Lori

Though I come from America, not the UK - therefore cannot speak on UK charges, but in comparison to the U.S., I have to agree with everything Jon said (only in terms of U.S. to France expenses). We have found some things cheaper here, but most are by far much more expensive than the U.S. We too have had the conversation about how much the annual cost to live here is.  As has been noted, there are so many variables.  I can honestly say that, here in the Vaucluse (Provence), a couple, with one car, no mortgage and no children, could survive on 20,000 Euros per year, but they certainly would have to be careful.  The healthcare issue would have to be considered.  Impots, water, electricity, heating fuel, petrol, white goods and food are much more expensive here than the U.S.  That may be irrelevant as you are coming from the UK, but still..  Any type of home renovations can cost very dearly, so choose your home carefully.  I do not see a couple with an income of 20,000 Euros per year being able to take any sort of International (including EU countries) vacation.  You'd be luck to have a week at a good B&B on that income, but maybe this is unimportant to you. Of course, this is my own personal opinion and I'm sure others will have some good input to add. Also, on another note, there was a recent post about unexpected expenses.  They happen every year to all of us and an income of 20,000 would make it difficult to put anything aside for the coming year.  

Well I do hope it is just a light bit of rain and not a deluge.  We have had nice rain nearly every day for a week now.  The yard is green again and the plants look SO happy.  Luckily for us, we are not in a flood zone, so this has been good. I hope the water levels over there continue to lower and as quickly as possible ..

Has happened to me many times.  Some shops have even resorted to writing me out a hand-written receipt ... probably not worth a centime - Seems to be an art form here.

We renovated, adding a lot of extra power needs, called EDF, they came out and upgraded our power to the house in 10 minutes.  Was really simple, just a bit more expensive, monthly.

Gee, I guess I should consider myself really lucky..  I hope my luck doesn't change.

I thought you might say that.  It is amazing that people continue to stay in these low lying areas.  Seems like such a risk.

Fascinating..   Do you have to pay more for insurance because of this ancient issue?  Just curious...  Are the insurance companies good about paying on damages?

Good grief - modern technology.  There is always someone a step ahead to steal your money/identity, etc., etc.  

Very American...  but not with all Americans.  It is kind of old school.  I am quite certain it was meant as a compliment to the pleasure you offered them. I have several friends who have asked me if they are supposed to leave a tip in the hotels in France....  This is customary with many Americans.

Mpprh - absolutely incredible photo.  Is your area considered a flood zone in general?  Or is this a strange phenomenon that occurs rarely? Over here, round Carpentras, the rain has been coming down more or less steady over the last few days, but I have not seen any evidence of flooding - at least not around Bedoin/Mazan/Carpentras.   

Last Monday, I paid 1.41 Euros per litre for 98 SP !!!!  I couldn't believe it and that was at E. LeClerc where it is normally the cheapest around.  The gas station here in Bedoin is at 1.50 per litre !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think long and hard before setting out to go Anywhere.  My daughter is now in college in a nearby village.  I had thought I would take her in the morning and retrieve her in the evening (she would get to sleep later),  but with the price of gasoline, it is far better to pay the Car Comtadin the 100 Euros per year for the bus.  I went today to enroll her.  

Ceejay:  I am so sorry for your loss.  When a pet is a member of the family for 13 years, losing it is heartbreaking - even with less years ..  I had to put down a Sheltie after 11 years with us (cancer).  It was one of the hardest things I have EVER done in my life. My collie takes Drontal orally, no problems.  I have never heard of giving it in shot form.  Is there some reason why the Vet chose the injection (I am assuming it was an injection) over the pill form?  

If she has been in France for 18 months, she should speak some French.  Her parents or guardians should be faulted it they did not enroll her in French language classes the moment she arrived.  It is true, we do not know the family situation - could be anything, but no matter what the reason, the language lessons would have been vital for this child's well being.  She must feel absolutely terrified and this is just the beginning. Your son is very nice to try to give her a hand.  Perhaps not what he would like to be doing, but at least he is helping someone in need.  I do hope she will give it her best. Where did she arrive from?  Wasn't she in school during the 18 months she has been here?   

Well, it sounds like you have your plan set.  I'm sure it will work out for you. As to house prices in the U.S.  I have heard about increases in California (where we are from).  We left a bit more than four years ago and have not returned, so I don't really keep up with it.  Did you take a look at that website?  It is quite possible they might be able to offer you some assistance.  This is what they do.. There are a few others in France who do the same thing.  Just can't remember them off the top of my head. Glad to hear there are still Americans coming to France, vacation or otherwise. Again, best of luck to you.  

To make matters worse, when I was at my daughter's primary school, there are no doors on the bathrooms, so all can be seen doing their business (some are 10 and 11 years old and privacy is an issue).  PLUS, many are sitting directly on the toilets, no seat covers or tissue to try to protect them from nasty bacteria.  Most of the French parents I talked to about this simply shake their heads and say, that's the way it is... I taught my daughter to stand - not pleasant, but some of these bathrooms are really awful.  I've seen ugly bathrooms all over the world, oddly (perhaps it is just my weird mind to think it odd) the cleanest I saw were in Asia.

I don't mean to be rude here, but you seem to be setting out in a fashion different from the "French norm."  I'm sure you have your reasons for doing this.  Are you here in France?  Will you only be coming over for a short house hunting trip, not a long term living situation with house hunting done while living (perhaps renting) here?  This can affect the type of "service" / greeting you may receive.  The architect idea is not a bad one and they will have further contacts with other surveyors and inspectors.  However, I wish you luck in finding one that has the time to go with you on your house hunting excursions.  I do know one here in Provence, but that isn't the region in which you are searching... sorry. Short of Paris, I think you may find it hard to get replies for this type of help.  You probably will find British Attorneys who MIGHT help you, but if they do not suit your needs, and the list the embassy provided you are not replying (no surprise) it may be hard. Give this company a try.  Not sure if they work in the regions you are looking at, but they are very helpful and quite knowledgable. http://www.skovgaard-europe.com/whoweare.htm Good luck.

so do I

Yes, I saw that fine print too.  However, I have to say that our calls to the UK are charged at .08 cents per minute - same to the U.S.  Since we were switching from AOL to Cegetel, the price difference was huge, so it still sounds okay to us.  If we find better, we will cancel.

We have ADSL with Cegetel  14.95 Euros, unlimited access.  Every now and then their server goes down, but not too often and it is usually repaired within hours. I haven't managed to find anything cheaper, but it may exist.  We were not required to sign a contract and can therefore cancel at any time.  

I have the rice vinegar and I use it when it works, but I think the Banyuls might be an acceptable substitute for the sherry. I suppose I might be able to grow arugula, but we have no water down here and growing ANYTHING is an enormous risk.  I find the Roquette is smaller in leaf size and more peppery than what I am used to.  However, I use it whenever arugula is called for... Oh well, I guess I just better adjust.....

I find that it is available seasonally - Fall/Winter in Auchan.  I have also seen it in our local E. LeClerc.  I'm sure your local boucherie can provide it for you..

I find that so amazing.  I have to drive to Spain to buy sherry.  Maybe I can find it somewhere online (for delivery here).  I have several recipes that call for sherry - many marinades.  I can't think of any substitutes.  It is really hard to understand why SO many European products are not more widely available IN Europe.  I also can't find my McCann's Steel cut oatmeal here either (or any other brand of true steel cut oatmeal).  It's made in Scotland...  I won't go on listing all the many other things I search for.. Guess it is just "one of those things."  

Not necessarily in the same recipe... I have been looking for cooking sherry, but can only seem to find port sherries, ruby or the lighter one.  Can anyone advise a similar ingredient or perhaps tell me where I might find real cooking sherry?  I have tried LeClerc, Auchan, Giant, Intermarche, etc.   It must be here under some name... Also, what do the French call Arugula?  or do they have it here?  I don't find Roquette to be the same thing...??? Thanks  

How tragic for everyone involved here.  I can never understand how anyone can let a child out of their sight for one second when there is a pool on the property.  I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we had children here.  Alarm, fence or not ...  I would worry ALL THE TIME.  Hence no kids.  I don't think there is any real way to protect a child from drowning in a pool - except not to take your child near one.  Really sad.

I agree with Russethouse - rent for a year.  Personal opinion, don't sell your house in the UK until you have rented here for a year.  Maybe rent it out.  This will give you the opportunity to discover what France is like.  We did this and I am glad we did.  You may hate it, or you may find it unworkable (in many ways).  Everyone's experience is different. To work, if you are lucky enough to find any, will require good oral and written French. I also agree that to buy in an area that is remote would be a big mistake.  Not only will you be spending a fortune for petrol to go just about anywhere, it will be lonely - perhaps not for the first few months, but after a year or so, unless you are real hermits, you will be sorry.  Agree with earlier post - this is where the "cheap" properties are - be aware. We are happy here, but it is certainly not paradise.  I'm not really sure paradise exists, but we are all different. As has been said, read, read, read and research.  You will know after that and a year of renting here. Good luck.