Hi there! We’re Julien and Maybelline, and we’re in the middle of one of the biggest transitions of our lives—moving from bustling Singapore to the peaceful countryside of France. We’ve been dreaming of this for years, and now that it’s finally happening, we wanted to share our preparations, experiences, and some of the challenges we’re facing along the way.
Why Brittany?
Choosing Brittany as our destination was one of the easiest decisions we’ve made in this process. There’s something magical about its rugged coastlines, charming villages, and lush green countryside.
We’ve always been drawn to its slow pace of life, the history, and of course, the appeal of the homesteading lifestyle. After years of city living, we’re craving a deeper connection with nature, and Brittany seems like the perfect place to build our future.
One of the things we love most about Brittany is its sense of community. Even though we’re moving to a rural area, it feels welcoming and alive with local traditions. We’re excited to become a part of that. The slower pace will be a big change from Singapore, but it’s exactly what we’re looking for—a chance to breathe, reset, and live more intentionally.
Researching Brittany’s Culture and Lifestyle
Before we make the move, we’ve been diving into everything we can about Brittany’s unique culture. It’s fascinating how different it is from the rest of France—there’s even a regional language called Breton! While we don’t plan on learning Breton fluently (at least not yet), Maybelline is definitely working on her French skills.
We’ve also been reading up on Brittany’s many festivals and traditions, from music to local food markets. One of the things we’re really looking forward to is immersing ourselves in the local way of life—celebrating the seasons, trying regional delicacies, and even learning a bit about sustainable farming from our future neighbours.
Preparing Logistically for the Move
Of course, moving across the world requires a lot of logistical planning. We’ve spent countless hours researching visa requirements, housing options, paperwork for moving our birds, and everything in between.
Visa and Legal Requirements
Navigating the visa process is definitely one of the more challenging parts. Because we’re coming from outside the EU, we’ve had to make sure all of our paperwork is in order well in advance. The French bureaucracy is known for being a bit slow, so we’re learning to be patient!
Finding Our Future Home
While we’re still in Singapore, we’ve started looking at potential properties in Brittany online. Ideally, we want a house with some land where we can grow our own food and have space for wildlife to thrive. We’re not looking for anything too fancy—just a cozy place where we can live sustainably and pursue our dream of homesteading. There are quite a few options, but it’s not so easy to find THE one!
Financial Planning
Another big part of our preparations is budgeting. Moving to rural France will be a lot cheaper than staying in Singapore, but we still need to be prepared for the initial costs of relocating and setting up our homestead. We’ve been putting aside savings and trying to be realistic about what it will cost to build the life we want in Brittany.
Preparing Mentally for the Transition
Beyond the paperwork and logistics, there’s also the mental preparation. Moving from a fast-paced city like Singapore to a much slower rural lifestyle is going to take some adjustment. We’re used to having everything at our fingertips—whether it’s public transport, entertainment, or food delivery. But that’s all going to change, and we’re actually really excited about it!
We’re trying to embrace the idea of slowing down and enjoying a more deliberate way of life. Of course, there are some nerves about feeling isolated or taking on too much too quickly, but we’re ready for the challenge.
Steps We’re Taking Now to Prepare
Even though we’re not physically in Brittany yet, there are still plenty of things we can do to prepare from here in Singapore.
Learning New Skills
One of our big goals in Brittany is to live more self-sufficiently, and that means learning new skills. We’ve started practicing small-scale gardening on our balcony here in Singapore, and it’s been great preparation for the larger garden we’ll have in France. Julien’s also been brushing up on his DIY skills, building small projects that we’ll be able to expand on once we’re in Brittany.
Research and Learning Resources
We’ve been devouring books, blogs, and YouTube channels about homesteading, permaculture, and living sustainably. There’s so much to learn, and we’re making sure to soak up as much as we can before we get started. One of our favourite resources has been learning from other homesteaders who’ve shared their journeys online—it’s been super inspiring and motivating. We can’t wait to be doing the same!
Conclusion
This is just the beginning of our journey, and there’s still so much to do and learn before we finally arrive in Brittany. We’re excited, nervous, and ready for the adventure ahead. If you’re interested in following along, stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for this life-changing move from urban Singapore to rural France. We’ll be sharing everything we learn along the way!
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