Moving to France

[Munter Hunter]

I have heard that France has plenty of instant sunshine. Force de frappe, or something like that.

One comment I have heard before is that if you have a stream in your back garden they won't hesitate to build a Nuclear power station near it.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

A quickie - if your local Gendarme has the surname "Plonquer" do not under any circumstance laugh loudly when being introduced to him.

 

[Munter Hunter]

It must be a mind-numbing decision to do you and others have done...Really pleased it worked out for you allll..............I would have taken the plunge and opted for the Maildives or Cyprus..........but family commitments voted against a move.........
The UK is not too brilliant for some, but now I am used to what I have, and would never fault anyone for choosing overseas..
Much success, bonsoir mon ami, Howard.

Merci

That's a very nice post for anyone to read that has taken the plunge and moved countries.

Oh it was tough to start with, really hard but with no esacpe route back we had no choice but to stick it out. Biggest thing is was family not understanding it and breaking through with the language of course. The Frenchies are generally bemused by the British fascination with their old houses in the countryside. They are also pretty harsh when it comes to their language. They think nothing of laughing point blank in your face if you say something wrong or back to front, they love it and are genarally a piss taking bunch of people lol.

It's ok face to face with someone live as you can use hand signals, drawing in the sand and that scene from 'Dances With Wolves' came in very hand at times. But once it switches to the phone then it really brings you down to earth with a bump very quickly.

But to anyone considering a move here, take it from me...you can learn it, it's not rocket science after all. I was 28th out of 30 pupils in French at school, useless at it no interest at all. But now, even though it's taken a couple of decades, ( I was Infantry, not Int. Corps) I can hold my own even with cock-sure delivery drivers who can't find the house and then when they get out of the van because I have had to go find them tell me right away before 'thank you' that oooh you have an accent' lol. I just tell them now I'm French but spent so much time in England I picked up an accent.

I never thought there was much wrong with the UK and anyone thinking France is better is mistaken, it's just different, both sides of the channel have good and bad points to them.

 

[Munter Hunter]

A quickie - if your local Gendarme has the surname "Plonquer" do not under any circumstance laugh loudly when being introduced to him.

We got one called Gendarme Anus and he does not like any kind of chortling about it and he's a big dude so it's not advisable rolling around on the floor holding your belly as you scream with laughter.

 

[Auld-Yin]

Sadly Mrs SA would have my nads of with a blunt spoon re the chubbies.......

But, but.............what about the thread that can't be named? I thought this was a list of your "conquests"!!!!!

Gutted I am.

 

[Deleted 15400]

But, but.............what about the thread that can't be named? I thought this was a list of your "conquests"!!!!!

Gutted I am.

More of a fantasy league AY....

 

[grimbo]

We Brits like our privacy. Some parts of France are not like this, especially when they think they might have family “rights” to your trees for firewood and pond for fish.

I've heard this....tell me more......
Is it the right to hunt over your land or a piss take because you are Rost Bif .....

It was a thought to sell here at some point and buy a small farm to retire to..... is it like a right to roam as in Scotland ?

The idea of the locals just wandering all over the farm / woods is not appealing......we've enough of an issue with that here now with Townies and covid campers thinking the countryside is just like a big park....

 

[RangdoOfArg]

I've heard this....tell me more......
Is it the right to hunt over your land or a piss take because you are Rost Bif .....

It was a thought to sell here at some point and buy a small farm to retire to..... is it like a right to roam as in Scotland ?

The idea of the locals just wandering all over the farm / woods is not appealing......we've enough of an issue with that here now with Townies and covid campers thinking the countryside is just like a big park....

I only know through family that have moved to France. I do not live there. I would, but Mrs R would not. C‘est la vie.
The “right“ to hunt, fish, etc can be old and ‘enshrined’ in law, ie it doesn’t really exist. Be kind to them, they might throw you a truffle. You could invite the hunters in for a coffee-calva and they might bugger off.
As in most things fFrench, make friends with the local mayor. He/she can have lots of influence within the commune. That’s from my wife’s cousin in Tarn et Garonne, YMMV.

 

[Munter Hunter]

I've heard this....tell me more......
Is it the right to hunt over your land or a piss take because you are Rost Bif .....

It was a thought to sell here at some point and buy a small farm to retire to..... is it like a right to roam as in Scotland ?

The idea of the locals just wandering all over the farm / woods is not appealing......we've enough of an issue with that here now with Townies and covid campers thinking the countryside is just like a big park....

No, they have no right at all to hunt over your land.
If putting up Chasse Garde signs does not work then brut 'get orf my land' works a treat, but you have to be persistant, and I mean very persistant but they get the message eventually.
Fishermen are another pain in the arse, but I find the full section attack mode tends to get the message over and they soon cross the river to the other side.
I shoot & fish, and am also a registered trapper...I don't put up with their boarder incursions.
Another good tip...put up some 'Terrain Piege' signs and make sure they believe you have some traps out which would spoil their dogs day and they soon go elsewhere.

 

[mufftickler]

One of my exes parents bought a house in Normandy.
Neighbours were lovely except for the chicken coop.
It resembelled a sentry box and stank to high high heaven.
The chooks were never allowed outside.
Feed was chucked into the top, and shit and eggs collected from the bottom.
No Eu welfare standards adhered to at all.

 

[Munter Hunter]

Yes that sounds about 100% correct.

Then they scratch their heads as to why they have rats all over the place.

 

[kif]

I've heard this....tell me more......
Is it the right to hunt over your land or a piss take because you are Rost Bif .....

It was a thought to sell here at some point and buy a small farm to retire to..... is it like a right to roam as in Scotland ?

The idea of the locals just wandering all over the farm / woods is not appealing......we've enough of an issue with that here now with Townies and covid campers thinking the countryside is just like a big park....

Less than 20 hectares the local ACCA ( 'Commune' hunt) have access unless you ban hunting on your land or rent hunting rights to a private hunt. Do get a 'bail' if you do this even if for a peppercorn rent as it formalises the arrangement. And be on your toes because someone WILL push their luck.

 

[Effendi]

Can’t find a thread specifically about this so here goes. God help me I’m seeking the advice of Arrsers, specifically those living in France about moving there.

Mrs SA & I have been chewing this over for a while now. Our situation is thus. Both in our early fifties. I’m retired, she is p/t. Our retirement income is just over 2k a month. We have around 300k for a house.

Currently I do a little bit of gardening for pocket money. Mrs SA speaks the lingo & would look to work p/t in France, nothing highbrow, shop work etc. I would ideally like to continue the gardening. Alternatively we have mulled over running a small B&B on a p/t basis as don’t want to be wage slaves.

we have no debt.

Looking at the Dordogne area. Ideally on the edge or nearby a town. Don’t want to be out in the stick miles from civilisation.

so the questions are;

What’s the cost of living like? Whsts a reasonable amount needed to live on. We’re not party animals, although enjoy eating out now & again, we enjoy good food, wine other than that we’re quite self contained

What are the pitfalls, I understand French bureaucracy to be a mare. What about things like health care, taxes,state pensions etc.

Areas to look at, areas to avoid?

Any advice greatly appreciated as we continue our research...

Well, did you go?

We are gently looking now and France is on the list.

 

[Deleted 15400]

Well, did you go?

We are gently looking now and France is on the list.

Not yet, SWMBO had a bit of a wobble about leaving offspring, so still in Blighty.

I'm still keen, but not pushing it, we have just invested in a motorhome my cunning plan is to do it by stealth mooching around France in it to win her over....

 

[fairmaidofperth]

Not yet, SWMBO had a bit of a wobble about leaving offspring, so still in Blighty.

I'm still keen, but not pushing it, we have just invested in a motorhome my cunning plan is to do it by stealth mooching around France in it to win her over....

I suggest you read all the info here. It's a lot more complicated nowadays. Bon courage as they say here

Moving to France after 1st January 2021 | RIFT

Move to France. France Visa. Living in France. Visas France. Emigrate France.

www.remaininfrance.fr

 

[Effendi]

Not yet, SWMBO had a bit of a wobble about leaving offspring, so still in Blighty.

I'm still keen, but not pushing it, we have just invested in a motorhome my cunning plan is to do it by stealth mooching around France in it to win her over....

We are looking around (online at the moment) to suss out places of interest to us. We should hopefully be pootling over later this year for an in person recce of our French, Spanish, and Portuguese shortlist. More attention is being paid to France for a few reasons:

- We have been before and appreciate the nature of some of the natives. I must have been the only person on the planet to be stopped getting onto a ferry in Calais to have the PRI van inspected. Other than that I got on really well with the lads in the French Liaison Office at JHQ, and used to take them out regularly when they were being paid their conscript pittance.
- Excessive beauracratic admin does not phase me anymore after dealing with seppo civil serpents and their system. Allegedly they speak english......though sometimes I seriously wonder.
- Mrs WEffendi did A level French, I know how to find the toilet, and order a coffee with a croissant.
- Getting in is no problem as I still have a German passport for another 3 years and can also take the wife and kids in as dependents.
- Montpellier is looking good in France, big university town/city.

- Lisbon area is looking good in Portugal - WTF is there to do amidst estates of holiday homes in the Algarve apart from sit, and wait to die.

- Still looking at Spain, though my brother spent 15 yeas in Valencia. To me though the Costas are full of bars, tourist hordes in the summer, retirees reminiscing about blighty, and waiting to die.

With all that there is one fly in the ointment. The Mrs should be finishing her job in early April, as usual word has already gone around that she is becoming available, and she has already had a consultant sniffing around. Her words to me were, "yeah, but its a couple more years salaries to bump up the US pension, and a couple more bonuses to tuck away".

So we'll see.

 

[par avion]

We are looking around (online at the moment) to suss out places of interest to us. We should hopefully be pootling over later this year for an in person recce of our French, Spanish, and Portuguese shortlist. More attention is being paid to France for a few reasons:

- We have been before and appreciate the nature of some of the natives. I must have been the only person on the planet to be stopped getting onto a ferry in Calais to have the PRI van inspected. Other than that I got on really well with the lads in the French Liaison Office at JHQ, and used to take them out regularly when they were being paid their conscript pittance.
- Excessive beauracratic admin does not phase me anymore after dealing with seppo civil serpents and their system. Allegedly they speak english......though sometimes I seriously wonder.
- Mrs WEffendi did A level French, I know how to find the toilet, and order a coffee with a croissant.
- Getting in is no problem as I still have a German passport for another 3 years and can also take the wife and kids in as dependents.
- Montpellier is looking good in France, big university town/city.

- Lisbon area is looking good in Portugal - WTF is there to do amidst estates of holiday homes in the Algarve apart from sit, and wait to die.

- Still looking at Spain, though my brother spent 15 yeas in Valencia. To me though the Costas are full of bars, tourist hordes in the summer, retirees reminiscing about blighty, and waiting to die.

With all that there is one fly in the ointment. The Mrs should be finishing her job in early April, as usual word has already gone around that she is becoming available, and she has already had a consultant sniffing around. Her words to me were, "yeah, but its a couple more years salaries to bump up the US pension, and a couple more bonuses to tuck away".

So we'll see.

I am just watching Hawai Five-o. Why don't you retire there? Lots of hot chicks, great beaches and oriental food. Become a surfer dude.

 

[Effendi]

I am just watching Hawai Five-o. Why don't you retire there? Lots of hot chicks, great beaches and oriental food. Become a surfer dude.

Three problems with Hawaii:

1. For the Japanese it is so cheap that groups of businessmen buy entire golf clubs for their own private use.
2. Compared to mainland US it is expensive.
3. It is plagued by the unemployed, petty crime, and drugs, lots of drugs. Think about it for a moment; why bother living somewhere cold and miserable when you are unemployed if you can go and live in paradise. So they do. It is the same in Florida, and California, the sunshine spots are magnets for the dross, and criminal element. Its late now and I want to watch an episode of Yellowstone so I will tell you a Florida dit tomorrow.

 

[par avion]

Three problems with Hawaii:

1. For the Japanese it is so cheap that groups of businessmen buy entire golf clubs for their own private use.
2. Compared to mainland US it is expensive.
3. It is plagued by the unemployed, petty crime, and drugs, lots of drugs. Think about it for a moment; why bother living somewhere cold and miserable when you are unemployed if you can go and live in paradise. So they do. It is the same in Florida, and California, the sunshine spots are magnets for the dross, and criminal element. Its late now and I want to watch an episode of Yellowstone so I will tell you a Florida dit tomorrow.

Well Hawai Five-O would be out of a job if it was crime free wouldn't they. Anyway in respect of dross, no different to Bournmouth, Brighton and Blackpool.

 

[Deleted 15400]

We are looking around (online at the moment) to suss out places of interest to us. We should hopefully be pootling over later this year for an in person recce of our French, Spanish, and Portuguese shortlist. More attention is being paid to France for a few reasons:

- We have been before and appreciate the nature of some of the natives. I must have been the only person on the planet to be stopped getting onto a ferry in Calais to have the PRI van inspected. Other than that I got on really well with the lads in the French Liaison Office at JHQ, and used to take them out regularly when they were being paid their conscript pittance.
- Excessive beauracratic admin does not phase me anymore after dealing with seppo civil serpents and their system. Allegedly they speak english......though sometimes I seriously wonder.
- Mrs WEffendi did A level French, I know how to find the toilet, and order a coffee with a croissant.
- Getting in is no problem as I still have a German passport for another 3 years and can also take the wife and kids in as dependents.
- Montpellier is looking good in France, big university town/city.

- Lisbon area is looking good in Portugal - WTF is there to do amidst estates of holiday homes in the Algarve apart from sit, and wait to die.

- Still looking at Spain, though my brother spent 15 yeas in Valencia. To me though the Costas are full of bars, tourist hordes in the summer, retirees reminiscing about blighty, and waiting to die.

With all that there is one fly in the ointment. The Mrs should be finishing her job in early April, as usual word has already gone around that she is becoming available, and she has already had a consultant sniffing around. Her words to me were, "yeah, but its a couple more years salaries to bump up the US pension, and a couple more bonuses to tuck away".

So we'll see.

I'm with you in that I want to avoid tourist areas. Not considered Portugal TBH, but may well have a look.

We both love the mountains so pyrenees or Alps areas or surrounding areas would be a preferred choice.

Inland Spain is beautiful but probably a tad too hot for SWMBO.