Bienvenue!
If you’re thinking about moving to France, navigating the visa process, or just wondering what day-to-day life here actually looks like, you’re in the right place.
We’re a semi-retired American couple now living in Annecy, France.
In 2024, we were traveling around Europe, trying to answer a simple question: where could we build a life that felt both practical and enjoyable?
We were looking for a place that wasn’t car-dependent, with easy access to mountains, water, sunshine, and year-round outdoor activity. France checked every box and then went further, with strong healthcare, great food, and, for Americans, surprisingly favorable taxes.
Our first move in early 2025 was to a small town in the South of France. The coastline was beautiful, and we loved the Mediterranean lifestyle. But over time, we realized we were looking for something slightly different. We wanted a place that felt more active day-to-day, where walking and cycling weren’t just possible but preferred.
That search led us to Annecy in late 2025. Here, life naturally revolves around movement. The city makes it easy to walk, bike, and spend time outdoors. You can go from the center of town to a bike park or ski station without needing a car. We traded beaches for a clear alpine lake and hot summers for colder winters, but for us, it’s been the right balance.
This move was also made possible by a longer-term financial decision. For about a decade, we focused on saving and investing with the goal of financial independence. By 2024, we were able to step away from our corporate jobs and live off our investments. That flexibility made it possible to move to a country like France, where traditional work visas or digital nomad paths can be limited.
We don’t consider ourselves fully retired, but we do have the freedom to choose how and where we spend our time.
This site exists to make your path easier. Whether you’re applying for a French visa, planning a move, or just exploring the idea, you’ll find practical, experience-based information here.
When we were figuring this out ourselves, resources from people like Frugal Vagabond, Eric Gideon, and many others were incredibly helpful. Our goal is to do the same by sharing clear, searchable, and honest accounts of what the process actually looks like without the information getting lost in forums or private groups.