Moving to France is no picnic!
While we all know that France is the top tourist destination in Europe it seems as though life in France for a non-national can be very difficult. There is a very interesting post on the expat forum entitled “Really Struggling” which covers a situation which many people will or are experiencing in their life. The post itself relates to a young couple, the man is English and the woman is French, who have moved to France after trying unsuccessfully to settle in the UK.
In essence, the couple are struggling financially, are struggling for employment and are currently living with their in-laws and unable to pay their way. It appears as though the French economy, like so many economies around the world, is currently struggling and employment positions for non-nationals appear very scarce and difficult to obtain.
Moving overseas
In many ways this post highlights some of the reasons for moving overseas and some of the reasons why a move overseas is possibly going to be difficult. On the plus side, the couple have already tried the UK but the French lady found it difficult to settle down and find employment which led the couple to look at France. While it may be wrong to suggest that one of the parties was not wholly behind the move to France, there is an indication that France was the second option for the British gentleman who chose to move there with his girlfriend.
Whether the move was a little rushed, unplanned and possibly ill thought out is debatable but we seem to have the situation of “the grass always looks greener on the other side” where possibly this is not the case.
When looking to move overseas both parties need to be wholly in agreement about the move as this can cause significant problems in the future. The various comments on the thread appear to suggest that unless the situation improves dramatically in the short to medium term then this could have long-lasting implications for the couple in the future. It is worth remembering that moving overseas in itself is a very traumatic and stressful time which can in many cases place undue pressure on a relationship.
Employment in France
A number of factors appear to have come into play with regards to employment prospects for the couple on their return to France. We have the difficult situation regarding the worldwide economy which has obviously impacted upon the French economy and short-term employment opportunities. Then we also have the issue of overseas workers in France with a number of contributors to the thread suggesting it can be difficult at the best of times with many obstacles placed in the way of non-nationals.
There is also the situation regarding qualifications and the fact that the gentleman does not appear to have your traditional qualifications which could translate across the employment spectrum. Unfortunately, even though he is prepared to take on a number of different roles it appears that his high level of education could actually make him potentially “unemployable” until he has experience in other areas. How you gain this experience without being given the opportunity to work is very difficult.
Living with your in-laws
While there is no doubt that the couple are very grateful for the opportunity to live rent-free with their in-laws this can cause problems for any relationship. A lack of freedom, even in the best case scenario, can lead to unrest and friction which can place more pressure on the long-term prospects for the relationship. There’s also the fact that the couple feel indebted to their in-laws and slightly embarrassed by the fact they are not able to pay their way at this moment in time.
Moving in with the parents of your girlfriend in a foreign land, in the short term at least, does make sense but as the weeks turn into months this can cause more and more problems. While there is no indication that the in-laws are looking to make changes to the situation this must be in the back of the minds of the couple living there. How long before you outstay your welcome?
Who you know, not what you know
One thing which has become plainly apparent throughout the various contributions to the thread is the fact that the French employment market is slightly different to that in the UK. It would appear that more and more job positions are filled by friends of friends and, unlike in the UK, potential employers are more responsive to those who visit them in person. However, if you are not the kind of person who is willing to “go to the streets” to find a job this could extend any potential period of unemployment.
Benefits
Interestingly, even though the couple in question are not receiving any benefits from the state, it would appear that the government is very proactive in pushing members of the population to find work. However, there is a general consensus that the ANPE (the French equivalent of the job centre) have been relatively unsuccessful in placing many candidates with new employment positions. As we touched on above, France appears to be a “who you know, not what you know “employment market.
Experience, experience, and experience
One common theme throughout this thread is the need for experience for even the most simple of jobs in order to even get to the interview stage. One example is in relation a waiter’s position at a restaurant where the employer is apparently asking for two years experience. While you can understand employers demanding experience in a competitive employment market place, this does cause problems for some French nationals and in particular for those who have moved from overseas.
Conclusion
There are many different factors to consider when moving overseas although one of the major factors is whether you actually want to be there in the first place. A move overseas, where one person is returning home and the other is moving to a foreign land, can be more stressful than a move to a new country for both people. However, on the other hand having general knowledge of local culture and local practices can be priceless in certain circumstances.
In this particular post there is obviously concern about sharing accommodation with in-laws which can lead to a significant reduction in freedom and the constant feeling that you “owe them something”. This is not a good environment for the longer term, although there are obviously short-term attractions when looking to save money before finding your own place. The thread also contains some very interesting comments with regards to the French employment market and the local practices which can often be detrimental to those new to the country.
There are many issues to consider in this particular post and while the person who began the thread may feel as though they are “whingeing” it is always good to discuss the situation with those who’ve been there and done it, as any feedback can be priceless. Forums offer a very interesting medium to contact those who are possibly experiencing, or have experienced, the same difficulties as yourself.
However, in this particular situation there are big decisions to be made about the future, which could have a significant impact upon this particular couple.
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