Dreaming of Retiring to France? 10 Questions to Ask Before Making the Move

Does the idea of retiring to France appeal to you? Perhaps it’s a daydream you’ve had for many years. Or maybe you’re just starting to think that a life of baguettes, wine, and cheese sounds a much more appealing way to spend your golden years than where you are now.

Whatever the reason, there are some questions you’ll need to ask yourself before you take the plunge. And I’m not talking about the usual ones, such as visas, insurance, and healthcare. These questions are more personal. They’re the ones I asked myself before I moved here nearly ten years ago. 

Because although it might sound like it’s all sunflowers and sunshine, real life is very different from what you may have experienced on holiday. The things you found appealing might end up being the things that send you over the edge when experienced on a daily basis.

To help you, below you’ll find ten questions you need to answer truthfully before deciding to retire to France. 

No. 1 What Do You Love About France?

You need to ask yourself what it is about France that you love, that makes you want to move there permanently. And the answer shouldn’t be all the pretty villages, the food, and the wine. Seriously. The villages may be beautiful and the food may be divine, but life in France isn’t for everyone.

Once the reality of daily life sets in, it can be a bit of a culture shock, especially if you don’t speak French. The shops shut for two hours at lunchtime, the pace of life is a lot slower, and food is seasonal, so you don’t get asparagus in August. This all takes some getting used to. If you’re looking for England or America in France, forget it. The French have their traditions, and you have to respect their culture. After all, you’re in their country.

However, if you really want to experience France and be part of the community, it takes courage, a bit of confidence, and the willingness to simply give things a go. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?

The French are a reserved lot and don’t open up immediately; you have to be patient. But if you make the effort, the rewards are fantastic. Even though my French isn’t brilliant, I still manage to chat with my French neighbors, and I’m very much part of our local life. Sometimes I come home to find one of my neighbors has left me some carrots or figs off their tree. It’s almost like life fifty years ago.

No. 2 Should You Try Before You Buy?

Yes. My advice, if possible, would be to rent somewhere for a few months before making a long-term commitment. Embrace the opportunity and see if daily life in France is truly for you. But don’t be tempted to treat it like a holiday, otherwise it kind of defeats the point of the object.

If possible, come when it’s quieter and see if you can handle France after the summer events have stopped and everyday life resumes. Shop at the local markets, visit French stores, and spend time immersing yourself in all things France.

No. 3 Will the Lifestyle Suit You?

This is a big one. As I said at the start, life isn’t all brioche and baguettes. Things in France, especially outside the major cities, tend to be generally slow-paced. Many places don’t open on Sundays, and most shops, including supermarkets, close at 7:30 pm. Twenty-four-hour opening doesn’t exist.

And then there’s the lack of takeaways and taxis. Where I live in the Charente, there aren’t any, and although we can get takeaway pizza, they don’t deliver. There’s no Uber Eats where I live, and it’s similar for many parts of France, especially in those pretty little villages I mentioned earlier.

What I’m trying to say is that if you eat takeaways regularly, like to get a taxi home from the pub when you’ve had one too many, and enjoy a fast pace of life where you can get anything and everything whenever you want, France probably isn’t for you.

No. 4 Can You Afford to Live Comfortably?

Many people who retire here live off their savings or pensions, but there are always unexpected costs if you’re living in an older property. They can be money pits. I know because I have one. Roofs leak, and problems can occur when you least expect them, so having a contingency fund and knowing how to budget is essential if you’re not working. You won’t get help from the government if you run out of money.

If you live in the UK and are used to the NHS, medical fees may come as a shock. However, if you’re coming from America, Australia, or other countries, you’ll get a pleasant surprise as healthcare is not only affordable, but the service is excellent.

One of our most significant costs is wood. We don’t have gas, so we rely on woodburners for heating, and making sure you have enough to see you through the winter can be expensive. 

Something else that tends to be more expensive is your groceries and meat. I definitely pay more for both than I would in my local supermarket in the UK. On the flip side, the wine is cheaper, and the cheese variety is simply amazing. 

No. 5 Will I Miss My Family Too Much?

Missing family is often the deal breaker. I’ve had a few friends return to the UK because they miss their families, especially when grandchildren arrive. It’s a very personal thing. For me, I’ve spent most of my adult life living on a different continent from my family, so being in France is the closest I’ve been to them in years. However, that’s not the case for everyone.

My mom is now 88, and I travel back to see her every eight weeks, and it certainly takes its toll. The constant travel eats into the budget with car hire and flights, but it’s worth it. These are all things you need to take into consideration.

Then, of course, if you’re used to seeing family regularly, it will be hard not having them within reach. Those shopping trips, coffees, and time spent hanging out together won’t be as regular. We’re fortunate to have Zoom and FaceTime now, but it’s not the same. 

On the flip side, when they come over or you go over to see them, you have a more concentrated period of time. I hate using cliches, but it’s quality over quantity.

No. 6 How Will I Cope With the Language?

Learning French has been hard for me. I did learn at school, but that hasn’t helped at all. For the first couple of years, I didn’t make a particularly big effort to learn. I was working all hours and used that as an excuse not to learn. It wasn’t till I realized what I was missing that I finally admitted I wasn’t making a big enough effort.

So now I have two lessons a week, and I’m proud to say I’ve improved no end. I’m not fluent, not by a long shot, but I can have a conversation with my French friends. I can hold my own in stores, at the doctor’s office, and in the post office. It makes all the difference.

It’s not easy, though. Learning another language at any age is hard, and you have to be patient. For some, it never happens, and they’re fine with it. But, personally, I felt ignorant not being able to converse, however haltingly. So, ask yourself: Do I have the time and patience to learn a new language, and if not, are you happy not to understand?

No. 7 Can I Make a Life For Myself?

This is a big one. Starting a new life can be a daunting prospect. Everything is new from the way you shop to the friends you have. Everything familiar has disappeared. So it’s down to you to make an effort to come to terms with that and put yourself out there to make a new life for yourself.

Life in France can be so rewarding, but you have to be willing to put in the time. One of the best things I did was to join a local French line dancing group. I absolutely love it. The people are wonderful, and it’s helped my French no end; not to mention it’s a fab way of keeping fit.

But just as you would when moving to a new place, it’s about taking a risk and trying new things. In France, you’ll always find expat groups where you can meet others who have gone through a similar experience. But don’t dismiss the French groups, as they can be a Godsend in helping you navigate everyday life.

No. 8 Could I Handle the Admin and Bureaucracy?

I won’t lie, the French administration drives me insane. I recently closed a business, which meant I no longer needed to pay tax for the company each month. It took the powers that be over a year to sort it out, and in the meantime, they were sending me final demands for huge sums of money that I didn’t owe. Luckily, I have an amazing accountant who kept diligently phoning them to explain the situation for a third, fourth, and fifth time.

Even the French hate it. They readily agree what a nightmare it is. Why do something efficiently when you can use 17 forms, have 18 phone calls, and take over a year to sort something? I think you get my drift. Luckily, despite the issues with the administration and bureaucracy, it’s a small price to pay for the lifestyle I have here.

No. 9 What Will My Daily Routine Look Like?

I can promise you your daily routine in France will be very different from what you’re used to. As I’ve mentioned, the pace of life is slower, but that’s not a bad thing. I’m an early riser as I like to check my emails before the day really gets going and have a quiet coffee watching the sun come up. At least three times a week, I visit the boulangerie for some bread, and on Wednesdays, I go shopping at my local market. These little pleasures are things I wouldn’t have done in the UK.

My morning commute involves climbing the stairs to my barn, which has been converted into an office, or sitting with my laptop in the garden if the weather is good. I love my daily walks, especially since we’re in the countryside, and I enjoy seeing how nature changes throughout the year.

All this is a far cry from my previous life, where I spent more time in traffic jams than anything else. I’m also a member of a book club and lunch club, so life is anything but quiet. And of course, there is my daily writing for the blog.

However, what I found most helpful was establishing a daily routine. I need structure, I think we all do, really, and putting together a routine gave me what I needed and helped me adjust to life here much quicker. I soon realized that as long as I had something to do in the morning, as well as the afternoon, and wasn’t aimlessly wondering what’s next, I’d be absolutely fine.

No. 10 How Will I Cope in the Quiet Months?

Winter can be very isolating. Not much goes on, and you’d be forgiven for thinking everyone had immigrated, as all the shutters are closed, and people batten down the hatches. This is when your community comes into its own. 

We started a dinner club during the winter months, and once a month, my husband and I, along with two other couples, get together on a Saturday evening. Whoever hosts prepares the main course, and the others take care of the starters and desserts. It’s the perfect way to ensure we have something going on during those cold months.

It’s important to understand that whilst the spring and summer bring lots of fabulous events you can attend, that’s not the case in the winter months. It can send some people mad if they’re not prepared for it.

So Are You Ready To Take the Plunge?

I love my life in France, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, had those moments of tearing my hair out and wondering what on earth I’ve done. But despite all that, there is something about the French culture and lifestyle that I love.

I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else, and I get anxiety at the thought of not being here in my gorgeous property with its ancient well and bread oven.

My best piece of advice is to do your due diligence. Get help when you need it and make sure you’ve got all your document ducks in a row. The rest will work itself out if you have the right mindset and are prepared to live life by French rules rather than what you’re used to.

Be willing to embrace it, and it will embrace you right back.