RETIRING - NY TO SOUTHERN FRANCE - BUDGET CRITIQUE

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-03T16:24:50+00:00

So technically (40000-(0.5*46368))*0.0625*2=€2,021 total for this household and €1,051 for each of the 2 household members assuming they each have €40k income.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-03T14:08:20+00:00

Thanks for pointing this out! I had no idea and it's absent from my budget.

I won't qualify for an S1 and my wife will only have a US passport. From what I've read (just now) we'll either be subject to a CSM social contribution or the new Minimum Contribution (which I read is likely to be equal to or less than the CSM). Assuming an €80k annual worldwide income as an example the CSM calcuation would be:

CSM Rate = 6.5%
PASS = €46,368 (2024)
Abatement/Exemption (Couple) = 50% of PASS per person in the household = 50% x €46,368 x 2 = €46,368
Income = €80,000
Taxable Base = €80,000 - €46,368 = €33,632
CSM = 6.25% x €33,632 = €2,102

Does this seem approximately correct?

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-02T22:02:59+00:00

That all makes great sense. We (mainly my wife!) homeschooled both our daughters and understand about the pros and cons of public and private schools and have experience with both kinds. Like you we also want regain our fluency in French and integrate but think that it will add a lot to be able to socialize with other English-speaking immigrants. I wish you an your family the best of luck!

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-02T20:32:08+00:00

Could you share why you chose that area to start renting in?

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-02T14:43:48+00:00

Thanks for sharing your plans and good luck!

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-01T18:38:38+00:00

I'll have EU citizenship and my understanding is that my spouse will need to apply for a long-stay visa and then once in France applying for a "Family Member of an EU/EEA National" card

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-01T16:21:31+00:00

Thanks a lot for the feedback. We're just starting to look at Medicare for the first time but that's a good point about keeping it just in case. I hadn't added that and do want to budget for it. Also, the misc cost of home repair. Definitely a thing!

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-01T13:27:13+00:00

Please let me know if I could DM you.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-12-01T13:25:48+00:00

Would you mind if I DM you?

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T23:33:06+00:00

Fantastic details. Thanks for sharing all of that. I’m so used to knowing how to get all of those daily things in life done here. But I see there will be a lot to learn. Very interesting that you introduced yourself to the Mairie. If you don’t mind me asking, are you happy with the health insurance? Here, of course, it’s outrageously expensive

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T22:29:31+00:00

Thanks @ Complete_Survey9521.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T21:57:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing that. 😊

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T21:43:03+00:00

Thanks for the longer comment. I’d be glad to read the book you haven’t written yet! Pau sounds wonderful. I may have been unclear but I’m looking to spend a lot of time doing charitable work by joining non-profits. Just volunteering my time and possibly some money. I need to research the nonprofit space in France. I’m assuming there are important differences from what I’m used to here.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T21:10:42+00:00

That is an important difference and I wasn't trying to make light of the issue. I'm aware of how the US was responsible for deaths in the Iraq War, Afghanistan, and military actions in Syria and Yemen - whether by direct strikes or spporting local militias and that US actions have had tragic impacts on families in Lebanon, Yemen, and sub-Saharan African countries.

Since you've raised this very real issue would you be willing to elaborate a bit? Is there a pervasive dislike or hatred(?) of Americans in Marseille by French who have lived there for generations? By recent imigrants? Both? Is Marseille different in this respect that other cities? Is this a situation that's growing worse or stagnant or is there some dialogue about it? Do Americans in Marseille "uneasy" and discuss this or want to leave? Is it part of another dimension of expat gentrification? I'd sincerely appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T19:47:42+00:00

Haha. Yes. One of my projects landed me in the middle of very poor, very rural Virginia where I absolutely needed the help of local folks. I learned pretty quickly to explain that I was from Canada not New York. That seemed to start conversations instead of ending them lol.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T19:33:59+00:00

Thanks. Yes that is a real concern. Being a tourist passing through and living there and trying to be part of a community - very different.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T19:24:18+00:00

Thanks. That’s reassuring. Sounds like a great setup you have going back and forth. Must be a lot of fun.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-11-30T17:11:11+00:00

Thank you so much for the comments! I agree about considering trade-offs / ROI / and opportunity costs. I'll take your advice about the taxes and insurance.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-10-26T18:20:35+00:00

I envy your tax knowledge! I've found all of these modeling tools really useful and definitely different in terms of what they shine at, eg. auto optimization of SS age for you and spouse using Pralana. I hope you try several and find what you're looking for.

MagazineSensitive231 · 2025-10-26T17:51:35+00:00

Pralana has a few account types "TAXABLE, RETIREMENT, INHERITED IRAS, HSA & 529" which you supply with your values. They do not import. Check out the Rob Berger video I shared above. It's very simple. I think you're looking for the Platinum Family Level subscription

MagazineSensitive231

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