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Maybe it's passed through the hands of the easy money merchants. They all seem to want to be real estate agents now (and none do a decent job of it judging by the shocking listings).

Whoopsy (she put her foot in it). Do you mean sailed for you (you're over work), or the idea has been done and failed? I think the 'whinging' part of whinging Pom came from post war immigration (ten pound poms - what it cost then) when you'd get the English shop steward type come to (hopefully) a workers paradise and find all the same apathy and conditions as at home. Mind you, I whinge about that and I was born here :-) Brings to mind another TV reference - a Peter Sellers movie where he plays one of them. Very funny. I think this is it (I'm All Right Jack) : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052911/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_54 and the Pom bit has various theories, the one of which is POHM (Prisoner Of His/Her Majesty) printed on convict garb. Not sure if it actually was on them. I think a lot of my neighbours must be descended from convicts, as they certainly behave like criminals. Another is from Pomegranite (a sunburnt new arrival being the same colour as), but I find it hard to believe they even knew what that was.

I think that's more to do with the distance than that they're Australian. Probably extremely difficult to do that kind of thing from that far and a different time zone & language. UK people have a similar reputation in Australia. Hence - 'whinging Pom's'. Actually the whinging pom thing is more from how some are when they get here - they expect Shangri La and find it's just another place with good and bad points. I remember a very funny TV show about UK people that had come here, but decided to go back. One woman didn't like the birds, 'not tweet, tweet like our birds, but shriek and squark' (I think cockatoos). I had an English girlfriend that had emigrated with hubby and kids, then gone back, then come back to Australia. Later got divorced - turns out that was the problem, not the place. :-) Maybe there's a good business in caring for foreigners French pads?

Boy, if I wasn't there 9 months of the year I'd welcome someone popping in to check things. Probably offer that you store stuff in my place. Very hard to take care of things from Australia. You would hope that in return for you being custodian of their chateau in their absence at least they'd be VERY appreciative and helpful when there. If all you get is a 'Ta mate' I'd be very curt. I'm not the sort to ask for help, but in some cases it'd be nice. If things end up being all one way, you do end up a bit disgruntled. If you're going to make arrangements like that you have to see it from the other persons point of view (I mean them of you). In my case asking someone to register a car, I thought her being able to use it when I'm not there would be good. Yes, there is trust on both sides. The speeding fines and I would hope she'd maintain it (I thought an electric car would solve most of that). I do wonder if being a selfish pig is an Australian trait or universal. I seem to be surrounded by terribly selfish people at home in Tasmania. I don't know if it's just my immediate surrounds, Tasmania, Australia, or does this happen anywhere in the world? Me, if I plan on doing something that might affect my neighbours, I consider how to least inconvenience them. Putting in air con?, place the outside unit away from their bedroom. I abide by noise regs. On the other hand they do what they want, when they want. Power tools at 8pm - fine. Dogs barking at all hours, music blaring, swearing, pumps 24/7, wood heater smoke....the list goes on. (rant over).

You can own it, but not register it (alone). The exception (or way around that) is that you can put another person (that has a drivers licence) on the Carte Gris as the Principal Holder. I thought I was ok there, but that person has to be resident in France! Sacre bleu! https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10477?fbclid=IwAR2buQke-8-uHiYr_n_rtZ7rAP_ADY0vJL4hMtZc8Z6lkQbDfZrYDS7Fp4M Though if you look at this part of that site it says to prove residence is quite simple (also covers the Traveller issue): https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1028 I wonder if I could simply provide an invoice from a hotel or campsite? Or state I am hosted by my friend.

I actually got very close - I have a friend that is a French resident. I said 'how about if I buy a car, you register and own it. I'll use it when I'm in France. The rest of the time you can use it'. She doesn't have a car and therefore is a bit isolated and limited in work options. I thought it could be a good option for us both. Problem is she doesn't have a licence so that's out (unless she gets one).

I actually got very close - I have a friend that is a French resident. I said 'how about if I buy a car, you register and own it. I'll use it when I'm in France. The rest of the time you can use it'. She doesn't have a car and therefore is a bit isolated and limited in work options. I thought it could be a good option for us both. Problem is she doesn't have a licence so that's out (unless he gets one).

Betty - yes I have considered (and still are considering) all sorts of other options. It's funny on another forum the bloke that runs it seems to assume you're a complete dill and haven't thought of the obvious before asking the question you come to the forum to ask. That's pretty common on forums though isn't it? Ask question A, you get answers to questions B-Z. Among other options I have these ones - rent, lease, buy from a Dutch company that registers it for you, find another person to set up a Societe Civile company then buy, buy then register in Bulgaria!, buy in the UK, buy french and have a french resident friend register it, land in France with all my wordly belongings in a big shipping container and say, "Bonjour la France, here I am". Gardengirl. Renting - it's more to do with how long you're in the country and under what status. Merely renting, even long term (say over 6 months) as a visitor gives you no residency privileges. You have to commit to immigrating (or at least a very long stay) and have a residence before you can even own a car. Seems kinda crazy considering they let anyone (needs two people) set up a two bob company and buy anything. So not really good security in that (if it's an anti terror thing).

Interesting. As far as I know, there's no Romany (I have no idea of the correct terminology, but I think gypsy is not ok) communities in Australia, well, not as recognised as in Europe anyway. The closest we get are hoards of 'grey nomads' - cashed up retirees that sell their house (sometimes), buy a camper or motorhome and spend ages tootling around Australia frittering away their kids inheritance. The only solution I've come up with so far is a Societe Civile company, but that requires a minimum of 2 people.

Ok, I think a mobile home address is ok if it's a year round site (so it is your permanent address), but for me the sticking point is I would not be a permanent resident in France. My next idea was a friend that is resident. I thought I could buy the car and she could own it and use it when I'm not there. Problem is she doesn't have a licence! Sod. What do gypys/Romany people do? Maybe I could find my ancient gypsy dna?

If that's correct, it rules it out as an option.

Yes, I kinda did that in 1989 - well on a Vespa. Did London to Barcelona and back camping all the way. Very nice holiday. I have a feeling I read somewhere that London street market for vans had been shut down somehow, but no doubt the internet has taken over anyway. A UK reg LHD van is probably the easiest way to do it. How long a trip do you find you can stand before you go stir crazy?

The 90 days is how long Australians (and some others) can be in a Schengen group country in any 180 day period without needing a visa. Longer than that (up to a year) a Long Stay Visa is needed, but my understanding is it's not difficult. Longer than one year requires a residency permit. You'd have to presume those visa's would be subject to being able to support yourself - all the usual stuff. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

Yes, certainly not decided how best to do it. All the harder because France wont simply allow foreigners to register a vehicle. It's quite an odd policy given that they seem fine with us buying property. I was also considering that the motorhome/camper option may be a good enough alternative to a house that's why I considered the multi year option, but also it may take a while to look around and decide where to finally buy. Still not sure if buying the mobile home in the park would work given that I wouldn't be a permanent resident in it. Also the reason I thought a car would go with mobile home is you can Airbnb or house sit using a car to explore other regions and a car is cheaper than a camper. I just really needed answers to my initial questions so I could ponder my options. Ta. :-)

Yes, the wikicampers suggestion is good (depending on cost and availability). Combined with some AirBNB could work. Just had a quick look on Yescape. Minimum cost for 3 months over summer is about €6000 for something you'd be willing to use for that long (not ancient or tiny). That's not ridiculous for a one off holiday, but not something I'd want annually. I had seen an ok looking mobile home in a park for €6000 (plus fees) and €2300 annual site fees (pretty high, but includes all electricity etc). Gives a home base and off season storage too. Though there would be campervan storage fees on top of that, though if I got a mobile home I'd probably just get a car instead. My French is rubbish so far, but Google Chrome translates reasonably well.