Looking for Americans around Perpignan?

[christianjean]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a 35 year old American who's been living in France since spring 2000 (about 9 years now) and would like to meet other Americans in my area. I speak french very well and am often confused/accused of actually being french. I would like to meet people from America and help them to feel welcome here (as I know its not easy). I'm in the perpignan area (Argeles-sur-mer). Feel free to contact me through this site, and maybe me and my wife (who is french/spanish, limited english speaking) could organize an afternoon with whoever is new in the area. Looking to maybe have a BBQ or something like that...get a hold of me on this site if this interests you.
Christian

[vanbogue]

Hi,

Saw your post and had to reply, even though we are not quite there yet. I am American, my partner is French, we have 6 yr old twins. After 6 yr's in California, we came back to England, after 8 months in Richmond, North Yorkshire, we are ready to go to France! My partner has work contacts in Perpignan and we are considering moving there when the kids finish this term. Unfortunately, neither the children nor myself speak French, but we are willing to learn. You have been there for quite some time, so i take it it has been good for you? Do you have children? What are the prices there, accomodation, petrol, food, etc...? My partner, being French, is very ecxited, I am a bit hesitant. The weather is a huge draw, though! What are the schools like, would you have any idea?

Sorry, I may sound like I am all over the place with this! We also love the sound of a BBQ, we're still missing California and nightly BBQ's a bit.

Any info would be mush appreciated.

Regards,

Robin

Originally Posted by christianjean

Hello Everyone,

I'm a 35 year old American who's been living in France since spring 2000 (about 9 years now) and would like to meet other Americans in my area. I speak french very well and am often confused/accused of actually being french. I would like to meet people from America and help them to feel welcome here (as I know its not easy). I'm in the perpignan area (Argeles-sur-mer). Feel free to contact me through this site, and maybe me and my wife (who is french/spanish, limited english speaking) could organize an afternoon with whoever is new in the area. Looking to maybe have a BBQ or something like that...get a hold of me on this site if this interests you.
Christian

[vanbogue]

That would be much appreciated, not "mush"!

Originally Posted by christianjean

Hello Everyone,

I'm a 35 year old American who's been living in France since spring 2000 (about 9 years now) and would like to meet other Americans in my area. I speak french very well and am often confused/accused of actually being french. I would like to meet people from America and help them to feel welcome here (as I know its not easy). I'm in the perpignan area (Argeles-sur-mer). Feel free to contact me through this site, and maybe me and my wife (who is french/spanish, limited english speaking) could organize an afternoon with whoever is new in the area. Looking to maybe have a BBQ or something like that...get a hold of me on this site if this interests you.
Christian

[christianjean]

Hello,


Sorry to have taken so long to respond, its been a long crazy week. I managed to get some work translating some legal papers for an architects project (yay fun). heheh. anyway, well about the school systems here, my wife and myself both have sons, but they are/were both raised and educated outside of france (mines still in the states). so I dont think either one of us can say very much on the subject. I did know a lady in one of the nearby villages whose children were american and going to school here. Both children seemed happy and to be doing very well integrating. In just 2 years time both children were speaking french like real frenchies (these were 14/15 year old kids, the best time for learning). Otherwise I dont know too much on the subject. As far as life here, and taxes, well, I would say life is very beautiful here. The mentality of most people is just wonderful, and the other people who are less "normal" (every town has a few wierdos) well those types are easy enough to avoid. where we live its a very small village mentality, where the pedestrians seem to have right of way over the cars. perpignan is not the same though, it has some very nice sides, and then there are other areas which I avoid at all costs. but I guess all cities have a couple bad areas. As far as taxes/the cost of living...well...taxes are sky high here. Probably the highest on earth. Especially living in a beach side touristy town like ours, everythings pretty expensive here. But perpignan should be a bit less expensive. Anyway, do you have any idea how soon you'll all be coming to the area? I've been picking up the pace a bit on the working side of my life, but i'm sure with a couple days notice we could arrange something (this summer I imagine, as often moving to another country is no small feat). well, respond how you see fit, let me know more about yourself if you feel like it. and in the meantime, have fun packing up and getting ready

best regards
Christian

Originally Posted by vanbogue

Hi,

Saw your post and had to reply, even though we are not quite there yet. I am American, my partner is French, we have 6 yr old twins. After 6 yr's in California, we came back to England, after 8 months in Richmond, North Yorkshire, we are ready to go to France! My partner has work contacts in Perpignan and we are considering moving there when the kids finish this term. Unfortunately, neither the children nor myself speak French, but we are willing to learn. You have been there for quite some time, so i take it it has been good for you? Do you have children? What are the prices there, accomodation, petrol, food, etc...? My partner, being French, is very ecxited, I am a bit hesitant. The weather is a huge draw, though! What are the schools like, would you have any idea?

Sorry, I may sound like I am all over the place with this! We also love the sound of a BBQ, we're still missing California and nightly BBQ's a bit.

Any info would be mush appreciated.

Regards,

Robin

[amandathe1st]

Hi there,

We have just read your message with great interest! We are an english couple (malheuresment), who are in our thirties with no children. We have been holidaying in argeles for the past three years, and are looking to make a permenant move.

We have real passion for the area and the lifestyle, and a BASIC grasp of the language (but are learning!). We both have experiance in the lesuire industry, and will probably look that way for a job. We wondered if you could give us any pointers in the job direction?.

We hope to return at the end of September, maybe you would like to meet?
Cheers,
Amanda and David.

[cyclezealot]

Originally Posted by christianjean

Hello Everyone,

I'm a 35 year old American who's been living in France since spring 2000 (about 9 years now) and would like to meet other Americans in my area. I speak french very well and am often confused/accused of actually being french. I would like to meet people from America and help them to feel welcome here (as I know its not easy). I'm in the perpignan area (Argeles-sur-mer). Feel free to contact me through this site, and maybe me and my wife (who is french/spanish, limited english speaking) could organize an afternoon with whoever is new in the area. Looking to maybe have a BBQ or something like that...get a hold of me on this site if this interests you.
Christian

Welcome to Pyrenees Oriental.. We are former Californians too.. We live near Argeles and love the Catalan area.. For newly arriving English speakers, you'll find not shortage of English. Americans, I think they are harder to come by.. ?..
While we love our French Friends, connecting with English and Americans is a pleasure.. Maybe , we can start something..
Google "Americans in Toulouse." ' AIT'.. English speakers seem to come out of nowhere with incentives.. Maybe something similar is possible here... ?
Besides, the French seem to think Thanksgiving is redundant.. Be nice to have a group that gets all nostalgic over turkey and pumpkin pie..