Located on the east part of France in the Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon is a fantastic place. It’s a world heritage site that’s the birthplace of cinema, thanks to the Lumiére brothers. Not only that, but this city is also home to Olympique Lyonnais, a very successful Ligue one football team, so there’s some sporting credentials for those who follow it.

So if you want to move to France, but want to live somewhere other than Paris or Marseilles, then Lyon is a good choice. It has the culture and style that those places have, but with less tourism. So you will feel more like a resident rather than just a visitor. However, there are a few things you should take care of;

Before you attempt your Lyon move (or indeed, any international move) you should take some time out to sort out your finances. Can you comfortably afford all of the costs associated with this process? Not only that, there’s making sure you have a source of income once you’ve moved. Is there a job waiting for you, for example? It’s crucial that you’ve got all of your monetary arrangements sorted out before you take that big step abroad.

There’s also the issue of possible language barriers. Yes, English is a language that’s recognised by many in France, but French is the main language, and you should learn it. You might think you’ll be able to get by with a basic phrase book, but don’t be deluded. You’ll be living there after all, and you’ll have to deal with banks, taxes and other government processes. You don’t want to get caught short in these events, so it’s in your best interest to have a good grasp of the native tongue.

As the moving date grows ever closer, you’ll need to let a few select people know. There are more advanced guides out there, but at the very least you’ll need to let the tax authorities of both England and France that you’re planning to emigrate. This will eliminate any headaches involving your pensions and other income related benefits once you cross the border. The Department of Work and Pensions will need to know your new address and bank account, so you can ensure everything is paid into the correct place.

Moving internationally is made a thousand times less complicated and stressful with the help of a moving company that knows what they’re doing. In addition to the usual checks, like price, credentials and so on, you should look for a firm that deals with moves to France on a regular basis. That way, you can be one hundred percent sure that they can offer you the best possible service.

Though, even with the best service possible you’ll have to put in some work yourself. When packing, be aware of what you’re going to be taking. The heavy and bulky items, like the big pieces of furniture might need to be left behind. It’ll be more practical to buy these things once you arrive rather than spending the extra time and effort taking them with you. Selling them off is the a good idea – you’ll save money on the packing and shipping, and make some extra cash along the way.

So, with these tidbits in mind, you can enjoy your move to Lyon. You’ll be joining the third largest populous in France, and with its fabulous scenery and heritage, you won’t regret making the trip.