Embracing the Allure of Europe: Our Decision to Depart America
American Family Embarks on Expat Adventure in France
After six months of preparation, the Karsten family has moved to Annecy, France, marking the start of their new life as expats in Europe. Matthew Karsten, a travel blogger and digital nomad, will share his experiences and useful travel tips with followers as they navigate their journey in a foreign country.
The family, which includes Matthew, his wife, and their young children, has been to an impressive 40 different nations collectively. Their feline companion has also travelled to 10 countries, reflecting the family's love for exploration and adventure.
Annecy, located in the French Alps and surrounded by lakes, mountains, and boasting a charming old town, was chosen for its great public transportation, friendly vibe, and proximity to Geneva Airport, which is just 35 minutes away.
Benefits and Challenges of Moving to France
Moving to France as an American expat offers several advantages and hurdles. Food enthusiasts will appreciate France's renowned cuisine and wine, considered a major benefit for expats enjoying quality food culture. The French healthcare system is also globally recognised for its excellence, providing easy and affordable access to top-notch medical care.
Education in France is generally affordable, making it a positive for expat families. However, specifics on international or English-language schools were not detailed in the search results. France is known for its emphasis on work-life balance, often expressed through long lunches and strong labor protections. However, adapting to a strict work culture and frequent strikes can pose challenges.
While not explicitly stated, general expat resources indicate that France offers a safe living environment, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. Urban safety varies, and expats should exercise caution in large cities. Major cities in France, especially Paris, have a high cost of living, which is a notable challenge. Outside big cities, the cost can be more manageable.
The French language barrier is a common difficulty for newcomers, especially outside large expat or tourist areas where English is less spoken. The family, having dual US/EU citizenship, may find this less of a challenge due to their EU citizenship making moving to France easier for them.
US expats in France must navigate both French taxation and US tax reporting obligations. They benefit from protections against double taxation via the US-France tax treaty and can use foreign tax credits or the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion; however, complex filing requirements, including FBAR and forms for foreign assets, remain. Additionally, expats might face issues like the French wealth tax on property over €1.3 million.
Preparing for the Future
The Karstens chose to move to Europe to feel safe, secure, and to continue travelling and working while limiting costs. However, they are also aware of the looming existential threats such as the rise of authoritarian politics, AI making jobs obsolete, population declines, environmental destruction, social media manipulation, and other factors that make the future of the world uncertain.
The family plans to share their journey, including tips on alternative ways to move to Europe, such as securing a digital nomad visa or finding a job overseas and getting sponsored for a European work visa. They will also share their travel tips from 10 years of traveling and living around the world on social media.
Europe appeals to the family due to its great public transportation, bicycle and walking-friendly environment, spectacular nature, regular festivals, active public spaces, frequent holidays, relaxed vibe, and amazing food. The family's travel obsession has led them to this new adventure, and they look forward to sharing their experiences with others considering a similar move.
[1] Expatica. (2021). Living in France. [Online]. Available: https://www.expatica.com/fr/
[2] Angloinfo. (2021). France: Moving and Living. [Online]. Available: https://www.angloinfo.com/france/guides/moving-and-living/
[3] France.fr. (2021). France: Healthcare. [Online]. Available: https://www.france.fr/france/sante/
In light of their love for exploration and adventure, the Karsten family's decision to relocate to France, particularly to Annecy, also coincides with their interest in home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, given the diverse experiences and opportunities these domains offer. As Matthew Karsten, a travel blogger, will share their journey and useful tips with followers, they aim to enhance their lifestyle while navigating new territories and adapting to a French-speaking lifestyle. On the other hand, the family anticipates challenges such as the French language barrier, the requirements for US expats in terms of taxation and reporting obligations, and urban safety concerns, all of which are integral aspects of education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
