Our HONEST First Month in Lyon, France | American Expats Reality Check | Highs & Lows

After one month living in Lyon, France, we're sharing the REAL experience - the amazing discoveries, unexpected challenges, and everything in between! From walking 10,000+ steps daily to missing our dryer, here's our honest take on expat life in France's gastronomic capital.
THE HIGHS - What We LOVE About Lyon:
🚶‍♀️ Walking lifestyle - 10,000+ daily steps and improved health
🍅 Incredible fresh food quality at local markets
🍽️ Lyon = Gastronomic Capital of France with amazing bouchons
⭐ Surrounded by Michelin-starred restaurants at every price point
🚇 Clean, efficient metro system (goodbye Florida traffic!)
🏛️ Living history - Roman amphitheaters and Renaissance architecture
🐕 Dog-friendly culture - Penelope lives her best life here!
👥 Surprisingly friendly locals despite language barriers
THE LOWS - Reality Check Moments:
📦 Delivery chaos - packages end up at random nearby businesses
👕 No dryer life - air-drying everything (crunchy towels!)
🚬 Smoking culture everywhere outdoors
🕐 French business hours - lunch closures 12-2pm, dinner starts 7pm
🎉 Lots of holidays = unexpected closures
Essential French Phrases We've Learned:

"Bonjour" - must say when entering ANY establishment
"Excusez-moi" - navigating crowds
"Je ne comprends pas le français" - I don't understand French
"J'apprends le français" - I'm learning French

Perfect for:

Planning your move to Lyon or France
Realistic expat life expectations
Lyon travel and living guide
Gen X lifestyle change inspiration
French culture and etiquette tips
International moving reality check

This isn't the Instagram-perfect version of expat life - it's the real, honest experience of two Americans adjusting to French culture. From the joy of fresh tomatoes to the frustration of wayward packages, we're sharing it all!
Coming up: French language school starts soon! Subscribe and hit the notification bell 🔔 to follow our language learning journey and more Lyon adventures.
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What would YOU miss most about your home country? Let us know in the comments!
Interested in our move to France? Check out our previous videos on selling everything and travel day!