From California to France: How We Save Money and Work Less

Carmen López · 2026-03-21

Let me tell you something that might sound crazy at first. My family packed up our life in California and moved to a small town in France. And you know what? We're actually saving money while working less to afford the lifestyle we always wanted. It wasn't an easy decision, but looking back, it's been one of the best choices we've ever made. The pace here is different. The priorities have shifted. And our bank account? Well, it's breathing easier these days. ### The California Reality Check Living in California was becoming unsustainable for us. We were both working full-time jobs, sometimes putting in 50-60 hour weeks just to keep up with the mortgage, childcare, and general cost of living. Our 1,500 square foot house cost us over $850,000, and that was considered a "good deal" in our neighborhood. We were constantly stressed about money, even though we were making what should have been comfortable salaries. The childcare alone was costing us $2,500 per month for our two kids. We were running on a treadmill that kept speeding up, and we were getting tired.  ### Discovering French Village Life When we first visited this small town in southwestern France, something clicked. The houses were charming stone buildings with character. The markets sold fresh produce from local farms. People actually sat in cafes and talked instead of rushing to their next appointment. We found a 2,000 square foot stone house with a garden for about $300,000. That's less than half of what our California home cost, and it's actually larger. The property taxes? About $1,200 per year compared to the $8,500 we were paying in California.  ### The Financial Breakdown Let me give you some real numbers that made our jaws drop: - Groceries cost us about 40% less here - Healthcare expenses dropped significantly with France's system - No more $500 monthly car payments (we walk or bike most places) - Entertainment and dining out costs about half what we paid in California - Our utility bills are about 30% lower But here's the real kicker - we don't need to earn as much to maintain our lifestyle. In fact, we've both cut back to part-time remote work, and we're still putting money into savings each month. ### More Than Just Money This move wasn't just about finances though. It was about reclaiming our time and our family life. Our kids now play outside until dusk. We eat dinner together every single night. We've made friends with our neighbors, something that never really happened in our California suburb. There's a quote that's been floating around in my mind lately: "We were so busy making a living that we forgot to make a life." That was us in California. Here in France, we're finally making a life. ### The Trade-Offs (Because Nothing's Perfect) Of course, it hasn't been all baguettes and wine. We miss our family and friends back home. The bureaucracy here can be frustrating. Learning French has been challenging, especially for our kids at first. We don't have the same shopping options or entertainment venues. Amazon deliveries take longer. Sometimes I crave specific foods from home that I just can't find here. But you know what? Those trade-offs feel worth it when I see my kids thriving in their new school, when we spend Saturday mornings at the local market instead of running errands, when we actually have time to pursue hobbies instead of just collapsing on the couch after work. ### Is This Right For You? I'm not saying everyone should pack up and move to France. But I am saying that sometimes we accept our circumstances as fixed when they're actually flexible. We assumed we needed to keep earning more to afford our California lifestyle, when what we really needed was a different lifestyle altogether. Maybe for you it's not France. Maybe it's a different state, a different career path, or just a different way of thinking about what "enough" really means. For us, moving to this small French town gave us back something priceless: our time, our peace of mind, and the ability to actually enjoy the life we're building together. It took courage to make this change, but looking at where we are now - both financially and emotionally - I can honestly say it was worth every moment of uncertainty along the way.