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?
Plenty of expats who are happy. The miserable ones tend to congregate online, don’t let it affect you!
I’m French and I moved to the UK after my studies, love it there, and then moved to Spain where I’ve been living since. Love it here to.
Spain and the UK are real places with their challenges, but if you can sort out a job for yourself and a good relationship (for those who want to be in a couple), then I’d say the rest is up to you as much as it would be in any other country.
If you can embrace the new places, being out of your comfort zone and trying to figure out the place, you’ll have a good time.
Moving abroad and writing new chapters of my life in foreign land has been the most important thing I have ever done for my personal development. I think anyone who’s remotely interested in trying it should go for it.
Honestly, you’ve done the hardest part already: you speak French and you’ve been there multiple times. I wish you all the best for your move :) Bonne chance pour le déménagement!