u/les_dents_de_la_mer

I'm just trying to get my head around this. I've always done my tax myself but I think it's going to be too complicated now.

I moved to France in September 25 with my two minor kids. Married my French partner in November 25.

I currently don't work so I have no income in France. I rented out my house in Australia, that is my only source of income. My husband works in France. He did his tax in January (EOFY in France) and I declared the rental income that I've received on his tax return but wasn't taxed on it here.

Am I an Australian resident for tax?

I still have my house in Australia, my bank accounts are Australian, my oldest daughter is an adult and lives in Australia. We'd like to return to live in Australia but I'm not sure when, so I have no set return date. I'm living in my husband's house which he owns.

What about my partner's income? He's already been taxed in France. Does his income affect how much tax I pay in Australia?

Anyone else in a situation like this?

I'm 49. Australian. Married a French man and I've been here almost a year. 2 kids, 9 and 14.

I keep feeling like I'm depriving the kids, and myself, of a better life and future in Australia. I love my partner, and I've committed myself to another year here. But after that I don't know. It just feels bleak, I'm losing all optimism and becoming depressed and anxious. My relationship is good, and I want to keep it that way.

My partner's family are wonderful, so are the French people. We've met some lovely friends. I'm the problem, I feel like I've created an awful life for my family coming here.

My daughter hasn't learnt much French since she's been here. She's learnt nothing at school, is forgetting what she's learnt in Australia. Somehow she's made friends, seems happy. I keep getting told kids learn so fast. It's not happening for her. She's always exhausted. This coming home for 2 hours in the middle of the day is bullshit. In Australia she did tap, cheerleading, calisthenics. Nothing like that exists here. No competitions or opportunities to perform. Here she does one hour a week at a local dance school. She's lost all the skills she worked hard for. She's trying a few new activities next school year to try and fill the void.

My son has learnt some French. He's also made friends. He's doing ok at school. He seems happy. He wants to go back to Australia as soon as he's 18. His passion is ballet, which isn't popular here at all. He got into a good dance school and does classes 4 times a week and spends nearly 4 hours a day travelling. He's exhausted, but he won't quit. Now he has 8 weeks of nothing, no summer intensives or classes. For a dancer this sucks.

I'm bored, lonely and have no purpose here. I've been trying to teach myself French for 2 years. I can read ok, I can understand a bit of what I hear, I can't speak. I can't get any better than this with Duolingo, I need proper lessons, with a teacher and interaction in a group (thats the only way I learn). I'm broke, I can't afford French classes. Apparently there's meant to be free classes? But I can't find anything.

To be honest I don't think I'm ever going to reach the required French level to stay here (B1 or B2). Definitely not if I am expected to learn by osmosis.

I'm not working. I can't think of anything I could do. I have no useful skills, no connections. Besides I can't speak French.

Because I don't work I don't have disposable income to it restricts what I can do and where I can go.

I keep busy by walking a lot, plus I don't drive so I walk everywhere. I've lost a crazy amount of weight that I didn't need to lose. I do my Duolingo, read the French newspaper and watch some French TV.

I still have my house in Australia, it's like I'm in limbo. Financially I can't afford to keep it if I'm not living in it. Renting it out has been one drama after another, I don't want to be a landlord. It is rented out for another year but then I have to make the decision to go back or sell it. Housing in Australia is insane, I know if I sell I'll never be able to get back into the property market there again.

My partner doesn't really understand why I'm stressed. His attitude is to live in the moment, the future will take care of itself. He's confident that I'll sort everything out. He's probably right, I should have faith in myself.

While I don't regret coming here, I'm hoping in 12 months time I look back on this post and I'm in a better place.

Please settle an argument for me!

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If the child was born on March 10 2017, what grade should they be in now?

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What grade will they be in for the school year starting September 2026?

Edit: we moved here from Australia. In Australia she would currently be in grade 4, starting grade 5 in January 2027.

She turned 9 in March 2026. The school have put her in CE1, she starts CE2 in September 26.

Is it possible to call an Australian 6 digit 13 number from overseas? I always thought 13 numbers don't work from outside Australia, that's why Centrelink and the ATO have numbers to call from overseas.

I'm currently living in France and I need to call my insurer (Honey) to finalise a home insurance claim. Their only contact number is a 6 digit 13 number. They told me to add +61 but I still can't get it to connect. I've asked them if there is an alternative contact number I can call from overseas but there isn't.

They're adamant I have to call this number to leave a recorded voice message to finalise the claim.

Is there something I'm doing wrong? I can still call regular mobile and landline numbers in Australia so it's not my phone.

Edit - thanks for the alternate number suggestions, I'm going to try them tomorrow, and try borrowing a phone in case it's my carrier (I can still call other Aussie numbers though). Hopefully I can get through.

Thanks for the kind offer to call on my behalf too.

Hi there. I moved to France 8 months ago. I'm 48, Australian and I've had tox and some fillers since my late 20s. The first few years were Botox but the last 15 years I've been using Dysport. Usual areas I've had treated are my crows feet and forehead. I've been quite consistent except for breaks for illness and pregnancy. It's been 12 months since my last treatment.

I don't speak French well and I haven't looked for an injector locally, the communication barrier is a huge issue. There's also budget constraints, I live in a smallish town and I don't drive so travelling to an injector is a challenge.

I'm thinking of committing to buying the DIY Heaven book and learning how to do tox on myself. I've had cancer and IVF so I've had to self inject so many times, I'm fine with needles.

Anyone else in France do their own tox and would be willing to share where they purchase their supplies from?

Some reassurance I'm not crazy for considering this too would be great.

Overall my skin is holding up ok. I've used prescription Tretinoin for 20ish years, always use sunscreen. HRT is not an option because I've had an ER+ cancer. But 12 months on I'm starting to notice the effects of stopping Dysport.

I'm looking for feedback on Al Fitra Primary School from people who have sent their children there.

We are Australian and have been in Lille for 8 months. My daughter is 9, in CE1, and attends the local primary school.

I am thinking of sending her to Al Fitra next year because they teach in English and French. She would be in CE2 next year.

She is falling behind with her learning in maths especially because she only speaks basic French and can't understand. They don't do English at her school, and I would like her to keep developing her English language skills as she's a native English speaker. I am trying my best to teach her at home but she is still falling behind.

She likes her school and has lots of friends but I am concerned about her education. Are private schools generally better in France?