Thank you all very much for your replies, it was very interesting. We are starting French lessons, at our local university soon, so that should hald us in good stead. We do not want to work illegally, as we want to make France our home. We have considered Spain, but we have reservations about Spain. We are looking for a new life, not an easy life, we knwo we will have to work hard, go without ectect, we are looking for a change in life. We should have enough funds to buy outright and see us through the first year, providing we live on bread and cheese!. Many thanks for your opinions Tan