What are the downsides (if any) of living in France?

Question

I am considering moving to France in the very near future. It seems like a very nice place to live judging from what i've seen in documentaries.

Answer 1

it used to be beautiful, but this has been its undoing as it has attracted hundreds of thousands of British property buyers living in British communities who have imported loudness, rudeness and public drunkenness

Answer 2

What constitutes a "downside" depends very much on your personal tastes, political beliefs, and desires.

Would you rather have lower taxes and a higher salary but a government that does almost nothing for ordinary people or higher taxes (and unemployment) and lower salaries but a government that provides a wealth of benefits to individuals not the least of which is an excellent system of government sponsored health insurance?

Do you want a higher disposable income with the chance to make your own choices (including bad ones) or less freedom of action but greater security?

Is a country where people aspire to making vast wealth as entrepreneurs (and s***w everyone else)  preferable to a country where the most desirable future (as per a poll of French college students) is to be a government functionary?

Do you consider working long hours and earning the rewards for it a better deal than working 35 hours a week with five weeks of vacation but with little hope of rising into the ranks of the obscenely rich?

Every individual must choose for himself what he wants from life, what challenges he is willing to accept, and what balance of risk versus reward he is comfortable with.

In the end, the answer to your question can only be answered for you by you.

Answer 3

Just to add to Rillifane's note about the 35 hours, that's only for workers. When you reach 'cadre' level (executive I think) your company can make you work way much longer without paying overtime and don't hesitate to. Way, way much longer.

And when you're an independent worker the 35 hours are a good story that happens to others.

Answer 4

Go for it...

Answer 5

the downside is it is hard as h**l to find a job (if you're over 50 it's hopeless for you). So all that is appealling in France: nice sea and ski resorts, visiting Paris and the riviera, tasting good French food...all of that is enjoyed by only half of the population...