International moves are some of the most exciting, but stressful, changes you can undertake. Taking ample time to plan for your relocation and familiarize yourself with your new country is a necessity. If you are planning to become one of the more than 150,000 Americans who currently live in France, there are 10 must-know things that can help you organize your relocation.
Visa Requirements
The first step you should take when moving from Texas to France is to obtain the appropriate visa to allow you to remain and work in the country. The process of obtaining a visa can be a bit complicated, so consulting sources such as the French government website can help ensure you follow the appropriate steps and fill out the right paperwork. In general, here are the steps you should take:
Determine the type of visa you require
You may need a student visa if you are going to be studying in the country, a work visa if you already have a job, a work search visa if you want to look for a job, or one of several other types of visas. Make sure you apply for the one that will allow you to live the life you want in France.
You cannot submit a visa application more than 3 months before you plan to leave. However, because the wait for visa processing can take up to 45 days, you will want to start the process as soon as you are able to ensure you get your visa in time.
Fill out the application online
You can get a head start on your visa by filling out the application online. Once your online application is completed, you will need to make an in-person appointment at a nearby VFS Global office.
Attend your VFS appointment
Make sure to bring your printed application and all necessary documentation to your appointment in order to get your visa processing.
Track your visa
Once your visa is processing, you may be able to track its progress online. You could get it in as little as 15 days or as many as 45.
Moving to France Tips
When you are moving from Texas to France, you can avoid potential setbacks and prepare for an easier and less stressful move by following some of these tips.
Start planning early.
The process of getting your visa can take time. In addition, you may need time to collect the right documents, research where you want to live, start learning the language, setting up your finances, landing a job and getting a place to live. In order to accomplish these many tasks in addition to the regular work of moving, you will need to start the process early.
While you can start the visa process 3 months before you want to move, you can accomplish other tasks, such as researching places to live, even earlier. The more time you give yourself, the less stress you will have around your relocation.
Collect the documents you need
In order to move from Texas to France, you will need to bring some required documentation with you. Here is a list of some of the most important documents you should collect.
- Passport
- Passport photos
- Visa application
- Birth certificate with your parents’ names
- Health insurance information
- Itemized list of possessions obtained in the last 6 months
- Medical records
- Diplomas and other certifications
- Bank account information
- Relevant financial documents
- Tax returns from the past two years
- Vaccination records
Prepare for your moving expenses.
In order to successfully complete your move, you will need to prepare your finances. The cost of living may be different between Texas and France, so you will need to make sure your income can match your expenses. In addition, you may need to handle the following aspects of your move before your relocation:
- Housing
- Pet transportation
- Moving supplies
- New furnishings
- Flights
- Hiring a moving company
- Transportation in your new city
- Converting your American currency to French currency
- Opening a French bank account (You will need proof of France residency and potentially a tax ID number)
Find a moving company to assist.
Moving from Texas to France will require the assistance of a professional international mover. This professional can help you navigate the many logistics involved in an international relocation with less stress and fewer delays. Just make sure the company you hire can offer both reasonable prices and years of proven expertise in international relocations.
Best Places To Live In France
From wine country to the coast, France is full of beautiful places to live and work. You may find that the place you choose to live is determined primarily by your work or family obligations. However, there are certain locations which, if you have the opportunity, can provide you with an exceptional experience in France. Here are 5 of the best places to live in France.
Lyon
Lyon is filled with historic architecture, a deep sense of culture and a passion for exceptional food.
Toulouse
A family-friendly city, Toulouse offers some of the best educational facilities in France, beautiful waterways and a gentle, warm climate.
Bordeaux
Nestled along the Gironde River, and planted directly in the middle of wine country, Bordeaux is filled with gardens, restaurants, cafes and shopping, spectacular schools and more.
Pau
Pau, which overlooks the Gave de Pau River, is a university city with a passion for sports, a culture that embraces teens and a landscape that features some of the most abundant greenery in Europe.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
This small town offers lots of big city amenities, medieval architecture and a charming, close-knit feel.
Cost Of Living In France
France is approximately 6% less expensive than Texas. Here’s a rundown in several categories:
In France, one would pay about 13% less at restaurants and 13% more for groceries compared to Texas. Transportation costs are also lower, with around a 22% decrease.
Housing costs in France, however, are significantly higher—about 70% more expensive than in Texas. Childcare expenses follow the same trend, costing around 23% more in France.
On the entertainment and sports front, you’ll spend roughly 6% less in France. On an even brighter note, clothing costs are lower in France by approximately 22%.
In conclusion, if considering a move from Texas to France, be prepared for a mix of higher and lower living costs, with overall expenses being slightly less in France.
| Expense | Cost Difference |
|---|---|
| Groceries | 13% ↑ |
| Transportation | 2% ↓ |
| Housing | 70% ↑ |
| Entertainment | 6% ↓ |
Housing in France
Finding a place to live in France may be an eye-opening experience. In general, apartments and homes in France are much smaller than those in the United States – With apartments as small as 300 square feet or smaller in Paris. Since smaller residences are the norm, you may have to intentionally downsize your possessions, and expectations, before relocating.
In addition, affordable housing can be difficult to find in France. You may need extra time to find a place to live that fits with your budget. Start looking, and planning, early to make sure you have a place to land when you arrive in your new country.
Climate in France
France differs significantly from Texas when it comes to the weather. Texas is known for its hot, humid summers and warm winters. France has areas of very mild and beautiful weather (such as Toulouse). However, you can also expect the climate in other places to be much cooler than Texas. The exact weather you experience will depend upon the region of France where you settle. Here is a look at what the climate is like in certain areas of the country:
- East – Warm summers and cold winters
- South – Mediterranean climate with warm, dry winters
- Overseas – Tropical climate
When planning your move, consider the weather where you are going. Do you need a climate similar to Texas? Are you excited about encountering the cold? Your preferences can help you find the right place to live in your new country.
Exchange Rate in France
Before moving from Texas to France, you should take the time to understand the currency. France uses the euro, which is a form of currency used throughout 20 European countries. As a result, the currency in France makes it easier to visit other nations throughout the continent.
However, the exchange rate may mean that your American dollar is worth a little bit less than 1 euro. That plus any fee for exchanging your currency means that you should save more money than you think you need before you move to ensure that after the exchange and fees you still have enough to live on.
Pay Rate in France
When you begin earning wages in France, you may notice that your pay rate differs from what you had in the United States. Just make sure before you move that your income will cover your expected expenses, and save up a few months’ of income beforehand in case you need time to find a job or need to pay for unexpected moving expenses.
You should also be prepared for the significant charges and taxes that France deducts from your paycheck. On average, 20-23 percent of your paycheck will go toward social charges, with income tax due on top of that. Your employer should be able to explain the deductions, taxes and charges you will experience once you relocate.
Work/Life Balance in France
When you move from Texas to France, one of the most enjoyable aspects of your new life will probably be the French focus on work/life balance. The country’s statutory work week is only 35 hours long. In addition, each employee is entitled to about 5 weeks of vacation per year, plus 11 national holidays that workers get off. As a result, you are likely to enjoy more time off and less work-related stress when you move to France.
French Health Insurance
France has one of the best health insurance systems in the world, and once you have lived in the nation for at least 3 months, you will have the opportunity to participate in its high quality of care and low expenses. Here are some of the most important features of this system:
- The French healthcare system includes public and private providers.
- Specialist appointments do not require referrals.
- You may use any doctor you wish, public or private.
- The government pays for most healthcare expenses.
- Supplementary insurance is available to cover additional expenses.
- There is 1+ doctor for every 1,000 citizens.
- Healthcare is fast and office wait times are short.
- Major illnesses are 100% covered.
- Taxes tend to be higher because they help fund the healthcare system.
French Language
Finally, when moving from Texas to France, you should commit yourself to learning a new language. French is the official and primarily spoken language of the country and, unlike many other European nations, English is not taught by default in the public schools. As a result, in order to find a job, work, navigate daily life, and form solid relationships in your adopted country, you need to have at least a basic understanding of and ability to speak French. You may want to start the learning process before you relocate, to make settling in a little bit easier.
If you are moving from Texas to France, you have an exciting and rewarding adventure ahead of you. Make sure, however, that your move is stress-free with Ward North American. As an experienced international mover, we have the decades of experience, highly-trained teams and network of resources you need to smoothly navigate every step of your relocation. Contact us today.
