John98103
American expat in France
Forum posts
43
About me
American
Lives in Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussil
Registration: 08 December 2015
US and Spain Taxes for US Expat
As I understand it, as a retired US person, Spain taxes my worldwide income (social security, pension and if I were to sell my house in the US, capital gains). Is all of that tax written off against my US tax obligation so it essentially zeros out? ... Read More
Friends in Montpellier? by celia501
Hi everyone! My name is Celia, I'm from Boston USA, and I've lived in Montpellier with my boyfriend since August. My boyfriend is French and I'm currently learning the language at a university here. I've been finding it very ...
I'll be arriving a week from Saturday - let me know if you're interested in meeting for coffee - Read More
Dating and finding love as an expat in France by Priscilla
Hello, With cultural barriers and different dating norms, finding love as an expat abroad can be exciting and challenging at the same time. Is it easy to meet other fellow single people in France? How do you go about meeting people ...
OK - what dating sites work well in France? And, which do not? Read More
US cell phones while traveling to France by GuestPoster2204
We're planning a trip to France next year. Does anyone knows of an easy way to get our US cell phones (Verizon) to still work in France, at least for voice and text? I'm trying to avoid changing plans for just a couple of weeks. Thanks!
My experience is that Verizon doesn't work, though they tell you it does with their euro package (something like that) - and their tech support is in French or Italian, which may be of limited value. T-mobile (owned by Deutsche Telecom) works ... Read More
Planning our move to Spain by Ellen1311
Hi Everyone My husband and I are planning to move to Spain. We like the area around Peniscola, but are not finally decided on this, so any advice you can give would be very gratefully received. We want to be within walking distance of the beach, ...
I'm curious - Why Peniscola, Ellen? Read More
Moving to Italy for 1 year - advice on school, car, apartment, etc by nicwojo
Hello, all- My name is Nicole & I currently live in California. We (my husband, myself & 8 year-old son) are planning to move to Italy in summer 2019 for one year. A few questions I could really use help/guidance with: a- we are leaning ...
Renault has a long-term lease program - new cars, zero deductible (just return the steering wheel and you're good, the rental agency said) - just return to where you pick it up and you can buy the car if you want. This might get you started ... Read More
Visa application process- problems with fingerprints by Vsmith52
Hi everyone, We have an appointment March 1st at the Italian Embassy in Chicago to apply for our elective residency visa. I am an RN and have actively worked as an RN for 44 years. Over the years I have had increasing difficulty with anyone being ...
SureID (https://www.sureid.com/) works through UPS stores (and perhaps others) and will get you FBI background check in a couple of hours - yes, that is true. And no, I don't work for them. It's $55 as I recall. Local police (called a ... Read More
Cost of living 2018 in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, As per our annual tradition, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and ...
This website has cost comparisons for two cities at a time - just about anywhere. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Marseille Read More
Spain Non Lucrative Visa by jjmcmillin35
Hello! I am contemplating applying for the Spanish non-lucrative Visa and I have a few questions about this process so hoping someone else has done it and can help me out! 1 I work remotely for a US company. Would this be a permissible source of ...
I believe the visa application package includes - - background check from the FBI and your local police - not wanted for anything and not a registered sex offender. There's an outfit that has scanners at some UPS stores and you get the FBI ... Read More
Cost of living/taxes by dcebikes
Hi! This forum has provided some great information on what it would cost to live in France. I'm not rich, but pension and social security from retiring from the U.S. Postal Service should be about €1,800/month after paying my health ...
You can get some pretty accurate cost of living data here - compare two cities: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ Read More
Taxes - France or Spain?
Thanks - How long have you been in France? How do you like it? Read More
Single, Senior Woman by MaiaSeattle
My name is Maia. I am a freelance writer living in the Seattle, WA area. I'm working on an article about what it is like to live the expat life as a senior, single woman. I'm researching this partly because I want to write the article, but ...
Did you finish your piece? I'd like to read it - I'm a senior in Seattle (Wallingford), moving to Spain. Read More
How has your life changed in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to France? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
most mentally depressed country in the world??? Read More
Americans moving to Valencia.......maybe? by nyyfan30
Hi there. My wife and I are planning to move to Europe within the next 2-3 years (we hope). We will be young retired people. We have narrowed it down to Lisbon and Valencia.....and we would be doing the Golden Visa program. Each city has ...
Cost comparison of the two - about the same: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Spain&country2=Portugal&city1=Valencia&city2=Lisbon&tracking=getDispatchComparison Read More
Taxes - France or Spain?
So the 8% is on the French income tax number, even though you don't pay it? Read More
Americans moving to Valencia.......maybe? by nyyfan30
Hi there. My wife and I are planning to move to Europe within the next 2-3 years (we hope). We will be young retired people. We have narrowed it down to Lisbon and Valencia.....and we would be doing the Golden Visa program. Each city has ...
I was in Lisbon this past March; I too am planning to relocate though sooner than you. I enjoyed my 6 days there very much - the people are nice and fun and most spoke English - at least enough to make things work. The city is very old with lots ... Read More
Taxes - France or Spain?
I'm an American retired soon-to-be expat, deciding between France and Spain for long-term relocation (extended stay, retirement, non-lucative, etc.) My question is about income taxes. All income will be from the US; pension, 401K distributions ... Read More
USA, Flight Attendant Moving to Paris Area.
How is your time in France going, Octbaby? Read More
Meet english speaking people in the Paris area by NicoDesma
Hello everybody, my name is Nicolas. I'm 38 and living and working in Paris. I would like to meet English speaking people to improve my English and help them to improve the French if they wish. I like sports, travels and go around. I'm ...
Check out Meetup and Facebook - many expat groups there. Read More
expat groups in italy by james ludwick
hello I'm just wondering if there are expat groups in Italian cities(I'm looking primarily at Rome)that assist newcomers with the assimilation process,advice regarding employment and lodging,general everyday issues etc. Thanks.
Might want to check Facebook - Read More
Madrid or Barcelona? by John98103
Investigating Madrid and Barcelona to move to as a retired expat; in Madrid right now. Was talking to a group of Madrid locals last evening - they thought Madrid was more of a real city and Barcelona more of a tourist destination; Madrid has more ...
Seems like Malaga is somewhat a small Barcelona - nice size but not huge, not quite as frenetic, good nightlife scene, many expats - and I would think, cheaper. Read More
Madrid or Barcelona?
Investigating Madrid and Barcelona to move to as a retired expat; in Madrid right now. Was talking to a group of Madrid locals last evening - they thought Madrid was more of a real city and Barcelona more of a tourist destination; Madrid has more ... Read More
Retirement/Non-Lucrative Visa
What is a 'Retirement/Non-Lucrative Visa' (as it's called in Spain) called in Portugal? What is the annual income requirement for one person? Do you get it at the Portuguese consulate in the US - if you currently live in the US? Thanks Read More
Shot Down in Flames by Italian Consulate in Philadelphia by editorneal
After nine years of planning, working with friends and realtors in Vicenza, purchased flight tickets, arrangement for transportation of household goods shipment and veterinary and travel arrangements for family cat, the dreams of my wife and I have ...
mlbucine - What income number were you told was needed? Or was it some other reason for your rejection? Read More
Do you like living in Spain?
A similar question was posted on the Italy forum (and may have been posted here as well - haven't found it), with predictably interesting responses (love Italy and hate Italy). So, do you like living in Spain? Where? Why or why not? Thanks Read More
Are you happy in Italy? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Italy? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Can you provide some details? Thanks Read More
Are you happy in Italy? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Italy? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
That's a pretty strong statement - Can you provide some detail? Read More
Craigslist Apartment Rentals in Barcelona
Have been looking at apartment rental listing on craigslist in Barcelona. Some people have said that many/most are fake - someone just wants your credit card number. And some do seem suspicious - beautiful 2 bd rm place (in the photos) for ... Read More
Retirement Visa by highyieldconsultant
My wife and I are looking to move to Barcelona on a 'retirement visa' ... we previously lived in Europe for 4 years when I represented the US Department of Labor ... Is anyone posting here living in Spain on a retirement visa? how is it ...
You mean leave the country (Spain in this case) ? For how long? Where do we find the financial requirements? Thanks Read More
Shot Down in Flames by Italian Consulate in Philadelphia by editorneal
After nine years of planning, working with friends and realtors in Vicenza, purchased flight tickets, arrangement for transportation of household goods shipment and veterinary and travel arrangements for family cat, the dreams of my wife and I have ...
Just wondering - Do the consulates track your application/meeting, so that applying at another one would be a problem ('Hey you already applied at Philly and were rejected')? Or return to the Philadelphia office in hopes of finding a ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Italy by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Italy means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
How do you like living in Florence? Read More
Expand your social circle in Italy by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Italy means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
How does one find this blog? Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Italy? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Italy, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
You seem to be quite emphatic - care to elaborate? Read More