6 Tips to Living Abroad Sustainably
‘Living abroad sustainably’ is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. The first thing that may come to mind, is ‘sustainability’ in the sense of the environment. This is something I am conscious of as well, but I’m talking about -what does it actually take to live abroad long-term? With this being my 7th year in Paris, I’m still amazed that I actually live here and that I’ve managed to set up a life here on a long-term term basis. I’ve recently started coaching people to help bring their dreams to reality to move abroad. Something I’ve realized is that the decision to move abroad is one part of the puzzle but developing a sustainable plan to stay is equally important. People often think my life in Paris consists of eating croissants, seeing the Eiffel, drinking wine, and European summer holidays (which it does). But it also consists of being comfortable in the unknown, figuring out how I can make my mark in a country that isn’t my own, paying taxes for what seems like everything, and many other behind the scenes things that come with living abroad long-term. There has been no guidebook to follow, a lot of stress on not knowing what’s next, and ultimately a lot of trial and error.
This year has been a pivotal year in feeling like I’ve finally got the hang of things, with knowing pretty much every visa options out there, tips for preparation of French Nationality, running a small business, securing full-time work, purchasing a property... As you know by now, I love sharing insight and resources I have learned, so I put together a list of 6 Tips for setting up a life abroad long-term.
1. Forward-thinking mindset
First and foremost, having a forward-thinking mindset is essential in being able to maintain living abroad longer than one to two years. It's like a game of chess, you always need to be a few moves ahead to anticipate problems or potential situations that may come your way especially when it comes to visa renewals, securing work, etc. It is still important to live in the moment and take in your experience abroad in the moment, but for logistics planning that plays a role in your ability to live in the country, it’s best to think ahead. For example, you receive a visa for one year. Instead of thinking you are set for one year, you should think- what do I need to do to extend my visa for longer? Is it renewable, if so what do I need to do to renew it, how many months before my visa expires should I start the renewal process? It can be a bit annoying to always be thinking about the future, but it really helps to save you stress or last-minute surprises.
2. Work towards permanent residence/French Nationality
Once you lock in your first visa, I recommend to start exploring how long it takes to apply for nationality so you are aware and can work towards that. It is always nice to have options, and if you end up spending extended time in France, it is better to have some security in terms of residency. For example, if you pursue Masters's studies here, your wait time to apply for nationality is expedited. Normally you have to have lived in the country for 5 years to be able to apply for Nationality, but if you do superior studies you can apply after 3 years living in the country.
3. Learn the language
It is definitely worth it to invest in learning French even though you can manage a lot with English. But what fun is it to live in a place where you can’t communicate in the local language. French is a tough language to learn but it will provide you a lot more options in terms of getting settled here, from finding work, advocating for yourself with French admin, or just integrating socially. I highly recommend the immersion method of learning the language when you are in-country since you absorb everything around you. Taking classes is great to get a basis in grammar, but the key to becoming fluent in the language is to actually speak. Find language exchanges where you can put into practice the things you learn in a class and actually speak, make friends with Frenchies, try non-traditional methods such as taking a theatre class in French and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things.” – Flora Lewis
4. Get involved
Whether it be through work, starting a business, joining a club it is important to get involved and integrate yourself into the city. The more people you know from different settings really helps for many things like finding a job, discovering great places to eat, recommendations for a good doctor, and loads of random things. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, and having a good network of friends you can tap into for advice, resources, or shared experiences is really key. For example, one of my latest jobs here I found via a friend who knew her company was hiring before the position was published. She shared the info with me, I submitted my application, she passed it on, I interviewed, and got the job. Every little bit of extra help or inside knowledge goes a long way.
5. Invest
If you foresee staying in Paris for a few years and have landed a job with a steady income. Why not think about investing in property? Investing in real estate in Paris is always going to be interesting. All the money you pay every month towards rent can go towards your own mortgage, and it can be a sound personal investment. Believe it or not, you're able to purchase as a foreigner living in France, so it is worth it to take advantage of that. Buying an apartment is a big commitment, but very doable since interest rates are really low at the moment. I recently purchased an apartment with my partner and I feel really excited to officially own my own space, and I have peace of mind that I have a ‘pied à terre’ here. If you are interested in potentially purchasing in Paris, check out my recent blog post with some tips I have learned thus far.
6. Keep things in order in France and home country
I’ve learned the hard way that just because you are living abroad, doesn’t mean things back home don’t matter (taxes, driver's license renewals). I hate to admit this but I haven’t filed taxes in the US since I moved abroad in 2011. Since I am paying taxes in France, I just assumed I didn’t have to, but that is NOT the case. You never know when you want to move back to your home country so it is best to have all your ducks in a row. I have spent the past 4 months trying to figure out how to back file, and get things sorted as I have dropped the ball on this for way too long. I found an international tax firm here who helped point me in the right direction, and I'm finally up to date with my filing, yay!! The process was a complete headache, and I swore to myself I will never let these sorts of things slip again. I highly recommend making sure you keep an eye on things like US residency status, driver’s license renewals, US tax filling, certification renewals, etc. A lot of these things are hard to manage from a distance, and it is best to coordinate to take advantage of things that require in-person attention when you are home for holidays.
To all the expats living abroad 3-4+ years, what are your tips for living abroad sustainably?
#lifeabroad#expat#livingabroadsustainably