rjbingham

Sorry, it was a bit of a freudian type thing, little old me with only 2 posts and every one else with lottery type numbers... i promise to curb my enthusiasm next time. Bon weekend to all Adrien

Kathy, each to their own, as i quoted 'tis my opinion' and for that reason i mentioned the fact i have been very fortunate in working/living in a whole host of very different and very diverse countries. Certainly in France, i am considered just another Brit, in the Republic of Georgia i was one of only two senior engineers in the whole country and yet, the move to France, with taking my family (unlike my previous work) was a very big step. I do firmly belive that life is there to be lived, if you try and fail, so what...at least you tried. Had not every inventor, politician, explorer or writer dared to take a risk where would the modern world be today, and lets face it, all Mark has to do is move, not re-invent the light-bulb or the internet, i think you see my point. My only concern in life is my family, and what i can do for the best for them and me (believe i am selfish sometimes-you have to be !! after serving the RAF and hearing the standard lecture about there being no 'I' in TEAM) i wish both you and Mark (if he reads this) all the best. Whats the worst that can happen, you run out of money !!! BIG DEAL....get a suntan, learn some middle eastern dialect fly into Stanstead and ask for political asylum. Problem solved, free house blah blah...reason 47 why we left the U.K. If we stay here for 5-6 years and then run out of money, at least we will have had a damn good time, our boys with be bi-lingual, will have seen of bit of life over the other side of the Channel and then i'll sell the farm,move back to the U.K buy an alarm system and cameras from B&Q and moan in the pub with the rest of the populas about the bloody French and the blockages!!! Failure is not an option Take care and regards Adrian (the RJ thing is a very subtle joke)

Yes Mark, quite frankly you are MAD and quite a few people on this forum have confirmed this. That said, doubtless the founding fathers departing the shores of (not so) Great Britain, were also considered mad by many.The point, or rather MY point is (and thats all this is- my point of view for what its worth) rather you have, or are very close to making you mind up anyway and are looking for reasurrance !!, if thats the case i wish you all the best. Ask yourself how many people, irregardless of having children have been in your shoes (my wife and i for one) disillusioned with day to day life in the Britain have taken a massive step into the unknown. And for some it is too much, for many it is the start of whole new life with a whole new perspective on living with Europe, that is the reality of why websites like this exist and why they are so popular, not to discourage, but to inform, but most things in life are relative. What you consider expensive may be small change to the next bloke.  People, normal hard working, middle management types through to the local plumber, across the whole  spectrum, people like you, ordinary parents worrying about their children's future are leaving behind the increasingly overpopulated island in their droves. That for me is why we took the risk in moving here to the Limousin, i speak very little French, nor does my wife or our two children, for me, the risk was not moving my family to France BUT STAYING in North Wales. The cost of living is admittedly relevant, the days of paying inexcess of £1000 p.a in council tax are now history, the road fund licence, all now history, however financial issues aside their are a whole new set of problems to contend with, all hampered by a language barrier (explains why so many emigrate to English speaking countries) but this problem itself is one which makes you all the more determined to succeed, and maybe even feel somewhat pleased with yourself when you get a handle on things.. As i explained earlier i speak no French (or rather i did not), however having lived and worked in Germany, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Georgia, Holland, South America, Hong Kong and many other less than wonderful places on the planet, the move to France, although easy for me (fluent in eight languages-no French though !!should have listened in school), although it has been quite an upheaval for the rest of the family, three months down the line, things are looking up. The boys play golf and are treated with respect at St.Junien golf club. I get to fly planes for a fraction of the cost of in the U.K, and my wife does not come home every night from work as a nurse stressed having had yet another day dealing with drunks, druggies and general scum, the like of which the U.K seems to breed, and most importantly the children are happy in school. For us the move to the Limousin was and is all about quality of life, our lives and that of our children,  you only have one life,  you only get one chance, fine its a risk, if you don't like risks stay in the U.K. wait till you confront someone stealing the stereo out of your nice new car that you worked hard to pay for and end up (if you're lucky) on my wifes ward. To stay put, that to me is MAD. For us we wanted to give our boys to chance of a decent childhood, the one we had, the one where you earn respect and respect others, sadly gone forever in an overpopulated Wales, a childhood we had without crime, locked doors and the constant buzzing of the police helicopter overhead. If you want cheap and cheerful and are worried about the cost of living every month, move to Thailand, but last time i checked thats filling up with undesirables and i do not think i would let the children out of my sight!! Either way Mark i wish you and yours all the best and 'Bon Courage', for what its worth i say 'seize the day', your a long time dead my friend Regards Adrien and if you need any help when/ If you get here give me a shout, i don't know alot but will do my best !!What you like on servicing aircraft?? P.s if its such a risk moving to France, how come there are so many Brits here ?? Maybe they would like to keep France their little secret !!! And you know what, i do not blame them...