Retiring in Paris comes with a lot of planning, and a lot of questions. How do I start planning my retirement abroad? How will I adjust once I arrive? Is this the right choice for me? We wanted to help answer those questions, and decided to enlist the help of someone who had already taken the leap.
Justyna Simmons, co-founder and CEO of Your Friend in Paris, sat down with Judy, a retiree who has been living in Paris for the past 2 years, to ask her some of the most pressing questions surrounding retirement in Paris. Watch the video or read the transcript below to find out how Judy planned her relocation, what she has learned throughout the process, and what advice she would give to others planning their retirement in Paris.
Video Transcript:
Thank you so much for finding the time to meet with me today and have this chat.
Anytime, anytime.
Planning Your Retirement in Paris
So, we’ve known each other for a few years now since you came here. What made you first consider retiring abroad?
You know, I wanted a different quality of life, a different lifestyle. I wanted to experience different cultures away from the United States. I had traveled in Europe years ago and really wanted to return and live a different life.
Did you consider other countries besides France?
Initially, I was open to other countries, but once I started doing my research, France was it. I had always felt drawn to Paris in a really strange way. That was where I wanted to be.
And when you decided you wanted to retire in Paris, how did you start the process? What kind of research did you do?
A little before COVID, I started thinking about what my retirement would look like. I knew it was going to be overseas, so I started researching. I looked at different expat websites and Facebook groups for Americans moving abroad. I found a great community of retirees in France and Americans considering the move. That helped me understand the process because, honestly, I had no idea where to start. I started asking questions, and through those groups, as well as Google, I found a lot of answers.
What was the most valuable resource during your research?
Facebook groups, definitely. The “Retirees in France” group and another one for women relocating to France, especially for single women, were incredibly helpful. Someone even held a whole class on what to expect, what to consider, and things to be aware of.
What made you decide to hire a relocation agency? It sounds like you had already done a lot of research.
Reading posts from expat groups was really helpful—learning from other people’s experiences and recommendations. A lot of them said that hiring an agency was essential for handling things like driver’s licenses and other administrative tasks because there’s just so much to do. I looked at different agencies but didn’t feel a connection until I spoke to you on Zoom. I felt like you really understood me. You explained everything in a way that made sense to me and reassured me that this move was possible. After our conversation, I got so excited.
Since we’ve all been through a relocation ourselves, what were your expectations of moving to Paris?
I expected it to be an adventure, but also peaceful since I had already ended the working part of my life. I wanted a better lifestyle, and I felt like Paris was the place to achieve that. I remember being on Boulevard Saint-Germain on a sunny day, about eight months before my move, and at that moment, I knew—this was the one.
Unexpected Challenges with Retirement Abroad
What was your biggest fear about retiring in France, and how did it play out?
My biggest fear was the language. I could read and understand more than I could speak, so I was worried about communication. I knew I needed to learn the language because, when you move somewhere, that should be an expectation. So, I made the effort. Also, picking up and moving to another country where I didn’t know anyone—especially later in life—was scary. But my desire for a high quality of life pushed me forward. I told myself I had to give it 100%, and if it didn’t work out, I could always move back. Now, people understand me when I speak, and I’m learning more every day. And when I walk along the Seine on a sunny day, I know I can’t picture myself anywhere else. Overcoming those fears was worth it. If this is where you want to be, you just have to go for it.
What was the hardest part of relocating?
I didn’t anticipate all the bureaucracy—from healthcare to renewing my titre de séjour (residency permit). The first year, you go through the process, and then the next year, you have to present the same documents all over again. Navigating the different systems was a challenge.
What were the biggest challenges of moving to France that you didn’t expect?
The day-to-day aspects of living here—like grocery shopping or seeing a doctor—were harder than I expected, especially without a strong grasp of the language. Communicating in those situations took some getting used to.
Budgeting for Retiring in France
It’s a different vocabulary and language, and you might feel vulnerable not being able to understand everything. Also, did you budget for the relocation, and was it enough?
Getting an idea of costs was essential—yearly fees, moving expenses. I used a company to ship seven large boxes and three suitcases, so I had to factor in those costs. Then there were additional expenses, like setting up a bank account and figuring out how to pay all these fees. I had to learn to use currency brokers and transfer money from the U.S. to France, which you helped me with—things like utilities, internet, and GarantMe, which assesses your financial profile and pitches you to landlords based on a set monthly budget. Thanks to you, I didn’t have to guess; I had a clear idea of what to expect. Of course, unexpected expenses come up—like buying an air conditioner for the hot summers—but overall, I was prepared.
Following up on budgeting, how does the cost of living compare to maintaining a similar lifestyle in the U.S.?
It’s significantly higher in the U.S.—I know this from talking to friends. My monthly expenses here, including rent, going out, activities, and food, are much lower. I don’t deal with car insurance, and in the U.S., I would have had to pay over $1,000 a month for health insurance out of pocket. Here, I have my Carte Vitale, and healthcare is significantly cheaper. My biggest expense is rent, but I take the metro, which costs much less than owning a car or paying for gas. Even groceries are more affordable.
Life in Paris as a Retiree
What’s your favorite part of living in Paris?
Gosh, there are so many things! I love trying new restaurants and cuisines—it has really expanded my palate. In the U.S., people tend to rush through meals, but here, you take your time. Dining out is a social experience, a way to connect with people. Restaurants don’t try to rush you out after an hour; instead, they let you enjoy your meal as part of the culture.
It’s no longer just about eating because you’re hungry; you go out for the experience, for the quality of the food. No one rushes you, and you can even dine alone without it feeling strange—it’s perfectly normal here.
Exactly! And it’s amazing because you meet people that way, too.
How does your day look if it’s sunny in Paris?
I decide when to wake up depending on the season. I start my day by relaxing with a coffee and catching up on the news. If I don’t have plans, I usually go for a walk. My lifestyle has become much healthier here, and my eating habits have improved. I make sure to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, exploring different areas and taking photos. Even if I get lost, I’m never really lost—there’s always something new to see and discover. In France, they call it flânerie—wandering around just to take in the beauty of the city.
Final Advice for Retiring in Paris
If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have retired a year earlier, and I might have looked for a longer-term lease from the start, so I could settle in without having to move again after a few years.
What advice would you give to people considering retirement in Paris?
Do a lot of research, but also take things with a grain of salt. Your expectations should align with reality—it won’t be the same as the U.S. It’s a different culture with different norms and ways of life. If you come here expecting a big apartment, you’ll be disappointed because that’s rare in Paris due to the real estate market.
Give yourself grace in the first year—there will be challenges. Hopefully, you’ll have some good friends to support you on tough days, but you have to be adaptable. If you’re seeking a great quality of life, it’s absolutely worth it. You just need to hang in there, be patient, and embrace the different way of doing things.
Paris is an amazing place to live. It’s a city that’s both calm and busy, offering so much to experience.
Every time I see you, you look more Parisian. You’re a perfect example of someone who came here and fully embraced a new life.
You have to make room for the new and truly embrace a different lifestyle.
Moving from the U.S. to France is like starting college—you’re excited to go, but the first few weeks can be tough because you don’t know anyone. Then, over time, you look back and realize it was one of the best experiences of your life. It’s the same with living in Paris.
I cried every day at first, but my friends helped me through it. If you can get through those moments, you’ll be fine. And honestly, how could you not love living here? I should have moved 30 years ago.
I really admire people who move to Paris, especially the many single women who come here for adventure, self-discovery, and fulfillment. You need to be independent if you want to live here, especially as a single woman.
I’m always in awe of people moving to Paris because it’s such a big change. Surprisingly, we see many single women making the move, and when I ask them why they’re here, almost none of them say, “I want to find love.” No! They say, “I want to have fun, I want to make friends, I want to discover things I never even knew existed.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say, “I want to find true love.” They’re coming for themselves—to find joy, adventure, and fulfillment.
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