Moved to France with cherished pets, but subsequently experienced a disheartening change upon her arrival
Retired American Chiara Adorno Finds New Life in France
Chiara Adorno, a retired woman from Connecticut, has swapped the bustling streets of Manhattan in the 1980s for the vibrant port city of Marseille, France. Adorno, who turned 60 and qualified for the France long-stay visa, made the decision to leave the US due to its "work, work, work" culture, seeking an escape.
Adorno, who has a diverse background as a lawyer, filmmaker, and artisan breadmaker, found inspiration in France's landscape, architecture, and language. She currently resides in the historic town of Pezenas, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, but plans to move permanently to Marseille.
Adorno has adapted quickly to life in France, finding the French people to be engaging and less aloof than Americans think. She admires the French for their socializing habits, as they talk to each other while socializing outside restaurants and cafes and are not on their phones.
Navigating the French administrative system has proven to be a challenge for Adorno, but she has found the country's healthcare system to be a significant improvement over the US system. She is living on social security payments in France and is grateful to still have her cat, Puccini, with her after losing her other cat, Willy, due to an asthma attack.
Adorno stays in Airbnbs for two-month increments to fully immerse herself in her new surroundings. She has noticed that there is less focus on work in France, with people not asking about one's occupation. Instead, they tend to have less spatial awareness, often bumping into others.
Adorno uses Google Translate to communicate as her French is terrible, but plans to improve her language skills. She is looking for a one-bedroom rental in Marseille for herself and her cat, Puccini.
Adorno is thrilled to be in a place where she feels valued for who she is rather than her productivity. She is grateful to be in a city where she can enjoy free entry to landmarks such as the Cantini art museum and the historic Abbey of Saint-Victor.
In April 2022, Adorno's cat Willy passed away due to an asthma attack. Despite this loss, Adorno continues to embrace her new life in France, finding joy in the port city of Marseille, France's oldest city.
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