Why not book and stay with Richard and Maria?: https://villa-la-rive.com/
Moving to France is a dream for many—but what happens when that dream doesn’t go to plan?
In this episode of A New Life in France, we sit down with Andrew and Elaine, a couple who made the big move across the Channel, only to realize that France wasn’t the right fit for them. Now, after four years, they’ve made the tough decision to leave France and start fresh in Spain.
So, why didn’t France work for them? Was it the language barrier? The culture? Bureaucracy? Taxes? We dive into their real-life experience and discuss the challenges they faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and whether they have any regrets about moving in the first place.
The Reality of Moving to France
There’s no shortage of romanticized visions of life in France—long lunches, stunning countryside, bustling markets, and a slower, more fulfilling way of life. And while all of that can be true, there’s also the other side—the side that many expats don’t talk about. Andrew and Elaine’s story is a real, unfiltered look at the challenges that come with moving to a new country.
Some of the biggest struggles?
✅ The language barrier – Learning French was harder than they expected, and not speaking fluently made daily life, paperwork, and integration difficult.
✅ French bureaucracy – Slow, frustrating, and often confusing, dealing with French paperwork, visa requirements, and official processes proved to be a challenge.
✅ Unexpected legal hurdles – French inheritance laws were a big factor in their decision to leave, highlighting the importance of understanding legal systems before making the move.
✅ Cost of living vs. expectations – Is France really as affordable as people think? We compare their experience with what they’re expecting in Spain.
For anyone considering a move to France, this episode is a must-watch. Would France be the right fit for you? Or would Spain be a better option?
France vs. Spain: Which Is Better for Expats?
One of the biggest decisions for anyone looking to move abroad is choosing the right country. France and Spain are both popular choices, but each comes with its own set of benefits and challenges.
Why they’re choosing Spain instead of France:
🇪🇸 Lower cost of living – Will Spain really be more affordable than France? They break down what they expect.
🇪🇸 Fewer legal restrictions – Certain laws in France made things difficult, and Spain seems to offer them more freedom.
🇪🇸 Easier expat community integration – Will Spain offer a smoother transition? They’re hopeful.
At the same time, France has been an incredible experience for them, and they share what they’ll miss most, from the food and wine to the stunning landscapes and quiet way of life.
Learning French: The Biggest Challenge?
One of the key themes of this episode is the importance of speaking French. Andrew and Elaine found that not being fluent made everything more difficult—from making friends to handling everyday bureaucracy. And while they made efforts to learn, they admit that the language barrier was a huge obstacle.
For those moving to France today, there’s even more pressure to learn French—as new rules may soon require a language test for certain residency permits and access to the Carte Vitale.
So, the big question:
👉 Can you truly settle in France without learning French?
👉 Is it possible to integrate without speaking the language fluently?
👉 Would their experience have been different if they had mastered French sooner?
We discuss all of this in an open, honest, and sometimes funny conversation about the ups and downs of expat life.
Would We Have Stayed If Things Were Different?
In the end, Andrew and Elaine reflect on whether they could have stayed if they had approached things differently. Was it just a case of not being prepared for the reality of life in France? Or was it simply not the right country for them?
Whether you’re thinking of moving abroad, already living in France, or just curious about real expat stories, this episode gives a unique insight into what it takes to make life in France work—or why some choose to move on.
What You’ll Find in This Episode:
✅ Andrew & Elaine’s honest experience after 4 years in France
✅ Why they’re leaving France and choosing Spain
✅ The real challenges of learning French as an expat
✅ How bureaucracy & inheritance laws influenced their decision
✅ Cost of living: France vs. Spain – what’s really cheaper?
✅ Would things have been different if they’d learned French earlier?
✅ The importance of integrating & making local connections
✅ Final reflections: Is France the right choice for everyone?
Would YOU have made the same decision?
💬 Have you faced challenges moving abroad? Do you think learning the language is essential? Let us know in the comments!
📢 New here? Like, comment, and subscribe for more real stories and insights about life in A New Life in France!
That’s your lot from the Lot! 😊
24 Comments
you have to become french
Four years in France and not speaking French is turned into a joke about how to handle people asking for money in the street. That joke will be useful again after four years in Spain …
This was a GREAT video. Just the bits about how rainy Limoges is, or that the Loire valley has so many mosquitoes – very good stuff! Great interview, great production. Thanks again.
Watching you guys was a joy- light hearted, warm, excellent discussion❤️
Watching from Canada and really enjoying your videos! I appreciate all the hard work that goes into making them. Hope you stay motivated to keep going. Your guests were fascinating to listen to—I hope they enjoy living in Spain. À la semaine prochaine!
Thanks for this and I simpathize with them but their reasons would not apply to lots of people. I thought they would complain about beauro and other things. I hope they let us know of their life in Spain, which is not great there either. I think health care is not as good.
If castle is pronounced carstle then why is chateau not pronounced charteau? And the same for pasta too 😂😂
Great video as always
Another great interview. We totally understand how they feel. We've spent six years in Brittany and now we're ready for a different part of France.
got the feeling that they won't find their dream place anywhere in the EU … not sure they know well Spain, but if they don't speak the local language, even approximately, they won't find their place … and Spanish is not easier than French to learn … anyhow, good luck to them in their quest …
Wonderful interview with a beautiful couple, I think they truly explained the importance of being happy and looking forward. I watch a few channels from other friends of yours, they each present a different perspective and that’s the key to starting a new life in a new country, most of all they present an overall positive outlook while also being honest about challenges. Your channel is becoming a must watch for those who are considering moving to France, thank you
Very interesting perspective on their situation. Looking forward to how the move to Spain goes. We need to downsize soon, and have thought about moving over the border. Mainly because it would dramatically cut down on heating bills and the general cost of living. As a resident of France I’d be interested to know if you have to start from scratch again with a Spanish visa.
👏👏👏..as always, another great content, and an eye-opener to those seriously thinking about a move to France… I can only hope that the inheritance tax laws are given a rethink… Again, great vlog 👏
Hi Richard and Maria, love the channel we have been watching since the beginning and have in fact moved over to France in January after planning our retirement for the last 2 x years, the episode from yesterday was a huge help as we were unaware of the inheritance rules. We have made an offer on a house and will now discuss this with our Notaire. Kevin & Trish.
The side of ex-patriotism no other channel shares. It is a transient life, people come and go, situations change over time and it's best to move on. It's difficult to assimilate into any new culture and learn a language. As retirees our time is limited and it's best to use it wisely and enjoy new adventures while we can rather than pretend to ourselves we are happy where we are.
I'm sorry France didn't work for you. You are both so cute to watch. Good luck selling your house and in your future life in Spain… And thanks for being honest. ❤🌻
19:34 i see BENIDORM in their geordie . Lol 😅😅😅😅
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😂😂😂 23:03
Great 👍 👌 👍 interview .
.😮
Love Geordies ❤️ 😍 🎉🎉🎉
what a lovely couple. Very informative, thanks for sharing
This has been one the most useful and insightful videos about moving to France weve watched. We’ve been pondering on our options and France is one. Thuan has given us loads of food for thought from real people. Thanks so much.
Love, love the interviews. Stu
…NICE…still prefer FRANCE though…😀…
Entertaining and sympathetic couple. Rainey Limousine well spotted, but it is very green.
Language however not to be underestimated – you really need to speak French, even poorly, if you are thinking of living in France.
France, extremely boring. I prefer UK. Spain and Portugal would be my choice
I'm from Tyneside and I've lived and worked in Lot-et-Garonne for many years, but I wouldn't recommend it. Too isolated, too hot in the summer up to 38/39°C (no breeze) plagues of mosquitoes, too cold in the (shorter) winters down to -7 °C, the locals love to remind you about the Hundred Years War, very high unemployment, in our small town only about a third of the active population have a permenant job (lots of seasonal fruit picking jobs in summer), wages are low, bright young people often leave for the big cities and better opportunities, our town of 35,000 people has many empty houses as there is no work and the people have left, health care is patchy. If you want to live abroad best advice is to leave your rose tinted specs at home when deciding.