Buying a house in France or for that matter anywhere abroad can lead to a lot of disappointment and fustration. One of the quickest ways of getting rid of ones delusions is to spend a couple of weeks in a French region of your choice and come to you own conclusions as to whether it is worth buying a house or even moving on a temporary basis to France.
Two very important factors come into play here. One is how adaptable you are to a change in your circumstances and the other the support you get from those who live near to you. Personally I would not attempt to settle down in France unless I had at least a working knowledge of the French language. The other big disadvantage with France is that it is an enormous country, four times the size of Britain. Once you have decided where you want to live you have to stay there. To move can be very expensive and who knows what the new region will be like ? Most people go to France and stay there but you will be surprised to learn how many return home to their native country.
Buying a house in France or for that matter anywhere abroad can lead to a lot of disappointment and fustration. One of the quickest ways of getting rid of ones delusions is to spend a couple of weeks in a French region of your choice and come to you own conclusions as to whether it is worth buying a house or even moving on a temporary basis to France.
Two very important factors come into play here. One is how adaptable you are to a change in your circumstances and the other the support you get from those who live near to you. Personally I would not attempt to settle down in France unless I had at least a working knowledge of the French language. The other big disadvantage with France is that it is an enormous country, four times the size of Britain. Once you have decided where you want to live you have to stay there. To move can be very expensive and who knows what the new region will be like ? Most people go to France and stay there but you will be surprised to learn how many return home to their native country.
I think that what judge has to say is interesting. My wife and I moved from England to France two years ago, and we like living in France very much. We have also enjoyed learning French very much and have very much appreciated the excellent help we have had from Frenchclasses.com!
Thank you and yes I am really trying to fresh up my french. I have a private teacher here in Sweden now and I read articles at frenchclasses.com.. Is the ISBN a book about moving to France?
The ISBN is of a book about buying a house in France in English. However we found buying a house very easy. However, I know that others have other experiences.
The ISBN number is a number given to books published by British publishers for identification purposes. This enables librarians all over the world to track down a book even when both the name of the author or publisher is unknown. You will find the ISBN number printed either on the second or third page of every book. You will be surprised at the number of books that have been published regarding buying property abroad and in particular France. Here in London you can buy magazines which deal entirely with all the regions of France and detailed descriptions about what is available in the French housing market. They are more objective than books because they deal with the here and now. . They aslo contain letters sent in by readers so you get more than one opinion. I have to agree with Mills. France is a beautiful country with a certain charm which varies from region to region. Nearly eight million people from the UK either visit or pass through France each year. But there is also a sad side to France which is reflected in the high unemployment and inner city unrest. So much so that many French people have come to Britain in search of a employment and a better way of life. At the end of it I suppose we are all different and have to make up our minds as to what is important for us alone.
Thank you judge for explaining about the ISBN and for your very reasonable comments about things in France. I agree with what you say. In some ways the political situation in France reminds us of the UK in the 1970s. The French would like to have someone like Mrs Thatcher to really change things. Some see Madame Royale as that person. As visitors in France, we avoid judgements. It will be interesting to see who wins the presidential election next year, and how things work out for the people of France, if they decide to change their leadership.
Thanks and yes politic is important too. I try to follow it regulary.
In Sweden however I dont find those house buying magazines. Can you give me some name? I will try to see where I can buy them. Maybee I find something on Internet. Id love to hear more about Peron. How is everything in this region? We have been more intrested in sea regions (like all other Swedes I learned) but not the Riviera.
I have just realised that this forum is about suggestions for La Guinguette. I think that the discussion has moved away from that.
I think that the idea that La Guinguette does an article about buying a house in France is an interesting one. I think we should leave it to Richard and his colleagues to decide if they wish to pursue this.
Well we will look at doing more "practical" kind of articles in the future, including buying houses and so on. We get a lot of demand for it. My own slight worry is that while the idea of doing articles on "ordinary living" sounds great in theory, in practice the danger is the end product ends up being a little mundane. But we'll certainly wrack our brains to try to find a way of presenting day to day life in France in a lively kind of way.
I am still here in Oman. I think there are enough articles about buying property in France, from every viewpoint. It is a change to read articles about life in France from a more varied perspective.
Hi I agree it is depresssing that the favourite dinner table talk has spread here. Lets read about french politics as tha election gets near also about the wine industry, its science , apellationsothe regions than Chablis. Whar about holidays in France. Just returne d from a canal holiday..great! Regards
Well, I do not think I agree that buying a house is a boring subject. Houses are the biggest financial decisions most of have to make in our lives, and so they merit serious thought. and even some discussion with family and friends. By contrast, for most of us, politics is not something in which we are involved directly, and so discussion of what may happen in the presidential elections, does not inflence the outcome. As a foreigner living in France, I make a point of not commenting on policital matters in France.
Thank you Alistair. Id love to talk to you about bying and living in France. In Sweden where we live its not that common buying houses in France. If people do they buy in Spain or at the French Riviera at most. We have a program on TV here "a place in the sun" which is an English program about buying houses but I wonder how they do. Its so much cheaper than anything I find.
My mailadress is ing-mariehu@hotmail.com. Please contact me so we can have the discussion out of this forum.
To La Guinguette, maybe a forum for discussions is another good idea? One in English and one in French so we can have som practice...
nobody is saying that the subject of buying houses, have bought a number in my life in UK and elsewhere. Just that it is inappropriate in this place. With regard to politics most people would agree with you, but this election is important to France anfd the French. As such for us francophones it is of great interest.
I am thinking very seriously of loking for a propert y near the magnificant city of Lyon, one of the most exciting cities in France. Just think of the advantages. One could attend French classes oprovided by Francois and eat the lovely food of the area. Or if we can get a group together we may be able to persuade Francois to take a class just for one week. The prospects are limitless. Some of us may like the place so much we may want to stay there permanently. Just a thought. I would like some feedback on this 'ridiculous idea.'
It may be that the English and Sweeds have different objectives in buying property if France.The Sweeds are looking for modern houses and appartments mainly in the expensive South of France. Thes regions have fairly good weather for most of the year and the Sweeds who come from a cold country like the experience of something totally different. The British howevwer go to France in search of the more traditional properties in more rural and run down areas where they will meet ordinary French people and join in the rural way of life in the French countryside.There arv are advantages and disadvantages with both options. The problem is to find out which one suits you best. There is a third option which is to go and live in one of the medium size cities and participate in the lively French culture. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced all three lifestyles in France.
My wife and I live about 100 minutes drive from Lyon in the Jura mountains close to Geneva. There are many beautiful villages between here and Lyon, and property is generally good value for money (but not cheap) as long as it is out of easy commuting distance to Lyon, Geneve, Chambery, Grenoble etc. If your idea is to rent somewhere then there is plenty of that available too, especially outside of the ski season and the summer school vacation period.
As for classes with Francoise, it is for her to comment. I know that she welcomes suggestions and if you have a proposal that she provide a class in England, then why not write to her!
