Over the past three weeks, our inbox has split into two very different camps.
One group is worried that U.S.–Europe political relations are deteriorating and wants to know whether to postpone their move. The other has decided they want to leave the U.S. as soon as possible — because of exactly the same recent events.
Even from France, we can feel the collective unease radiating out of the States right now — that shared wondering about what comes next. And it’s triggering a classic fight, flight, or freeze response.
The two traps: flight and freeze
Some people feel overwhelming pressure to get away (flight). Others feel so anxious that moving seems impossible, and staying put feels safer (freeze).
Both reactions are completely natural when we sense a threat. But neither is a good mental space from which to make a life-altering decision about moving abroad.
On the flight side: we’ve seen people move to France primarily to escape something. And while that primary goal gets accomplished, their new life quickly fills up with challenges they weren’t prepared for.
We met a family just last night who recently resettled in this area, and they aren’t happy. When we asked what prompted them to leave the U.S., their answers focused almost entirely on what they wanted to get away from. That’s valid — and they succeeded in leaving. But France comes with its own hard things.
If the threats you were escaping weren’t directly affecting your daily life before you moved, there’s a good chance you’ll start questioning your decision once you arrive. You may achieve “getting out,” but your day-to-day might not feel better — and life will almost certainly feel harder for a while as you adjust.
Is simply being out of the U.S. enough to carry you through the difficulty of rebuilding your life in a foreign country?
On the other end of the spectrum are people who have dreamed of moving to France for years. They’ve visited, have ties to the country, and finally reached a point where the move felt possible — only to press pause because of worries about international relations, fear-mongering around banking or Social Security, and fluctuating exchange rates.
These concerns are valid, and you should take them seriously. But if moving to France has been a long-held dream, don’t let a handful of bad actors in charge steal it from you.
The common thread: fear
Life is always uncertain. Moving abroad just makes that uncertainty more visible. When financial stability and international cooperation feel shaky, the unknown can suddenly feel untenable. But fear rarely leads to our best decisions — and that’s the common thread running through both camps.
If you feel an urgent need to leave
Make sure you’re moving toward a place you genuinely want to be — not just away from something.
Yes, the U.S. is a mess right now. But if you’re not actively in danger, life in any foreign country — including France — will likely feel harder at first. You’ll experience culture shock, disorientation, and need to relearn everything: how to grocery shop, how systems work, how to communicate. If you don’t speak French, add the anxiety of not understanding what’s happening around you — or of being corrected when you get it wrong.
So ask yourself honestly: Is getting away from the current U.S. environment worth the work of rebuilding your entire life? Are you willing to spend a few years adjusting before things feel easier again?
If that answer is yes — Bon courage! Go for it.
If you’re thinking about postponing a long-planned move
Yes, things could change between France and the U.S. — immigration rules, banking access, long-term residency. But if this has been a lifelong dream, start here: If you got to live in France for one year and then had to return to the U.S., would that still be worth it?
If the answer is yes, name your biggest fears and look for ways to hedge your bets.
Worried about transferring money? Consider moving a set amount into euros now and leaving it untouched. Think of it as your “I need to get back home” fund.
Worried about housing? Plan your return scenario before you leave. Could you stay temporarily with friends or family? Ask them now — we did. We also researched apartment options back home in our price range and school zone so we knew exactly where we’d apply if we needed to return quickly.
Not ready to commit forever? You don’t have to. Come for three months on your U.S. passport, or apply for a non-renewable visa and stay six months. Live here. See how it actually feels. Maybe it’s everything you imagined. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, you’ll walk away with clarity — and that alone is valuable.
Worried about the exchange rate? Build your budget around earning 30% less than your current U.S. income. When the rate is favorable, you’ll have breathing room. When it isn’t, you’ll still cover your bills — because you planned for it. If that margin isn’t workable, consider whether opening a business in France makes sense so you can earn in euros. Just keep in mind: there’s no “part-time” entrepreneur visa. Your business must generate at least the French minimum wage, so you’ll need to be genuinely willing to work.
Make the decision from clarity, not fear
This is a big decision, and the best ones come from clarity — not fear. Think about what you actually want to experience in your life, what matters most to you, and how you’d handle the risks if they showed up. When fear creeps in, meet it with a plan instead of letting it steer the wheel.
Life is uncertain everywhere. But you don’t have to let the what-ifs decide for you. Make a plan, trust yourself, and take the next thoughtful step toward the life you want.
Baguettes and Butter 4eva, Raina ❤️
