Driving 7 Countries in 2 Days: Our Move to France

WE LEFT ROMANIA FOR FRANCE AT 60+ 🇷🇴➡️🇫🇷 | Driving Through 7 Countries in 2 Days! Driving to France! What would make two retired American expats, in their 60s, pack up their lives, load their belongings into a vehicle, drive through seven countries in just two days, and start over again? In this video, my husband Patrick and I take you along on our journey from Bucharest, Romania, to Le Dorat, France, as we begin yet another chapter in our life abroad. After leaving the United States, we first moved to Portugal, then Romania, and now France. Along the way, we've learned that the country that works for you today may not be the country that fits you tomorrow. Romania gave us opportunities we will always appreciate. It was affordable, welcoming, and introduced us to a side of Europe that many Americans never experience. But as our priorities changed, we realized we weren't ready to settle down completely. We wanted something different. We wanted a new adventure. We wanted to experience France. That doesn't mean Romania was a mistake—far from it. Every country teaches you something, and Romania helped us discover what we truly wanted. Instead of hiring movers or shipping our belongings, we decided to make the journey ourselves. We packed everything we owned into a vehicle and drove across Europe through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and finally France. Along the way, we spent a night at our property in Italy before continuing toward our new home. The trip was filled with long stretches of highway, border crossings, navigation challenges, countless cups of coffee, and plenty of time to reflect on how much our lives have changed since leaving America. Arriving in France brought a mixture of excitement, relief, and uncertainty. Every move abroad comes with questions. Will we fit in? Will we make friends? Will we learn the language? Did we make the right decision? We've learned that you don't need certainty to move forward—you only need courage. France immediately began revealing its charm through its slower pace of life, beautiful countryside, historic villages, local markets, and the feeling that life doesn't have to be rushed. One of the biggest myths people believe is that there's an age limit on adventure. We disagree. In many ways, our 60s have been the most exciting decade of our lives. We've learned new languages, navigated foreign bureaucracies, purchased property overseas, created businesses, built new friendships, and reinvented ourselves more than once. Moving abroad isn't really about geography—it's about growth. It's about giving yourself permission to build a life that reflects who you are today rather than who you were twenty years ago. Will France be our forever home? Only time will tell. What we know for certain is that every challenge, every mile, every piece of paperwork, and every moment of uncertainty has been worth it. On the other side of fear, we found freedom. Would you ever consider moving to another country after 60? If so, where would you go? Let us know in the comments below! If you're interested in retirement abroad, expat life, moving to France, life after 60, or creating a new chapter later in life, make sure to subscribe and follow our journey as we build our new life in France. 🌎 Ready to create your own next chapter? Join us inside The Becoming Community, where women 50+ are redesigning their lives, building confidence, and proving it's never too late to start over. #MovingAbroad #RetireAbroad #AmericanExpats #France #Romania #ExpatLife #LifeInFrance #RetirementAbroad #LivingAbroad #FranceForRetirees #Over60 #RetirementWithoutBorders #StartOverAfter60 #BecomingRachel #AmericanInFrance Experience a road trip to France as we navigate through local towns and manage the long queues at the border crossing. See the journey firsthand. Driving to France involves navigating busy border crossings and long waits. See what the real experience is like on the road today. We document our road trip journey as we head toward the French border. This footage captures the reality of cross-border travel, specifically the congestion and truck lines that often slow down the route. If you are planning your own driving to France, this gives you a realistic look at what to expect on the highway. Watch how we manage the long border crossing wait times and navigate the traffic leading up to the checkpoint. We share the actual conditions you might encounter when driving to France, helping you prepare for potential delays. This is for anyone interested in European travel logistics or road trip planning. Subscribe for weekly travel updates and road trip tips, and comment below if you want to see our next destination.