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US Expat Living in France - Interview with Margery
| Published: | 14 Apr at 9 AM |
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Filed: Interviews,France
Margery is a single mother of three children, living in a rural part of the South of France for a year to experience a different culture and travel as much as possible while in Europe. She loves to cook, eat, adventure and share all of this with family and friends. This blog takes you on the year abroad with Margery and her gang. Margery's expat blog is called My Francophile Year (see listing here)
The Stable where my kids ride
Where are you originally from?
Colorado, USA
In which country and city are you living now?
Entercasteaux, France
How long have you lived in France and how long are you planning to stay?
We have been here for 8 months and leave in another 3 months.
Why did you move to France and what do you do?
I chose this village because of a wonderful childhood friend who grew up here, though she is in the States now. She always painted the most wonderful picture with vivid memories of her youth in France. We are following her path for a short time.
Pont d' AvignonDid you bring family with you?
I have 3 children, ages 9-13.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
We arrived in the summer and had alot of visitors so it was one, big party for the first month. One school started and we had to find our way in reality, things got tougher. We have a few friends who keep us company and keep us from suffering from loneliness.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
It is not easy meeting people in a small village. They know we are here short term. My French is poor as is my childrens, so this is a serious impediment. If we were staying longer, a full time French tutor would be hired!
CabasseWhat are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
We are near the Lac de St. Croix which is wonderful. The hilltop villages are lovely and I never tire of visiting a new one. Aix en Provence is an hour away so if we need some English, we go there for a day. Of course the coast is only ah hour away and that is where we go as often as possible to admire the blue Mediterranean.
What do you enjoy most about living in France?
Peace, quiet and mild temperatures. Being able to cross a border and enter a different country within a couple of hours.
How does the cost of living in France compare to home?
It is very expensive in the south of France. The 3 things that are affordable are bread, cheese and wine!
MarseilleWhat negatives, if any, are there to living in France?
It is too expensive.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to France, what would it be?
Learn the language.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Language barrier.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
We will feel overindulged and excessive. We do not a the luxuries in France that are a part of daily life in the States. I hope I can retain some of the more modest lifestyle that I have been living once I return to America.
our French ChristmasWhat are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
My blog is a diary for friend and family to see what we are doing, where we are going and how we are feeling.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
myfrancophileyear.blogspot.com
Margery is an American expat living in France. Blog description: A diary of our family adventure of living in rural Provence and the travels we take, as well.
The Stable where my kids ride
Here's the interview with Margery...
Where are you originally from?
Colorado, USA
In which country and city are you living now?
Entercasteaux, France
How long have you lived in France and how long are you planning to stay?
We have been here for 8 months and leave in another 3 months.
Why did you move to France and what do you do?
I chose this village because of a wonderful childhood friend who grew up here, though she is in the States now. She always painted the most wonderful picture with vivid memories of her youth in France. We are following her path for a short time.
Pont d' Avignon
I have 3 children, ages 9-13.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
We arrived in the summer and had alot of visitors so it was one, big party for the first month. One school started and we had to find our way in reality, things got tougher. We have a few friends who keep us company and keep us from suffering from loneliness.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
It is not easy meeting people in a small village. They know we are here short term. My French is poor as is my childrens, so this is a serious impediment. If we were staying longer, a full time French tutor would be hired!
Cabasse
We are near the Lac de St. Croix which is wonderful. The hilltop villages are lovely and I never tire of visiting a new one. Aix en Provence is an hour away so if we need some English, we go there for a day. Of course the coast is only ah hour away and that is where we go as often as possible to admire the blue Mediterranean.
What do you enjoy most about living in France?
Peace, quiet and mild temperatures. Being able to cross a border and enter a different country within a couple of hours.
How does the cost of living in France compare to home?
It is very expensive in the south of France. The 3 things that are affordable are bread, cheese and wine!
Marseille
It is too expensive.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to France, what would it be?
Learn the language.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Language barrier.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
We will feel overindulged and excessive. We do not a the luxuries in France that are a part of daily life in the States. I hope I can retain some of the more modest lifestyle that I have been living once I return to America.
our French Christmas
- Learn the language before you go!
- Have enough money saved up.
- Plan ahead for trips so you can budget accordingly.
- Sit in the square and watch people as much as possible.
- Enjoy a different culture and embrace all that is different about it.
My blog is a diary for friend and family to see what we are doing, where we are going and how we are feeling.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
myfrancophileyear.blogspot.com
About the author
Margery is an American expat living in France. Blog description: A diary of our family adventure of living in rural Provence and the travels we take, as well.
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