Making the move...advice?

Sol M.

Sol M.

Veteran
Well, I'm about to make the biggest move of my life yet.  Like many, I've moved from house to house before, but this is the first time I'll be moving from country to country! :)

I'm going to be moving to France (from USA) for work in about a month.  My job over there will be for at least a year (most likely about 3 years tho), so I'm pretty much moving my entire life over there.

Any advice from others who have made a big move?
How about any words of wisdom from those of you currently living in France? :)
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Havent done the country thing but have driven a UHAUL across the country after staying in GA for about 3 years...

Itemize every single payment that you make (credit cards, services, subscriptions, dues) and notify them.

Cancel anything you will not need off this list (Netflix? Blockbuster? Newspaper?)

Also notify the United States Post Office of your new address.

Go through all of your personal belongings (clothes, magazines, books, toys) and decide NOW if you really really need/want it. It'll make the move easier (and possibly the shipping lighter $ )

Get a book/dvd on France regarding customs/language/history. Sounds corny I know but really.

Make copies of all of your I.D.'s (Passports, Drivers License, Birth Certificate, Social Security Card) as well as a list (Contact info) of these organizations that they originate from (SSA, Dept of Motor Vehicles in your State, The hospital you were born in)

Visit the Louvre! (sp?)

Just trying to help. You are going to visit us here right? I mean Oui?
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Do you know anyone in France? That'll help a lot. When I moved to the States 15 years ago, it helped infinitely to have my brother here in Chicago. The change of weather was the hardest thing (I really didn't know the meaning of the word COLD until I moved here). I know there are a couple of DVXrs from France here who hang out at the forum, maybe you should contact them.
Visit Cannes at both the Film and Advertising festivals.

Anyway, other than the stuff John talked about, that's it.

Eco
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Oh yeah!

Dont tell them your an American. Say your from Vancouver or something! :D
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

If I were in France, I'd have Old Glory prominently displayed as much as I could. ;D
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Easy advice. Don't be a tourist. If you live there, live there. (Goes for any new country, come to think of it.)

Of course, you can go do the usual sightseeing...just don't wear plaid shorts while doing it. :)

Oh. Almost none of your electrical stuff will work. You'll either end up buying a lot of transformers (not too expensive), or buy all new stuff.

Hmmmm....is France PAL now? Or are they still SECAM? Oy. You'd think I'd know something like that...

Dan
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Yeah, the rule of thumb is, if you can't wear those clothes at home, why the hell would you wear them in another country?

I hope you know French! I tried learning... stupid conjugation.
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Thanks for advice...keep 'em comin' :)

I've actually done my fair share of backpacking in foreign places, so blending in (as opposed to sticking out like a sore thumb) should not be a problem. :)

I have a BA in French (whatever that means:)), so speaking shouldn't be a problem once I get up to speed (I haven't spoken french with anyone else since last year tho).

Regarding not saying I'm from America, I totally understand such a thought as I have heard the stereotypes foreigners from around the world have of us. Fortunately (I think), I'm from Hawaii, and saying so has proved to be a good thing no matter where I've travelled. It seems that many people don't even know Hawaii is a state in the USA (some have even argued with me about it ;D).

Also, good point on the PAL issue. I've been debating whether I should get a PAL DVX as my stay in France could end up being much longer than anticipated. However, at the same time, everyone I would (currently) show my work to (i.e. work done in france) would be in the USA (NTSC). Whaddy'all think? ???

Once again, thanks for chiming in here everyone. It is very much appreciated :)
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

[quote author=Jive link=board=Offtopic;num=1092892411;start=0#8 date=08/20/04 at 01:04:52]It seems that many people don't even know Hawaii is a state in the USA (some have even argued with me about it ;D).[/quote]

Ha! And they say Americans don't know anything about geography! ;D
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

[quote author=David Jimerson link=board=Offtopic;num=1092892411;start=0#9 date=08/20/04 at 04:43:41]

Ha!  And they say Americans don't know anything about geography!   ;D
[/quote]

Hehe, actually, I've run into numerous Americans who were surprised to find out that Hawaii is a state (as opposed to a territory or colony). Sorry! ;D
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Dude, I've met them in all parts (Cali, NH, Louisiana, etc.). There was a whole group of them when I was travelling around Europe a couple years ago.

Thankfully, they are the minority. I wonder tho, if they didn't know Hawaii was a state, what did they think made up the 50 states of America? ???
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

My advice is: eat cheese, drink wine, and save your francs for the underground jazz clubs.

What I found while I was in France was that as long as I made a concerted effort to speak French properly (pronunciation, accent, and timing), I was very well received. In fact most people thought I was Dutch or South-African!

The whole Canadian subterfuge thing doesn't work. Apparently, real Canadians don't advertise the fact. The French will say to you: "You are ly-eeng! Zis is one of zoze Ameree-ken cowboyz! And Bush steenks!"
 
Re: Making the move...advice?

Yeah, unless you're a true canadian, people won't believe you are in fact Canadian... it's a weird kind of underlying attitude... although it depends on what part of the US you're from. New England for example has people with very much the same mentality and attitude as Canadians. Same goes for Illinois (Chicago) and LA (surprisingly).

Sewing a Canadian flag to your backpack or jacket never hurts though :P

Another little bit of info on France: Their healthcare system is something inbetween Canadian Health Care and US healthcare. Certain things are covered publicly (life threatening emergencies) and some things are not... more is covered publicly than the US, but less is covered than Canada (I don't believe checkups are covered, but many hospital visits are)

A quarter pounder with cheese is not a quarter pounder with cheese... it's callled a Royal with cheese... gotta love the metric system. Also, a big mac is still a big mac, they just cal it, "Le Big Mac"
 
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