Started the application process for our long stay visas for France today.

[GoneOffShore]

We've been in England for the last 8 days and we're back in the US on the 10th of July, so we started the application process to move to France.
We've got the apartment, the bank account, the electricity account, the fixed line telephone so the domicile is, as the expression goes, 'sorted'. Now we have to dot the I's and cross the T's as regards birth certificates, criminal records(None that I know of), marriage certificate, and health insurance (3 months of coverage up to 60,000€, zero deductible, and repatriation). And proof of financial resources and a declaration that we won't work in France.
Our appointment is set up for 13 August and if all goes well we'll be back in France the first week of September.
Other stuff will have to be dealt with when we land, but as long as the visas are granted, that will be our next step to becoming immigrants.
And yes, we will vote absentee.

[saidsimplesimon]

1. bon voyage

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[GoneOffShore]

3. Thank you. That's great!

And here's a variation -
Hope it's not restricted in the US.

[RandomAccess]

14. That's adorable

They have this impish look about them, like they're sitting on a huge joke, or surprise.

Now, what did they say???

[GoneOffShore]

16. It's about the train strike that's presently on in France.

You can get a sense of it by using closed caption option.

[RandomAccess]

13. I've always loved that, and Piaf

So thanks so much for posting it! LOVE having the lyrics.

[awesomerwb1]

2. Without having to go into too much detail, is there a specific amount you need to invest

in order to qualify for a visa? Like purchase real estate, invest on a government project, etc?

Thanks and good luck!

[GoneOffShore]

5. You need to show income of 28,000 a year.

We've bought an apartment last year.

And sold our house in Philly in April. So, as far as the US is concerned we are 'Without Fixed Abode' or in French 'SDF', Sans Domicile Fixe.

[awesomerwb1]

9. So you need to show income of more than $28000

Do you need to also purchase real estate with a minimum value requirement?

Thank you for your reply!

[GoneOffShore]

10. There would appear to be no MVR. We found a flat, made an offer, paid cash.

Did the agreement of sale April/May 2017, signed the 'achat' in July 2017, and picked up the deed from the notaire this April.

We're paying about 3500$ a year in co-propriete (condo) fees. Plus electricity which is running at around 35$/month.

And for a long stay visa you don't need to own property, you just need a rental agreement.

[awesomerwb1]

12. Fantastic.

I'm going to do some research about Spain.

Congratulations on your next adventure!

[GoneOffShore]

17. I believe that Spain is even cheaper than France.

And it may be easier to get a long stay visa.

[smirkymonkey]

24. That's great!

Where in France are you going to live? Do you need to have private health insurance or can you purchase it from the government?

[GoneOffShore]

26. The flat is in Aix-en-Provence

40 minutes north of Marseille and close to the Luberon - Peter Mayle 'A Year in Provence' country.

First three months private, and then we can get the government plan. Still have to buy supplemental but at a reasonable price.

[smirkymonkey]

27. Beautiful area - you are so lucky!

I envy you! I spent a vacation in Avignon, Arles and Nice. I loved the laid-back way of life and all the fresh produce and great food! You have inspired me! Best of luck to you! Bonne chance!

[CurtEastPoint]

4. My dream. I absolutely love France.

What region/department are you settling in?

[GoneOffShore]

6. We're in Aix-en-Provence.

Staying in England for 8 more days, and then back to the heat and humidity of Philadelphia.

[CurtEastPoint]

8. Yes, I recall now. You responded to my ? about my recent trip.

Went from Montpellier to Marseille and ran out of time to explore much, dIdn't make it to Aix. How fabulous for you all!

[GoneOffShore]

20. How was the trip?

Montpellier is lovely and Marseille has a gritty charm.

[CurtEastPoint]

21. I didn't care for Bordeaux that much but as I moved...

south and east it got better. Montpellier was nice and I adored Marseille! Check out my photos!

http://curtrushphotoart.com/collections/france+aquitaine+dordogne+midi+pyrenees+roussillon+provence

[GoneOffShore]

22. Love the pictures.

And I know that cat in Cassis. She tries to kill lizards every chance she gets.

[Doreen]

7. Congratualtions. You are one of the lucky ones.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Congratulations. Hope I can do the same real soon (My last little

dog is almost 16. When he departs, I will leave.)

[GoneOffShore]

19. This move has been several years in the planning.

We started thinking about it when our last cat died.

[mnhtnbb]

15. Congratulations!

I have been scheming to come try out living in Lyon next spring for 90 days to see if I want to make the move and jump through the hoops to make it permanent with the long stay visa process. I have my eye on two different furnished apartments for the trial period. Can't decide if closer (by about 4-5 blocks) to the metro and the grocery is worth extra $$ or slightly larger apartment closer to the river is better value for the 90 days.

I am stuck here in the US until at least December/January due to NC state legal requirements applicable to the divorce, or I'd be over there now doing my 90 day trial period. Our house is on the market, but hasn't sold yet. It has to sell for me to be able to do this.

It's good to hear you have made such progress!

[GoneOffShore]

18. Check out the Facebook groups for expats.

There are a couple for France.

Lyon is a great city. Lots of excellent restaurants.

And if you drink wine, the stuff you can get in boxes is good quality and cheap.

[Boomerproud]

23. So happy for you. Good luck!

I don't make the required income so that dream is finished. At least after reading your post I have a lot more information.

[ck4829]

25. Safe travels.

[GulfCoast66]

28. Wow, we love France

How is your French if you do not mind my asking?

I studied for 3 years with various online methods and both the wife and I were pleasantly surprised that I was able to do basic communication. But I will never be anywhere close to fluent. Too Old!

Good luck and keep us updated.

[GoneOffShore]

29. Not too bad. Enough to talk to tradesmen and such.

With bureaucrats I need some help.

[GulfCoast66]

30. Is help available?

France has a notorious bureaucracy. Were you able to get assistance when dealing with the government and doing things like purchasing your flat?

I could manage having someone fix my sink or replace the floors. But dealing with Officialdom? That would scare the bejeezus out of me.

Sorry for all the questions, but I find your courageous decision very intriguing.

[GoneOffShore]

31. Our real estate agent is English and her husband French.

There's a large Anglophone community in Aix, and we have numerous bilingual friends who have helped us. And our French is getting better every time we're there.
And because we paid cash for the flat, it was much easier - well, not cash, but there was no mortgage involved - so as good as cash.

[PasadenaTrudy]

32. Very cool!

I fantasize about living in the UK, but I hate change - - and moving across town is hard for me, let alone moving abroad. We live in CA, so we feel blessed right now. Just curious, how old are you? We are in our mid-fifties

[GoneOffShore]

33. I'm 70 and Mrs GoS is 58

We were planning on doing a back and forth thing where we would keep a place in the US and rent that out when in France and vice versa. It was too complicated, both maintenance and tax wise. Then we got an offer for the Philadelphia house and that clinched it.
A lot of stress, but worth it. We cleared our three story house, where we had lived for 20 years in just under 45 days.
Sold or gave away all the furniture, kitchen ware(except for my knives and a few other bits), most of our books and records, etc. So far we've brought over 9 suitcases of clothes and stuff. When we go back to France - hopefully early September - we'll take another four suitcases, and have friends bring one more. That should leave us with very few things in storage. And nothing that we'll actually miss.

The money we got from selling the stuff in the house has basically paid for furnishing the flat in Aix.

[PasadenaTrudy]

34. Wow

I could never do that! I do suffer from an autoimmune disorder and arthritis and some days I have to just stay in bed, so I would pay a dear price health-wise. I have no plans to ever fly to Europe again, as the length of the flight and time change is unbearable now. I'm glad I went overseas when I was 21 and had a bit more energy! I own an apt bldg that's probably worth $2M or so now. It offers me a home and income. If I sold it, I really have no idea where I would go! Anywhere in the US worth living is very expensive. I think I'll stay put I hope you post lots of pics once you get settled!

[GoneOffShore]

35. You don't have to fly you know.

And 2M$ will give you enough in income to live almost anywhere in Europe. As you're in Pasadena, Spain might be a good place for you.
Big expat community depending on where you choose.
I'll try to post pics, but since Photobucket has gone expensive and I haven't figured out Imgur yet, it may be awhile.

[PasadenaTrudy]

36. After taxes...

and splitting it with my brother, doesn't leave much. I'd love to live somewhere with a cold climate. I feel better when it's in the 50s and 60s. My boyfriend doesn't want to move. He's an artist and needs the L.A. scene. He teaches at a film school too, so we need to be L.A. centered. He's not f/t, so no retirement package unfortunately.

[GoneOffShore]

37. I totally understand.

Ireland would be a good fit, particularly as your boyfriend is an artist. They don't tax artists in Ireland.

And even 1M$ should give you enough to live on. And don't forget that once you're there, the medical system would not be as expensive.