At 80 years old, CAROLE CARSON made one of the most daring moves of her life that she believes saved it—moving to France. Carson currently lives in Truckee, CA, in the Sierra Nevada. As a result, her hometown paper in Nevada City, California—and her own transformative journey through the baneful good ol’ boy network. Author photo Nikki Greene She has written four novels to date, focusing on her experience and the life-changing power of her new surroundings.
Carson’s journey is an inspiring tale of beauty, grit, and reinvention. Following a long winter of introspection, she admitted that something had to give. This dual awareness catalyzed her eventual decision to relocate overseas. This life-changing decision strikes a chord with people across the world looking for fresh starts in new countries.
New Beginnings
A long-held dream took Jennie Vercouteren to France — and she took the plunge in 2016. Along with her partner, Ward, she relocated to the French Pyrenees, entering the competitive world of property management. Their first set-up as they ventured into this new barnyard proved problematic.
“I had the dream of France … the dream was not as easy as I thought at all,” Vercouteren shared about her transition. The young couple had a rocky beginning in the property management realm, but overcame the initial bumps in the road.
Looking back on their process, Vercouteren said, “We have no regrets about the decision we made. To this day, few expatriates express anything other than a profound sense of fulfillment. They honor this spirit even as they overcame the challenges put before them to get here.
Finding Home
Another American, Pennie Zuercher, who recently relocated from Florida to Nice, France, agrees with Taylor’s conclusion. Now in her early 60s, Zuercher said she finally feels at home in her own right. Nice is what Florida would like to think it is, she commented, highlighting her affection for the exciting culture and lifestyle found in the south of France.
The Zuerchers’ move comes as temperatures soar across much of Western Europe, where Switzerland just experienced its hottest June on record. In spite of the climate obstacles, Zuercher is looking forward to feeling even more at home in her new surroundings.
Zuercher shared how she overcame the challenges of adjusting to a new country. She struck a chord with other expatriates, who were just as confused and overwhelmed—and excited, maybe more than anything—by their new lives.
Shared Experiences
Geoff, an expatriate, wrote about the good and bad of life in France while recognizing that no country is without its problems. Now, we’re not going around with rose-colored glasses saying that France is perfect, but it really fits us,” he continued. This tempered view is a realistic expression of what most people experience when they live outside the country—focusing on and appreciating the beauty and the struggle.
Each person’s path is different. What is common among them all is their incredible spirit and grit as they pursue their aspirations on unfamiliar shores. These Americans are leading the way and starting to enjoy their new lives in France. Moving home is inspiring great personal development and a greater sense of purpose.
