirm that

[still looking in case gggliphoho left message]

Sorry for the slow reply! This moving house is hard work!! I am finding it hard to find time to sit down for 5 mins so this will be quick!
Luben my girls were only in the school for 4 weeks so it was hard to judge plus it was end of year so they got to go on all the school outings, so they enjoyed it from the first day, the french kids were very friendly but as I say it was not a long time so it would be hard to make a judgement on them settling. However they begin school Feb 25th in France so I will keep you updated on how they settle and how long it takes them.

Diva thanks for you well wishes I am excited but also sometimes say to myself what the hell am I doing!!! Its all good though because deep down I know its something we want to do, but it can bring a bit if vulnerability especially at this stage of the process with having to say goodbye to our families and friends. Its quite emotional!! I am just looking foward to getting there now and getting settled.

Will update when we arrive if I can find the time!!

I've not read all these posts but just to say if you don't speak french you might seriously struggle to find a job outside Paris. In Paris (and perhaps otehr large cities too) you will fare better, esp as anglophones, but I think it won't be easy.

Try www.livingfrance.com/forums - it's for ex pats living in France and is a good site.

it bounced back divamummy

gggglimpopo at hotmail com

emailed you

ggglimhoho, i have emailed you my address, hope you get it.
im thinking about you jeodar, im sure you are in your new home, new place. hope everything is fine

Bonjour! We did make it to France safe and sound and after a stressful few weeks with decorating and adjusting we have finally settled in to our home, and have just got our internet set up!!

So far so good! Our older two began school and I am so happy to report that they are doing fantastic!!

The older girl is in college which is a big change for her as she has different teachers for each subject and has gone from being in the oldest class back in Ireland to the lowest class here in France, however she is coping so well considering. She does swimming, basket ball which she is enjoying. The kids have been very friendly and the teachers very helpful. They give her 2 hours of French one to one on a Monday.

The 2nd daughter is doing good also and is happy every day returning from school so I am happy. The 3 year old attends a day centre for a couple of hours tues and wens until she goes to the maternelle in Sept. She is happy enough to go in and mix with the other kids even though she does not understand most of what they are saying. I guess play like music is universal!!

As for me and dh well we have been so busy we have not had time to dwell to much. I am eager to learn some more French so I can at least converse with people, but we are working on it! It takes alot of effort though. Drop me an email and I can keep updated!

Welcome back to France! Glad to see you are settled in and kids are happy. It is usually the kids who adapt (and learn the language) the quickest - especially the younger kids! Where abouts are you again??

wow I didnt realise there were so many of us over here, I am in the Vienne region about 45 minutes from Poitiers we have been here 18 months and are pretty settled.

Diva try the m thomas tapes theya re very good, I got mine off Play.com a lot cheaper than anywhere else

sorry to hijack once again but can anyone tell me what this means?

"Suspensions réglables en fonction de l?âge de bébé : souple pour le nourrisson, plus ferme à partir de 6 mois."

Adjustable suspensions according to the age of baby: flexible for the infant, firmer as from 6 months.

Im guessing its a pram lol

it is indeed - the loola up.

I quite like them have had a little play with one

i am just wondering though if they will have the same problems as the original loola with it being quite hard to get up kerbs in rear facing as baby gets older.

I find most rear facing buggies are heavy up kerbs when you get to toddler stage didnt feel that heavy I put my two year old in and had a little tip with it

don't suppose you've tried the bebe confort streety?

yes I have and I prefered that to the loola up but I cant remember why