Farewell, America! Our Journey to Europe Commences
Matthew Karstenn, a digital nomad and travel blogger, along with his family, have embarked on an exciting new chapter in their lives – moving to Annecy, France, a picturesque town nestled in the French Alps and near the Swiss border. The family, who boast dual US/EU citizenship, have sold their house in North Carolina and their cars, choosing to downsize their life and pack some items into storage.
The focus of their travel blog will be sharing their moving abroad experience and life as American expats in France. They plan to delve into various aspects of life in France, providing insights into topics such as food, healthcare, school for kids, work-life balance, safety, cost, language barrier, and taxes in Europe compared to the US.
Annecy, with its friendly vibe and good public transportation, offers a rich and often rewarding experience. The family is particularly drawn to the town's walkable old town, lakes, and mountains. Moreover, an airport 35 minutes away in Geneva, Switzerland, ensures easy travel connections.
Food in France is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, with a strong emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and a vibrant culinary culture. Expats often embrace the French food lifestyle, enjoying daily bakery visits, fresh markets, and regional specialties. While international and American food options are available, especially in larger cities, adapting to French eating habits is common.
France boasts a world-class healthcare system known for its quality and accessibility. Expats typically register with the local health insurance system (CPAM) and obtain a Carte Vitale for medical care coverage. Access to specialists and hospitals is generally good, particularly in urban areas like Paris, Lyon, or Nice. Both public and private healthcare options exist, with many English-speaking doctors available in expat-popular regions.
Many American expats choose regions with international, bilingual, or American schools to ease their children’s educational transition. Cities like Paris, Bordeaux, and Aix-en-Provence offer such schools with curricula compatible with the U.S. system. This helps avoid language barriers and facilitates smoother cultural integration.
One of the main attractions for Americans moving to France is the superior work-life balance. The French culture values leisure time, with legal limits on working hours (typically 35 hours/week) and generous vacation policies. This slower pace encourages more family time, socializing, and enjoying France’s rich cultural offerings.
France is generally safe, particularly in suburban and rural areas favored by expats. Standard precautions apply, as with any country. Urban centers have typical city safety concerns but also benefit from good public services and law enforcement.
Living costs vary widely by location. Paris and the Côte d’Azur tend to be more expensive, especially for housing. However, France offers a high quality of life that many find worth the cost. The healthcare system also helps reduce overall medical expenses. Expats should budget carefully, considering housing, schooling, transport, and lifestyle costs.
Learning French is crucial for deeper integration and ease in daily life. While many urban and expat communities have English speakers, mastering French improves access to jobs, healthcare, and social connections.
American expats in France navigate two complex tax systems, but there are protections to reduce double taxation. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) allows exclusion of up to $130,000 of foreign earned income from U.S. taxes. Additionally, France’s higher tax rates (up to 45%) often create sufficient foreign tax credits to offset U.S. tax liabilities. Expats must file taxes in both countries but usually avoid double taxation by using tax treaties and credits.
The family's travel blog also offers resources for booking a trip, including an ultimate travel packing list, tips for finding cheap flights, renting a car abroad, saving money on hotels, getting travel insurance, and more. Their journey as American expats in France serves as an inspiring example for those considering a similar move, providing practical advice and a personal perspective on life in France.
- Matthew Karstenn and his family, in their travel blog, will delve into aspects of their life as American expats in France, offering insights on topics such as personal-finance matters, like taxes and cost of living, as well as lifestyle subjects, such as food, healthcare, and work-life balance.
- As they embark on this new chapter in Annecy, France, the family's travel blog will also provide resources for those planning a trip, offering suggestions for finance-related matters, like travel insurance and booking affordable hotels, in addition to home-and-garden tips, like packing items for storage and adjusting to French cuisine.
