donkeybros
New Zealander expat in France
Forum posts
27
About me
New Zealander
Registration: 27 December 2024
Accountant recommendation by laragan
Hello- can anyone recommend a good accountant, someone with experience working with expats? Thank you in advance for your reply. I appreciate it.
@laragan You might make enquiries at https://www.hadtax.com/.Jonathan Hadida does US taxes and his company outsources the French side to those qualified. We have been happy with their business for the past 5 years. Read More
Long Stay Visa Document Question by realfitpug4life
Hi. Google Gemini says that I should "Request fresh certified copies of your birth certificate and marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable) from your state's vital statistics office..." as part of preliminary document preparation for the long ...
@realfitpug4life Bonjour. Please go to the following page on FB and read the GUIDES. Applying for a French CdS (Carte de S茅jour) and/or visa.Most of your questions will be answered there, or you can ask the question on the site. Read More
Aspiring ex-pat VLS/TS application by roddyredhat
Hi All, I joined this forum as a result of shengen exhaustion.I've been living in France piecemeal since Brexit, prior to that I lived in a number of departments, most notably haute Normandie and the Auvergne. I moved back to the UK to be nearer my ...
@roddyredhat Bonjour Roddy. You might like to go to the FB page - Applying for a French CdS (Carte de S茅jour) and/or visa. It should have all of the information you seek in the GUIDES. Be sure to read them first, before asking questions. Bon ... Read More
Looking to meet New friends by Candybarwell
Hi my husband and I are living in Cogolin and looking to meet New friend in the area
@Candybarwell Bonjour. It really helps to put your zip code in your message, then we can see where you are living and people in that area can reply. You might ask at your local Mairie for Associations Fr/EN, and if there are any nearby. This helps ... Read More
Ways to lower your expenses/best deals (expats in France)? by Ameerah Arjanee
Hello everyone! I鈥檓 a content writer for Expat Magazine, and we鈥檙e working on an article featuring expats鈥� top tips for finding great deals in their host countries. With the cost of living on the rise, we鈥檇 love to hear your ...
@Ameerah Arjanee Knowing when the annual sales are is very helpful, and planning for that. In France, things like lawnmowers go on sale at a particular time of year (beg. of Spring) and other items like seed potatoes, tomato and strawberry plants ... Read More
Aspiring ex-pat VLS/TS application by roddyredhat
Hi All, I joined this forum as a result of shengen exhaustion.I've been living in France piecemeal since Brexit, prior to that I lived in a number of departments, most notably haute Normandie and the Auvergne. I moved back to the UK to be nearer my ...
@roddyredhat Bonjour. If you are on Facebook, you should join the group 'Applying for a French CdS (Carte de S茅jour) and/or visa'. Read the GUIDES there before you ask any questions. You cannot work under the Visa's you mention, and you will ... Read More
Any suggestions where to look for a place to live ? by elw139
Hi,My name is Eileen and I live in Tucson, Arizona. I have been perusing YouTube videos for a place to live in southern France.聽 I won't be moving this year.聽 Just looking for now.聽 I want an inexpensive place to live in a city that ...
@elw139 Bonjour Eileen. Dont forget the Atlantic coast and towns and cities in the Charente and Charente Maritime. Not all the fun is had in those cities you list. Bretagne is also somewhere worth considering, depending on how much sun and heat you ... Read More
BUY NOW and be in for SUMMER 2026 ! 2 House Ensemble & Garden
Bourg-Charente
鈧�365000
Bourg-Charente, nr Jarnac and Cognac. South West France, Nouvelle Aquitaine. Situated in the Prestigious Grand Champagne 1er Cru du Cognac, these two 4 and 3 Star designated holiday homes are waiting for new owners. Though tiny, the town of ...
Considering moving to France for 5 months by heathermt
Hi!My husband and I are in our early 50s and retired. Our son is in grade 8 in Canada. We are considering spending his second semester of grade 9 in France. Trying to decide what city to live in. I'm not keen on Paris - too big.We would like to ...
@heathermt Hi Heather. You dont say whether your son already speaks French . This might make decisions easier. Bordeaux and Lyon are two cities that come to mind that might suit you, and perhaps Toulouse? Montpellier might also fit the bill. Nobody ... Read More
Need some insights on the following cities ... by pbcravens
I'll be moving early next year, but scouting out where to live starting August 14th for 3 weeks. I'll start in Rennes, then on to Angers, La Rochelle, Bayonne, and finishing up in Annecy. Any expats living in those cities that could give me some ...
Bonjour. Did you find out about the places you came to visit? What can you tell everyone about them, and what you decided? Thanks. Read More
Elderly couple looking to relocate seeking advice on EVERYTHING by wysemanjohn
My wife and I are in our 70's, happily retired in a single flat home with a golf course view in the suburb town of New Orleans La area. We are considering making a radicle decission for our stage of life to move to France as it is difficult to ...
Bonsoir John.We live in the south Charente near Cognac. We love the orderliness of the vine covered hills and Charente River Valley, and the whole process (very intensive) of producing Cognac. We own three holiday homes which are busy at this time ... Read More
Elderly couple looking to relocate seeking advice on EVERYTHING by wysemanjohn
My wife and I are in our 70's, happily retired in a single flat home with a golf course view in the suburb town of New Orleans La area. We are considering making a radicle decission for our stage of life to move to France as it is difficult to ...
@wysemanjohn Good morning. Driver's licenses: Our US friends living just half an hour from us recently went through the more than 1 yr agony of having to take driving lessons (in Fr with no translator allowed) and then sit their tests and pass. ... Read More
Elderly couple looking to relocate seeking advice on EVERYTHING by wysemanjohn
My wife and I are in our 70's, happily retired in a single flat home with a golf course view in the suburb town of New Orleans La area. We are considering making a radicle decission for our stage of life to move to France as it is difficult to ...
OMGodness! Whomever wrote all this downer stuff needs to visit more than just the old villages in Provence or the south east, which is what it sound like they are quoting. As always, they are individual experiences/perceptions.French towns and ... Read More
divorce, titre de sejour, work, citizenship, etc.[B]requested by OP by hollmetz
Hello to all, I'm writing here because I've reached a stalemate in knowing what can be done in my situation, and am also weary of being criticized/blamed for decisions along my path, arriving to no answers.. So, if anyone could kindly offer any ...
Bonsoir HM.I can highly recommend that you contact the group Strictly Legal France on Facebook. If you read the information on Divorce et al from clicking on the GUIDES in the menu at the top of the page, you will find information there that you may ... Read More
Toulouse 2029 by Chef Aaron
Hello,My name is Aaron. I am currently a Chef living in Maine. In 2029, my wife Lisa and I plan to retire to France. Although Paris is our favorite city, we want to keep it as a Destination. After researching many cities, we keep circling back to ...
Bonjour Aaron. Perhaps you could include why you like the look and feel of Toulouse, so much? That will inform us about your choices and perhaps some alternatives could be offered too. Have you done much travel in France as a whole? Might I suggest ... Read More
Elderly couple looking to relocate seeking advice on EVERYTHING by wysemanjohn
My wife and I are in our 70's, happily retired in a single flat home with a golf course view in the suburb town of New Orleans La area. We are considering making a radicle decission for our stage of life to move to France as it is difficult to ...
Bonjour. A couple of long term questions for you. As you are in your 70's, and by your own admissions sedentary, what could you change about your lifestyle IN the USA that would make life easier for yourselves in the comfort of the home and ... Read More
Refills of wine in own container by GuestPoster4456
How do i ask if they sell bulk refill wine for my own containers?
You might have to find a friendly Vintner who will be willing to do this for you. No retail outlet that I am familiar with would do this. Read More
Relocation services by loraineheller
When moving to France, did anyone use a relocation service to help with visas, housing, taxes, and other issues? I'd appreciate getting your recommendations on which service to choose (or not) and how best to work with them. Thanks.
Bonjour. I don't recommend working with a relocation service for a couple of reasons. 1. You have to provide the information to them, so why not just do the Visa yourself. Its not that hard, and you just follow the instructions. They would do that ... Read More
Visiteur Visa by Elena Khalilova
Hello everyone! My name is Elena, and I鈥檝e been living in Argentina for the past five years. My husband and I built our life here, had our child, and obtained permanent residency. Now, we鈥檙e planning to move to France on a ...
Bonjour Elena. You cannot WORK in France on a Visiteur Visa. There is no such category as Digital Nomad, and you will state that you will not conduct any Professional Activity in France during your stay, when you sign for the Visiteur Visa. Please ... Read More
Taxation for US retirees in France. by Sulli Nav
It seems like US citizens are taxed at source on their retirement income. However, looking at the tax brackets in France based on income and the high social security tax of 25%, how does this affect US retirees who pay social security tax in the ...
@Sulli Nav Your choice entirely. However, I would ask people who respond, for their legal reference, otherwise it may just be an opinion, and there are plenty of those floating around. A legally referenced answer is priceless. Bon Chance. Read More
New members of the France forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the France forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Bonjour. We are Monica and Warren from New Zealand, though we also hold US citizenship. We have lived in the south Charente, south west France, for the past 7 years. We run 3x Meubl茅 de Tourisme (furnished) holiday homes in small local ... Read More
Taxation for US retirees in France. by Sulli Nav
It seems like US citizens are taxed at source on their retirement income. However, looking at the tax brackets in France based on income and the high social security tax of 25%, how does this affect US retirees who pay social security tax in the ...
For legal answers to your question you might like to join the FB group Strictly Fiscale France. You should read the GUIDES to find answers to your questions, first. Bon Chance Read More
Still not able to post. by donkeybros
Hi, Despite being a member of this forum, Im still unable to post a reply to anyone, and though I attempt to log-in, A red notice comes up to tell me that I am not yet confirmed as registered. Thanks for your help.
@Fred Its all sorted now, Fred. Cheryl has been very helpful. Read More
Health insurance for 70+ by Glenn Allen
I am 71, an EU citizen [my second nationality]. I want to get French residency and my carte vitale. I know I don't have to register to live in France as an EU citizen but can I get a Carte Vitale?Also do any of the insurance companies cover 70+ ...
Bonjour Glenn. You might want to join a few FB sites: Strictly Sant茅 France, Strictly Fiscale France, and Strictly Legal France, just to start with. Read the GUIDES before you ask any questions. The sites are administered by experts in their ... Read More
Still not able to post.
Hi, Despite being a member of this forum, Im still unable to post a reply to anyone, and though I attempt to log-in, A red notice comes up to tell me that I am not yet confirmed as registered. Thanks for your help. Read More