I’m about to embark on my own journey as an expat. I’ll be living in Paris with my EU husband.
I speak good French and having lived in France twice before for 9-mo stints each, I am familiar enough with French culture to empathize with the negative and positive critiques that people share on this subreddit. In other words, I know what to expect.
Nonetheless I am still nervous about the move; fitting in, finding a community, finding my tribe. I’m nervous about feeling like I’ve made a colossal mistake to sell everything and move here.
The truth is is that reading this subreddit does not make me féel very optimistic. I read posts lamenting the move abroad, the regrets you have, the challenge adapting, and none of which are unwarranted! I get it Expat life is difficult!
……But my question is…is there anyone here who is happy with their decision to have moved abroad?
Very content with the decision to leave USA. Living on the pacific coast of Honshu near mount Fuji.
Many may have regrets about moving but I think that mostly comes from expectations. Setting them aside makes for the best experience. Focus on our goals, have a healthy hobby or three, a loving supportive family and life is usually pretty good.
Some expats didn’t really understand their motivation andperhaps were running away to find something. Others cannot exist due to an inflexible mindset. Setting aside those who run into bad luck or lousy relationship, the ones who last generally don’t focus on regret. They go out and live their life as best they can.
Regarding Paris, I found it to be one of the most unfriendly places I’ve ever visited. So its not somewhere I would consider healthy for living but I suppose everyone is unique in our own way. Getting out of the greater Paris area is where France truly shines imho.
best of luck with the move