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Lori, I'm delighted to hear you say that. Before we moved here, I had a French friend who grew up in Périgueux and she always said that the Dordognais were "très chaleureux" and "ouvert" and so it has proved to be. She visits me now and again to remind herself what it was like living here.

Agree with menthe. We've only been in the Dordogne for 14 months now, but we are amazed, on a daily basis, how friendly folks are here. It was NOTHING LIKE THIS in the Vaucluse and certainly not in Paris (no shock there). Quite the opposite actually. Very happy here so far.

Yes, that's one thing we noticed, and still do about the French. Always polite and, in our rural part of the Dordogne, it's still the practice to say "bonjour" to everybody you meet, whether you know them or not. So, while passing on the pavement, while joining the queue in the post office, boulangerie, doctor's surgery etc etc. We have a C of E church very close to us and, TBH, it feels weird when Brits come and go and you never get a "good morning" or a "hello" nevermind a "bonjour". It is all very charming, we loved it and still do! Edel, hurry up and find that house and, if you could find a property via leboncoin or a site for private sales, all the better. Estate agents fees are ridiculously high and could push a property outside of your budget.

Edel, if you're still thinking about Mussidan, it's actually well located and well catered for in terms of transport. There is a mainline station (in Bordeaux readily and the car park is still probably free!), plus it's not far from on a direct route to Bergérac with (I think) daily Ryanair flights. Sorry, my info is not up to date, haven't been there for quite a long time. Good Luck with your decisions. Your posts have brought back happy memories for me....from the times and visits my husband and I were ourselves househunting in France🙂 PS they even have DENTISTS (young and enthusiastic!)

It’s been 14 at one point in North West England

Oh so now you agree that there ARE surveyors in France? Why did you state so categorically, and I quote from your first reply on this thread "You don't have surveyors in France". I felt obliged to contest that statement because it was downright misleading. BTW Martin LP, you were right not to employ a survyor from the UK! You should always engage someone local who'd know the history and conditions of the area. For example, where we lived in South Wales, there was heavy mining for decades so a local surveyor would or should know where likely sink holes might appear. Equally, here where we live, I know a couple of families from a town near us where their whole "estate" (group of housing) had subsidence problems. You'd have to be local and even to have practised for several years to know this particular history. All the houses had to have their foundations underpinned and the local mairie organised the works for every house there. What that surveyor you contacted, M Kingfisher, should have said was I could certainly look at the building and point out its defects to you and even provide details of the necessary works, but I would strongly advise you to get a local professional who would know the conditions and would have a better idea of the costs involved. Buying a house is an expensive business and so not to be taken lightly.

Gardian, when does ALBF the Mouth NOT miss the point? I wasn't recommending using a surveyor, that decision is up to the OP. I merely wanted to contradict ALBF's statement that there were no surveyors in France. That statement is not true. I believe the RICS has a very active branch in France. However, I don't know much about their work here and certainly do not know any individual well enough to recommend them. OTOH, I do know Mussidan and, depending on the property, a surveyor may or may not be needed. The is a lot of old and poor housing stock in parts of Mussidan.

ALBF misses the point, does he not ? As LMP has pointed out, what you’re surely looking for with a surveyor (and a structural one, as Mint has said) is either detail or a guide (the price will vary of course) as to where there may or may not be a problem. There’ll be good ones in France, just the same as in the UK. Ideally, find somebody in France who has found a good surveyor - then (and only then) it might be well worth while paying for travel expenses etc. Looking back at the OP’s post, I’ve no idea whatsoever re fees, but you’ve got to be thinking in terms of €500/ day + expenses.

20 years ago, when buying our first very old farmhouse here (sold it many years ago), we contacted a UK surveyor who at the time wanted 2 grand, plus hotel accommodation and travel costs to and from the airport...........we declined. The French gentleman at the time who was doing the normal diagnostics gave us an in depth structural survey for 500€*, which included the diagnostics report. Whether or not the new diagnostics guys - who seem to use a laptop and a range of gadgets - can offer this service, I don't know. * But, the house with no sanitation, cold water feed only and one fuse on the wall, he didn't have a lot to do. He didn't notice anything that we hadn't already seen in the structure, but it did reassure us that we hadn't missed anything. Caveat emptor

It is totally untrue that there are no surveyors in France. You need to google RICS France and you will see a list of current members. Be aware you need a STRUCTURAL surveyor and not one that will just value the property or measure out the extent of your land. I know about this organisation because my husband is on their list. And no, I am not about to tout for business. He is not looking for work. Just trying to help:

Hello You don’t have surveyors in France. That said, every house being sold have to have a number of diagnostic reports undertaken at the expense of the seller. These are the reports….. https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10798 You need to look at these. They will highlight your biggest and most expensive problems relating to the house. In terms of the roof….it would be better to get a local roofer to have a look. Your main concern is if the roof is asbestos which a lot are in France. Very easy to spot. In terms of structural issues….that is up to owner to tell you. But, If the house has cracks in the render or whatever then you have problems. Your biggest concern when buying a house is climate change (heat stress on you and the house)….don’t underestimate this. This is your biggest consideration. Your second concern is access to healthcare facilities. Just because there are doctors in the area does not mean they are taking on new patients. Lastly…(and this is the good news) whatever price the house is selling at is not the price you will pay. Knock the price down. Make sure you pay its market value not the value the owner thinks its worth. That could be tens of thousands sometimes hundreds of thousands. That will pay for all the renovations. The housing market in France is in crisis. Its a buyers market. So enjoy