Last full day in the US. Don't think we're coming back.

[GoneOffShore]

Just to recap: As some of you may know, Mrs GoS and I bought an apartment in Aix-en-Provence last year. Our original intention was to go back and forth between Philadelphia and Aix, spending 3 months there and three months in Philly. We thought we'd rent the Aix apartment for income, though that can get complicated.

Things changed, as often happens, as we got an offer on our house here in Philadelphia. Not crazy money, but a solidly good offer. Talked to our accountant and our financial guy, and they agreed that we could pretty much stop working and live full time in France.

House sold at the end of April and was cleared. We've been back to see it and it's really cleared. Stripped right down to the bricks and rafters. They're waiting for permits to start building an extension. Can't wait to see what they do with it.

So that's it. We're out of here. Saying good bye to Philadelphia and flying out tomorrow. Three flights, which is two more than I prefer, but the price was right - 1400$US for the both of us, one way, with two checked bags each included. And it's a one way flight. PHL—>BOS, BOS—>LIS, LIS—>MRS so it's going to be a long day.

Taking the guitar, some art, as many books as we can, and leaving the rest in a 5x5' storage unit. Eventually stuff will be retrieved, but not for a while. Wednesday we will be exhausted.

My next posts will be from Aix (Well, apart from responses this evening).

[mikeysnot]

1. Au revoir

et bonne chance

[GoneOffShore]

5. Thank you.

Hoping French bureaucracy won't make us too crazy.

[Lonestarblue]

42. I'm thrilled for you!

And jealous, too. I visited Aix many years ago and have fond memories of it as a delightful French town. One afternoon, we took a public bus to Marseilles—and what a contrast! From lovely, picturesque Aix to the gritty port city of Marseilles, though both were interesting in their own ways. I hope you’ll share your experiences. Occasionally, I daydream about moving to France but don’t know that I have the courage! I would love to hear what you're doing for health insurance since I know Medicare has no coverage outside the USA. Happy travels!

[brush]

53. I wonder about health insurance too, and French citizenship or dual citizenship? France has it's...

version of universal care. Maybe they can get coverage if they get citizenship.

[GoneOffShore]

76. Don't actually need to get citizenship to get care.

Only have to be a 'fiscal resident'.

We'll sort it out during the first couple of months.

[brush]

77. Oh good. Do you plan to get citizenship and/or dual citizenship?

[GoneOffShore]

78. That would take about 15 years. And then I'd be 85.

Mrs GoS would only be 73.

We can do one year visa's for five years, then apply for a 10 year which gives us the right to work in France.

Dual citizenship is difficult and so is renouncing US citizenship (as both of us would lose Social Security and it's expensive).

The apartment we bought is in a good complex, on th ground floor with only 5 steps into the foyer. We're going to have to redo the shower to make it 'friendlier', so to speak, and get the window shutters motorized, but that's small stuff.

Looking forward to the move.

[mnhtnbb]

109. My American friend in Lyon has been working since the first year he moved

there. He's teaching first grade in a private school. He is a teacher by profession and speaks French, German and English fluently.

He was doing one year visas--renewing them every year for five years--and then got his 10 year just this last year. But he's also married to a French national and I don't know whether that affected his ability to work?

He's also had to use the health care system and has nothing but good things to say about it.

[DFW]

88. Fiscal resident is enough for health care? I only can dream of that in Germany

I am the equivalent of a fiscal resident in Germany, but because my employer is still in the USA, I get the privilege of paying 50% of my income to the German state, and get exactly ZERO in return. No pension consideration, no health insurance whatsoever.

[GoneOffShore]

103. You should be getting something if you're paying taxes.

Try posting on the Facebook group Americans Living in Germany - https://www.facebook.com/groups/461049943933735/
Or American Expatriates - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmericanExpatriates/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyB9MQmZS8ETJo9zFbilfPx4qEGdFgVyDmfwcz9H11JyQ%3AAdx8Dv5EcIS9ztppbpejR8HjKKRI4exqAhL6Yfu_XDEKTA
You may get some helpful answers.

[DFW]

107. I consulted a very expensinve acounting firm here: Price Waterhouse

They confirmed it: I get to pay the German government 50% of my income (more, in some cases), and in return I get absolutely nothing. I am to send them money and am told to fuck off until the next payment is due. In the 1930s, the Nazis called this "Enteignung," or "de-ownership." It is perfectly legal under German law, since my employer is in the USA. Health insurance? Only €2500 per MONTH if I want it here. Pension? Nope, although they want 50% of my Roth IRA, a conversion I made while still a US resident, and paid Uncle Sam the taxes due in full. Wanting to tax it again is illegal under the double taxation treaty, but they are counting on my not having €500,000 and ten years to mount a legal challenge, a safe bet on their part.

A friend of ours, the wife of a judge on the Düsseldorf tax court (Finanzgericht zu Düsseldorf), and a German citizen, almost died several decades ago due to a hole in their system. She had graduated college and had her degree, but was not yet employed, when she was diagnosed as near death due to a rare heart condition which needed immediate surgical correction. None of the normally responsible semi-government insurance agencies wanted to take responsibility, and while they were playing the "not us" game, her condition worsened to the point where she could have died. Finally, she managed to get her operation covered before dying, but it took her months she didn't know if she had or not. There is a line used in Germany by both "civil servants (both terms apply only rarely)" and disinterested employees alike: "Ich bin nicht dafür zuständig," which means, "I am not responsible for that." You hear it any time you have a complaint, need something done, are in a bind or miss a plane connection. I'm sure you will hear a few variations of a French version, the more you have to deal with their bureaucracy. For all the positive aspects of living here, be prepared for what the Germany call "die Schattenseiten (the shadow sides)." They do exist. Try your best to avoid them. You won't always be able to, but after a few encounters, you'll find out the how and why.

[DFW]

93. It will, be prepared for it

It's like a permanent backache--get used to the pain or kill yourself. In France (like the rest of Europe), there aren't a lot of alternatives!

[GoneOffShore]

11. Merci beaucoup!

[mikeysnot]

17. My wife speaks French

that is the only reason I was able to pull that off.

She would be in Paris today if her business trip was not cancelled.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. Bon Voyage!! Living the dream!

Best wishes!!

[GoneOffShore]

6. We're going to try! Thank you.

[ADX]

3. Bon voyage...

...Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!

[GoneOffShore]

7. Bottle of Champagne tonight!

And then good boxed wine in France.

[beveeheart]

4. Bonne chance!

[GoneOffShore]

8. Merci beaucoup!

[localroger]

10. Remember the most important phrase in French...

"Je ne parle pas le francais."

[GoneOffShore]

12. Funny! Though we both speak French.

Mine is a bit better than Mrs GoS's, so we should be fine.

[localroger]

16. I like making that joke because...

...I took five years of French in high school, and it has all rotted away because I never went to France or Quebec to exercise it. And today, thirty years later, that really is all I remember from my years of study.

[DFW]

92. In Quebec, they call it French, anyway

There was once a film from Quebec entered into the Cannes film festival, and the judges ordered it shown with French subtitles, so they could understand the dialogue. The Canadians were furious, saying that the film was in French, and that it needed no subtitles when being shown in France. The film festival officials said that the makers of the film could call the language anything they wanted, but the festival judges maintained that they couldn't understand any of it, and insisted on subtitles.

[LisaM]

30. Mais non!

Je voudrais un verre du vin, s'il vous plait.

[localroger]

35. uno mas cerveza!

Oh wait, that's spanish. Fuck.

[stopwastingmymoney]

64. Omg so funny

I too took French in high school and did pretty well. 10 years later I worked in a Mexican restaurant while I was in college and had a little 'kitchen' Spanish. So last year when we went to Mexico, I thought I'd be able to get along, at least a little. Nope, reverted to French every time, and bad French at that. Embarrassing

[GoneOffShore]

80. That's funny! And even if you were trying out French, at least your weren't just

relying on English.

[blm]

13. Travel safe and enjoy your life.

.

[Ferrets are Cool]

14. Enjoy life!!

And, I am jealous.

[madashelltoo]

15. Praying for traveling mercies.

Philly will miss you! Blessings.

[derby378]

18. Safe journey and best of luck!

[Solly Mack]

19. I wish you both great happiness in new your home, your new life, and your next

adventure.

How exciting!

[cilla4progress]

20. We are heading to France tomorrow too..

for a 2 week vacation in Brittany and Normandy. Will pay our respects to those who sacrificed all in D-Day. The rest of the time will be spent exploring, eating, cycling. My husband found a non-stop from Seattle. 10 hours in the air.

I'm surprised and delighted to hear that France will allow you to move there full-time? I believe Canada only allows US residents to stay for 6 months less 1 day per year?

Bonne chance indeed! You are very fortunate to have this opportunity!

[GoneOffShore]

55. That's a great trip.

Be sure to visit Honfleur, Mont St Michel, and Villedieu les Poeles(It's where the Mauviel copper pan factory is), and the little of village of Saint-James(near Mont St Michel) - you can get great sweaters at the Saint-James factory(Pricey, but wonderful and long lasting).

[GetRidOfThem]

89. I love, love, love Brittany!

So jealous!

If you are going to St. Malo or Dinard and that area, enjoy those incredibly dramatic tides!

[cilla4progress]

94. Thank you!

Read All the Light We Cannot See last year so, yes! A trip to St. Malo is on deck!

[GetRidOfThem]

96. My wife read that book, I haven't

If you go to St. Malo, also spend a little time in Dinard. This is an absolutely gorgeous place. The distance, by local boat, is two kilometers. I know this region for two reasons: As a child, when I grew up in Germany, this was our vacation getaway in the summer. Then, in recent years, my wife and I have rediscovered the area and have stayed (AirBnB'd) there. For one week we even rented a historic flat in St. Malo, but usually we stayed in Dinard.

If you rent a car, you can go a little westward, and you find the resort town of St. Lunaire. This is where we stayed when I was a child. Less then 2 kilometers away is another town center: Saint Briac Sur Mer. Its mayor kept a low profile: He is a cousin of John Kerry! When we visited there, with our shirts reading "I am sorry my president is an idiot. I did not vote for him." (in the UN's seven official languages), they told us they did not want to highlight the relationship between Kerry and his mayor cousin, because they did not want to ruin Kerry's chances of beating W.

So I have ties to the area...

[murielm99]

21. Have a great life over there.

And don't forget to set up your absentee voting.

[k8conant]

22. Bon voyage! Je vous souhaite le meilleur!

I'm still here in West Virginia thinking about visiting Cyprus again someday.

[joanbarnes]

23. au revoir et bon chance

[Nay]

24. Ya lucky bastids. Farewell, and we know you will be happy.

[sinkingfeeling]

25. Good luck.

[erronis]

26. You're living my dream. Long time ago (1960s-1980s) I spent a lot of time

In France (Provence) and Switzerland.

I'm now living on Social Security and wonder if I could survive anywhere (US or otherwise) with this payment. If some European country would accept me that would help with some healthcare expenses (I'm healthy now at 70.)

Back in the days a lot of people looked to Greece, Italy, Ecuador, Costa Rica, as low cost places to live out ones life with pleasure.

Now, it seems the USofA wants to get rid of us since we are a burden on the plutocrats' life-style.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[drray23]

37. Cost of living is low in the south of France in little villages.

Of course, on the coast it's expensive but in the backcountry you can rent a little stone house ( none of that stick and drywall stuff 😁 for very little.

I am french/american ( naturalized, living in the us with my wife who was born here) .

We are considering retiring in France in the south. With the sale of our house in virginia I should be able to easily buy a nice little house in a village.

[GoneOffShore]

58. There is some very inexpensive real estate in the south.

Especially compared to American prices.

[PatrickforO]

27. May you and your Mrs GoS be blessed in your new home!

Good luck to you both!

[babylonsister]

28. The grand adventure. Bon voyage

and let us know how you're both doing. I'm jealous!

[LoisB]

29. Happiness, enjoyment, peace. Au revoir

[Honeycombe8]

31. Did you get rid of all yur American furniture before you bought the place in France?

I mean...what did yu do with all your stuff? Garage sale?

I wish you had told me before, so I could get a ticket and go with you.

Meanwhile, back here in the U S, my stepmother still won't drink Perrier, because France didn't support Bush's war.

[GoneOffShore]

67. We gave some away, we sold some, we left a couple of pieces.

All in all, we did pretty well with the sales. And lots of the pieces we loved went to 'good homes'.

It's amazing how difficult it is to get rid of 'big brown furniture'.

Hardest wrench were the books and records.

Kept all my kitchen knives though.

[Honeycombe8]

68. Wow...that must have been hard.

But then, you were going to France! Pretty good compensation.

I'm moving (again) is why I ask. I'm pondering whether to pay to move my whole house again (again), and pay to store it while house hunting, or whether to sell most of the furniture and start over. Then my heart stops, thinking about getting rid of my beautiful armoire I got for half off at a going out of business sale at a furn store that was beyond my means normally. The other furniture...from my mother, two things my dad made for me, etc. But it's just furniture, so... But I wonder how other people do that without regrets.

[GoneOffShore]

85. Definitely keep the stuff your dad made for you!

We got rid of a lot of stuff that had sentimental attachments, but not the things my dad made for me. My brother has them now.

[Honeycombe8]

98. Yes. That's what I was thinking.

Those are the only things in my life anyone ever made for me. They're nice, too. That was his woodworking phase. Thanks!

[a la izquierda]

32. Good luck! I'm jealous but only about 9 months behind you!

I'm hoping to make the jump to the Netherlands, Ireland, or Germany next year. I'm attempting to petition the Irish government for a 3rd generation application for citizenship, but otherwise, I'll just go work. I have a PhD, I speak and read three languages (English, Spanish, and French). I figure I'll find something.

[peacebuzzard]

33. Do you live in a center where you will not need to drive much?

So many cities and towns in Europe are pedestrian friendly.
I wish I could ditch my car, but it’s impossible.

[GoneOffShore]

50. Aix is well served with public transport.

[peacebuzzard]

63. now it will be cafe' au lait et croissant, tout les jours

[Buck Turgidson]

71. Four and a half hours to Paris via TGV

n/t

[GoneOffShore]

72. Indeed it is.

And we'll be going in October. 49€ one way.

[elleng]

34. Bon voyage, et Bon Chance!!!

[mountain grammy]

36. Please don't abandon DU

and keep us abreast of what's being said about us.

bonne chance (one thing I remember from high school French) alll the best to you.

[GoneOffShore]

56. Wouldn't think of abandoning here. In fact, I may well be posting more.

And I'll be registered to vote from there.

[Roland99]

38. Vote as American abroad?

[GoneOffShore]

57. No fear of us not voting!

[Roland99]

59. +1

[Donkees]

39. Be Happy :)

[MontanaMama]

40. Bon Voyage!

What a wonderful adventure you have ahead of you!!!

Cheers! ✈️

[BlueJac]

41. Good luck...

enjoy!

[CaptainTruth]

43. Safe travels & best of luck!!!

[BlueMTexpat]

44. Welcome to the European Dream!

I've been living it for several years now, but still own a house in MD together with my husband, which allows me to vote in state and local elections in the US, as well as federal.

Be sure to register to vote! We need every blue vote that we can get.

I love southern France and Aix. Hope that you enjoy your new lives there!

[panader0]

45. Let me weigh this for a minute...

You mean you'd give up living in Philly for an opportunity to live in the south
of France, 20 miles from the Mediterranean?
Congrats, I will never be able to afford to move like that, but if I could, I'd go
somewhere like that.

[GoneOffShore]

74. We didn't think we could either, but sometimes plans work out.

We do keep in mind the fortune cookie fortune that we got two years ago:

Expect the unexepected

[calimary]

46. Whew! You won't have to deal with The Asset anymore!

Congratulations! Just please do what you can to frustrate the Never-ending ambitions of that far-right freakazoid Marine Le Pen!

[louis c]

47. I'm still fighting on, but I do have an escape plan

I want to stay and fight. But, win or lose, my wife and I have a new, just built, beautiful house on 24 acres (10 Hectors) on one of the least densely populated islands in the Philippines, where I eventually intend to go, either part time or full time.

I know, I know, Durtarte is much better than Trump, but I expect one, or both, should be gone within 5 years when I have to decide.

[slumcamper]

48. GL. Not far behind U--Iceland. Absentee voter. Fuck swastika nation. n/t

[dembotoz]

49. Congratulations..live that dream and keep us posted

Friend of mine had similar plans.. a heart surgery gone bad ended her dream
Get the hell out and live

[Laffy Kat]

51. What a great adventure you're on!

Please keep us posted on your experiences.

[lapfog_1]

52. A word of advice

I did this once in my life (moved overseas to "not work" and enjoy life)... had a great time doing it...

but... all that stuff you put in storage... chances are it will be there until you return or decide to sell it.

Moving stuff is just a large expense to have "your things"... other than absolutely needed items (family photos, documents, etc).

If you have a friend here, leave the keys to the place with them and then decide in a month or two what you want to do with it all.

[GoneOffShore]

79. We've got one suitcase packed in storage ready for friends to bring over.

There's also our video equipment which our local assistants need to get to.

We've got more photos and books here in Philly and a couple more pieces of art. That's all going to come over eventually.

But I get what you're saying. I know that the electric kettle is not ever going to come to France or the bathroom scale. Though the kellte was useful recently while we were staying at a place where I didn't want to use their kettle to boil water(long ugly story, involving sticky refrigerator handles and overflowing trash cans).

All my chef's knives went over back in January, as there was no way those were going to be left.

[riversedge]

54. I wish you and your family well.

[lunasun]

60. Enjoy ! I have a friend in Europe permanent now. Loves it !

Left stuff in a storage for about a year . Came back and only took about half of it via steamer I believe . Best to you both !

[leanforward]

61. Auvoir

And bon jour. I spent time in Orleans as a teenager. The French are great.

[Freedomofspeech]

62. All the best to you and your family.

I am so jealous....I love the South of France.

[mnhtnbb]

65. Looking forward to the posts from Aix!

When I flew to France last year I went through Boston. Hope you will be wearing comfy walking shoes. The international terminal is a LONG walk from the main terminal and if Lisbon is anything like Barcelona it will be another LONG walk to Immigration.

Just think of all the fast trains you will get to take when you want to travel around your new home continent!

You know I am so envious. It's going to be such an adventure.

Hope your travel is uneventful tomorrow and you will be happy to be home when you arrive in Aix.

[GoneOffShore]

70. We're flying Jet Blue into Terminal C

Then TAP (Air Portugal) from C.

Lisbon Airport is not huge, and we've flown from there before. It's just the landing at 6A and then the 2 hours before the next flight.

And making sure that I have my sunglasses for the drive from MRS to Aix. That only takes 40 minutes on the new road.

[mnhtnbb]

100. Good for you!

We took a taxi from Marseille to Aix in 2014--took about 40 minutes. New road? And Dominique drove us to the Aix TGV train station (that didn't take long) for our trip to Paris.

Sunglasses are good!

[GoneOffShore]

104. They fixed the D9 link to the D20.

It's now 4 lanes, and 110kph most of the way. Makes it super easy to get to Marseille Airport and the Aix TGV.

[SallyHemmings]

66. Safe travels

[CrispyQ]

69. I thought this post had to do with the Kavanaugh hearing,

& I was about to agree that I don't think we're coming back.

Enjoy France! What a wonderful adventure!

[malthaussen]

73. I'd say "bon voyage," but it doesn't sound like it will be so bon.

But Aix-en-Provence? That's plenty bon.

-- Mal

[GoneOffShore]

75. Well, we'll eat fried clams and chowdah at Legal Seafood in Logan

And I hear they do a great Martini. So there's that!
I'm also one of those people who can sleep on planes, and I'm planning to. Ear plugs and eye-mask are in the carry-on.

[mnhtnbb]

101. LOL. Every time I have a layover in Philly I eat at Legal Seafood there.

[barbtries]

81. initially i thought

you meant with the kavanaugh confirmation the USA will be gone and not be back.

i envy you, hope you love your new home

[GoneOffShore]

82. Well there is that.

[world wide wally]

83. Why do I feel jealous?

Almost instant strss relief!

[Chalco]

84. You're following my dream! nt

[riverbendviewgal]

86. Bonne Chance

Enjoy this new chapter in your life. You will need to file your US taxes forever. Read The FATCA section.

Vote in the US elections. There are many American expats in France.

[GoneOffShore]

105. We've got that covered. Definitely will be filing taxes. And voting.

Lots of Americans in France, and lots of Brits. Sometimes almost too many.

[riverbendviewgal]

106. Join AARO

It's headquartered in Paris. Friend on FB Victoria Marie Ferauge. She lives in Versailles. She's from Seattle, married to a Frenchman. She is a great writer. Writes about living abroad.

[TXPaganBanker]

87. Fare well and safe travels

May the Gods ever watch your path.

[GetRidOfThem]

90. Do us all a favor here at the Democratic Underground...

...send (or better, post) Pictures!

And have a great trip!

(I was in Paris for work in February... Loved every minute of it.)

[Orsino]

91. Mazel tov! n/t

[DFW]

95. Say bonjour to the Cours Mirabeau for us. Marseille is just a 90 minute flight from where we are.

But I haven't been down there in decades. Day job and all..............

[StarzGuy]

97. I am envious

Good for you. I only wish I had the ability to get out of Dodge, sort of speaking. I'm already disabled so that disqualifies me from immigrating to anywhere. I can't even consider Canada as they will only take those who can offer a great deal of economic wealth either by already being rich or being able to contribute in some major way to help the country.

So, I am stuck in a state and country that would just as soon see me die and stop trying. Being on disability, I can't even afford to buy a home anymore. Housing prices are through the roof and I guess I am not economically viable any more. Yet, I pay $660 per month in a 2 bedroom triplex with no amenities not even air conditioning in a not so good neighborhood. The cost of renting a similar sized apartment on the good side of town would cost as much as a mortgage. I live in a small college town where rich parents send their kids and inflate the cost of housing as we are land locked surrounded by national forest. So, land is sold at a premium price and any new homes that do get built are sold even before a shovel turns the first pile of dirt.


So, people like myself are simply not economically viable anymore.

[williesgirl]

99. Safe travels and much happiness to you both in your new life.

[SummerSnow]

102. Enjoy your trip and France !!!

[flying_wahini]

108. I love that area. Good luck and best heartfelt wishes to you both.

[Worried senior]

110. I hope you have

a wonderful life over there.