9 - This Pediatrician Moved to France Without a Full-Time Medical Job

What if you moved abroad before you had a medical job lined up? That's exactly what Dr. Carrie Reynolds did. A pediatric gastroenterologist by training, Carrie packed up her life and moved with her family to Carcassonne, France, without a full-time clinical position waiting for her on the other side. Instead, she built a life abroad through a creative mix of U.S.-based locums work and as a real estate agent in France.  In this episode, we discuss what it actually took to make the move to France, from finances and immigration to language learning, family logistics, and creating income streams that support a life abroad. You'll learn: ✔️ Why Carrie decided to move to France before having a job lined up ✔️ How she supports her life abroad through locums and non-clinical work ✔️ What it's really like to learn French and navigate the immigration process ✔️ How she approached the conversation with her husband and daughter ✔️ The realities of everyday life in southern France ✔️ Her advice for physicians who think living abroad is financially out of reach This episode is a reminder that there is more than one way to make an international move work. You don't always need a contract in hand. You don't always need every detail figured out. Sometimes you just need a plan, some flexibility, and the willingness to take the first step. If you've ever dreamed about living abroad but assumed it wasn't possible, Carrie's story may change your mind. **Editor's Note:** Originally published on June 24, 2025. Carrie's story remains one of our favorite examples of a physician creating a life abroad on her own terms. She didn't move overseas because she landed the perfect job. She moved first, then built a portfolio of clinical and non-clinical work that supported the lifestyle she wanted. For physicians wondering whether there's only one way to make an international move work, this episode is worth revisiting. 🔗 JOIN US Join our physician-only private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/936658356753142/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hippocratic\_adventures/ 🌍 MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Start your adventure with our FREE Physician Starter Kit: https://www.hippocraticadventures.com/start-your-adventure/ 7 Physician Jobs You CAN Do from Abroad (Free): https://mailchi.mp/hippocraticadventures/physician-jobs If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. It really helps us get this message into the hands of physicians who need to hear it.