Language the only barrier
Sep 16th 2008, 2:20 pm
#31
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: 41400 Montrichard, Loir et Cher, since 2004
Posts: 343
Re: Language the only barrier
I know I have posted on this matter before, but having been here over four years and meeting loads of ex-pats, I can assure you that getting work here is really hard, even if you have the language skills. I don't want to be a killjoy, really I don't but I know of two families who have gone back in the past few months, because they can't find work or can't earn enough on one wage to support a small family
. I have a french friend who has a splendid CV (had a private meeting with US President etc), she currently works for the family firm, she has applied for other jobs but to no avail, she reckons there are 15 people for each job, minimum. I have another friend (teacher) who has been here 25+years and struggles to find work (she spent most of last year working in a care home in the UK)You must realise that if you are an employer you have to pay immense social contributions and so to employ anyone is cripplingly expensive - one reason we don't want to employ anyone! Many workers are on fixed contracts as it can be very difficult to get rid of an employee.
There are loads of postings on employment on this forum, I recommend you read them. If you have a qualification it may be possible to convert this to a French certificate but as I understand it these are limited. (My design degree would be worth zip!
) Qualifications are a must-have here. Preferably French qualifications.I personally wouldn't advise anyone to move over here without any income, especially if they have a family to feed. Sorry to be blunt, but I like to think am a realist
. Frankly it can be tough with an income 
It might take ages to learn French but it would take you even longer to get a job without it. Depends how committed you are, 120% minimum is about right
They used to say that living in France was cheaper than the UK, this may be so but the wages are less, often a lot less so it balances out. Supermarket prices are going up here just as in the UK, it is Europewide if not global. There are six in our house and I'm certainly noticing the price rises
So I'm sorry, this is not what you want to hear but you should be absolutely sure you can make this work, do your homework! Many things are more difficult here, if I was in the UK for instance I would have gone back to uni, don't have that option here.
I'm not suggesting for one minute that you are in this league, but when I told a neighbour in the UK we were moving to France, she said "ooh, we had thought about moving to France", oh, I said, really, "yeah, but we've never been to France...
"
Sue
Sep 16th 2008, 4:05 pm
#32
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,094
Re: Language the only barrier
Not sure which supermarkets youl have but in the Perpignan and Montpellier areas (2 of which I have lived in in the past 7 months) the shops are very expensive. Carefour is probably the most reasonable or Auchen. I have a family, for a family of 4 my groceries come to over 160 euros a week - if I am lucky - and believe you me that is without any wine or other luxuary items. So I'll have what you've got if it's in France that is!!?
Sep 16th 2008, 4:08 pm
#33
Grey Bombshell
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: La Feuillee, Brittany
Posts: 1,441
Re: Language the only barrier
Stan, some people prefer to keep their cats and dogs as pets.
Hope you had a good holiday - go somewhere nice?
Hope you had a good holiday - go somewhere nice?
Sep 16th 2008, 4:19 pm
#35
Grey Bombshell
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: La Feuillee, Brittany
Posts: 1,441
Re: Language the only barrier
Stan, one of these days, I'll find that sense of humour you have lurking somewhere and make you laugh!!!
Sep 16th 2008, 7:15 pm
#36
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: Language the only barrier
Aw c'mon Stanage, prices here in the supermarkets are just as dear as the UK now, maybe more - potatoes nearly 5 Euros for a sack of 5 kilos and sprouts so expensive we are rationed to 5 each! I've noticed a sharp increase in prices over the last 3 years.
Or maybe you have found a bargain basement? I use SuperU and Lidl, where do you shop?
Or maybe you have found a bargain basement? I use SuperU and Lidl, where do you shop?
Sep 16th 2008, 7:26 pm
#37
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Language the only barrier
Potatoes at almost 1 € a kilo? They must be "bio" at that price and there comes a point when you have to choose between ecology and economy.... Also, I never eat sprouts in France, i) they are too expensive (and ii) OH doesn't like them anyway.) I eat them (and parsnips, unheard of in my area) in England when I go over on a visit and that suffices! It's certainly true that even humble veg like carrots, turnips, cabbage, have gone up in price in recent years. But then, so have wages.....
Sep 16th 2008, 7:37 pm
#38
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,094
Re: Language the only barrier
Potatoes at almost 1 € a kilo? They must be "bio" at that price and there comes a point when you have to choose between ecology and economy.... Also, I never eat sprouts in France, i) they are too expensive (and ii) OH doesn't like them anyway.) I eat them (and parsnips, unheard of in my area) in England when I go over on a visit and that suffices! It's certainly true that even humble veg like carrots, turnips, cabbage, have gone up in price in recent years. But then, so have wages.....
Eat the French way.
Forget English food.
Eat a good diet.
Sep 16th 2008, 7:47 pm
#42
Grey Bombshell
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: La Feuillee, Brittany
Posts: 1,441
Re: Language the only barrier
I thought Stan might be doing a "Gollum" impression