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Hope you do not mind me joining in. We are hoping to relocate in 2007, early retirement and purchasing in 2006. Cannot agree more on the question of language and we would like to find somewhere where the Brits are thin on the ground so that we have to integrate and learn. We are starting evening clsses in September to improve our school French. Often think white Brits are very hypocritical - moans about Asians coming into the UK and not adapting yet when they move abroad they create their little Britains. There was mention of lots of bills - what is the increase in these compared to the UK?

Just a thought, but reading of the difficulties of taking vehicles and caravans to France has anyone any knowledge of what happens bringing in French registered cars and caravans to the U.K.? The reason for asking is to have some understanding of what would be involved if we do relocate to France (and at the moment that seems extremely likely) and to avoid hassle we sell or UK cars and caravan, buy cars and a caravan in France and then, for some reason decide to relocate back to the U.K.

Thanks Catalpa - seems you had an easy run with the LR - and the others. Yve has owned the Lanos from new and wanted to keep it but it would seem that as it is not worth much, although it has low mileage and in good condition we are going to be better off buying a French car to replace it (or a Stag which she has always wanted). The Disco I have owned for 4 years and taken it from 65,000 to 140,000 without problems (dare say until now) and as I use Rimmer Bros for LR and Triumph (TR7) parts know that they mail over the World, so will have to give it some thought, although it might be easier with a LHD

Having read of some of the problems and also of some of the PROBLEMS of registering a car in France (although it seems a few have no problems) taking into account the costs etc at what level does it become economically unviable to register a vehicle in France? Specifically, how would we fare (subject to the unknown local officials attitude) with a 96 Land Rover Discovery and a 98 Daewoo Lanos?   

Hope this has not been asked before - but I could not find it. Has anyone successfully registered a Bailey caravan in France? If so what was required. Many thanks

Leslauriers - we were advised that by setting up a number of assurance vies that when you start to draw on each one you can elect how you want it taxed. Hence, in the early years you choose as household taxation (unless you are in the enviable position that this is higher) and leave the others invested for the years in which the tax rates fall with, ultimately, the eight year one being the main source of investment income.

I am still trying to get my head around the various tax situations and I had a meeting with an advisor yesterday. We need to take an income to supplement our other income (pension the other source). We were advised to place money in several assurance vies and look to the investment for each being for a differing numbers of years. From one of them take the income from it in the first years. If, say, there was 50,000 euros in there and, say, it earned 2,500 euros in the first year and we withdrew 10,500 euros then, for tax purposes, as we have withdrawn a fifth then the taxation would only be applied to a fifth of the interest, i.e. 500 euros. In addition, you can elect whether to have this interest taxed at those associated with interest from this type of account, with its diminishing amount over time OR the relevant household tax rate, which might be less. When drawing on the other assurance vies, electing for the most beneficial tax rate. I hope the above is understandable and would welcome any comments on the effectiveness of this and also if this actually works in practice. Leslauriers - you comment on the interest rates that you are achieving - are these rates fairly consistent and what exactly is the risk and what rates do higher risks achieve? Thanks  

Been studying various books, websites etc and do not seem to be able to find the answer - so can anyone out there. My wife and I are planning to retire when I am 55 and she is nearly 51 (92 weeks to go and counting). We are seriously considering France and trying to make sure that it will be financially viable. I will be receiving a pension when I retire. My wife will receive a pension when she is 60 and then, hopefully, we will receive our state pension when we are 65. We will be looking to supplement my pension by investing money. From previous enquiries it would seem that it would be better to invest in the UK where we should get at least 4% nett an then transfer this to France. Obviously, as regards any tax free allowances it would b better if the invested money was in my wifes name. I have read that there is an 11% social charge levied on income. So to my question: How will we be taxed and what will be the percentages? Many thanks in advance.    

We are actively investigating relocating to France and the property market. From one agents website I printed out details of properties and thee was: Montant TF + TH: 225 euros et 225 euros I believe these are the property taxes - are there any others and do they seem very low. At the end there is: Prix n.v. demande: 190,560 euro Prix n.v. conseille: 150,000 euro Prix FAI: 205,805 euro What are the various 'prices' above'. Any help gratefully received

Thanks for the replies, obviously need to carry out some more research on this. Have started a little of it - is it that I am used to the British system or is the French system very difficult to understand?

Thanks for the replies. It is a car - a TR7 convertible - but in retirement I would like it joined by a Ford Zodiac MkII, Rover P6 and a few more. Do not know why but I have always fancied a Renault Dauphine. The book that I read basically statd that vehicles over 25 years could not leave the department that they are registered in - so glad that it was only part of the story, so do not need to think up a reason to tell my wife as o why going to France is out of the question.  

Hi. we are currently exploring relocating to France when we take early retirement in under 2 years time. In order to live we will have income from my pension and also from interest on capital. Having tried to find information on rates and taxation and drawing a virtual blank we hope that one of you can help. We are looking to place the capital in a safe investment, i.e. no shares etc. Here in the UK some very good rates can be had in instant access accounts and we would be seeking to do the same if we move to France. What sort of interest is paid, currently, on these types of accounts in France and how does taxation affect them. Thanks in advance  

Hi - we are new to this forum, which seems extremely useful. We are seriously thinking of relocating to France when we take early retirement in under 2 years and have started the process of finding things out. I was somewhat concerned to read in one book that a classic vehicle cannot be taken out of the department where it is registered and also a vague reference to the same on this forum. As I am partial to the odd classic vehicle and would definitely want to bring my Triumph over, and also add a few other vehicles, is there any way of registering a vehicle over 25 years so that it can be legally driven outside of the department - I do not seem to have found this dealt with elsewhere on the forum.   Many thanks