Janice, a spirited 73-year-old, made a bold decision three years ago to leave the United States and move to France. Settling in the picturesque town of Fontainebleau, just southeast of Paris, she has fully embraced her new life with no plans to return permanently to her homeland. Her journey reflects a profound shift in perspective, as she believes she is "the best person for me" in France.
The inspiration for her move stemmed from her admiration for the way French women dress, sparking a desire to experience this lifestyle firsthand. Janice's critique of American culture highlights her distaste for the focus on "the almighty dollar," which she feels dominates U.S. society. In contrast, she appreciates the French emphasis on family, noting that it is one of the best aspects of living there.
Initially, Janice faced challenges adjusting to her new environment. The stress of simple tasks like grocery shopping was overwhelming at times. However, her resolve never wavered. As she settled into her new life, she observed clear distinctions in how business is conducted in France compared to the U.S., particularly in real estate. She remarked that in the U.S., realtors often don't respond promptly, whereas in France, priorities differ.
“Here it may be two or three days, because you are not priority,” she explained, adding that, “Their family is priority… and what’s going on in their life.”
Fontainebleau's proximity to Paris allows Janice frequent visits to the city she adores. Each trip offers her a chance to immerse herself in the culture and enjoy simple pleasures like sipping hot chocolate while watching the world go by.
“I just watched everybody and looked, went and had a hot chocolate and sat there and thought, ‘Okay, I’m done. I’m going home now,’” she recounted with a smile.
Despite living alone, Janice insists that loneliness is not an issue for her.
“Because I am one that really doesn’t get lonely. I live alone, but I’m not alone,” she stated confidently.
Her support system plays a vital role in her contentment abroad. Her daughter Jennifer stands firmly behind Janice's decision to live in France, providing encouragement from afar. Additionally, Janice has cultivated a community through her YouTube channel, "Janice in France," where she shares her experiences with nearly 30,000 subscribers.
Language remains a hurdle for Janice, as she admits her French hasn't improved significantly despite taking lessons. She often relies on English-speaking locals to communicate but remains optimistic about her situation.
“I’m still trying to learn the language, but I live in a beautiful town where the people are so very kind to me,” she expressed.
Janice's story is one of embracing change and stepping out of comfort zones. She hopes her journey will inspire others to take risks and live life without regrets.
“People, they get older, I think they get so comfortable where they are that they don’t want to step out of that little safe zone,” she reflected. “And, man, once you step out of it, it’s so great. It’s awesome.”
Her philosophy on life remains open-ended and adventurous.
“It could be maybe I want to move closer to my kids, or maybe I want to move away from my kids… Or maybe I want to take maybe two or three months out of the year… I want to travel,” she mused.
