Have you packed up and moved to another country on your own before?

Question

I want to move to France, I speak a little French, not enough to get by.

How much does it cost roughly to move from one continent to another? Is not knowing the language completly, a barrier or do you just pick it up as you go. Have you done it? Positive, Negative expirences.

Here are my circumstances.

I'm 19 years old

I live in Melbourne.

I currently have about $18000(AUD) sitting in my bank account, I work a part time job.

I'm doing a teaching course at Uni.

Should I wait until I finish uni?

Answer 1

Hi! I've done this several times.  

It's always positive, sometimes difficult but never negative.  

I moved to France 2 years ago from the U.S.  

The language comes quickly.  Also, almost everyone (at least in Paris) speaks english.  But you will need to learn French.

Good things come to those who wait.  Take a course in French, finish your degree, then go live in the South of France for a year or so.  You'll be glad you planned things well in advance and saved more money.

I've met many young people who move to France on a whim and end up in bad situations.

Continue to save money, learn some french, and plan.  Make contacts in France (meetup.com, peuplade.fr, etc.), research different cities, etc.

My recommends for a young girl: Lyon, Montpelier, Nice, Avignon maybe...

With a teaching cert, you could teach English in Paris at "wall street english", make ok money, and have a decent place to live.

But, Paris is a bit crazy.  Fun to visit but I think you'd enjoy the South of France more (nicer weather too).

No worries about work permits.  You can get an "au pair" permit or one of the English language schools will set you up with one.  Contact them now and get all this set up.  It might take a few months but the wait will be worth it.

I don't have a work visa but was able to get a good job teaching software classes.

Answer 2

wait to finish university

Answer 3

You really need to learn the language first.  I moved to France with my family and without the language, you won't get by, trust me.  I'm in France right now.  You need to wait.  Plus, the euro verse the dollar is like a 4th difference.  The euro is worth more and you need A LOT of money. Gas prices are very high here.  Please trust this advise.  I really have experience and I want you to make the right choice :]

Answer 4

I have done it...

Your major problem will be the langauge, since by your own admission, you do not know French enough to get by.  The cost of move is just your airline ticket, assuming you are only taking suitcase full of stuff.  

Since you do not speak the language, you will not be able to work even if you were able to secure a work permit in France.  That means your sole source of income will be what you saved up already.  Take the cost of living out every month, it may or may not last a year.  Then your problem will become more immediate.

Here are few issues you need to resolve before you do anything.

1)  can you get a VISA to move to France?

2)  does your VISA include the right to work?

3)  how are you going to finance yourself once you get there?

4)  if you are going to work, get some prospective first!

5)  what is your intention once you get there?  study?  work?

Without clear goal on what you want to do, your holiday mood will evaporate as your money evaporates and you will be in desparate situation in a country where you cannot communicate.  

Should you finish your study?  That is up to you.  You can continue your study in the new country, but that is assuming you can speak the language well enough to continue.

Can you pickup the language as you go along?  Yes, but does your money last long enough to do that?

Answer 5

no, try visiting yahoo 360 and looking for poisonmunkey's 360 page. he totally backpacks around the world,visits all sorts of cool spots and posts his travels and pictures on his blog

Answer 6

I haven't moved to a another country

Answer 7

first think how you can get visa den plan for the move

Answer 8

18,000! That's tons. I have moved alone to different countries 4 times each time with about 2000 euros. I was fine.

Depends on how fast you want to start work I guess though and how you plan on living when you get there. You're 19?

Answer 9

yes i have. i move to australia on my own from the uk. and its the best thing i ever did

Answer 10

I have mainly stayed in Australia and entertained tourists here.  You should be very careful when travelling.  Especially when you are travelling alone.  Good luck.

Answer 11

I have done the move to a new country on my own myself, and it is never easy.  However, speaking the language always helps, and I always went to English speaking countries.

I did also visit France a few times, and the one thing that sticks in my mind is that you NEED to be able to speak their language, at least sufficient to "show willing".  

If you EXPECT the French to use English, they will make it harder for you, but if you TRY to use French, they will work with you.  

The majority can speak English, but will only do so, once you show that you are prepared to try THEIR language first.

That has been my experience in France.  The other European countries seem to be happier to use English without any hassle.

Good luck, and enjoy.  Life should be an adventure.

Edit:  From the French Embassy website:

If you are an Australian citizen and intend to visit France, as a tourist for less than 90 days within a six month period, you don’t need a visa.

If you intend to work in France, you must hold a "Visa professionnel"; even if you are not required to apply for a short stay visa as a tourist.

With the exception of Working Holiday Visa bearers, all foreign nationals that are not citizens of the European Union require work permits to take up any form of employment in Metropolitan France.