Zoominar, the Latest, Newest and Hottest Word in Our Vocabulary

Zoom has changed our lives. Until a few months ago, we didn’t even know it existed. And now, we’re not sure how we’d live without it. I remember when the fax was invented. We were blown away by the ability to send a document in moments rather than post it and wait days for its arrival. It was the same kind of revolution, except that it wasn’t a pandemic like Covid-19 to be the catalyst to such a drastic change in the way we do things.

What is Zoom, just in case you haven’t already caught on? According to the developers, “Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and cross platform group chat into one easy-to-use platform. Our solution offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience across Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.” That description can sound like a bunch of garble to those less tech savvy than the average 25 year-old, but don’t let that throw you off. Just tune in, download it and try it. It’s as easy as using a fax machine.

It’s a dichotomy that a program such as Zoom can make being at home or in one place a better way of reaching many people “en masse” than having to travel to congregate. While I struggle with this dichotomy, it’s been a blessing to so many who have depended on the human connection to communicate ideas or their services, such as educators, physicians, not to mention companies struggling to survive while their personnel aren’t allowed to come in to the office. This new web-based program has completely revolutionized the way we do things in a nano-second, overcoming the Covid-19 obstacles like a pole vaulter jumping high over a bar with the help of the pole.

Saturday, more than 350 people tuned into a Zoominar (my new word!) presentation I made sponsored by the Federation of the Alliances Françaises USA titled Pursuing the Dream: Living and Investing in France. Without Zoom, we could never have reached so many people at one time, all from the comfort of our own homes. With such a large turnout, it is evident that francophiles living in the U.S. are anxious to learn how to “escape to France.”

The session was scheduled to last one hour, but we let it run over by 10 minutes. It could have gone on for hours answering the myriad of questions, such as…

Does being a property owner help you get residency status?

The answer is “no.” Anyone can buy property in France and anyone can apply for a visa. The visa requirements are simple: You must prove information about your socio-economic situation (they don’t want you to become a burden on their society), your resources (you must have at least one year’s worth of minimum wage with which to survive), your accommodations (you must have a place to live) and your medical coverage in France (health insurance). You must also formally agree not to engage in any professional activity during your stay in France (I can teach you legal ways around this snag).

If you live in France, can you still collect U.S. Social Security?

Yes, of course! And not only that, but the U.S. government will transfer it directly to your French bank account at the best rate of exchange! On top of that, the French government does not tax your U.S. retirement income!

How do you connect to the American Community in Paris?

That’s easy. There are hundreds of ways starting with all of the various organizations by and for Americans and Anglophones as well as events, such as our own Après-Midi. I explained that when you meet a group of people who are like-minded, who share with you the same sentiments toward France, as well as other factors such as educational levels, being well-traveled, and obviously being a risk-taker, you will make more friends faster than you’ve ever done in all your life.

If you work online for yourself, do you pay French Income Tax?

If you’re a tax resident in France, then you pay tax on your income. But, you don’t pay the tax twice, thanks to the tax treaty between France and the U.S. and even if you should pay more tax here than you did Stateside, you’re going to get a whole lot more for it.

Are there any issues re: pre-existing conditions to obtain French health insurance?

Well, certainly not to obtain the French Carte Vitale, or socialized medicine care! The country is devoted to ensuring that all its residents receive health care and pays up to about 70 percent of the costs! Go tell that to your U.S. government officials who are fighting against socialized medicine!

What are the monthly costs of owning a property—such as utilities, homeowner association fees, etc.?

Sure, all those same costs exist, but they are a lot lower in France than in the U.S. Internet/VOIP Phone/Satellite TV costs just 29.99€ a month plus tax! I’ll bet yours costs in excess of $200 a month, right? You will find that the carrying costs of property ownership is a lot lower, from the cost of the utilities to the property taxes (about one-tenth of what they are in the U.S.) to the monthly maintenance to the insurance…so low it will blow your mind.

If you weren’t able to join us for this Zoominar, don’t despair. There will be many more opportunities for you to hop on the Zoom bandwagon. For one thing, the Federation of the Alliances Françaises USA have invited us back for January 23, 2021…but that’s a long way away! Instead, this coming November 7th, for just $29, you can tune in to our “Escape to France—It’s Easier Than You Think.”

It’s a prelude to our upcoming Living and Investing in France Nice-Provence Conference and Tour, September 2021, that will be held LIVE AND IN PERSON! Hosted by Opportunity Travel and the Adrian Leeds Group, if you pay just $29 for the Zoominar, you get a bonus discount of $200 OFF the 2021 conference and/or tour! That’s a great deal—spend $29 and save $200!

Mark your calendar for November 7, 2020, and tune in from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. France. Click here to learn more and register.

Brian Dunhill of Dunhill Financial and I will be hosting four quarterly Zoominars in 2021 under the title of North American Expats in France Financial Forums on the fourth Wednesday of every quarter at 6 p.m. Paris time: January 27th, April 28th, July 29th and October 27th. Just one hour each to give you a financial update…FREE! So, stay tuned for more about this.

We’re also using Zoom to provide an inexpensive way for five people to be on one personal consultation with me. We’ve set one topic to discuss for up to five people on the Zoom, but no more, so that we can cover a lot! Now’s your chance to make your dream to live in France come a little bit truer!

Escape to France! Intimate Group Consultations with Adrian on Zoom, Fall 2020

Minimum 3, Maximum 5 Participants with Adrian Leeds

90 minutes for 90€—Choose one or more Intimate Group Consultations in which to participate at 90€ each:

Escape to the Most Beautiful City in the World…Paris

Wednesday, November 11, 2020
6 p.m. CET*, 12 Noon EST**

Buying Property Sight-Unseen is Doable

Wednesday, November 18, 2020
6 p.m. CET*, 12 Noon EST**

The Cost of Living in France is Less Than You Think

Wednesday, December 2, 2020
6 p.m. CET*, 12 Noon EST**

Escape to Paradise…Nice and the French Riviera

Wednesday, December 9, 2020
6 p.m. CET*, 12 Noon EST**

How to Earn a Living While Living in France

Wednesday, December 16, 2020
6 p.m. CET*, 12 Noon EST**

*Central European Time (France), **Eastern Standard Time (US)

Register now! Click here to download the PDF Registration Form.

Complete it, scan and send it to [email protected].

Upon receipt of your payment, you will be formally registered and will receive your Zoom instructions by email.

Or, if you prefer to meet with me personally, book your personal two-hour consultation.

With all these Zoominars planned for this year and next, we have not forgotten good old fashioned human contact…so stay tuned for more information about our upcoming Living and Investing in France Nice-Provence Conference and Tour scheduled for the end of September 2021 and into the beginning of October that will be held LIVE AND IN PERSON! We hope by then you will be fed up with Zoominars and want to really be with us when we relish in the beauty of the Riviera, Provence and the Occitanie…here in France!

A la prochaine…