This is an excellent and nuanced interview about all of the pros and cons. I appreciate Americans who have more ordinary lives in Paris that are not plastered all over social media!
The distinction between what genuinely resonates and what simply feels familiar feels like the heart of this. Living abroad seems to reveal how much of a life was chosen by default. After 24 of these interviews, is there one value people consistently become more deliberate about only after leaving?
I found this interview so fascinating. Your subject has an uncanny talent for self-reflection; her ability to honestly reflect on her thought processes and trajectory
I’ve been a digital nomad since I was 19 years old when I toured with KISS in Japan as a music journalist.
1977 Japan, then Switzerland 5 years , France 1 and The Netherlands 13 and Sweden 1. Over 30 years as an expat, in five countries then back to the states twice. Now I’m getting ready to move to France in 2027 Yippeee, here I come.
The little yeses part is how it went for me too, except mine pointed south. I went to Mexico for a 6 months in the early 90s and never got around to leaving until 2019. The certainties are the bigger loss. You can always work around the holidays.
The message I'm getting from all of these stories is that if you're not a young semi-celebrity, life coach, Instagram influencer, tech bro or something similar you should just forget about the whole idea. I have read a bunch of these. None of them sound like anyone I know and all of them sound like people who have a lot more money than us mundane middle-class types.
Chuck, I’m here to attest that we more “mundane” people can certainly do this too! I’m sitting on my apt balcony in Paris having coffee before work, after having moved here w my husband 4 years ago in my 50s. Our youngest child was then off across the country in US at college and I applied for (& then got) a job in Paris, with 0 connections but with a lifelong love of the city. Regular people, older people… it’s not too late for us. 😊
Hi Chuck, if you go through the entire archive of people featured, you’ll actually see that the stories are extremely varied and most if not all speak about coming with very little money. They also vary wildly in age. Some, who came 20+ years ago, may have found the whole experience less expensive than today although the career opportunities and services available to make the adjustment were harder to come by. I would, however, love to know what backgrounds you’d like to see represented more? Those who have retired in France?
I'd like to hear from older folks. My wife and I both retirees in our late 70s, income is from pensions, Social Security, and investments. The latter would place us pretty solidly in higher end of "middle class." We're both active, no mobility issues, and have been studying French for years (including with a private tutor) but would probably face an adjustment period.
Anyway, I'd love to hear from Boomers like us who have managed to pull up roots and relocate this late in life. It's a bit scary, but maybe less so that staying in a failed state.
This is an excellent and nuanced interview about all of the pros and cons. I appreciate Americans who have more ordinary lives in Paris that are not plastered all over social media!
I’m so glad you enjoyed ! The stories are as varied as there are Americans abroad, I hope to keep uncovering them!
The distinction between what genuinely resonates and what simply feels familiar feels like the heart of this. Living abroad seems to reveal how much of a life was chosen by default. After 24 of these interviews, is there one value people consistently become more deliberate about only after leaving?
I found this interview so fascinating. Your subject has an uncanny talent for self-reflection; her ability to honestly reflect on her thought processes and trajectory
She sure does. Much of what she said has stayed with me!
I’ve been a digital nomad since I was 19 years old when I toured with KISS in Japan as a music journalist.
1977 Japan, then Switzerland 5 years , France 1 and The Netherlands 13 and Sweden 1. Over 30 years as an expat, in five countries then back to the states twice. Now I’m getting ready to move to France in 2027 Yippeee, here I come.
The little yeses part is how it went for me too, except mine pointed south. I went to Mexico for a 6 months in the early 90s and never got around to leaving until 2019. The certainties are the bigger loss. You can always work around the holidays.
The message I'm getting from all of these stories is that if you're not a young semi-celebrity, life coach, Instagram influencer, tech bro or something similar you should just forget about the whole idea. I have read a bunch of these. None of them sound like anyone I know and all of them sound like people who have a lot more money than us mundane middle-class types.
Chuck, I’m here to attest that we more “mundane” people can certainly do this too! I’m sitting on my apt balcony in Paris having coffee before work, after having moved here w my husband 4 years ago in my 50s. Our youngest child was then off across the country in US at college and I applied for (& then got) a job in Paris, with 0 connections but with a lifelong love of the city. Regular people, older people… it’s not too late for us. 😊
This is fantastic! And a perfect example of the range I mention :)
Hi Chuck, if you go through the entire archive of people featured, you’ll actually see that the stories are extremely varied and most if not all speak about coming with very little money. They also vary wildly in age. Some, who came 20+ years ago, may have found the whole experience less expensive than today although the career opportunities and services available to make the adjustment were harder to come by. I would, however, love to know what backgrounds you’d like to see represented more? Those who have retired in France?
I'd like to hear from older folks. My wife and I both retirees in our late 70s, income is from pensions, Social Security, and investments. The latter would place us pretty solidly in higher end of "middle class." We're both active, no mobility issues, and have been studying French for years (including with a private tutor) but would probably face an adjustment period.
Anyway, I'd love to hear from Boomers like us who have managed to pull up roots and relocate this late in life. It's a bit scary, but maybe less so that staying in a failed state.
Understood ! Stay tuned!