Kiras_Back

Depending on what exactly you are looking for 1000euros 'outside' Beziers or within the department of 11 will get you a very nice property on a long term basis - (minimum years rental) However you are covering a large area - can you narrow it down a bit?    Obviously different areas will carry different price tags! Kira

JC - as soon as I can I'll find out from those in the know ....... but it wasn't mentioned in the last conversation about it! Kira

Don't ever give cats sedatives for flying .. it can kill them. Friends moved their cats down through a transport company, all went well and they were also picked up at Montpellier but NO ONE is claiming responsibility over the 3 missing passports!!!  The cats were destined to spend the rest of their lives here and without the passports it'd be expensive to get them back again! Kira

I can't give you a 'straight' answer on that ... and I'm not aware of the 'new' trans-nation working initiative - how new is it?? I will ring the guys I'm talking about and see what they have to say! Kira

1.  There IS an unemployment problem in France; but the Govt. also realises there is a massive shortfall in qualified building contractors;,whether it be electricians or plumbers.  However if the Govt. made it easier to work in France I'm sure we wouldn't see this problem! 2.  A European registered company (ie. Italy) can work in France.  If it's for (not 100% but ..) more than 6months they need a No. de Siret here.  All TVA must go back through Paris and estimates should carry French TVA not the country of origin.  Along with this the foreign company (dependant on the prefecture) should go to the Chambre de Metiers to apply for local registration that they are working here ... doing this will keep the gendarmes off the back of the employer & the builders in question. I've learnt this having worked closely with a Anglo-German team who travel all over France to do large renovations; they give out estimates quickly and the job is finished on time as they don't 'wander' off to other sites at the same time.  Here in Aude, they also work with a local team of plumbers, electricians & placistes/painters etc Kira

You know there is a 'Brits in France' webring ... I'm part of it but being technologically 'thick' I'm not sure what benefits I get from it! Kira

Latest on Beziers: The runway is currently closed, it's being lengthened to 2000m from 1800m & from 30m to 45m wide and the depth of it is being seen to as well.  It should be done by December and then they will approach airlines such as Ryanair & Easy Jet to fly a lo-cost route into it. So no 'confirmed' flights yet but they will be touting for business, a case of watch this space I think!! Kira

If you're heading to Ax-les-Thermes then you'd be better off using Toulouse airport from the UK as it's closer, Ryanair doesn't fly there but many other lo-cost carriers do - ie. EasyJet Kira

I do the same for people renting long term; I type out an Attestation to the effect that they are living at my address.  This suffices for most 'problems'! Kira

I was talking about this the other day to those in the know.  I will get some more info next week and update you Kira

The runway at Beziers is 200m too short.  However the Mairie is apparently applying to the Conseil Generale for funds to lengthen it and it is 'in progress'.   Beziers are 'understandably' wanting to get onto the Ryanair bandwagon and once it's finished will be able to offer Ryanair another cheap landing spot. Kira

You don't say how large the class is ...; I've had a similar problem with a group of what I'd term 'intermediate' & 'upper-intermediate' students.  The best way that I found was to pair them, put one side of the group with the other, hence assisting the lesser able students with the more advanced ones.  You don't say if you're qualified or not, a lot of this comes with training & practice.  The worst situation is with 2 students of a different level which I come across from time to time and makes life very difficult. Give us some more info & maybe we can help or look on the ESL forums! Kira

I've spoken to them; I was wrong, they DID get a DEFRA certificate when they moved in March this year.  They said it was very straightforward (easier than the dogs) and nothing to worry about regarding the import/export ... Kira

Friends of mine moved with a parrot, as far as I am aware they took her across with the dogs without any problem.  When we next speak I will ask them more ...; Kira

I 'think' that he bought it in the UK and paid 17.5% or whatever VAT you pay on new cars ... So is he still liable in France?  It is NEW and probably had less than 500km before he crossed the Channel with it Kira

I'm here alone, I had 4 years of commuting back & for each month before I finally moved down aged 33. Those 4 years gave me a fantastic start.  I had a network of French friends who have helped in every way they could, mentally I couldn't have done what I've achieved without them! Four years since my permanent move; I now have my own business which allows me to 'make ends meet' pay the mortgage, run the car (fuel is paid by my business) and get away every year (to warmer & cheaper climes in winter!) However, I have had a lot of help, knowing the right people etc I've had to work hard at it and even now life is not a bed of roses, each month I have to balance the books and last month almost went under - this month is looking incredibly rosy but ONLY because I managed to make the payment to the govt. for my cotisations.  Had that not been paid I would have been on the scrapheap trying to start again. France is NOT somewhere to 'look for work' it's somewhere that you have to have a niche market to sell yourself, you won't be the only English person in your region looking for work.  Ideally, as others have said, you need to have a 'back up plan' if that means continuing work in the UK then so be it.  I've seen many people leave because they can't make it work, dreams shattered and penniless selling their old wreck for a pittance to get out quick.  Many of these have relied on other English speakers in their area to help them ... personally I don't think you can do it that way! You must do your homework, find a living BEFORE you move and most importantly UNDERSTAND the system! Kira

Very good ... been a long weekend has it?  French ones seem to get picked up on this site too! Kira

A friend has bought a brand new LHD car in the UK and is in the process of 'thinking' of registering it here as it's on UK plates. As the need to go to the Impots to get the form that states it's paid for etc is still a need here in Aude ... I was wondering if ... Will he need to pay the difference (17.5% vs 19.6% VAT/TVA) to the impots? It's not as straightforward as a second hand one bought elsewhere in Europe? Anyone know the answer? Thanks Kira

I have to ask - what do you want? Skiing on the doorstep or a pool that's hot enough to swim in in the summer?  They are 'far' removed to some extent ... Let us know and maybe we can help! Kira

CCF is no more a terrorist hot spot than anywhere else, but it's always been a possible point of exit for people coming through Spain, but the same can be said of Biarritz etc However security have been carefully trained and the airport prides itself on making sure that nothing does happen! You might also realise that a lot of passengers go through security at the last minute, hence the queue forms rapidly in a few minutes with a lot of people for one x-ray machine! Kira

Thanks but that's out of the question for me; one - the nearest big station is 40mins away and our trains aren't running to meet the other one unless I want to be travelling all day.  Secondly my flight is so late back that I'll need to spend a night in TLS as I won't be able to get a train home! So, it's the car - or a lift! Kira

I've got a number of friends who work for the EU commission in Africa etc ... they all use this school and come out a lot more fluent (& exhausted!) Kira

A.P.A.H are the people to go to ... but I can't give you more information as I don't know which dept. you're in! Kira

By my reckoning I've got another 5 visits before I reach the 3 yearly ones ... I was amazed they passed me at the last one, I'd gone to bed at 4.30am after a fete, had the visit at 8.30am and had to be driven there by neighbours as I was unfit to drive and then fell over during the medical! Kira

One of you was going through the Narbonne peage the other day obviously with a doofer intact Really got my goat as I was in a govt. registered car for work and had to go through the paying section Kira