Josh on Early Retirement Real Estate Turnover + Elliot’s Plan to Move His Family to France in 2026Josh shares how a tenant turnover and light rehab has felt like a part-time job in early retirement, especially due to multiple commutes into the city, and explains they’re not rushing the turnaround while handling painting and minor repairs themselves. He also discusses tracking hours toward IRS real estate professional status (750 hours) and gives an update that Lori is gradually reducing work hours by taking partial days off, with plans to take a full day off next week. Elliot then discusses his family’s decision to relocate to France in September 2026 so their three children can enroll in French public school, and describes using a paid course/checklist to project-manage the move. He explains that his wife and kids have EU citizenship (Italy) and that he plans to use a familial visa, and outlines why France: favorable US–France tax treaty treatment as he understands it, cultural and lifestyle reasons, language immersion, reputed public education, milder weather in southwestern France, and access to healthcare. Elliot notes they will likely rent first, describes key cost-of-living considerations including higher fuel/transport costs, and says the hardest part so far has been choosing a location among many municipalities, with an upcoming March trip to decide. He outlines plans to keep their US house as a long-term rental while selling most possessions, and contrasts furnished vs. unfurnished rentals in France. Elliot shares excitement about potentially transitioning into full FIRE and feeling burned out at work, nervousness about language and building community away from family, and discusses possible work options including remote work or alternative roles at his global company, while acknowledging fluency and higher taxes as constraints for local jobs. They talk about the move as a multi-year plan, potential reasons it could be derailed (major family events), what success could look like in five years (family fluent in French, different school schedule, frequent breaks enabling travel), and how the kids are adjusting—initial resistance from their daughter but growing excitement, including using a language-learning app called Study Cat and beginning to downsize belongings.00:00 Retirement Balance Check
00:47 Real Estate Isn’t Passive
03:06 Turnover Rehab Tradeoffs
04:12 Tax Status and Time Tracking
05:43 Lori Eases Into Part Time
06:57 Moving to France Reveal
07:54 Project Managing the Move
09:37 Checklist and Visa Path
13:42 Why France Taxes Culture
18:59 Cost of Living Reality Check
23:19 Renting First and Countryside Life
25:04 City Convenience Tradeoffs
25:51 Paris Dream vs Countryside Reality
27:22 Choosing Where to Live
29:04 House Plans and Downsizing
30:35 Renting Furnished in France
31:36 Excited and Nervous
34:50 Work Options and Visas
38:49 Long Term Commitment
40:15 What Could Derail It
42:19 Five Year Success Vision
44:45 How the Kids Feel
46:39 Wrapping Up and Next Steps
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