** The first 500 people to use my link https://skl.sh/manorandmaker11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium! **
Discover some big lessons about moving to, and life in, France after a few years on our journey.
#movetofrance #expat #expatlife #chateau #frenchlife #canadiansinfrance #americansinfrance #expatinfrance #movingtofrance#frenchlifestyle #frenchliving
The Baguette Bound (#baguettebound) video we mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50p_lr0HPk
Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions.
Find our events, including the Move to France Programmed Residency on https://www.manorandmaker.com/maker
Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker
Find us on Patreon patreon.com/user?u=43393205
Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.
This video is sponsored by Skillshare.
36 Comments
** The first 500 people to use my link https://skl.sh/manorandmaker11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium! **
Thank you for info. What about the medical compared to us and canada.
Thank you for this informative and heartfelt video!
Very informative. Thank you.
Hi Steve and Sarah,
This video is very informative! I would absolutely love to visit you all but realistically I do not think that will happen. In retirement (2.5 years now) I have chosen having lots of time over more money. However, your vlogs are WONDERFUL and I often feel that I am right there with you all. Thank you for your channel/vlogs!!! Elizabeth in Texas
Aw, thanks for the shout-out! 😊
And what you said about money not being the biggest motivator is so true in our experience too.
It absolutely means things get done at a slower pace, but that acceptance is what allows the French to have more room for living life, not just working as much as possible until we all die.
Thanks. Very informative. Any interest in looking at available chateau's or whathaveyou for sale that you find interesting and posting the walk through?
Go to the Mexican American border and you can sail across!!!
Amazon is terrible in the USA right now!!!!
Thank you for this video. Though it’s not an option for me, I know someone who is seriously looking into it, and I’m sending them this video.
Hi from Ontario!😊 It’s been so fun watching you both build a wonderful life for yourselves in France! As a Realtor, I find it super interesting to learn about the buying and selling process in different countries. It definitely sounds like you need quite a bit of patience to buy in France! Congrats on all your success!!🥰
Sarah & Steve very generous of you to try to give good information as much as you can & be honest with what you know & what you don’t.
Oh yes “The BUREAUCRACY” is incredible. The French administrators laugh about it themselves but the irony is that no one & I mean no one will ever do or say anything about it to get it streamlined & up-to the 21st century standards of other countries. I suppose if you even mentioned it to President Macron & this is not being disrespectful he will, like all French do, is just shrug his shoulders & laugh it off (no pun intended).
If you come to France & I am speaking from coming from countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, US & you do not have any european birth connections it is 100% ( but even if you do) necessary to go through a reputable agency who will make your life so much easier. There is one & I refrain from mentioning it here without Sarah & Steve’s approval because I am commenting on their clog site. The agency is North American lived her for over 30 years & has the most experienced solicitors/immigration experts, realtors etc which I would recommend in a heartbeat. The advise given is invaluable. Listen when the person says to stay in more populated places especially if you are of a certain age, have mobility or health issues & need medical help frequently as they are really hard to get to if you choose to live in very rural areas. Rural is beautiful as long as you don’t have need for medical services & can jump in a car & drive 15 minutes to get to a supermarche or Boulangerie for a loaf of bread. If you don’t want to own a car & want to walk to various facilities or catch public transport then stick to larger towns.
We made the mistake of vetoing this advice & it has been a bit of a struggle. We also made the mistake of listening to someone else who suggested a hand holder who turned out to be a charlatan. Thankfully we now have someone who helps when we need it & charges one tenth of what this charlatan charged.
France is great as long as you take it as you see it & don’t expect too much. You need to make the effort & be POLITE. Don’t criticise because you are used to doing things differently. Remember you chose to come here so enjoy the experience & listen to good advice by this particular agent only.
🥰🇨🇦
Thank you for such an interesting video.
I did the reverse, moving from Europe to Canada and it is interesting to listen to what you had to achieve to move to France. Very similar to what I had to by settling over to Canada. When Ito back for Holidays, I still like the fact that the stores are closed on Sundays. To me it encourages real rest, constitutes a moment of break and tranquility between two weeks.
So many people confuse bureaucracy with not knowing where to go, who to ask, a lack knowledge of how another society actually functions; The biggest and most irritating mistake is when someone who doesn't speak the language and labels their lack of progress as "bureaucracy". Has anyone considered how difficult it is to do the same thing in Canada or the USA coming from Europe ? It's just as difficult but No, It's always French bureaucracy.
Thank you for this video!!!
Excellent informative content. Thanks!
That was a really informative and interesting video. Thank you both very much
I wish I had done that 30 years ago when I got divorced, I had money and energy.😳😳😳. Now I’ve neither. 😱😱😱
It’s about quality of life ….not keeping up with the Jones’s.
It’s great that you are doing it and it takes courage …. It’s great….. I would love to move there I love where I live in the U.S.A. I know French but am not fluent ,…working on it …I’m lucky I love where I live in the U.S.A.. though and I love who we just elected in so unlike others I look forward to a renaissance in the U.S.A.
Are the fireplaces the only source of heat in your chateau?
Bravo, même en anglais j'ai tout bien compris, très didactique et clair! merci
Hello I am from Penticton B.c Canada, I was wondering where you were from in Canada .And how far are you from Lalande.
💯 the bureaucracy. Ugh. I moved from Canada to Portugal in 2022. Love the lifestyle here. I agree with all of your comments
Automated phone systems should be against the laws of civilized society. Service of any kind is almost obsolete in the U.S. This is the reason problems don't get resolved or addressed in a timely fashion, if at all.
i remember my mum applying for a residency documents in germany….it took 9 months to get it..we were only there a year..but were at the bureau every month delivered tons of papers and documents..it was crazy lol
An excellent, informative episode.
You really touched on the everything. For me the most important is the social lifestyle. It is so different in Europe than here in Canada. Here in Canada we are living to work, and accumulate. As much as you try to find the same as in Europe (for me I have a place in Portugal) I can't find it in Canada. That culture is what has always attracted me to Portugal and Europe. I wont leave Canada permanently, I have a large family and a number of Grandchildren, but plan on spending more time in Portugal and Europe when I retire or slow down in work. I already fly over a couple of times of year to get my fix.
Very informative. Thanks for sharing this helpful information.
fantastic insight.
I would say moving abroad is a lot lot harder than it seems. even when you're prepared the culture shock and subsequent process of integrating is emotionally and logistically difficult. but! I would also say that it is incredibly worth it. I didn't like living in the US, personally. and I feel much more at home here in France.
my biggest advice is that you have to learn the language and culture. you need to make that a priority. or you will never understand it. and it takes many many years to grow to understand the fuller cultural context around you. be patient with yourself and always curious. I also believe that living abroad, especially if you're a permanent immigrant, requires loosening the grip on your culture of origin, and welcoming in the different environment in which you now live. you won't know where to buy everything you need. you have to re-learn much of what you took for granted in your adult life. but it does not help to get angry about how the grocery store isn't open on sunday, or how hiring contractors is slower. it just is what it is. whining about how it's different than the US (and saying negative things about the logistics of french life) just keeps you stuck and separate from life around you. of course you're gonna get frustrated, but learn to let things go and accept the way things are here. france is all about going with the flow! lol also, contrary to popular belief french people are actually really nice and as expressed in the video, if you connect with individual people they will go out of their way to help you. even paris is all about local connections. that said. hire the handholder. I agree that is a really important resource. because you will have to do it on your own and it is hard. many expats are happy to help you but you can't expect them to hold your hand through it. that said, expat and immigrant communities are very welcoming and the best place to connect. but don't just rely on other foreigners. as the video said, be clear on why you're moving, what you like about your new country and what excites you and lean into that. moving abroad, and integrating into french culture, has been, for me, perhaps the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I truly love it here and can't imagine myself anywhere else.
anyways. best of luck! wishing those of you who move a very happy life in your new country.
Did Dexter have a play date? Just spotted him scooting around the corner of the chateau following another dog.❤
Fascintating episode! Merci beaucoup.
Great summary !
Thank you for this information.❤️🌹🇨🇦