ollyparkhouse
MemberEnglish expat in France
Forum
16 posts
About me
English
Lives in Bordeaux
Registration: 25 August 2011
Activity
The importance of local language in France by Cheryl
Hey everyone, As an expat, language questions often arise due to the need to communicate effectively in a new country. We’re curious to read your experiences with learning and using the local language in France. Here are some questions to get ...
@Cheryl The importance of local language is perhaps one that is underestimated. Many expats believe everyone speaks English, but in rural areas this is not relevant. To be able to integrate with neighbours, social clubs, it is mandatory. You will ... Read More
Brexit Titre de Séjour by markus674
Hey there fellow expats, I've been living in Paris since November 2019 so I completed an application for a post-Brexit titre de séjour last year. I received an invitation to go for an interview with the préfecture this week so I was ...
Hi there is no formal interview for this titre de sejour. Go there with all the docs you need (passport, passport sized photo, proof of address etc etc). This is more of an administrative process and actually the queuing is longer than the time you ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in France by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in France. What is ...
Apart from no doubt Paris, the face that everything is shut between 12-2 and Sundays takes getting used to. Simple things like popping to the Post-Office, going to the bank, trying to purhcase a car at a garage are not possible. It can be very ... Read More
moving to Bx with kids, how not to lose the language.. by sophieAussi
Hello everyone, I am moving back to Bx after more than 10 years abroad (UK-USA-Australia), but with kids (2 and 5). They never lived in France, and the oldest one has always been in English nursery, kindi, pre school, ans school etc. But this summer ...
Hi This was our concern. Although we both speak English, we speak more French than English on a daily basis. We ended up getting Sky TV. You need to go through a broker (as it isn't 100% allowed according to sky) but you can get all the ... Read More
awesome blog for expats and lovers of france :) by EliseBordeaux
http://beaubeaubourgeoisie.wordpress.com/
Many thanks Elise. We are just moving into the area and have 2 kids 5 & 8 who i dont want to lose their englsih. Also shocking you share the same B'day as me. Olly Read More
Thinking of moving to Bordeaux... by richarderider
After a few years of vacationing nearby for the beaches(we live in Normandy,) we're thinking of Bordeaux as a place to live. Have lived 30 years in France between the country and Paris but find Bordeaux extremely enchanting;not too big, nor small, ...
Hi I guess it depends on exactly what you are looking for. Do you want to live in the centre of town or in the suburbs. With the tramway the suburbs are quite a good choice as you still have good access routes into town, but you can escape to the ... Read More
Living in Bordeaux by expat.com
You are an expatriate living in Bordeaux, or you used to work and live in Bordeaux. Share your expat experience! How would you describe life in Bordeaux? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find a job, and an accomodation? Is it ...
we have tried to get best of both a moved to around Ste Helene. its 10 mins from the lake, which is great for young kids and 15 mins from the coast. there is also a cycle path that goes all the way from Lacanau to Bordeaux, and goes via Ste ... Read More
Living in Bordeaux by expat.com
You are an expatriate living in Bordeaux, or you used to work and live in Bordeaux. Share your expat experience! How would you describe life in Bordeaux? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find a job, and an accomodation? Is it ...
there are lots of areas around Bordeaux, but iguess the big question is how close do you want to be to the centre of town. the places mentioned above are very popular. To be honest if you take a map of Bordeaux and look at the places that are to ... Read More
Any expats with kids in Bordeaux? by igor1973
Hi there just moved down in beautiful Bordeaux with wife & kids, trying to figure out where english-speaking expats hang out. For sure i could try a few Irish pubs but although not an old fart yet, i'm getting close to 40 and probably should try ...
Hi, we have recently moved to Bordeaux, our 2 boys are 7 and 4, although they are currently in Bergerac at the moment with their granparents. We are looking to live in the suburbs of Bordeaux either north or over to the west....not sure yet. This ... Read More
considering moving to bordeaux or near bordeaux area by frankie.christo
Hi all, i am new to this forum but would appreciate any advice about moving to France. I am a qualified nursery nurse and speak only english and my husband is a carpenter who has very little english. We have 3 children aged 6,5 and 11 months old. ...
Hi Frankie, and welcome to Bordeaux. I have also recetly arrived, although I know Bordeaux as I studied here here at Uni. You have taken all the right steps, as to integrate, French is an absolute. I have 2 boys 4 and 7, and we have put them ... Read More
Living in Bordeaux by expat.com
You are an expatriate living in Bordeaux, or you used to work and live in Bordeaux. Share your expat experience! How would you describe life in Bordeaux? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find a job, and an accomodation? Is it ...
Hi Alexan, I am currently living and working in Bordeaux, mainly in the CUB area. If you want slightly more space to live then the CUB area is a must, but house prices are quite high (i say that and i am from the UK). The most popular places at the ... Read More