Moving to France in our 50s was NOT what we expected.

In this video, I explore aspects of our nomadic life, as we work really hard towards finding our dream home here in France and setting down some roots. Not exactly an easy process, especially at our age and with all the requisite bouncing around... while simultaneously trying to adapt to and assimilate an entire new culture. Sometimes we're not sure we can do this. The pain and discomfort can be a little too much. And yet, something inside us keeps us going... Join me as I take a deep look at moving to this incredible country. Do we have what it takes to do this? Do we love it here enough to stick it out? And ultimately, after all's been said and done: Is France really it? Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
02:43 - Pinpointing the Area
04:27- The Food...Oh the Food!
06:10 - Sponsor (Athletic Greens)
07:28 - Access to Paris
08:50 - The Gorgeous Countryside
10:19 - Next Time

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[nobackupplan]

Say what you will, I'm pretty damn impressed with how you're adapting to life in a new continent, with a new language & new rhythm. You let go of a TON of comforts to do this but as you've said, it is paying off in the form of super rich experiences and memories.

05:49 – this made me laugh out loud. Your continued amazement with French food/ingredients is so hilarious (and shared, I'm 3 years in now and it just doesn't stop being unbelievable). So cool to see that make you so happy.

Also the storytelling on this channel keeps improving, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT UPDATE FROM YOU, SELF-PROCLAIMED FORMER SPRING CHICKEN

[maryannklein]

Three and a half years ago my husband and I (now 68 and 69) bought an old broken down longère in rural Brittany with a very large piece of wild land bordering a river. We have single handedly renovated and tamed the land, planted fruit and nut trees, built a greenhouse and raised outdoor terrace under our oaks and developed a flower garden. Not for the faint hearted but we have never been happier!

[stockkiller]

Great video ! I am French and if I could advise you a bit : the best country side is not close to Paris. It is obviously nice to be able to go to Paris in an hour but the nature there is not that great plus it is cold and rainy in winter, kind of depressing. And jt is expensive because close to Paris. On the other hand you could find beautiful country side close to Lyon in the wine yards. Lyon is real food and restaurant capital of France. You can reach Paris in 2 hours with high speed train, you can easily go to the Alps in winter and are only a couple hours from the French riveria. The weather there is outstanding and the villages are extremely charming. Maybe go and try having a look around there 😀

[olafrotkohl]

My wife and I moved to Normandy five years ago from the United States, and we have never looked back. Everything you’ve seen is our experience too, especially the kindness and patience of the people. We’re a bit farther out, about a 2-hour train ride to Paris, which we visit frequently, but we love our small town, about 4000 people, and have been made to feel a part of the community. It’s a real joy when you know the people at your bakery, the pharmacy, the supermarket, and most restaurants and bars, and it’s very rare when we don’t run into a friend when shopping. And everything just works! The roads are immaculate, the medical service are excellent, the trains are a joy to use, and yet never do people seem stressed. I can only chalk this up to the fact that a strong social safety net, decent working hours, living wages, and worker protections enable people to relax into being good at their jobs without the resentful anger that so many Americans have come to feel in the US. And above everything else, I think, is that this is a culture of mutual respect. I love the ritual “bonjour” and the way one slowly works from formality first to, if you’re lucky, friendly informality.

I do believe that one big factor in making such a jump is comfort at being a dumb foreigner, and having a healthy self-deprecating sense of humor, because part of the experience is making lots of mistakes. And don’t fear learning French—it’s good for the old brain, and it is fun, and believe me, there’s plenty to laugh at on that voyage.

I could go on about the food, the history, the scenery, and all that, but I’m sure you’ve covered and will be covering more of it. Bienvenue!

[sicklecellwithdr.o]

You and your wife’s adventurous spirit in your 50s is inspiring!

[C_Beaty]

I love the storytelling and quality of visuals on your channel. (Also as a 41-year-old, I love seeing YouTubers who aren't in their 20s!) Also now I really want to visit France :)

[Rose_Ou]

I can't wait to see the continuation of your journey! I'm 47, pretty miserable and unimpressed with my life so I'm desperate to start everything from scratch. My son is turning 17 this year so soon I'll be able to make some significant changes :) You guys are an inspiration!

[hazelhatswell]

21 years ago, at the age of 54/57 we moved to Brittany from London. It’s been, and still is, a wonderful experience integrating fully into French culture with so many amazing French friends and being able to introduce our non-French friends to this wonderful part of the world. Being able to speak French is important of course). I’m originally from the NE of Scotland so never lacked friendly folk and gorgeous scenery but love it here in Finistère ❤️🇫🇷❤️

[scottw.]

Mid-50's my friend--You are very young! Coming from someone in his mid-60's who remembers the mid-50's fondly. Having said that--you will find the mid-60's pretty awesome during your adventures in France. Hope to return to France soon for a visit.

[Walter-knte]

I love your courage to change a lot in your life in your 50s. I'm 29 and feel scared changing the direction my life is taking. You're inspiring!

[TonyHightower]

I feel all of this. I'm 55, and we just moved to France this month ourselves (& I've started making videos about it). You're doing it. You just gotta keep doing it.

[thefilipinojoe]

I moved to Spain and while the city (of Leon) was bustling, the countryside was dead. My friend there said it was because no one goes there in the winter, that they only go there in the summer.

Honestly, as a New Yorker, I couldn’t stand the quietness and boredom, and after 45 days living in Spain I bailed and returned to the Philippines.

Good luck with your relocation.

The most telling thing that let me know that the Philippines was my new home was that whenever I was away from here, I got homesick. I’ve also adapted to the people and culture so much so that they say I am just like them, not a foreigner anymore. Or rather an American on the outside and a Filipino on the inside.

I came here when I was 55. I’m 60 now and couldn’t be happier. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I love your writing. I’m also a writer and I think our types have a great gift to offer here on YouTube as documentary storytellers. I didn’t realize that till recently and since I did, I’ve been taking my YouTube documentary projects more seriously.

Good luck finding your happy place. Keep writing.

❤

[westernnut]

For the past year I've been thinking about making a move like this and I'm close to 70! I appreciate your honesty in showing the realities that come with such a major lifestyle change.

[paulriley]

We settled in France 4 years ago, having been in various other countries ( work related) for 16 years after leaving England. Great country, really enjoy being here. Language skills take time but keep at it!! Love the quality of life.

[AndNowIWrite]

My husband and I retired to Portugal in 2019, also in our fifties. Only regret is that we didnt do it sooner! My best to you!

[NettunoJ]

I'm French and it's so interesting to see what people think about my country, how they see it! The part about the supermarkets and the bakery section was so funny 😂

[patriciapadgett]

Hi you two. Lovely video, fascinating to listen to you . We moved from UK to Spain in our mid 50's, and lived completely off grid for 6 years while we decided what to do with the plot of land we bought. Finally we built a beautiful home, and after another 10 years living in that, we have now bought an old house, unlived in for over 20 years, and starting again. We are 73, so never too old or too late 🤣. One thing we not good with is technology, came too late to us, so no You Tube videos from us, but anyone thinking of doing this, just do it. Look forward to following you. Love from Spain 💙❤️

[carolynlarke]

I have been spending months at a time in France for a few years since retiring. My thoughts were always toward splitting my residence, 6mths in the US and 6mths in France. The place has seduced me though and as my home city gets dirtier, poorer run and managed and my country gets weirder moving may be my best option for ageing in place with good services and amenities.

So, to address your questions as another 'outsider' here's what I think. The French are, to me, a private people. They love their homes, gardens and rooftop patios. They aren't into just ambling around on the streets. If you are out on the street you are going somewhere so step to it. Parks, homes, bars, bistros and those places are where the French gather when they want to be with people.

I worked in France for months at a stretch in the past. I've worked with many French people. Within France the people who 'get things done' pride themselves on swift, invisible, service. It's a social norm that everything must get done but one must not make a fuss. The society has prioritized what they think matters, serving the citizens in rules, laws and attitudes developed over a thousand years. The French seem to love beauty in all things because all beauty is infused with the effort, commitment and labor needed to produce it. French workers are also incredibly efficient and effective when they set to a task. I've seen a 100 meter staircase, overgrown with ivy and weeds as well as the deadfall from trees and a moldy, leafy mess, cleared, cleaned and perfect in 3 hours. Where I live it would have taken a week and 4 workers. I always joked with my French colleagues that they love to get stuff done but hate to look like they're working at it.

I'll be in Ginestas this summer, way down south where the French spoken is occasionally Occitanes along the Aude River.. Spanish is commonly spoken and the cities have Arabic names and history going back to Greco-Roman times and beyond. I'm going to watch all your work. Maybe I'll find that right house in that perfect village too.

[saramarkowicz]

Your videos are so so well done ! As a french it's so amusing to see a whole family loving France so much !

[jeaninerumble]

So excited and grateful to have found your channel. Your adventures are intriguing and also remind me of the 33 happy years I had with my husband before he passed away 10 years ago. Now, I have discovered the joys of traveling alone now in my 60s. May the adventure never end! ❤️