RETIRE IN FRANCE
BY THE NUMBERS
a detailed guide and checklist
Michael E. Burk
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 About This Book
1.2 Terminology and Abbreviations
Chapter 2 Why Live in France?
2.1 Advantages
2.2 Disadvantages
2.3 Early Retirement
2.4 Social Security Benefits
2.5 IRA Withdrawals
Chapter 3 Can You Move to France?
3.1 Lack of Information on the Subject
3.2 What Are the Steps?
3.3 Will France Accept You?
Your savings/income; criminal record; vaccinations; special covid-19 restrictions and Travel Certificate
3.4 Reading French: Symbols, Syntax and Systems
Chapter 4 Planning
4.1 The Big Picture
4.2 Where Do You Want to Live?
4.3 How Much Home Do You Want?
4.4 Establish Priorities
4.5 Consider Upgrades and Changes
4.6 French rooms, spaces and accessories
4.7 French Bank Account and Currency Service
4.8 Various Help Services
4.9 Go Paperless
Chapter 5 Visa Checklists
5.1 Visa Information
5.2 Your "Essential Valise"
5.3 Red Tape Items for your Visa
5.4 Costs
5.5 Applying for a Visa
Chapter 6 Sell your home
6.1 Update Home if Needed
6.2 Get Rid of Junk in Your Home
6.3 Prepare for US Realtor
6.4 Come up with a plan for your autos
6.5 Automatic Payments
6.6 Close Businesses
6.7 Put Your Home on the Market
6.8 Prepare for Inspection
Chapter 7 Planning and Waiting
7.1 The Next Steps
7.2 While You Wait
7.2.1 Practice and Improve your French
7.2.2 Research Regions and Towns in France
7.2.3 Trains, Trams and Buses
7.2.4 Driving
Chapter 8 Contract on Your Own Home
8.1 Don't Accept a Meager EMD
8.2 Timing Could Be Critical
8.3 Sale Negotiation Period
8.4 Moving or shipping company
8.5 Preparations for Visa and Move
8.6 Apply for Visa
8.7 Consulate Appointment
8.8 Get Rid of Non-Essential Furniture
8.9 Waiting, Again
8.1 Miscellaneous Pre-Move Tasks
8.11 Prepare Home for Move
8.12 Miscellaneous Preparations
8.13 Visa Refused? What to do
Chapter 9 Got Your Visa
9.1 Reserve Flight, Hotels, Rental, & set Closing Date
9.2 Change of Address
9.3 Direct Deposit Change for Social Security
9.4 Terminate Services and Automatic Payments
9.5 Legal Insurance
9.6 Prepare in Advance for the Trip
9.7 Prepare for Closing and Shipping
9.8 Final Preparation
9.9 Two to Three Weeks Before Closing
9.1 One Week Before Closing
9.11 Living in Nearby Hotel Now
9.12 After closing items
9.13 Living at Airport Hotel Now
Chapter 10 Off to France
10.1 Arrival
10.2 Within Days After France Arrival
10.3 Within a Week of France Arrival
10.4 Shipment to your Apartment
10.5 New Car in France
10.6 Within a month
10.7 Within 2 Months
10.8 Medical Examination
10.9 France Living
10.1 After 3 Months
Chapter 11 Buy Your French Home
11.1 Search for Your France Home
11.2 Real Estate Tax
11.3 Diagnostiques
11.4 Surveys
11.5 Make an Offer
11.6 Home Details
11.7 Homeowner Insurance
11.8 Utilities and Maintenance
11.9 Prepare to Pay the Balance
11.1 Walkthrough
11.11 Closing (Acte de Vente)
11.12 Before You Move In
11.13 Final Moves
Chapter 12 Living in France
12.1 Bureaucratic and Legal Items
12.2 Your Shipment from the US
12.3 Nesting in Your New Home
12.4 Home Improvements
12.5 Finances in France
12.6 Settle in France
12.7 Essential Checklist Dates in France
12.8 Residence permit
12.9 Filing FBAR and FATCA
Chapter 13 Establish and Enjoy Your French Life!
13.1 Shopping
13.2 Online Shopping
13.3 Build It Yourself
13.4 How To Make Your Home Interesting
13.5 Auto Care
13.6 Pool Care and Improvement
13.7 Extra Income while retired in France
13.8 If You Move Again
Chapter 14 Now, Travel Europe at Your Leisure
14.1 Day Trips
Normandy: Etretat, Saint-Ceneri-Le-Gerei
Brittany: Dinan, Rochefort-en-Terre
Burgundy, Alsace, Grand Est: Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Strasbourg
Cote d'Azur: Eze, Gordes, Roussillon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Alpes-Maritimes: Peillon, Seguret, Mollans-sur-Ouveze
Alpes: Saint-Veran, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Pyrenees: Saint-Savin, Ordino (Spain)
Corsica: Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio, Sant'Antonino.
14.2 Multi-City Auto Tours
Doubs: Quingey, Chatillon-sur-Lison, Cleron, Ornans, Montgesoye, Vuillafans, Lods
Cote d'Azur: Eze, Villefranche-sur-mer, Cap d'Ail, Monaco.
14.3 More Outings To Consider
The Top 10 French festivals
The Best Traditional and Cultural French Festivals
The best Roman sites in France.
Appendix 1 French Terms
Appendix 2 Compromis de Vente
Appendix 3 Acte de Vente
Appendix 4 Declaration of Entry of Personal Goods to the EU
Index