The DU Lounge

GoneOffShore

(18,037 posts)

19. Valbonne is nice, with a lot of Brits. The whole area around Nice is overbuilt.

Wed Sep 6, 2023, 01:46 AM

Sep 2023

If the land has a less than 75degree incline, the Nicoise will build on it.

The Vendée is lovely.

What kind of visa are you getting? We applied for a VS-TLS which we have to renew here in France every year. This year, we can apply for 10 year cards, which will make life bureaucratically easier.

Check that your state has a driving licence exchange agreement with France. Otherwise, if you move here you will have to apply for a French licence and take the test after a year. Pennsylvania and Florida licences can be exchanged, and there are several other states, but I don't have that list in my head.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

47 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

5 years in France [View all] GoneOffShore Sep 2023 OP

👍 claudette Sep 2023 #1

Je pense que ce n'est pas que vous. DFW Sep 2023 #32

Je suis claudette Sep 2023 #37

Don't discard your dream. It's still there. DFW Sep 2023 #38

I'll try not to! claudette Sep 2023 #42

Marseille is beautiful. The last time I was there Emile Sep 2023 #2

We love Marseille - great restaurants, and lots of culture GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #6

I thought I recognized Aix, though it's been many years since I visited. Lonestarblue Sep 2023 #12

Aix has a large anglophone population because of the university GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #17

You get used to it. DFW Sep 2023 #33

But, what is the French cats name? IcyPeas Sep 2023 #3

Pierre ? Maraya1969 Sep 2023 #4

She is 'Dora the Cat Who Adopted Us', formerly 'Dora le chat d'ascenseur' GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #5

Awww I love it. This would be a great children's storybook... but from Dora's perspective. IcyPeas Sep 2023 #7

I once had a romantic partner from France. ChazInAz Sep 2023 #15

Lady Chat-terly? n/t DFW Sep 2023 #40

The last photo perfectly captures the essence of village life erronis Sep 2023 #8

Looks like Aix, a lovely town! trusty elf Sep 2023 #10

That photo is the market in the old town. And luckily for everyone's feet, there aren't too many GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #18

Will be joining you in 22 months. yowzayowzayowza Sep 2023 #9

Valbonne is nice, with a lot of Brits. The whole area around Nice is overbuilt. GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #19

Yea, if we end up in the Nice area, will stay north of the A8. yowzayowzayowza Sep 2023 #29

When we bought, we had three agents. And as you may know, agents work for both sides here GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #30

Thanks for the link. Hadn't run into that site. yowzayowzayowza Sep 2023 #31

Keep in mind the costs of a larger property as you age, along with the ability to do maintenance GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #34

No, I will not wholly own one of THOSE gardens. Not gunna happen. n/t yowzayowzayowza Sep 2023 #45

Did you speak french when you moved there? Mr.Bill Sep 2023 #11

On the European language scale, I spoke at a A2 level when we arrived. GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #20

Take it from one who lives in Germany, and is in a different country every day for work DFW Sep 2023 #35

I totally agree with you. Mr.Bill Sep 2023 #43

I'm envious! Sky Jewels Sep 2023 #13

5 yrs of paying for a storage unit? hmmm msongs Sep 2023 #14

Only did that for less than 18 months. And not sure why we did it in the first place. GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #21

How did you find the cost of housing? EleanorR Sep 2023 #16

Aix is pricey, because of the university, and it's proximity to both Marseille and the countryside GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #22

Less than $500 a month? That's interesting. But hard to believe. littlemissmartypants Sep 2023 #23

Here was a quarterly bill from 2022 GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #24

What's this for total living expenses? Or just housing? littlemissmartypants Sep 2023 #25

That's housing. GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #26

Makes much more sense now! Sorry it took so long to get to the crux of the matter. littlemissmartypants Sep 2023 #27

Thanks for the info. EleanorR Sep 2023 #28

Maybe Brasil? Konrad_95 Aug 2025 #46

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Aug 2025 #47

I'm in Germany. Not as romantic as France or Portugal, but......... DFW Sep 2023 #36

Very cool indeed. GoneOffShore Sep 2023 #39

But I remember seeing a few chteaux in the neighborhood when I visited there. DFW Sep 2023 #41

I admire your courage. Keep living your best life! Boomerproud Sep 2023 #44