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Treacodactyl Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
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Penny Outskirts
Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 23385 Location: Planet, not on the....
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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madmonk
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 835
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Posted: Sat May 13, 06 8:23 am Post subject: moving abroad |
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Hi I am Ray new to this site.
We are in the process of moving across to France and the things we found helpful were ,
Research the area, use a French estate agent, don't believe any estate agent whatever nationality.
Make a point of introducing yourself to the local Mayor he could end up as your best friend.
Try and speak thr language however badly it may come out, I am a cockney and sound like "Del Boy" but any effort is appreciated.
Use local tradesmen if you can, but allow plenty of time nobody will rush to do the work.
Be prepared to change your way of life, the French won't change theirs and why should they.Lastly the French have had some bad press, get to know them they are a lot friendlier than we were led to believe, we can't wait to go back and finish the house.
A very good book to buy is "renovating and maintaining your french house" by Joe Loredo, it has loads of useful info even if you are not renovating, web sites , price guides etc.,
Hope this has been of some use. |
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Treacodactyl Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
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madmonk
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 835
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moules and frites
Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 21
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Blue Sky
Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 7658 Location: France
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hardworkinghippy
Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Posts: 1110 Location: Bourrou South West France
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Posted: Sat May 13, 06 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, I've been in France about 15 years, but it was a long-term dream to come here and I'm really happy and glad I moved when I did. There are other places in the world I'd live in, but my French boyfriend, who'd never, ever move, is worth settling here for.
I wanted to come to the Dordogne especially because the gardening weather is good and it's not too hot and (usually) rains just enough to keep things green. The architecture is really pleasing (to my Scottish eye) and the landscape is wonderful, there are a lot of rivers and more than 50% of the area is forest.
Before I moved here, I spent a lot of time in France, both on holiday and working.
I spent three weeks looking in Provence, and two in Britanny and just kept coming back here, although, even in those days, it was much more expensive than other areas.
When we finally made up our minds, ("We", because I came out to France with a very new husband who unfortunately discovered that country life wasn't for him! ) We stayed in this area for a few weeks and eventually bought through a French Estate agent.
I've moved three times since then, but I've always stayed in the same village.
I think it's really, really important to get the location right. I know a lot of people in the north of France who are fed up with rain and people in the south who just can't get their gardens going without spending time and money on irrigation. Visit the area of your choice in all sorts of weather and spend time and effort coming over often to get the "feel" of the place.
Learn the language as well as you can before moving! |
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Blue Sky
Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 7658 Location: France
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hardworkinghippy
Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Posts: 1110 Location: Bourrou South West France
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madmonk
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 835
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Lozzie
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 2595
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 45672 Location: Essex
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madmonk
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 835
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