OpenTube

6 Months Living in Lyon, France: What We Wish We Knew Before Moving | American Expat Life

Living, In French

18,000 views

After 6 months living in Lyon, France, we're sharing everything we've learned about expat life! From surprising community connections to navigating French bureaucracy, transportation tips, and seasonal changes - here's what we wish we knew before moving to France.
🇫🇷 What We Cover:

Finding community as English-speaking expats in Lyon
Transportation surprises: buses, bikes, and trottinettes (scooters)
The reality of French bureaucracy (it's not as bad as you think!)
Seasonal life in Lyon: spring awakening, summer festivals, and August shutdown
Fête de la Musique and other cultural celebrations
Why we chose Lyon over other French cities

📍 Living in Lyon:
We relocated from Boca Raton, Florida to Lyon in April and couldn't be happier with our choice! From neighborhood festivals to Pilates classes, we've found our home in France's culinary capital.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✓ Bring extra documents for everything
✓ Don't visit Lyon in August (everything's closed!)
✓ Invest in a bike - it changes everything
✓ The expat community is thriving
✓ French bureaucracy moves faster than expected
Whether you're planning your own move to France, considering Lyon as your destination, or just curious about expat life in Europe, this video gives you the real experience of living in Lyon after 6 months.
#LyonFrance #ExpatLife #LivingInFrance #MoveToFrance #FrenchExpat #LyonExpat #LifeInFrance #AmericanInFrance #ExpatCouple

20 Comments

@briefmcgurrin 5 months ago

We followed your posts and took the leap moved to. Lyon 3 months ago and love it. Couldn’t be happier

@sammartini3643 7 months ago

Finding that in our trial 2 month stay, the French people in the small city we're in are absolutely the most friendly and helpful of anywhere I've ever been (and I used to be a Flight Attendant). My french is coming easier every day. It's just an amazing country and an amazing people.

@vincentbartolini283 5 days ago

Lyon is a beautiful city..💙❤️

@Michaelgoestofrance 10 months ago

I'm a Brit who has lived in Lyon for a total of 264 months and still love it! I've also lived in Toulouse and Paris, both great cities, but Lyon in my adopted home. I really enjoy watching vids of people discovering the city. I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it and hope you get to stay as long as you like. PS loved the section on bureaucracy! Believe me, it has gotten better than it used to be - when I first moved here I fought against it and came to realise that you just have to go with it for an easier life. The wonders of living in France make it worth it, tho!

@skdoremi6666 10 months ago

Winter is also one of the best season to experience..not much the day of Christmas but the whole season, fête de la lumière in lyon is one of the most anticipated event , its a beautiful city ....but again any place would be a great and wonderful experience if you have the will to integrate and embrace the culture.

@RomainG6409 10 months ago

In August, take that time to travel to other parts of France, like Occitanie for example, rent a cottage for a couple of weeks …

What you experience in Lyon in June/July is happening almost from mid April to mid September — and even later, until la Toussaint in October, which marks the real end of the busy season. 😉

But that doesn’t mean the region goes to sleep until the next spring. You’ll still find plenty of local events, music, and village "fiesta" during that time as well… just with fewer tourists. 😉 Fête de la châtaigne, fête du canard, fête de l'armagnac, fête des lanternes, weekend de la Truffe ... obviously all events around the Christmas period ... it never ends in fact 😄

Welcome to France!

@AspenT91 9 months ago

I visited Lyon July/August of 2024 and the scooters surprised me the most we rode them and saw everyone from teens to even a older couple sharing one! They are fast and fun!

@dominiquelequellec7418 10 months ago

Welcome to France. Enjoy !

@paulin1606 10 months ago

I dont live in Lyon but I am glad you are happy in my country!

@shaunah.8605 10 months ago

Great video, cheers to the next 6 months 🎉 Christmas season should be magical 🎄

@KelsandQuentin 10 months ago

So happy to hear how much you've fallen in love with your new city and that it's been such a positive experience. We LOVE Lyon and always feel that it is often underrated. This is a great recap of your time so far - and congrats! Sante to 6 more lovely months!

@jeromevilleray3386 2 months ago

The Fête de la Musique always takes place on the same date every year: June 21st (the first day of summer , Music Day : Everywhere in France !) , in winter Lyon have a very big Festival of Lights in begin summer near the 8 december (3 days) Every year, there are several million visitors—it's huge.

@mickeycz 10 months ago

just living next in Villeurbanne (a suburb of Lyon-centre) it's always nice to see such positive reviews by expats!
Bienvenue et peutpeut-être on se voit en ville une fois -- the doggie is adorable! 🌹
🍾🍷🍷 (from an Austrian living in Lyon)

@chondasaine4331 8 months ago

I love winter in Lyon! It's such a chill time. I really love living here as well.

@taipontape 10 months ago

Ah, Lyon! So much to love about the city—and the expat surprises make it even more fun 😄🇫🇷

@VictoriaSuan-y1k 4 months ago

my sister lives here! I visited once and it's a beautiful city. I can't wait to visit her more in the future

@dipenpatel5204 10 months ago

Thank you for sharing your experiences in Lyon. It's on the top of my list for a potential FIRE destination. I've heard finding an apartment (especially as a foreigner) is though in larger French cities like Lyon. So if you're taking requests for videos, I'd love to hear your experience regarding rentals as foreigners.