Sarah in France

It was no light decision to move my family’s entire life to France from California, and it was something we had discussed for as long as I can remember. The question I have been asked the most is, “why France?” There are numerous reasons that led to this decision, but the driving factor that finally made my parents take the idea seriously was when COVID hit in 2020. The impact it had on everyone’s lives was so significant that it forced many of us to slow down, reflect, and reassess our priorities.

That pause gave my parents the space to reconsider what they wanted the next chapter of life to look like. With their beach condo already established in the south of France, the idea of settling there permanently began to feel not only possible, but practical. They later bought a beach house and transitioned the condo into a rental, turning a long-time vacation spot into a foundation for everyday life.

A little bit of background on my family: my father immigrated to the United States from Algeria, the largest country in Africa. When he first came to the US, he was living in Orange County where he met my mom. She had a Moroccan roommate who introduced them, and they were an immediate match. They went on to get married and had my sister and me. We spent my entire life living in Orange County in a city named Fountain Valley, whose slogan is “A Nice Place to Live.” It was in fact a very nice place to live and grow up, very safe, with great schools and an abundance of families.

Every year, my family would travel and leave the United States to places like France, Spain, Algeria, Greece, Italy, etc. Even though our home base never left Fountain Valley, we all traveled internationally so often that it felt natural to wonder what life might look like beyond vacation.

My father lived in Algeria up until he was about 27 years old, and then lived in the United States until he was about 60. I don’t know if he ever truly took a day off; he worked incredibly hard to build a successful career. About ten years ago, while on a work trip, he stopped to visit family in Perpignan, France. While there, our cousin took him to a nearby beach called Canet-en-Roussilon. He learned about the city’s plans to revitalize the area and noticed there were many newly built apartments for sale. On a whim, he snatched up a beach apartment and called our family to share the news. Very on brand for him (he’s a Sagitarrius).

For years, our family talked about the vacations we’d take there and the idea of spending summer in France. But as time went on, my sister and I left for college, life became busier, and the ability to take time off dwindled.

I think a combination of having my extended family nearby, along with the long-standing familiarity with France from years of travel, made it feel like a place we could actually live, not just visit.

France offered what we felt like we were missing in the United States. The pace of life in the south of France is night and day compared to southern California. My experience with coffee shops in Orange County usually involved placing a “mobile order” ahead of my arrival so I can get in and out of the cafe as quickly as possible, drink my coffee on the go, and move on to the next task. Cafe culture in Europe is something Americans can truly learn from. The idea that you can sit, enjoy long conversations, read a newspaper, and take up space without being rushed out so the next paying customer can sit down feels almost revolutionary. Sure, there are a few cafés in the U.S. that allow for this slower pace, but they are far and few between. The only time I would sit at a café for more than 20 minutes was if I brought my laptop to justify being there. The pressure to always be productive quietly shaped every part of daily life in America.

As for the challenges since the move, the biggest adjustment for my parents has been language. My mom is currently learning French in preparation for her driving test. Until she’s comfortable enough with the language, she won’t take the exam, and being able to drive will make a big difference in her daily routine. Luckily, public transportation in France is excellent. The visa process has also been manageable. I was able to obtain a VLS-T visitor visa, allowing me to stay for a year without tracking the number of days. My parents are on retirement visas, which they renew annually.

For our family, this move has meant more shared meals, more quality time, and the creation of new traditions. Since settling in, my parents’ overall health has noticeably improved, something I believe is closely tied to lifestyle and the quality of food here. Daily walks along the beach have become part of their routine. It’s the kind of retirement they always envisioned.

While I understand that the American Dream is still the dream for many, mine looks a little different now. Even with its challenges, my family would do it all over again.

If you’re considering leaving life in the United States behind for a new beginning in France, I highly recommend doing your research and trusting the pull — sometimes the life you’re dreaming of is waiting somewhere else.