Your guide to moving to France and building a life here.
About Us
We’re Brendan and Susie, an American–Chinese couple raising our daughter Genny in the Paris area.
When we first came here, the process was overwhelming — visas, housing, healthcare, paperwork, culture shock… it felt like we had to reinvent the wheel every step of the way.
We built the Relocation Roadmap to give others the guide we wish we’d had. Practical, detailed, and personal — not just theory, but lived experience from a family that has navigated the system.
The first edition launches October 1, 2025, at €99.
Right now, as early supporters, you can pre-order for just €48 — a way to thank you for joining us at the beginning.
Why We Made This Guide
Moving to France isn’t just about getting on a plane. It’s about navigating a new culture, a new bureaucracy, and a new way of life.
We’ve gathered everything we learned — from applying for visas and opening bank accounts, to finding housing, enrolling kids in daycare, and making friends in your new community.
This is more than a checklist. It’s a roadmap for building a real life here.
Pre-order today for €48 (over 50% off the launch price of €99).
You’ll lock in the discount and be among the first to receive the full guide when it’s released October 1, 2025.
What’s Inside
Here’s what you’ll get inside the Chez Davis Relocation Roadmap:
Step-by-step visa and residency options (visitor, student, family, work, entrepreneur).
Housing explained — rentals, guarantors, buying, utilities, hidden costs.
Healthcare decoded — Carte Vitale, CPAM, top-up mutuelles, doctors, pharmacies.
Finance made clear — bank accounts, credit cards, international transfers, taxes.
Daily life basics — grocery shopping, mobile phone contracts, internet setup.
Transportation mastery — metro, buses, trams, trains, SNCF, airports, rideshare.
Cultural integration — language learning, politeness, social expectations, making friends.
Raising kids in France — daycare, schools, healthcare, cultural tips.
Work and business — finding jobs, freelancing, entrepreneurship, registering companies.
Survival phrases & practical language — the 20 most useful French words and phrases for daily life.
Our personal lessons learned — what surprised us most, mistakes to avoid, and tips for thriving.
💡 Bonus: Pre-order now and you’ll also get exclusive access to small-group Q&A calls with us (Brendan & Susie) — a chance to ask your questions directly and learn from others on the same journey.
Detailed Outline
1. Getting Started
Preparing before you leave
Visas and residence permits explained
Documentation checklist
2. Finding Your Home
Renting in France (requirements, paperwork, agencies vs. private)
Using guarantors (GarantMe, family, bank guarantees)
Signing a lease & understanding tenant rights
Setting up utilities (EDF, water, gas, internet, mobile)
3. Money & Banking
Opening a bank account as a foreigner
Online banks vs. traditional banks
International transfers & exchange fees
Credit cards, debit cards, and checks in France
Understanding taxes as an expat
4. Healthcare & Insurance
How French healthcare works (CPAM, Carte Vitale)
Top-up mutuelle insurance explained
Visiting doctors, dentists, pharmacies
Reimbursements & how to appeal
Having a baby in France (step-by-step process)
5. Transportation
Navigating the Paris metro & RER
Regional trains & SNCF
Long-distance TGV
Airports & budget airlines
Taxis, rideshare apps, scooters, bikes
6. Daily Life Logistics
Grocery shopping & what’s different
Setting up mobile phone & internet
Shopping basics (where to buy what)
Administrative offices (Préfecture, Mairie, CPAM)
How to book appointments, get documents
7. Language & Integration
Your options for learning French: apps, online courses, in-person schools, tutors
Language exchange meetups & cafés
Politeness and social expectations
Making friends in France: where and how
Top 20 French words/phrases for daily survival
8. Culture & Community
Work culture in France vs. abroad
Parenting culture & daycare system
Social etiquette (invites, greetings, formality)
National holidays & how they affect daily life
Tips for blending in and thriving as an expat
9. Work & Business
Finding jobs as an expat
Freelancing & registering as auto-entrepreneur
Starting a company (SAS, SARL, etc.)
Networking in your industry
Taxes & social charges overview
10. Raising Kids in France
Pregnancy & childbirth
Crèche & daycare options
Preschool & elementary schools
Pediatricians & child healthcare
Cultural expectations for parents
11. Our Story & Lessons Learned
What we wish we had known
Biggest mistakes and how to avoid them
Personal anecdotes: from the Préfecture to playgrounds
Why we stayed — and why we love raising our daughter here
Here’s a small taste of what you’ll find inside:
Excerpt: Health Care Basics
In France, you don’t just show up at a random doctor’s office (unless they post that they accept walk-ins/new patients). You choose and declare a médecin traitant (primary doctor), present your Carte Vitale, and typically pay for the visit at the appointment. Don’t worry—you’re reimbursed later through the national health system.
One of the most useful resources for finding that doctor in the first place is Doctolib.fr (also available as an app, with an English-language option). It lets you search for providers of all types—general practitioners, specialists, dentists, therapists—and filter by languages spoken. Each profile clearly shows the doctor’s education, background, specialties, and fees, and in most cases you can book directly online. It’s a lifesaver for navigating care in a new country.
Closing Invitation
Whether you’re curious about moving, planning a relocation, or already living in France, this guide is designed to help you succeed.
Your purchase help support our family and our channel — and hopefully saves you countless hours, headaches, and missteps.
Thank you!
Brendan, Susie, & Genny Davis
