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From Silicon Valley to France: A Family's Bold Move for Love and Balance

High rents and burnout drove them away, but Alzheimer's and family pulled them to Provence. Now, their multigenerational experiment is rewriting what home means. The trade-offs? Fewer paychecks, more sunset dinners—and a lesson in what really matters.

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The image shows a poster with the text "Finish the Job: Health Care Should Be a Right, Not a Privilege" and a card with the words "Make Lower Health Care Premiums Permanent and Close the Coverage Gap for American Families" printed on it, emphasizing the importance of health care and the need to make lower health care premiums permanent and close the coverage gap for American families.

From Silicon Valley to France: A Family's Bold Move for Love and Balance

In 2023, Lin Koh and her family left Silicon Valley behind for a quieter life in southern France. The move came as her husband's mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, needed full-time care. With rising costs in California and a desire to support her mother-in-law, the decision became clear.

The Kohs—both former tech professionals—now live in Fuveau, a small town near Aix-en-Provence, sharing a home with her in-laws. Their two young children attend a local French-language school and have adapted quickly, picking up the language with ease.

The family splits caregiving responsibilities, balancing support for her mother-in-law with their own routines. While living in a multigenerational household has occasionally strained their marriage, it has also deepened their bonds. More time together has become one of the unexpected benefits of the move. France's lower cost of living was another major factor in their decision. The Bay Area's soaring expenses made daily life increasingly difficult, pushing them to seek a more affordable alternative. Beyond finances, the French approach to work-life balance—where people prioritise living over working—has been a welcome change. The final push came as they watched her mother-in-law's condition worsen. Moving closer allowed them to provide hands-on care while building a new life in a slower, family-focused environment.

The Kohs now navigate daily life in Fuveau, balancing caregiving, parenting, and the adjustments of expat living. Their children thrive in school, while the adults manage household responsibilities together. The move has reshaped their priorities, offering financial relief and a stronger family unit.

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