Going round in circles!!

[morganjones]

Hi everyone!
We've been researching France for a 6 month stay with our one year old son. Thereafter a permanent move is likely once we have chosen a location, work,etc,etc. I decided to open this thread so as to enable others to answer my queries rather than constantly badgering numerous people!!
Therefore I will start with following:
1 Nantes,Beziers,Lyon or Nice?
2 My wife is fluent French, I am a confident learner, to work or not to work during the six months?
3 Any views on taking our one year old?

Thanks

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by morganjones

1 Nantes,Beziers,Lyon or Nice?
2 My wife is fluent French, I am a confident learner, to work or not to work during the six months?
3 Any views on taking our one year old?

1. Depends on what you're looking for. Weather is nicer in Beziers or Nice. Nantes is in Brittany, which means atrocious weather, but it's a great area for other reasons. Lyon is better if you like mountains.

2. Depends on where you're coming from (EU or not) and what sort of work you do whether working is an option or not. With limited French it can be nearly impossible to get hired, especially for a short-term gig. What sort of work were you thinking of?

3. Why wouldn't you? And what would you do with him/her otherwise? A small child is a great way to get talking with the locals - and after six months will probably be more fluent in French than either of you.
Cheers,
Bev

[giantpanda]

Hi!

First question, since you would not longer be a tourist:

Are you a EC national? Both of you?

Thank can change everything.

Yours,

giantpanda

[morganjones]

Hi!
Thanks for replying.
Yes, we are Welsh. We definately weren't planning on going without the little fella! We were wondering about creche, wether anyone has experienced 6-9 months with a little one and also any top tips for living in France with a young child?
My wife is a finance officer with Local Government and I am an electrician. Work could be optional but we thought it would be beneficial to try and get some part time work whilst over there. We value integration and being part of a community.
Therefore:
1 Is it possible to get part time work ? Either along the lines of our professions or otherwise?
2 Has anyone experienced creche in France?
3 Any views on Lyon or Beziers?

MANY THANKS!!

[giantpanda]

Hi!

As EC member your situation is priveleged against other foreignors, but it still is complicated.

The first question you have to solve is your Health Insurance.

If you have an E106 you will be insured for a maximum of 2 years.

After if you do not work regularly ( or have a firm and that is a dear solution with low turnover), then you will require a private Health Insurance, which will give you a cover equivalent to the French State Insurance - that costs above Euro 3500 per year, per person.

Finding work, even if you have a profession which is " looked " for, is not quite as simple as one can imagine, all the more so if you live in a départment which in the " France profonde ".

Yours,

giantpanda

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by morganjones

Hi!
Therefore:
1 Is it possible to get part time work ? Either along the lines of our professions or otherwise?
2 Has anyone experienced creche in France?
3 Any views on Lyon or Beziers?

1. Part-time work is always possible, though with limited French it may not be easy to find. In France there isn't much of a distinction between full-time and part-time work - at least in terms of social insurance and such. You'll still need to deal with social security numbers and social insurances - and registration for VAT, if you go the freelance route with your work. It may wind up being more hassle than it's worth. But see what the job market it like when you get here.

2. Most communities have "halte garderie" services available. Ask at the mairie (town hall) when you get here. It's usually a subsidized service of the local government, and much less expensive than private child minding services. Many families sign up for just one or two days a week on a regular basis and the kids seem to have a good time. Most foreign kids wind up speaking fluent French after only a few months.

3. Lyon is the second city in France. Beziers is much smaller and (I suspect) a bit more laid back. If you're interested in being near the mountains, you might want to consider the area outside Lyon - someplace like Annecy, which is definitely in the mountains, or Grenoble. Then again, I'm not keen on living smack in a big city - you may prefer that.
Cheers,
Bev

[morganjones]

Many thanks once again.
Plenty to get on with for the moment!