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Why this American couple moved to France at 50 to "live a dream"

French Connections HCB

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John and Kelli moved from Arizona to Mirande after years of research and several visits to France. Nine weeks after their arrival, Lizzie met them to discuss why they chose the Gers, the practical work involved, the support they used and how their new life was beginning to take shape.

This Real French Connections episode follows one client's individual experience. John and Kelli discuss their long-stay visitor visa process, arranging a suitable rental address, moving with two dogs, buying and registering a car, healthcare administration, costs and the emotional adjustment involved in leaving the United States for France.

French Connections HCB provides relocation coordination and practical support. Where specialist legal, tax, financial or regulated advice is required, clients should use an appropriately qualified professional for their individual circumstances.

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00:00 Meet Kelli and John
02:56 Choosing the Gers and Mirande
07:19 Finding the confidence to move
09:00 Building a community and using relocation support
11:26 Moving their dogs and arranging pet passports
17:38 Services used and costs discussed by the clients
19:00 Their long-stay visitor visa process
24:40 The value they found in relocation coordination
26:06 Arranging an address for the visa application
28:55 Working with Richard and Juliette
31:34 Buying and registering a car in France
37:35 Cost-of-living differences between France and the United States
39:58 Rental costs
43:00 French healthcare administration and the Carte Vitale
47:20 Tax-code administration and professional coordination
49:35 Their approach to wider financial planning
52:50 Why they chose a full relocation package
59:20 The emotional effects of moving country
01:01:45 Advice and reflections
01:05:20 Making friends and learning French
01:15:05 Their longer-term plans

Cannot attend the August masterclass? Register your interest in a future date without booking or paying:
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This video contains personal experiences and general educational information. Outcomes, costs, timescales and requirements vary. It does not provide personalised legal, tax, financial or immigration advice.

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20 Comments

@frenchconnectionshcb Creator 6 months ago Pinned

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@lannied4687 10 months ago

It would be interesting to interview this couple again in a years time. It’s good to hear how they have dealt with the preparation and the first 9 weeks.

@taipontape 10 months ago

This episode is so heartwarming — from selling everything to building a “village within a village,” their story really shows what’s possible.

@thelittleoldlady_101 10 months ago

Another couple who learned, prepared and then jumped--what alife♥

@vampirehours 2 months ago

I always enjoy any interview that Lizzy conducts. She is so comfortable talking to people and has such a kind and generous way of guiding the conversation along the way. I keep thinking its Helen Mirren doing the interview. Great video and I look forward to many more.

@vm9019 9 months ago

Such a lovely, humble, honest, beautiful couple. Thank you for providing these types of videos. They allow those of us considering a move to France, to see the reality of what can be.

@tayleigh214 10 months ago

Kelli and John are such a lovely couple. Greatly appreciated their sense of humor, made the video more fun to watch. Thank you for the honest pricing and details of their experience.

@laurenshannon2703 10 months ago

It is important to track the cultural and emotional resilience required for the long term. I live abroad since the 1980s and love life in Europe but the cultural differences run wide and deep and neglecting this aspect is unfortunate. 9 weeks doesn't permit an assessment of the other "costs".

@osteosandy5826 10 months ago

Great video I’m so glad that they shared their advice on shipping their dogs and wishing they had gone with an alternative route. It’s not too often we get a video about the best way to ship our pets.

@teresadonaldson-smith3838 10 months ago

We are working with French connections.

@User1992-i3u 3 months ago

My husband and I had the exact same reaction. We both LOVE France. Normally we're just ready to get back home but I almost cried when we left.

@Eva-e4i7s 2 months ago

What a lovely, thoughtful couple. You can tell they have a wonderful bond as well. Best of luck with your acclimation in France.. would love to see an update after a year! :)

@utilisateurlambda7983 10 months ago (edited)

it's so refreshing! I'd love to find a good place to settle down for retirement.
Personaly I have a big crush on Britany, Alsace, Dordogne, Touraine, Normandie and Bourgogne. I can't decide... I have 6 years to realise it.
Even I'm french, it's not so easy to leave the place you always leaved in. I'm the thrid generation of parisian and always leaved in or around Paris. My grandfather was born in the 18 ième / my father in the 12 ième and I in the same hospital than my father. A real true parisian.

@susanbriggs862 5 months ago

Such a lovely couple. I hope their dreams come true in their beautiful new home.

@leseize26 10 months ago

Bienvenue à eux ! welcome !

@LocPiou 9 months ago

J'adorerais les avoir comme voisins. Ils ont l'air sympathiques et cool.

@FredericBenabdelkader-ti3ej 3 weeks ago

Bienvenue en France

@pattywest1 10 months ago

Really insightful interview and fun couple. Thank you.🙏🏻

@nicoleletoile7491 10 months ago

We plan to use k9 charters for our golden retriever who will be 7-8 years old. And have a call with HCB in December to start the process.

@JK-pk8vv 10 months ago

Gers is not a very populated area, it’s a bit rural, when you consider the cost of living, please notice this is not a populated or turism area, there will be at least an hours ride to Toulouse or Bordeaux.