Bas & Nienke(38)

Bas and I had a good life in Rotterdam. He worked as a project manager in construction, I was a part-time speech therapist. But with three children — ages 6, 9 and 11 — we noticed life was getting tighter. Childcare cost us €1,800 per month, rent increased every year and the kids spent more time indoors than out. When Bas was offered a remote position with a French construction company, we seized our chance.

We chose Montpellier for its combination of city and nature. It's big enough for culture, shops and good schools, but within 20 minutes you're at the beach or in the garrigue. The climate is Mediterranean: 300 days of sunshine per year. For our children that was reason enough. We organized the move in four months — giving notice in Rotterdam, finding a house in Montpellier, registering at the mairie.

The French education system was our biggest concern, but turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Our children attend the école publique — the public school — which is completely free. The eldest went to collège (comparable to lower secondary school). The transition was intense: the first months they barely spoke French. But the school offered UPE2A classes — special language lessons for non-French-speaking children. After six months they were fluent.

What surprised us were the benefits. The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is the French equivalent of Dutch allowances, but more generous. We receive allocations familiales for three children (€310/month), plus a housing allowance (APL). School canteen fees are also income-based: our children eat a warm three-course meal for €2.50 per day. In the Netherlands we paid €6 per child for a packed lunch at after-school care.

Integrating as a family works differently than as a couple or single person. The children are your gateway. Through school we met other parents — first the expats, then the French. The goûters (birthday parties) here are a serious affair. Nienke is now on the parent council and helps organize the school fair. I play in a local football team. We still speak Dutch at home, but the children increasingly respond in French.

Our advice to families: do it, but prepare. Arrange the S1 form from the CAK for your health insurance, register with CPAM and apply to CAF for benefits. The préfecture is your new best friend (and enemy). Everything takes longer than you think, but the result is worth it. Our children are happier, healthier and trilingual. That's priceless.