Searching for a Motive: Our Journey to France
Navigating the Challenges and Realities of Moving to France
Moving to another country is a monumental decision. Arriving at a place is one thing - feeling at home is another challenge altogether. Creating a sense of familiarity is essential, and leaning on your routines can be incredibly helpful.
When we first considered moving out of the US, our reasons were a mix of excitement and introspection, but also a lot of confusion. We were determined to leave the country and then moved heaven and earth to make it happen. It was necessary to be stubborn about it.
I often say we wanted to be running to something, not just away from something, but even now, two years later, I can find myself still a bit confused about my motives for this country. I like France a lot, but I’m not a francophone. This blog covers French food and culture, but my interests span beyond this country. It's crucial to consider why you want to move to another country and, of all places, why there of all places?
In truth, I just wanted out of the US. The political climate was exhausting, and trust in the government felt broken. The structures and the systems in place made it really likely that I would live the kind of life I didn’t want to be living. While I remain optimistic about the US, I’m not sure it will match my needs in my lifetime. On the day to day, it was stressful for me just standing still in the US. I wanted to be somewhere that aligned with our desires and where I could escape the political turmoil. I love the US, but I don’t think I ever want to live there again.
This feeling has been growing for a long time. Our move to France was a long time coming. In 2010, we had an amazing trip to the rural Central Massif in Auvergne – "le France profond," as they say. The quiet, beautiful culture of this empty diagonal was enchanting.
However, vacationing and living somewhere are entirely different experiences. The charm of small villages and long drives can become inconvenient when you just want to get something simple like milk. We certainly didn’t want to raise our own cows.
Our first two years have been about moving past the fantasy of living in another country and dealing with the realities and obligations. Home is a place of peace and relaxation but also of endless tasks and errands. It's uncomfortable sometimes and requires constant effort on a level.
Leaving our home was incredibly hard, and in hindsight, I'm not sure it was the best decision, but it was a good decision. The act of leaving, I’m comfortable with. We should never have tried to settle down, even though buying a home made it possible to move abroad.
It's typical to say we moved for personal growth, but I can’t confidently claim that either. Our lives were dynamic, but we had jobs we hated, and the prospect of continuing seemed impossible. I didn’t have the mental space or energy to endure the job as a teacher any longer.
There’s a strange pride in overworking in the US that I never found peace with. The idea of always having a mission, always being busy, and constantly improving has its merits, but the lack of rest is draining.
Moving to France came with its own challenges. No matter what you think you know about a place, the reality is always different, especially once you're on the ground.
Wanna know more? Have a story of your own move? I’d love to hear about it!
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Keith Christiansen
Keith Christiansen
Keith Christiansen
