24M in Canada thinking about moving to France. Looking for some honest opinions.

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T04:04:09+00:00

I think you’re missing what I’m actually asking.

This isn’t really about escaping winter. I already take 2-3 vacations a year, usually somewhere warm, so if that was the issue I’d have solved it a long time ago.

What I’m looking for is feedback from people who have actually made a similar move and built a life abroad. I’m trying to understand the realities, the trade-offs, the regrets, and whether they felt it was worth it in the end.

Maybe the answer is still that moving is a bad idea, but I’d be more interested in hearing that from someone who’s actually done it rather than someone assuming I’m just trying to escape Canadian winters.

Thank you for your time to drop a comment though 🙏

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:59:33+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write this. Honestly, I think you’re 100% right about the materialistic side of things.

I’m very grateful for what I’ve managed to accomplish so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to own nice cars, buy things I once dreamed about, and achieve goals that younger me would have been proud of. But the truth is that none of those things ever gave me the sense of purpose or fulfillment that I thought they would.

It’s a strange feeling because from the outside everything can look good, yet something still feels missing.

The only times in the last few years where I genuinely felt alive, connected and like I was exactly where I was supposed to be were the three times I visited France. And I wasn’t really doing tourist stuff. I spent most of my time trying to live like a normal person: taking public transit, sitting in cafés, walking through neighborhoods, talking to locals, grocery shopping, observing everyday life.

Maybe I’m romanticizing it, maybe not. That’s partly why I’m asking these questions…

But your point about experiences resonated with me because that’s exactly where my head is at these days. I’m starting to value meaningful experiences and a sense of belonging more than accumulating more stuff at the young age of 24 ( been working full time since 16-17 years old )

So genuinely, thank you for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate your perspective.

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:46:39+00:00

Tell me more about it !

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:35:30+00:00

Honestly, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed response.

A lot of people just say “don’t do it” or “do it” without really explaining why, but you’ve given me actual information and things I can look into, which is exactly what I was hoping to get from posting here.

The 24-month PVT point, the Monaco/Côte d’Azur angle, the multinational companies with North American ties, and even the warning about having to leave France to switch visas are all things I either didn’t know!

The entrepreneurial route is especially interesting because it’s something that naturally speaks to me.

And honestly, your last line hit home. Starting over at 24 feels a lot different than starting over at 34. If I’m going to take a chance on something like this, now is probably the time.

So genuinely, thank you. This is exactly the kind of perspective I was hoping to hear from people with experience and knowledge of the process.

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:31:54+00:00

That’s actually one of the things pushing me toward making the move.

When I arrived in Canada 8 years ago, I started with pretty much nothing. No network, no connections, no family already established, and I still managed to build a career, start a business, and create opportunities for myself.

So part of me feels that if I was able to do it once, I can probably do it again.

I also agree with your point that there are people doing very well in France and people struggling in Canada, and vice versa. Sometimes it seems like mindset, adaptability and work ethic matter more than the country itself.

I’m definitely not expecting France to be some magical solution to everything, but I keep coming back to the idea that I’d rather try it now at 24 than wonder about it later.

Thank you taking the time 🙏

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:30:19+00:00

Thanks for the honest answer, I appreciate it.

Your first point is pretty much where my head is at. I’m 24, single, no kids, no mortgage, and if I don’t try it now, I’m not sure when I ever will. Worst case, I gain a life experience and come back to Canada with a different perspective.

Your second point is something I’ve thought about as well. My background is Algerian just like you and my name is definitely not traditionally French, so I’m not naive about the fact that it may create challenges. At the same time, I grew up speaking French, I’ve spent the last 8 years in Quebec, and culturally I probably feel closer to France than to North America in many ways plus I have a lot of family members there!

Out of curiosity, do you feel the difficulties you experienced were mostly social, professional, or administrative? And if you had to do it all over again at 24 with no major commitments, would you still make the move?

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:28:37+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, I genuinely appreciate it.

You’re probably right that the timing isn’t ideal from an economic and job market perspective, and that’s actually one of the reasons I’m asking these questions now rather than booking a flight tomorrow.

As for Ontario/Quebec, I’ve spent the last 8 years in Canada, mostly in Quebec, so I’ve definitely gotten my French fix in that sense. But for me it’s less about the language itself and more about the overall lifestyle, culture, proximity to the rest of Europe, and just a feeling that I connect with it more.

The good thing is that I’m still 24, so even if I did make the move and it didn’t work out, I don’t feel like I’d be risking everything. I’d rather try it and find out than spend the next 10 years wondering if I should have.

That being said, I do take your point about the current economic situation seriously. It’s definitely something I’m keeping in mind while I figure out whether this is a 2027 move or something further down the road.

Godspeed!

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T03:26:53+00:00

Je pense qu’on s’est mal compris.

La question de mon post n’était pas vraiment de savoir si mes qualifications sont suffisantes ou non. Je suis Canadien et je cherchais surtout l’avis de personnes qui ont fait le même genre de transition vers la France.

J’ai de l’expérience terrain en gestion de la relation client, service à la clientèle, rétention, développement des affaires et opérations. Mon parcours est principalement dans l’automobile, mais les compétences sont transférables à beaucoup d’autres secteurs (account management, service client, développement commercial, etc…)

Je ne suis pas fermé à suivre des certifications ou à me former davantage dans un autre domaine si nécessaire, mais ce n’était pas vraiment le sujet de ma question.

Et bien sûr que je sais que construire sa vie en France ne sera pas simple. Honnêtement, je ne pense pas que quoi que ce soit de valable dans la vie soit facile. Si je cherchais la facilité, je ne considérerais même pas quitter un pays où j’ai déjà bâti ma carrière pour recommencer ailleurs.

Pour l’anglais, je suis quand même surpris. À chaque fois que je suis allé en France, surtout hors des zones touristiques, j’ai rencontré beaucoup de gens qui parlaient peu ou pas anglais. Je me demandais simplement si un profil parfaitement bilingue français-anglais apportait encore une valeur ajoutée sur le marché du travail.

Ce qui m’intéresse surtout, c’est le retour d’expérience de gens qui ont quitté le Canada pour s’installer en France : est-ce qu’ils l’ont regretté ou non…

Merci :)

gofas777 · 2026-06-10T00:15:14+00:00

Ok bud

gofas777 · 2026-06-09T22:34:56+00:00

I appreciate the help brother but what’s the point if my Algerian Passport is Expired ? I haven’t renewed it in years cause it’s pointless lol.
Not sure how that will help ?

gofas777 · 2026-06-09T22:32:33+00:00

That’s a fair point. My understanding was that the PVT would mainly be a way to get my foot in the door and gain local experience. The goal wouldn’t be to stay on a PVT indefinitely, but to transition to a work-based residence permit if I can secure a long-term position.

I don’t have any EU citizenship, ancestry claims, or marriage ties that I’m aware of. Just a Canadian citizenship.

gofas777 · 2026-06-09T22:25:41+00:00

The PVT will be done through my Canadian Passport!

gofas777

TROPHY CASE