How I Did It: Liz Amaru on Retiring to Paris, Finding a New Rhythm, and What She Wishes She’d Packed

Some people move to France in their twenties, chasing adventure. Others arrive later in life, drawn by something softer: beauty, balance, and a chance to reshape their routines. Liz Amaru falls into the second camp, and since landing in Paris in 2023, she hasn’t looked back.

A Dream Long Deferred

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Liz’s love of French began in middle school, thanks to a charismatic teacher whose passion stuck. She studied French through college but didn’t actually visit France until her fifties. “My previous husband wasn’t interested in going to Europe,” she says. “So it all got put on hold for a while.”

That changed when she met her now-husband, Mike. They began taking regular trips to Paris, gradually hatching a plan to retire abroad. When Liz turned 62, she left behind a successful legal career and made the leap. “I knew I’d get less money from Social Security, but I figured—life is short.”

Settling In: Visas, Volunteering, and a New Routine

They initially arrived on long-stay visitor visas. Later, once Mike obtained his German citizenship through ancestry, Liz was able to switch to an EU spousal visa. “It’s a much better status,” she says. “It gives me the right to live and work in France for five years.” The change has made things more stable as they settle into life here and plant deeper roots.

One of the turning points for Liz came when she began volunteering with AAWE (Association of American Women in Europe). “I think I retired a little too early,” she admits. “You can only go to so many museums.” Volunteering gave her both a purpose and a community, something she hadn’t realized she was missing until she found it.

What She Left Behind

One challenge? Downsizing. “We brought almost nothing,” Liz says, noting that while they intentionally tried to travel light, she now misses many of the objects they left behind—including a Better Homes & Gardens cookbook that belonged to her grandmother and a vintage rolling pin with sentimental value. “I wish I’d brought a few more things. There’s a happy medium between too much and too little.” She’s slowly begun collecting again, especially cobalt blue glass pieces she’d spent years curating in the U.S.

Parisian Life, American Distance

Moving to Paris meant trading a spacious Midwestern home for a compact city apartment—a shift Liz acknowledges isn’t always easy. “Space and storage are what I miss most,” she says. “But that’s life in any big city.”

She’s also candid about the emotional tradeoffs. “I miss my grandkids, and I try to call every week,” she says. “It’s not the same, but if I were still in Michigan and working, I’m not sure I’d see them any more than I do now. You have to make the effort either way.”

On Fitting In—and Standing Out

Despite the occasional pang of homesickness, Liz says Paris offers daily rewards: the joy of walking everywhere, cultural richness, and constant beauty. “Even on an ordinary day, you look up and think—wow, I’m in Paris.”

Living in France has strengthened her long-standing love of fashion. She’s noticed how deeply Parisians care about presentation: wardrobe changes throughout the day, neutral palettes, understated silhouettes, and minimal branding.

That doesn’t mean she’s trying to blend in completely. “I like color,” Liz says. “So I’m going to wear color.”

Advice for Future Expats

Her biggest advice for Americans considering a move? “Speak French. Even a little. And be patient. Things don’t happen fast here, but you can figure it out.” She’s not opposed to hiring help—but believes much of the process can be managed with a little persistence and a willingness to adapt.

Now firmly rooted in Paris, Liz is still looking ahead. “I don’t know if it’ll happen,” she says, “but I’d like to apply for French citizenship one day.”

A Passion for Fashion

Liz’s appreciation for style shines through in her daily life, and her Paris favorites reflect that. She’s a fan of Rue du Cherche-Midi, which she calls “one of my favorite streets,” and recommends the Thai restaurant Crying Tiger for a flavorful break between vintage shops and high-end boutiques.

For fellow fashion lovers, she recommends the seventh floor of Printemps, home to a curated vintage section she calls “a hidden gem.” Department stores like Bon Marché and Samaritaine are also on her list—not just for shopping, but for their visual beauty and the experience of it all. “That kind of beauty and curation is just so uniquely French.”