Hello again! We’re Julien and Maybelline, and today we’re sharing another big part of our journey—preparing to leave behind our fast-paced life in urban Singapore and embrace the quiet, rustic charm of rural France.
While this move means that Julien is returning to his home country, it’s still a huge transition for both of us. It’s not just about the physical relocation; we’re facing a complete lifestyle change that challenges us mentally, financially, and logistically.
Mental Preparation for the Transition
Adjusting to a Slower Pace of Life
One of the biggest challenges for us—especially for Maybelline—has been mentally preparing for the slower pace of life in France. Julien is originally from France and has spent a lot of time in the countryside in his childhood, so he has a sense of what to expect, but even for him, moving to a rural area will be a significant change from the lively, urban life we’ve been living in Singapore. For Maybelline, the shift will be even more dramatic, going from one of the most fast-paced cities in the world to the peaceful countryside.
The idea of moving to a place where things move at a much slower rhythm is both exciting and daunting. We know we’ll need to adjust to stores closing early, fewer amenities, and fewer options for entertainment—but we’re ready to embrace the quiet and simplicity that rural life offers.
To help with this shift, we’ve been trying to incorporate more mindfulness into our lives. Taking things slower in our day-to-day routine here in Singapore, spending more time outdoors, and even just learning to enjoy the quiet moments are all helping us get into the mindset of rural living. It’s been a gradual process, but we think it’s an essential part of the transition.
Embracing Potential Isolation
Rural living also means a different kind of social life. In Singapore, we’re surrounded by people all the time—whether it’s at work, in the MRT, or just walking through the city. France, on the other hand, will offer more solitude, which we’re looking forward to, but we know it could feel isolating at times. We’re preparing for this by setting expectations with each other and being proactive about building a new community once we’re settled.
We’ve already started looking into local events, cultural festivals, and expat groups in France. Plus, we’ll have our parrots for company, which we’ll get to later in this article!
Building a New Routine
Our new life in France is going to require a completely different routine, one that focuses on homesteading, DIY projects, and living off the land. It’s going to be a huge change from our urban schedules.
To prepare, we’ve been reading up on homesteading and watching LOTS of YouTube videos, and slowly introducing elements of that lifestyle into our current routine—like growing our own herbs, learning basic DIY skills, and planning for a much more hands-on daily life.
We’re excited about the possibilities, but we also know it’s going to take time to adapt. Building a sustainable and fulfilling routine will be one of our main focuses once we settle in.
Financial Preparation for the Transition
Budgeting for the Move
The financial side of things has been a huge focus for us, especially since moving across the world isn’t cheap! We’ve been saving and budgeting for months, knowing that the initial costs of relocating, finding a new home, and setting up our homestead will be significant.
We’ve broken it down into smaller, manageable steps: budgeting for the actual move, estimating the cost of living in France, and preparing for unexpected expenses. From getting quotes for shipping our belongings to setting aside money for renovations or emergencies, it’s been a process of balancing excitement with practicality.
Adjusting to a New Cost of Living
While rural life in France may be cheaper than Singapore in many aspects, we’re still making sure we have a clear financial plan. The cost of living in France is generally lower (except for taxes!), especially outside the major cities, but there are always surprises with such a big move.
We’re particularly focused on making sure we can live sustainably, which means fewer ongoing expenses but higher upfront costs for things like installing solar panels or setting up rainwater collection systems.
We’ve also taken time to research the everyday costs in France—groceries, utilities, taxes—and it’s been a relief to see that we’ll be able to stretch our budget further in rural France.
Creating a Sustainable Financial Plan
Long-term, our goal is to live a more self-sufficient life, which means being financially independent as much as possible. We’re planning to grow our own food, reduce our reliance on external resources, and eventually become more energy-independent with renewable resources. It’s all part of our commitment to not only embrace rural living but to thrive within it.
Logistical Preparation for the Move
Managing the Legal and Administrative Processes
Navigating the French legal system has been one of the more tedious aspects of the move. The visa process, paperwork, and administrative tasks are all part of the journey, but they can be time-consuming.
As Maybelline is Singaporean, we’ve had to ensure that all our documents are in order—whether it’s applying for long-term visas, setting up a French bank account, or figuring out the tax implications of our move.
We’ve been lucky to find a few expat blogs and online resources that have been really helpful in guiding us through the legal maze. It’s a slow process, but we’re getting there!
Finding a Home in Rural France
Another major logistical challenge has been finding the perfect place to call home. While we’re still in Singapore, we’ve been browsing listings and reaching out to real estate agents in France.
Our dream is to find a property with enough land for a garden, a space for our DIY projects, and plenty of room for wildlife and our future homestead.
It’s been tricky doing all of this from afar, but we’re hopeful that we’ll find the right place soon.
Moving Our 5 Parrots to France
One of the biggest logistical hurdles we’re facing is moving our five beloved parrots to France. It’s not just a matter of packing them up and hopping on a flight—there are strict rules about bringing pets into the EU, especially birds.
We’ve had to research quarantine requirements, veterinary certifications, and the paperwork needed to bring them along. France requires a health certificate issued by a licensed vet, as well as proof of vaccinations. We also need to ensure that they don’t need to be quarantined upon arrival, so we’re working closely with our vet here in Singapore to make sure everything is in order.
In terms of transportation, not all airlines allow parrots to travel in the cabin, which is what we prefer. After lots of research, we found that Korean Air and Saudia are two of the more pet-friendly airlines that allow birds in the cabin on international flights.
We’ve been preparing our parrots for the trip by getting them used to their travel carriers and making sure they’re as comfortable as possible for the long journey ahead.
Moving with parrots is no small feat, but we couldn’t imagine leaving them behind. They’re part of our family, and we’re committed to making sure they have a smooth transition to their new home in France.
Emotional and Social Preparation
Leaving Behind the Familiar
As excited as we are for this new adventure, we can’t ignore the emotional challenges of leaving behind our life in Singapore. We’ve built a routine, friendships, and a way of life that has been comfortable and familiar for years. Saying goodbye to all of that is tough, but we know it’s part of the journey.
We’re making an effort to stay connected with friends and family, and we plan to visit Singapore from time to time. But we’re also ready to embrace the unknown and the opportunities that come with living in a completely new environment.
Building a New Community in Rural France
Once we’re in France, one of our top priorities will be building a new community, especially around gardening. We know it’ll take time to settle in and meet people, especially in a rural area where communities can be tight-knit, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.
Plus, we’re hoping that our homesteading journey will allow us to connect with like-minded people who share our passion for sustainability, rural living, and gardening.
Embracing the Adventure
At the end of the day, we’re embracing this move as an adventure. It’s a chance to start fresh, to live in a way that aligns with our values, and to create the life we’ve been dreaming of for years. Yes, there will be challenges, but we’re ready for them.
Conclusion
The transition from urban Singapore to rural France is a big one, but we’re doing everything we can to prepare mentally, financially, and logistically. It’s a lot of work, but we know it will be worth it. We’re excited to share more about our journey as we continue down this path toward our new life.
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