From Florida to Mirande in 6 MONTHS: John & Gayle's Inspiring French Relocation Journey
How did one American couple go from watching YouTube on a rainy afternoon to living their dream life in France in around six months? John and Gayle prove it's possible to move to France quickly, with the right help, and retire from corporate America in the French town of your choice.
In this episode, Richard Hammond, CEO & Founder of French Connections HCB, sits down with John and Gayle at his home in southwest France to hear the remarkable story of how they left Orlando, Florida behind and successfully relocated to France in under a year.
From the moment they decided to make the move, John and Gayle explain how French Connections HCB helped guide them through every stage of the relocation process. From choosing the right part of France with the Region Matcher service, securing their French visa, settling into a fully furnished apartment, transporting three dogs across the Atlantic, and setting up everything from their bank account to their phone and address, they reveal how having expert support made what seemed daunting feel surprisingly straightforward.
Now settled into the market town of Mirande, in the Gers countryside of southwestern France, they share what everyday life in France is really like, a realistic take on how much it costs to move, how the cost of living compares to the USA, and the biggest surprises they've experienced since arriving in France. They also explain why they believe moving to France was one of the best decisions they've ever made.
If you're thinking about retiring to France from corporate America, moving from the USA to France, or simply wondering whether relocating to France is really possible, John and Gayle's story offers an honest, practical insight into what it takes and how you can make it happen much faster than you think, when you have the help of the French Connections HCB team with you.
0:00 Meet John and Gayle from Florida
0:43 Why John and Gayle moved to France from the USA
1:33 How they found French Connections HCB on YouTube
1:53 What they needed help with in moving to France
2:35 Why they chose French Connections HCB
3:12 Their French visa and suite of services that they used
4:16 Preparing for the French visa appointment in Miami
5:44 Retiring from corporate life in the USA to move to France
6:15 The visa process and moving into a fully furnished apartment
6:55 Life in Mirande in the department of Gers
8:08 Bringing three dogs to France from the USA
10:23 Choosing the right location in France with the Region Matcher, Living in French culture, not an expat community
11:46 An easy landing and daily life in Mirande
12:16 Planning for the longer term in France
12:50 The beauty of southwest France and Mirande
13:46 Why the food in France is so good
14:38 The cost of groceries compared to the USA
15:50 The markets and beautiful things to see
17:10 A cleaner, more respectful way of life
18:20 What driving in France is really like
19:40 A funny first hiccup at the grocery store
20:39 The most useful relocation services, from visa to banking
22:35 Cost of living in France compared to the USA
23:33 A realistic budget to relocate to France with dogs
25:12 Getting by in France with a little French
26:08 Do John and Gayle feel at home in France?
*costs are an estimate and may vary based on your personal circumstances and any additional needs
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