Great cities can't exist without advocacy and participation. They need us. They need you. My videos talk about why and how.
Who am I? Originally from Seattle, I've lived in SF, Oakland, rural Washington, Paris and currently based in Nantes, France.
I have a decade of policy development and political/community organizing experience. That includes work for elected representatives, municipal governments, and with various communities with the overarching goal to make the cities that I've called home more affordable, accessible, and accommodating for everyone who lives in them.
I'm passionate about social action and creating social/solidarity policy related to social housing, the 15-minute city, equitable mobility, renters rights, aid for people living unhoused, healthy communities, and community development.
They are doing this here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA!!! The mayor is building high rise projects to house the low income since they gentrified our city. Yet people don't get it. They think its for the homeless, never considering they are next. They changed our income themselves with their fake inflation and housing crisis.
Hi there, we are movung to Nantes with our 16mths old. We will be looking for apartment when we arrive in 1week. Which area do you guys live and where would you recommend to live with a kid?
Totally agree with you. I first visited France in my early 30s, loved it, but thought US was still more suitable for me. Then again in my 40s, loved it, thought France was better, but not enough to make me learn French. The latest visit was this summer, thought France is way better. Upon my return this time I began learning French and I’m in my early 50s now. Hope to make the same move in the near future.
Because you live in middle and high level income neighborhood areas. Try to live in low income area, where they leave the refugees 😢 and the facilities there,even though do the most difficult job in Nanta and all France. That why i never trust RU-vidr because you guys never tell the complete story or the dark side
I live in a mixed income, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural area near several services for homeless people and with a large amount of social housing. This should be the standard across France, and Nantes, for their part, is trying to do this across the city. I agree. France must do a better job at integrating refugees, including providing a high level of services and well-built housing. It's not fair to stick low-income people far from the city, far from services and public transport, expecting them to commute into the city. I grew up in extremely low income suburbs in America, which led to my own homelessness. This is part of the reason I chose Nantes. They are taking accountability for past harms and mistakes. Not a lot of places worldwide do that. My hometown of Seattle had several refugees arrested for protesting the city after the city lied to them and led them to becoming homeless. Policies and norms like that are why I left the United States. Thanks for your comment.
It was not only housing. Red Vienna also encouraged and empowered workers and their families to get access to books, education, sports and culture. A lot of social housing also included gardens for the tenants to grow their own food, and later, to have their garden retreat, a miniature version of the vast gardens, the wealthy and the nobles kept.
I love this. It seems like Europe is catching on to this concept. Especially here in France. The idea that all people, regardless of wealth or income, deserves nice things shouldn't be novel and I'm hopeful that it will continue to catch on across the world.
I’m legally blind too. I was born with it just like you. I’m in Canada. This is a great country but everything is so prend out where I live. I go months without leaving my small town because the public transit here is almost non-existant. When I was a teenager I had been told all through my school years that I could do anything as long as I put in the hard work. But I suddenly realized that I my profession opportunities were severely limited. I can’t drive a car either. I don’t see colour. So many jobs require a driverr’s license to do (pizza delivery, cab driver, real estate sales person) or I would need a car to get to them. I could also forget being a doctor, pilot, welder, hair stylist. I luckily found a job that I can do but that also interests me; Massage Therapist. I have worked in a kitchen as a line cook and assisting manager and it was very hard. I had to create systems so I could do the job correctly - like reading the ‘chits’ that came in to tell me what to cook - or making symbols for food storage to replace the coloured sticker system they used. I too am considering moving to another country. Mostly because I won’t be able to afford to live in Ontario Canada when I retire but also because I need to live somewhere that I can get around on my own. I am 50 now and I really want some independence. I am considering Estonia, Bulgaria and France (though France is possibly too expensive too). I look forward to finding out more about your afventures in France and I hope you will be wildly successful there.
I lived in Nantes for a year between 1995 and 1996 and it was wonderful. I can't wait to come back there next year (2025), 30 years (!) after living this dream I had to leave to finish my college and I never had the opportunity to come back. Sometimes I remember the smell of places, the university cafeteria, or the sound and sensation of the tramway. Enjoy!!
Hey! I just subscribed, great video. Very well done. We may be following in a similar path next year. Do you have a video about how/which visa/etc? I assume Long Stay Tourist and keep the YT content going? Either way, thanks for the vid!
I haven't made a video about the visa process but I believe Baguette Bound has one that could be helpful. To be honest, my visa process was very simple because I am married to a French citizen. When I first came to France 10 years ago, I was on a student visa (which allowed me to study & work part time) and you can do that if you study French here. Jay Swanson or Nathaniel Drew (2 very established American RU-vidrs in France) may also have videos about their process. Wishing you the best of luck in your adventure!
This is idealistic. If you have a job France needs yes it will be easy, if not, you will need french qualifications or no job and you will always be at the bottom of the list. Also you need to be totally fluent in french or no job ergo no Visa. I would strongly discourage any one moving to France and go to the Netherlands. French resident 12+ years...
Welcome to Nantes ! It is indeed a friendly city, and has been one of the best cities to live in for a good while now :) It seems like we live in the same neighborhood, do ask if you need help with anything :)
Hi Devin, thanks for info on Nantes. I found ur vid as I was looking at a map trying to find a place in France to move to next year. I use to live on Anderson Island near DuPont, WA. I hope to see more vids from you. Look at Wise for banking. Their home office is in UK. Easy to transfer $ in any currency & low cost. Also the have a no fee ATM card.
yes ! i'm from france and i was talking with my american cousin about the amount of bookshop in france. She was very impressed and was talking about french culture. But the reason why there is so many bookshop in france is because there is a lot of politics reasons !! Nothing happens (specially in the field of the commerce) without good politics...
Viennese here. I never qualified for Gemeindebau (although my income is way below threshold but there are other requirements too) but I got lucky and get to rent an affordable single room apartment from a housing coop (Genossenschaft). I definitely pay more rent than tenants in municipal housing and I had to pay about 4000€ upfront (most of which I'll get back after moving out) but it's still cheaper than a comparable apartment on the free market. It's a high quality apartment too. Maybe 10 years old and in good shape. I currently pay 408€ per month excl. heating and electricity for 42 m2 + a balcony. A friend of mine who rents from a private landlord pays quite a bit more for a 30 m2 and no balcony.
I moved to Nantes (well at 15km) 8 years ago, after living in Paris and the suburbs my whole life. I was amazed by the city. I don't know I get used to it or if the city changed but a lot of friend or colleagues have had problem with delinquency at night at the beginning, but also during the day now. Nantes is still a nice place but, living outside of it, I prefer to go out in others smaller towns of the department.
Welcome to you and all the fellow commenters to France :) I myself am not living in France right now (currently the UK, after a time in Ireland -- and planning to move to Spain next) but I did find my love for France again after a couple of years in the UK. Of course things are never perfect, and French people can often put you off, but depending on where you are and your mindset, it can be a great experience!
Hi there! I stumbled upon your video by complete accident. But as a frenchman living in Nantes, I find it very interesting to have some newcomer's insight on this fantastic city. If you wanna practice french or even have some questions about daily life in Nantes, feel free to hit me up!
C'est vrai que je ne m'attendais pas (venant d'un américain) à des louanges du socialisme mais je dois dire que ça fait du bien! Good job! Et Bienvenue :)
I've been living in Nantes for a few years (ever since my BAC), and I'm happy to learn about others' POVs on this city! :D There are truly some gorgeous gardens, some lovely cafés, etc etc...
I love it. I came from a town with a long history of music - especially street music and it really makes me happy to know that Nantes is so full of music. 🙂🎵
Thanks for this super nice add for the City of Nantes. Just let non European viewers know about how drug dealers rule Place du Commerce, how public bus and tramway drivers need police protection in some places as aggressions come on a daily basis and, more generally, how the city has changed, not in a good way, over the past 40 years, thanks to left wing policies
I live at 20 minutes from Nantes, I moved here 5 years ago with my family and I can say that is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been and every year changes for the better, the people here are very nice and friendly. I have a lot of friends in Nantes and we go out wherever we can, with them I can say that it’s like home again after all those years and I love it!
Yes! I feel this exactly. I've only lived here for 5 months now, but I really love the people in this city. So kind, so friendly, and truly good humored. It does feel like home and I feel lucky to live here.
as a long time nantais, local government care more about puting trees in some random places than security in public transport or hygiene outside of the dowtown area
Very nice video but it really sounds like an order from the mayor of Nantes... I am glad you enjoy your life here and it is refreshing to have the perspective of a foreigner on Nantes, but for a someone who has live most of his life in this city, I can tell you that it has considerably changed in the past few years and not always for the best. Not everything is the responsability of the mayor of Nantes but there are things, considering security especially, which were denied by the authorities who refused to handle the problem like it should be. I saw your pined comment and the numbers and stats can show whatever, what is real is the dayly experience of people actualy living their life in this city since decades. And beside some people who don't have to face some reality or use certain part of the city, every body who live in Nantes since more that 10 years will tell you that they are less safe now than before. And it is not just a felling fed by medias, there are actual events that happen in the life of people which were not happening before. There are people who are visibly making trouble in public places which were not there not so long ago. Yes Nantes is still a really nice city th live in and many good things were done by the authorities to make life of people nicer (transport, cultural events...) but you cannot say that everything is fine and it is thanks to socialism.
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate your perspective. I don't think Nantes is a utopia. That's for sure. It's a really nice city. Not perfect, but nicer than anywhere I've ever lived. When I mention crime statistics in my pinned comment, I'm not trying to say that your experience is invalid, but rather that France overall is a very safe country. That's thanks to public policy and it's thanks to the way people here view their place in society, and it's something to be very proud of. Nantes may indeed have more visible crime (drug dealing for example) than before and if you're used to a place with such a high level of security, any change is a big deal. Coming from a place like America, where sh**tings happen all the time, everywhere, Nantes is a breath of fresh air. I don't have to worry about the words that I say to my daughter before school being the last thing I ever say to her. I don't have to worry about someone using their vehicle to end my life on purpose (which is sadly not uncommon in America). I don't have to worry about the guy walking into my work who feels disgruntled about the government doing something that makes the news that night. These stresses add up, and for now, I don't have them in Nantes. It feels truly safe here compared to anywhere else I've lived. That's thanks to you. That's thanks to your neighbors. It's also thanks to the general stability of the municipal government over the past couple decades. Again, my comments are more about how Nantes is the type of city that everyone deserves. Most people aren't so lucky. I hope that makes sense. Thanks again for your comment and for welcoming me to this great city.
I know Nantes is one of the best place to live in France but: Please don't say immigration to France is easy (30 seconds!! Who are you kidding?) I suppose you have a job waiting for you, so working permit wouldn't be a problem. Maybe you're just staying short term? Maybe your wife is French?. I also wonder how you found an apartment/house in the center of Nantes in 2 weeks!!! Speak about magic!
In certain circumstances (most?), immigrating to France is much less difficult than a place such as the US, where they are suspicious of every single person (even American citizens). I helped my wife immigrate to the US 10 years ago. It took almost ten years for her to fully immigrate. It was also demonstrably expensive. We had no savings for that entire time because of the amount of fees that we had to pay. In my immigration situation, I'm married to a French person, and have been married to one for over 5 years. That simplifies a lot of things. The spousal visa in France is indeed about 1/10th (or less) the cost of the one in the US, takes much less time for approval, and it is about 10x less invasive. I'm not saying I'm not lucky to be in that situation, but most people who watch this video are American and understand that the immigration system in the US is abysmal, even for spouses of US citizens. This is more a critique of the US than an exaggerated celebration of France. On finding an apartment in Nantes, we'd been planning this move since 2021. Nearly three years of planning is pretty helpful for any move, but especially for a move to another country. I wish I were magical. Sadly, just a boring old civil service worker.
I feel a bit upset listening to you saying you immigrated in 30 seconds. I have a history with a french girl from Angers, city about 1hr from nantes. We met in Ireland and dated for like 1 year. She had to comeback to France, I was decided to move to another country again because of love, but as a Brazilian it’s not so simple, the quantity of paperwork and the limited visa options make no viable option for me at the moment. I visited this area from France 3 times and i can say easily i would live there, even if i never had met that girl.
I'm sorry to hear that and I understand. I know the feeling of falling in love with someone from across the world and the heartache of being separated. It isn't fair that people can't easily be with the ones that they love simply because of where they were born. For my part, when I mention immigrating, I'm thinking of the endless paperwork and money that I spent - even when I barely had money to eat - to help my wife immigrate to America. We lived there together for 9 years and paperwork + spending wasn't't finished until year 8. My mentioning this was a poke in the eye to the needlessly tedious and expensive immigration experience in the US, but I understand that for you, France isn't doing much better. That's not fair, and for that, I'm sorry. I hope you are able to find a way.
@@devinsilvernail unfortunately we had to stop the relationship. Yesterday i was in Nantes, i visited her there. I fell i ended a chapter in my life going there and saying to her good bye. That’s life ✌️
Without comparing to the US cities, Nantes in France is known for its quality of life. So part of your finding is due to average French way of life and the other oart is due to local politics. All cities in France have begun a process of improving living conditions.
I’m living in Nantes with my wife and we’ve been for the last 8 years, amazing calm city and we love it even though the crime rate went up in the last two years but still a good place to be. Would love to meet sometimes 😊
"... including small villages in the countryside" proceeds to show a 14k town, 4h back-and-forth in bike. I always love the way americans displays the dramatically difference in scale they're used to. Welcome to Nantes, btw !!
Ha yes. The scale is very different. To be fair I have done parts of the Loire à Vélo since this video and have gone through much smaller places. 😂 Thanks for the welcome.
what r u on about openin a french bank account is literally so easy i went to BNP Paribas with all my documents and they made me my bank that day and i received my debit card too also taxes are done automatically if u work in France with a French contract
Lol man I'm jealous. It wasn't an easy process for me. I opened my first bank account in the US when I was 14 in about 15 minutes. This was, by contrast, a different experience. However, all is good once it is set up.
@@devinsilvernail u should have tried BNP Paribas bank i went there n they tookall my documents n then created by bank account n i gotmy debit card it was really easy for me. If u don't mind me asking what bank did you open account? I also don't get the taxes part if u work in France n have a French contract then ur tax is automatically deducted from your payment u don't really have to do anything about tax. ya maybe once a year u look at the impots website to verify something or maybe u get money back or something like that but its not that hard just wisitiing the website.
