Episode 4: Clare Marsland moves to Marseille

Meet Clare, whose decision to make Marseille her home began with a simple longing — to speak another language. Living in a London house share with multilingual flatmates, she felt the frustration of being limited to English, sparking a determination to conquer another language.

A sabbatical in a small town outside Marseille gave her a taste of life immersed in another culture. And when Brexit and Covid combined to close the window on EU residency, she made the giant leap and moved to France. Five years on, she shares the highs and lows of building a life abroad, and why working as a waitress in a busy food hall last summer finally made her feel anchored in her adopted city. 

In this episode

We discuss:

• Why language learning is just one part of her adventure

• How she navigated French bureaucracy, healthcare and housing

• The reality of building a life in a foreign country

• Finding your tribe and creating meaningful connections abroad

• Why working as a waitress in a busy food hall became her anchor moment

• The unique energy and grit that make Marseille so captivating
  

Marseille is having a moment, and Clare paints a vivid picture of its beauty that makes it so special — and why it will always hold her heart. 

I've been privileged to work with Clare and have followed her move closely. I find her story truly inspiring. Whether you're dreaming of your own international move or simply curious about what it really takes to build a life abroad, Clare's story offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.

Music: Morning Span provided by Mobygratis #mobygratis