A restaurant can be perfectly chosen, financed, and opened; if the family is poorly settled, the whole project wobbles. It’s the part nobody talks about in forums and listings, and yet it’s often what decides whether a move abroad succeeds. Here’s what to prepare, in the order the questions come up.
Housing
In most cases, it’s wiser to rent first. Without a U.S. credit history, landlords often ask for additional guarantees: a higher deposit, several months’ rent in advance, proof of income or funds. Choosing a neighborhood isn’t only about price: you need to factor in the children’s school and the daily commute to the restaurant.
The children’s school
The children of an E-2 visa holder can attend school in the United States. In the public system, assignment is by zone: your home address determines the school, which ties the choice of neighborhood directly to the choice of school. Enrollment requires proof of residence, immunization records, and school transcripts. Private schools, and in some areas schools following the French curriculum, are also available. The American school year starts in mid-August, which needs to be built into the moving timeline.
Driver’s license
In Florida, nothing happens without a car. A French license lets you drive when you arrive, but as a resident you’ll quickly need a Florida license, whose validity is generally tied to that of your visa. That means a written test and a road test. We accompany our clients to these appointments, as we do for other administrative steps.
Social Security number and banking
The E-2 visa holder can obtain a Social Security number (SSN), as can their spouse, who is authorized to work. That number makes everything else easier: opening accounts, credit, driver’s license, insurance. Opening a bank account is possible with a passport and supporting documents, but each bank has its own rules; we point our clients toward those used to newcomers, and toward an accountant who knows the restaurant business.
Health
There’s no French-style national health system. Private health insurance is essential, to be taken out before arrival or as soon as you settle in, and its cost varies widely with the coverage you choose. It’s a line item to build into the project’s overall budget, on the same footing as rent or payroll — not an adjustment variable.
What we actually do
Neighborhood selection, introductions to schools, accompanying you to appointments (school, driver’s license, bank), an introduction to an insurance broker: that’s the purpose of our settling in Florida service. One point of contact, on the ground, so you can focus on the restaurant.
Preparing your family’s move? Request a free, no-obligation first call.