Our Move to France Isn’t Happening the Way We Planned…

Your success depends not on the perfect plan, but rather your flexibility to respond to life and your ever changing world. You got this! Hang in there. Pivoting is an important skill.

Your house is beautiful. I would not sell it. Going back and forth is a much better idea. We live in Ireland and spend a few months in Spain or the Canaries to break the Winter. But we would miss home if we moved permanently.

Thanks for the update and honesty. I think that your decision is very wise.

Wise decision to go back and forth. We moved to London from California and it was a hard transition. I would have loved to have been able to go back and forth. After 10 years there, we moved back to the US, and we were happy we did.

Don't be hard on yourselves. What you're considering makes sense. Frankly, I think your channel would be great as a life-experience of what it's like to spend part of the year in France and the the USA and have us follow you around France so for those of us who many want to relocate there have a wider range of considerations. I thought about some new names for your channel: Seasons in France
The French Half Life
Our French Chapters
Two Hearts in France
Wandering France Together
Slow Living in France
French Days, American Ways
Considering France
Try Living in France
France as a Second Home

I love and respect your goal setting in motion, PIVOTS do occur says Mother Nature. Allow the flow and avoid despair, its temporary, find continued joy in your relationships 😊

I think you are doing the right thing! I think going back and forth might be where you’re eventual be.. it’s okay to have a place in both countries.

There's nothing wrong with appreciating France as a "slow travel" spot in place of relocating. It would be more challenging than you think to immigrate/assimilate without speaking the language (Tony seems to hand-wave this, but as someone who has studied in France and plans to return there, it's a huge cultural piece and frankly a matter of respect). Is Piers still planning to pursue a degree in Nice?

First of all, thanks for the update and some of the reasoning behind your revisions to your plans. Beyond the basics of what you shared the rest of it is nobody's business. I was a little disheartened to see some judgy, finger-wagging comments, but pleased that the overwhelming majority are supportive and understanding. People, it's not like this is some trivial decision like picking out paint colors or a new duvet cover. You have to be absolutely sure what you need and what you want and what extent you will go to to make something happen, and there are always bargians to be made in the process. KJ and Tony are still figuring it out. There's nothing wrong with that. They aren't some vapid reality TV characters aping at the camera to satisfy their egos. They're real people who are sharing their journey, with all its twists and turns, with others who are doing the same thing or have plans to do so. Their changes in plans certainly feel familiar to me and my partner, and you should be grateful they're sharing what they are as it really gives truth to what so many of us have experienced as we navigate this process. If all you've got is conjecture and judgement sit down, be quiet and scroll on by. I really had to roll my eyes at the comments suggesting that Tony is some sort of victim to KJs whims. You have to be really tone deaf to not clearly see that these two people are a TEAM. Whatever you two land on will be the right thing at the right time and yes, the Universe and/or God will lead you to what that will ultimately look like.

As a long-time viewer and member I have a few observations. I might be mistaken but I think the lure and value of KJ and Tony Love France, for most, is to follow their lead in making the leap from life in the USA to France. Learn from them .. the good, bad, and the ugly. Yes, the shorts and videos they post of their travels are interesting but not why I come here. I am assuming most of the viewers, now, want to know what transpired to make them regroup and change their plans. Did Nice ultimately not live up to expectations? Was there something missing? Did the notion of living somewhere long-term radically differ from their vacation experience? Or, did the financial realities of the current exchange rate and real estate market both here and there start to feel uncomfortable? It's difficult to watch the videos from last month overflowing with excitement and plans of moving to France, Tony glowing French, to now changing their channel name once again.

KJ will address the issues that surfaced, and this should be of great value to the viewers. I am fascinated by other YouTubers that have put their house up for sale, do not really speak the French language well, and sight unseen … based on internet searches and maybe a weekend in Paris a decade ago, picked a location in France (or Albania) without ever visiting the chosen location and planning their retirement on this romantic abstraction.This is absurd to me .. and though I wish them well it seems like an imminent train-wreck replete with disappointment and frustration. I truly hope I am wrong on this .. and this is the channel they should be watching to keep it real. That is the value of this channel, and I suppose there won't be much to follow here beyond vacation journaling in the future. Of course, things can change as life presents new possibilities.

What follows will surely be an honest, edifying, and reality based from the heart assessment of a move to France. That will be for KJ and Tony to decide to share, or not. I hope they do … -Daniel (Paris) 🇫🇷

Highly moral people. It's admiring that you are considering your parent's needs. Good luck!

Good on you for being upfront about your situation. You said this trip was going to be different and it was. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems this time you stepped back and took a cold, hard look at the reality of a permanent move to Nice. It's really tough when you get older because time is running out so you naturally feel pressure to get it all done now. We want to avoid regrets at all costs. Your decision to do longer/slower travel between Florida and France is a sensible compromise. Not to rule out your ever moving to France, but now is just not the time.

I faced the same dilemma of moving abroad over the last couple years and came to a similar conclusion as you. One of my reasons was the more I learned of what was required to obtain a long-term visa and possible residency was simply too much for this 67 year-old. Navigating future, inevitably grave, medical issues with my partner and I at a beginner's level of the language was probably my greatest concern. Add to that the overall sense of a world in a state of flux and chaos we decided to stay put. Honestly, I wish I'd made the move when I was younger. It's a regret I carry, but c'est la vie. I have much to be grateful for.

I'm hoping you'll make a video elaborating on your decision. It's important information for others considering such a move. Thank you for your honesty and much luck on your journey.

Here is some feedback about your plan to divide your time between France and your homeland, based on my experience since 1987. This is very doable, but requires structuring your career to make it possible, which is easier now than it was before digital communication. Don’t underestimate the commitment it takes to manage self-administration across cultures and over long distances, the ongoing costs of that way of life, and certain personal sacrifices required to have a foot in both worlds. Having a permanent base in France is ideal IMO, requiring financial investment. I purchased in France, and rent in my homeland, which works best for me.

Your videos give the impression that you’re very ambivalent about France: you love the idea, but making the move is difficult. My advice: if France is where you want to be, implement your plan ASAP. You are already in late middle age, and there always will be something that comes up: your health, your elderly parents, your son’s love life, etc. I think your plan requires being pro-active. If you wait for Divine guidance, you could be waiting forever!

Good luck!