Patrice

Sorry Deb..I just realized that you had included the link to the French word site...duh

Thanks for your comments on the "permanent" residency for foreigners...I have read alot of horror stories about trying to settle permanently and that is another reason why I think I would be happy shuffling back and forth. I can't speak for Deb, but certainly for myself, I love living in Canada and am proud to be a Cdn.  However, arriving in France for the first time, I knew that this was truly my "home".  I have travelled a fair bit to places that are beautiful/fun/exciting, but I have never felt like that before.  It is as if I had been born in the wrong country, at the wrong GPS points as it were!  It's hard to explain and might even sound a bit crazy Deb..I can email you the links to those investment sites if you like (I'm not sure if we are OK to post here?).  Also, if you could send me the link to the "French word of the day" site, that would be great!  My oral French is passable (I REALLY need to work on my accent) and I find I'm OK once I've been immersed for a few days...then you actually start to think in French as opposed to translating first and then saying wat you need to.  My reading/writing is good, although I really need to brush up on that whole verb conjugation thing!   Hubby has been using Michel Thomas' language CD series.  He finds they are wonderful...he has had no French training at all, but he can get by now.  Personally, I find Michel Thomas gets on my nerves, but to each his own! Patricia    

I have been looking at leaseback investments in & around Paris as well as property in the country.  I absolutely love Normandy and would love a place there.  It is a romantic notion of a cottage near a small village, however, I'm trying to think what life will be like when I'm 60..will I really feel like riding my bike into town to buy a baguette everyday?  On the other hand, I do love Paris.  I am leaning towards finding something within commuting distance (i.e. 2-4 hour train ride).   I don't know how easy it would be to rent a place out in your absence in the country.  Have you looked at any of the leaseback options?  The return is not as high, however, you are guaranteed rental income and a few weeks personal time.  And the income looks like it covers the financing costs of the properties in some cases.  Agreed about the Health Insurance..I know with the seniors here who go to Florida, that they have to maintain residency here for 180 days to be eligible.  Where abouts are you in BC?  We lived in the lower mainland (New Westminster/Port Coquitlam) for a few years, however, returned here to Southern Ontario (near Toronto). Patricia            

Hi Deb, I just joined this forum and am also Cdn.   I have not lived in France for an extended time, although we visited back in 2000 and toured around Paris, Normandy, Pays de Loire and then returned in 2004 and rented an apartment in Paris for 3 weeks.  We are also looking to retire to France, however, also have a 14 year old, so will wait until she's finished high school. Initially, I thought of retiring permanently, however, I am leaning towards part time Canada, part time France.  Most of our friends will be considered snowbirds (i.e. spend the winters in Florida, summers here) and think we are crazy to want to travel overseas.  But, that is because they have not been to the "homeland" (as we refer to it!). I too have been surfing for "Cdn" related sites and haven't been too successful.  In particular, if we want to invest/buy a property now, but want to finance it, not sure if there are any banks here that specialize in that?  Or are there banks in France that will offer mortgages to foreigners? Anyhow, if I find anything relevant, I'll post it!   Patricia