What Relocation Agencies Don’t Do For You
- Smoozitive Team
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 24
When Moving to France, And What It Means for Your Move
If you’re getting ready to move to France, or you’ve recently landed in one of the beautiful corners of this country, chances are your to-do list is longer than an Eurostar Train.
Visa? Check.
Housing search? Ongoing.
Healthcare system? Trying to make sense of it.
Bank account? Still not sure what a “RIB” is but you’re getting there.
And if you’re working with a relocation agency, you’re probably feeling grateful. As you should! In our humble opinion ;) You’ve got pros guiding you through the maze of French admin, helping you avoid costly mistakes. And honestly, most agencies we are familiar with are doing a great job.
But here’s a question most people don’t ask until it’s too late:
What happens after the logistics are done?
What happens after the visa is approved, the boxes are unpacked and the job has started?
What happens once the kids are at school, and you’ve finished the hunt for the perfect croissant in your neighborhood?
That’s where most relocation agencies' services stop.
And where many expats start to quietly unravel.
The Blind Spot People Rarely Talk About
Most relocation services focus on the logistics.
Because that’s what people think relocation is about.
And sure, paperwork, housing, legal compliance, and bank accounts matter. A lot.
But they’re not what determines how your life in France will actually feel.
Think about it.
Most expats don’t struggle in France (or decide to stop their relocation early) because they filled out the wrong form.
They struggle because they feel life in France doesn’t meet their expectations.
Because the new reality didn't feel like “them”.
Because they got tired of dealing with the constant differences with back ‘home’.
Because the emotional toll snuck up on them… and they didn’t see it coming.
And no one told you to prepare for that.
Sort of… we actually do say it for many years now. So we’re happy you’re here, reading these lines now.
What Relocation Actually Looks Like
(That Agencies Don’t Necessarily Cover)
Have you ever heard of the Expat Life Cycle?
It’s the emotional and psychological graph that expats go through when moving abroad. And spoiler alert: it doesn’t end once the flight lands.
But for the sake of this article, here’s the short version:
Before the Move: You're excited. Motivated. Ready for change. You’re ticking off your checklist and picturing your new life in France.
Honeymoon Phase (0–3 months): The croissants taste better than you imagined. The streets are charming. Every moment feels Instagram-worthy. You’re loving this.
Reality Kicks In (3–12 months): And then... you’re tired. You can’t find the right words in French. You don’t know where to buy the right toothpaste. The neighbor is loud again. You’re homesick, frustrated, confused, and wondering if this was the right decision.
This is where most relocation agencies disappear.
And it’s also where most expats report the lowest life satisfaction abroad.
Settling In: You’re adapting. You’ve survived some rough patches. Maybe even laughed about them. You’re starting to integrate. Some things feel easier. You’ve got go-to spots.But you’re still shaken by small things, the tax letters, the cultural cues, the emotional swings.
Living Abroad: You feel at home. You’ve made real friends. You stopped converting prices in your head. You’ve embraced the chaos and the charm. You’re not just surviving, you’re LIVING.
But here's the kicker: this isn’t a linear journey.
Many expats loop through these stages more than once, simply because it’s what life usually is all about. But as an expat, it feels different, especially if they move cities, change jobs, or have a partner or family with them.
Over the years, we’ve supported hundreds of DIY expats, professionals assignees, their partners and digital nomads through international moves. And we’ve noticed a pattern that doesn’t show up in most guides or Facebook forums:
You start with excitement and adrenaline.
You make your checklist and tackle it like a champ.
You arrive… and enjoy the new scenery
You tackle more and more logistics successfully
And then something starts to feel off.
You don’t quite feel like yourself.
You wonder, “Shouldn’t it be easier at this point? Or ‘Why am I even here?’
Maybe it hits you in the supermarket aisle when you can’t read the labels.Or at work when you realize you're not as confident in meetings as you used to be.Or on a quiet Sunday when the novelty fades, and the noisy neighbor is disturbing you again.
The truth? Mindset isn’t a luxury in relocation. It’s the core operating system.
But almost no one talks about it, until things go wrong.
Logistics Get You to France. Mindset Helps You Live There.
That’s the phrase we keep coming back to. Because it’s true.
Yes, you need to get your residency, open a bank account, sort out your taxes, and understand the health system.
But you also need to:
Handle moments of doubt with grace
Stay calm when things go off-plan (because they will)
Feel confident in your decision, even on hard days
Build a sense of belonging, not just survive on croissants
And most relocation agencies? They’re not built to support that. To support you - your human needs, your emotional balance, your mental wellbeing.
If you found this article useful, you might be interested in our upcoming live workshop: The Hidden Side of Relocation: Mindset Meets Logistics
Together with EasyStart Relocation, we’re hosting a one of a kind 4-part workshop for expats moving to France that reveals both the logistics and human aspects of relocation.
If you want the full picture of what relocation really requires, beyond the to-dos, this is for you.
Why Mindset Isn’t Just “Nice to Have”
You can’t plan your emotional journey with the same checklist you use for your paperwork.
No visa form asks: 👉 What if you feel lost in your new city? 👉 What will help you feel grounded on days when everything feels uncomfortable? 👉 How will you cope when the excitement wears off… and real life sets in?
That’s where mindset comes in.
Not as a motivational quote. But as your inner compass, the thing that helps you find direction when external systems feel overwhelming.
Mindset work gives you:
The clarity to trust yourself when things get weird (and they will).
The emotional stamina to get through culture shock without losing yourself.
The ability to stay curious, instead of judgmental, when things don’t go your way.
It’s not about “being positive.”It’s about being equipped, emotionally, mentally, and energetically.
Because relocation isn’t just a physical shift.
It’s a transformation.
And you deserve support for every part of it.
Final Thought: You Deserve More Than Just Logistics
You’re not just moving your stuff.
You’re moving your life.
And that life… messy, magical, and deeply human, deserves to be supported on every level.
Relocation is a big deal.
Let’s treat it like one.
