Q & A

Subject: Would like to one day live in France.

Question: I am an American married to a French. We are presently living in America but would like to one day live in France. I found your site while searching for jobs in France. I have so many things I would like to ask you that I don't know where to start. I have passed quite a bit of time in France in the past but have not been there since 1996 so I am sure things have changed some. My French is very limited so I know that if we were to move there I would have a big handicap. I would like to know your thoughts on things like employment, medical treatment, and many other things. If you don't mind I would truly enjoy corresponding with you more in the future.

Answer: I was in much the same situation that you are in. I left France in late 1996 and moved back with my French wife and then 6 month old son last summer. For me finding employment has been very hard, but getting the right to work in France was very easy! My suggestion for finding work is to teach English(You should not need to speak French to do this.), but only as a salary employee not as a free lancer. Doing this helps in a few ways, first income, be it very little, second and most important, you start paying into the French social system. This really helps for a few reasons; health care, once you work for 70 hours your are covered by the national health system. A system light years better than in the states. Next, it might be possible for you to take job training courses and get the courses played for and possibility unemployment for yourself. Lastly, you could possibility start your own business and get some start-up costs paid for by the government.
For learning French, I would suggest that between you and your wife you speak French, that along with taking classes should help. Back to finding work, start having a look at the job sites listed on the Links section of my web site, under Finding a job in France. This should give you some idea of what types of jobs are out there, what qualifications are needed and the pay. Also start trying to network, look up old friends, wife’s family etc, and see if anyone knows of any jobs openings. I might get a job at GM because of some that I know that works there.
Moving to France was not the easiest thing I have ever done, but it is not impossible to do. Make sure you have saved up enough money and are in the right state of mind.

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