A couple who recently got married and moved to the south of France faced unexpected challenges after their relocation. Rachel Hosie shared that she and her spouse decided to settle in the Côte d’Azur following their wedding, aiming to build a life in this popular holiday spot.
Their move was partly driven by her husband’s job, prompting Rachel to resign from her own position and sell their property in Hampshire. Despite being comfortable with French language skills for both speaking and writing, they underestimated the complexities of setting up a new home in France compared to the UK.
The main hurdle they encountered in their new life was the extensive bureaucracy involved in various tasks such as finding housing, setting up internet services, and even managing basic waste disposal, as per the Express report. Dealing with these challenges, especially in a region where summer temperatures reach up to 40C, led to frustration for the couple.
Rachel candidly shared their experiences in the Times, admitting their initial naivety about the ease of transitioning to living in the French Riviera. She highlighted the struggles they faced with bureaucracy and social norms despite their decent French language skills.
The overwhelming amount of red tape forced them to carry a multitude of documents everywhere they went in case they were required. From residency permits to healthcare and car registrations, the bureaucratic processes seemed endless, with timelines stretching up to a year for certain permits.
Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, Rachel expressed contentment with their decision to move, acknowledging that while challenges existed, the location was still preferable for starting their married life. She humorously mentioned the recycling routine as a reminder of the bureaucracy they faced, emphasizing the phrase “C’est terrible.”
Rachel’s experience isn’t unique among British expats in France, as highlighted by another expat on Reddit, as reported by the Express. The user pointed out issues with the job market, lack of diversity, and challenges in business opportunities, particularly outside of Paris.
The expat also mentioned disparities in living costs, job prospects, and social elitism affecting employment opportunities and daily expenses. Despite the drawbacks, the expat concluded that while rent may be cheaper outside major cities, other expenses like groceries and utilities remain costly due to taxes and economic factors.