The European Way!

My escape to France followed a few years of living in Portugal.  You may ask, Why didn't I like Portugal?  If you are living anywhere outside of Lisbon or Porto, then, from my perspective, things can get a little boring if you are not a beach bum or surfer.  Plus, I didn't like the number of tourists that engulf Portugal daily.  The small towns were boring, and the large cities were too touristy.  The small towns often felt like something out of a Grimm's fairy tale simply because some of the people were still struggling to live in the 21st Century.  The interesting thing is that many small villages in Europe often struggle with this concept.  France is more modern, with excellent food and greater diversity.  France is strategically located near Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Spain, allowing for an influx of diverse foods, people, activities, and events.   It is the go-to place for Europeans wanting to brush up on their French, so you'll find many people from other countries attending French language schools or vacationing in the South of France.  While some French people vacation in Portugal by motorhome or recreational vehicle.  Traveling by motorhome is popular in Europe, and many people own properties that they rent out, allowing them to travel in Europe.  This is especially true of the surfers.

France is a prime location for dipping your toes into other countries when free time prevails.  It can take 7-8 hours by car to travel from the South of France to Paris, 3-4 hours to travel from Montpellier to Barcelona, Spain, and 5-6 hours to travel from Paris to Amsterdam.  All of these times are significantly reduced when you travel by train or plane.  Additionally, you can travel with a pet by train, provided your furry friend is muzzled; however, this is sometimes not enforced.

Everything that I have in the good old U.S.A. can be found in France.  The only thing missing is quality furniture that's not overpriced.  I was an Ikea fan until I traveled and lived in Europe.  In the U.S.A., IKEA is known for its affordable items, but in Europe, it's the only store for almost everything, and this is not ideal.  If you like Airbnb, then get used to using all Ikea furniture in the rentals unless you are paying a hefty fee for your quarters. Additionally, housing is much older, with numerous walk-ups, cracks in the walls, and little to no heat, unless you're willing to pay U.S. rental prices for modern amenities in a large European city.  I'm talking about elevators, air conditioning, and no cracks!  No matter where you live in the world, housing in a large city will cost way more than housing in small villages or towns.

Is the European life worth it? Most definitely, and in future blogs, I will continue to discuss why, the best places to live, what to avoid, who to avoid, and how to survive the European way!