Jump to content

deb in bc canada

Members
  • Posts

    12
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never

deb in bc canada's Achievements

Newbie

Newbie (1/14)

0

Reputation

  1. One last question, folks.  I just checked out LeClerc and see that I can buy a Garmin 1340 in France for 130 euros - if the french versions allow you to select English as the internal language then that would seem better than paying $249Cdn for the version here that has a europe map -- since I have to go to \leClerc anyway for the phone/SIMS.  Does anyone know if you can select english as the language, or if there are any concerns with the 1340?
  2. Again, thanks to all!! I have checked and find that I can buy a Garmin 1370T here which has N America and Europe preloaded, Have found it for Cdn $249 which looks to be a good deal (at least for here!) Thanks for the info of what to look for to ensure that a Cdn phone will take the French SIMS -- am checking with service provider here to see if it is GSM and has correct band. If not, I think I will go with the LeClerc phone for 27.90. I don't think I could get a new phone with correct band for that price here. We arrive at Toulouse and I see there is a LeCerc at Blagnac so will go there. I noticed a post that said that some LeClerc's don't sell phones. I couldn't tell from the website if that particular one does. Anyone happen to know?
  3. Thank you all for the help. I won't be going to the UK. Do you know if French PAYG SIMS will work in a north american phone? Regarding the GPS, I did try to get a Europe map for the GPS I have (its a Magellan) and was told that you can't change the map and I'd have to buy a European GPS with the Europe maps built in. Perhaps this was just the particular brand and model I have. I will check out Garmin here. Again - thank you all for your quick response!
  4. Hi we have recently bought a house in France and plan to come for 4 wk holidays until we can retire there in about 3 years.  I thought it would be easiest to purchase a french cell phone and time package for the time we are there rather than connect a land line.  Can you buy this type of deal in France (ie pay as you go)? or is it strictly long term contracts?  (We're from Canada, and I am checking out the cost of an international plan, if there is such a thing, but a french cell seemed easier).  Can you advise a link that would give me this info?  Also, want to purchase a GPS once we get there.  Can you buy one that has both English and French language in France?  We will be close to Toulouse -- any adivce on where to get a bargain (both cell and gps)? Thanks for your help
  5. I'm with you Patricia. I love Canada -- especially BC, and proud to be Canadian, but I've never forgotten my year living in France. I know and am prepared for the frustrations -- I'm not sure my husband who's never been there truly fathoms the realites of this, though. It's not the space that draws me, its the way of life that is so different from here. I love the language, the centuries old buildings, the food, the wine, the way you shop for food -- everything. I just can't think of a better way to enjoy my retirement years. If we can only do it by part time residence, I guess that would still be what we'd want to do. We go to Mexico on vacation at least every 2 years, and thought for a little while that that might be a place to consider. But really, when I thought about it, I knew I didn't have the affinity for the culture in the same way I do for France -- no desire to get out and explore and learn and understand the country -- just like the sun and the beach. So its wonderful for a 2 wk vacation for us, but wouldn't work as a retirement spot. Let me know how you like French word a day, Patricia. Thanks Catgirl and Sprogster for your comments. I know we have some hurdles being non EU. We've got at least 4 years to consider the decision. Are you planning on moving back to Canada, Catgirl?
  6. Wow Catgirl -- what kind of problems have you encountered? How long have you been living in France?
  7. No, we haven't looked at leaseback -- any suggestions on sites with that info? We live near Victoria, on Vancouver Island. We love where we are, but also have the romantic notion of spending our retirement years with the biggest decision being which region's olive oil to buy!! And of course, the wine, the wine..... We know it won't be a bed of roses -- but nowhere is! How's your french? We have found a site that emails you a french word every day and gives you all the idioms that use the word, and even a sound file to listen to how it's pronounced. It's a great way to build up vocabulary and oil that rusty french. If you're interested its www.french-word-a-day.typepad.com On part time residence, we're hoping that we will find a way to get health insurance in France at a reasonable cost, and only want to consider part time as a last resort. So, if you see any info on this please post it. Deb
  8. Hi Patricia. It sounds like you are in exactly the same situation as we are. Our friends also think we are crazy to think about France as a place to retire -- especially as we live in an area that many Canadians consider to be retirement mecca. We've heard from some (and from research on the web) that prices in France are going up steeply, and so have also wondered about buying now and letting out etc, even though we don't want to move there for at least 4 years. But we were wondering how well it would work to try to do this from such a distance. Have also wondered whether it would be better to do part time residence-- mainly as a means of keeping our Cdn health insurance, as i can't quite see from the info I've found so far how/whether we would qualify for health insurance in France if we're not working. Are you thinking of retiring to Paris or in the country?
  9. Hi Patricia. It sounds like you are in exactly the same situation as we are. Our friends also think we are crazy to think about France as a place to retire -- especially as we live in an area that many Canadians consider to be retirement mecca. We've heard from some (and from research on the web) that prices in France are going up steeply, and so have also wondered about buying now and letting out etc, even though we don't want to move there for at least 4 years. But we were wondering how well it would work to try to do this from such a distance. Have also wondered whether it would be better to do part time residence-- mainly as a means of keeping our Cdn health insurance, as i can't quite see from the info I've found so far how/whether we would qualify for health insurance in France if we're not working. Are you thinking of retiring to Paris or in the country?
  10. Thanks Les, John and Jackie. I'll take a look at those websites Cheers Deb
  11. thanks for the advice Fran. I have been surfing quite a bit and your right there is a wealth of info here. I'll try narrowing down to a couple of gite sites in Tarn and then post for any input on them for our holiday next Aug. Would still be interested if anyone knows a site that might have some of the specific legal issues/requirements as they relate to non- EC's
  12. Hi all.  This may not be the right place to post -- I see that most info is for Brits, but maybe you can help me or direct me to another forum.  My husband and I are Canadian and are planning/dreaming of moving to France for retirement.  I lived for a short time in the Tarn, and so, of course, am drawn there, as a place to retire to.   We are looking really looking anywhere in the Tarn area, or perhaps the Tarn et Garonne, or even the Languadoc.  All the questions asked and answered here are naturally my  questions too, but of course, given we're Canadian, the tax and legal issues etc will be different. My husband has never been to France, and he is keen for the adventure, and we are planning for a trip next summer (Aug) to  come for a couple of weeks (3) for him to experience it for himself.  Do any of you you know of any forums for Canadians?  We would like to buy something that requires no renos with a pool -- not too worried about an existing English-speaking  community.  Not sure about the requirements for Canadians and getting a carte de sejour -- haven't yet gone so far as to contact the French consulate in Canada, given we are at least 4 years away from the actual move.  However, would be interested in any info about amount of income required and opinions on whether to buy now and rent out, versus waiting, given the obviously rising prices in France.   How hard is it to be a long distance landlord? Also, if anyone has any suggestions for a gite in the Tarn area, we'd be grateful for some input.  I've checked the websites etc and it's so hard to tell??!!  It would be for 3 of us for 2-3 weeks- next August (our youngest daughter is coming with us), and I've promised her a pool (she's 14 and not happy about the thought of our retiring so far away, and right now has no interest in France-- which I know will  change once she's been there).  We'll really want to combine enjoying a vacation and looking around the area for the future.  Any help would be so appreciated.  Husband has joined up for French lessons, and I am doing my best to brush up -- so while I am saying this is four years away -- we are keen and wanting to put some action into place.   Thanks for any help you can give. Deb
×
×
  • Create New...