Richard

Hi All, In the Aquitaine area, where are the best places to shop for white goods? Also, can we get recommendations on DIY stores?  Similar to B&Q, HomeBase, Wickes, & Focus? Cheers! Richard

Thank you Cooperlola!   I think that's going to be the best option for us.   As I am only 53 y/o at present, I do plan to work at least until I'm 62 (hopefully in France).   I would like to get out of this corporate life I currently lead (it's total BS) and do something I enjoy!  Gee, doesn't everybody?  :-) Thanks again! Richard

Thank you Sunday!!!   I've PM'd you....

Hi Sunday, Thanks for your quick response.   Let me see if I understand what you're saying.... Are you suggesting that it doesn't matter where my state pension comes from?   Once we have our S1 (which I understand can cover us for up to the first 30 months, depending on the timing of our physical move, of us living in France full time), then all we would need to do is pay for our medical coverage thru private medical insurance (say, BUPA for example) for the remainder of our 5-year residency "test"?   Then, once we meet the 5-year requirement, we would be able to be covered by the French national health service? Or, are you saying that regardless of where my pension comes from, once we have our S1 and the time limit associated with the S1 elapses, we are on our own for the remainder of any health care coverage? Sorry I'm being so thick on this....  but it is a "deal breaker" if we don't have health care coverage; and not at some exorbitant premium (€€€'s). Cheers! Richard

Yep, I've just had it confirmed.... I won't qualify for ANY healthcare in France unless I pay for it fully myself? Oh well! Guess it was a nice thought whilst it lasted... Take care everyone! And, thanks again for all of your helpful advice? Cheers! Richard

Thanks Krusty! Cheers! Richard

Hi Folks, I hope I have posted this in the correct section of the forum.... I have just been given some information that I hope is not true, but thought I would ask anyway.   I am a dual-citizen between UK and USA.   When I am eligible to collect a state pension, I will be collecting Social Security from the US.  I don't/won't qualify for a UK state pension. I was told that because I will be collecting my state pension from he US, that I will not qualify for any sort of health coverage in the French health care system?   Is this true? Many thanks in advance! Richard

Thanks again Everyone for your valuable information!   This is truly a learning experience; and may be one day I can return the favor to someone who is in my current "shoes"...

[quote user="Bob T"]I may be wrong, but I don't think that a US pension is going to get you an E121 from the UK to get into the health system here. [/quote] Hi Bob, What?   Are you saying that because I will be collecting my state pension from the States (e.g. Social Security) and not the UK that I won't be able to use the health system in France?  Even though I'm an EU citizen? If this is the case, then our plans will now need serious u-turn action.....   Gawd, I can't imagine spending my "golden years" here in the UK.  Cheers! Richard

Thank you all for your quick responses.   This definitely helps to understand the initial property issue; just treat it as though it were our holiday home, even though it will be the only property we own. Now what I need to understand are the various taxes that we will be responsible for once we make the move permanent and become French taxpayers....  So, let's say we have a state pension as income (I'll have my state pension from the USA; I'm dual citizen) when I turn 62.   In the interim, however, I plan to work in France (if possible).   Or, the other alternative is to make France our permanent home and I continue to commute to the UK. What are the various tax rates for the following: Payroll taxes? Property taxes? Social taxes? Healthcare taxes? Any other taxes I'm overlooking? We just need to understand all of the various taxes, so that we can determine if it is even financially possible.   Would hate to get down there, only to find that we can't afford it due to the taxes. Many thanks again! Richard

Hi All, We are doing as much research as possible before we make the final decision to move to France.  With that, we’re hoping we can get some advice on our scenario, and especially around the taxation questions, as we have heard of many people having to return to the UK because the taxes are so expensive in France as compared to the UK (I find that hard to accept, so tell me if it’s not true).  Plus, we find the French taxation system so confusing at times. Ok, bare with us whilst we describe our plans…..   1. We own two properties in the UK, zero in France.  2. We were planning to sell both UK properties, and use the proceeds to buy our home in France.  We would not purchase in France until the UK properties were sold.  3. As we would not make France our permanent residence for a couple of years after purchasing the French property, we would move into rented accommodation whilst still living & working in the UK. 4. After a couple of years, we would then move to France permanently and declare ourselves French taxpayers & permanent residents 5. When we make the move permanently, our source of income will be pension income and savings/investments; and perhaps part time work in France. Our questions are: 1. Is there a better way to do this? 2. What taxes (French) will we be liable for whilst still living/working in the UK and only coming to France on our holidays (most likely to renovate the property)? 3. Once we become French taxpayers, what taxes are we facing? 4. With regard to the health care coverage, we understand that the UK NHS will cover us for the first 2 to 2-1/2 years of living in France; after which we will need to supply private medical coverage until 5 years residency is established.   Are there any medical contributions that we will be responsible for?  Both before and after moving to France permanently? 5. Do we declare France as our principle residence even though we are still living/working in UK (>183 per year), as the French property will be the only property we own? 6. Are there any tax advantages/disadvantages to us declaring ourselves French taxpayers even though we will continue to work (PAYE) in the UK for the first couple of years after owning the French property? Thank you in advance for any and all assistance! Cheers! Richard @font-face { font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoPapDefault { margin-bottom: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0cm; }ul { margin-bottom: 0cm; }

Hi Polly, Thank you for your response.  Very helpful indeed.  And the websites I'm sure will be very helpful. What we would be bringing with us is a 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 Diesel, 2009 & 2010 Harley Davidsons, and probably one additional vehicle (most likely a diesel).   What we are trying to do is figure out how much the vehicles are going to cost us so we can budget for that cost when the actual move takes place. There's so much to learn, and at times it gets a bit overwhelming; but we'll get there in the end.  Just want to make sure "all the ducks are in a row"..... Many thanks! Richard

Thank you SundayDriver! Much appreciated. I take it by your avatar that you ride? Cheers! Richard

Hi All, Is there an equivalent tax on vehicles in France similar to the road tax in the UK? Is there a tax on importing our UK cars & motorcycles? Many thanks! Richard

Thank you everyone for the valuable responses!  Very helpful indeed! So, it looks like I'll be doing the research myself.  And this forum seems to be the best source of that information.....   Where I'm trying to figure out the best course of action is around the taxation in France, when to move money from the UK to France (and from the USA to France) without being heavily taxed on the movement, etc. etc. So, I'll post another query in this section to see where we go from here..... Many thanks All!!! Richard

Hi All, We were at The France Show yesterday in London, and stopped by the Bupa stand.  When we mentioned that one of us has Type 1 Diabetes, they immediate stated that they would not offer coverage.  However, the guy did state "I am prevented by law from telling you who, but there are companies that offer coverage to diabetics; just google it"....  Well, I have googled it, and am not finding any mention of such a company. Does anyone have any idea who this insurance company might be?  We would need the insurance only for the 3 year period until we can be covered under the French healthcare system (CMU?). Many thanks! Richard

Hi Folks, As we are in the beginning stages of doing our due diligence on moving to France, we attended The France Show in London yesterday.  Very worthwhile, and very informative; sometimes a bit overwhelming. We attended a short seminar on taxation, pensions, and health care, presented by Siddalls.   Has anyone used their financial advisory services?   If so, what was your experience?  Would you use them again? Were they expensive?   Should we stay clear of them? When we left the seminar, our heads were about to explode!  :-)    It started to make us wonder if we could actually afford to live in France because of all the different taxation and health care coverage issues....   We mentioned this to a friend at the show (an exhibitor) and the comment came back "don't let them scare you....  they're trying to drum up business".   Whilst I agree with that statement to a certain extent, do we REALLY need a financial adviser to help us with the maze of important issues? Many thanks! Richard

Ok, I feel like a real numpty having to ask this question....  but how do I interpret a French postal address?  For example, my friend's address is (changed to protect the innocent): Le Guillery, 37290 Preuilly-Sur-Claise I am, unfortunately, so used to postal addresses being in the form: Name House #, Street Name City, County, Postal Code Thanks in advance! Richard

Hey Big Mac! Yes, just over the hill from you...   How do you like 53?   Cheers! Richard

Hi All, We're new to the forum, and have just started our research into possible areas to move.  We're reading everything we can so that we can make as informed decision as possible.  One question we have is about deux sèvres.  We've read in the French Property magazine and books that this area is considered to be one of the less expensive areas.  However, when compared to other areas in this region it appears to be considerably less expensive. Why is that?   Would love to know what constitutes the lower property values? Thanks in advance! Richard

Thanks Craig...  I've just responded. Cheers! Richard

Hi Folks, Well, we've begun our research and due diligence on our move to France.  We currently live just outside Portsmouth, and would like to concentrate in the areas of 29, 56, 44, and 85 (SW Brittany, Western Loire, etc.).   First, and foremost question we have is about our Harley's.   We both have V&H Big Shots on our bikes; which some consider to be loud....  not us, of course  :-) What's the overall opinion of loud pipes in France?   Are we going to have difficulties getting them registered?   Will people complain bitterly to the point where we might have to make drastic changes to the bikes?   We are NOT members of an MC, and are bikers for the shear enjoyment of the open road.  A chief constable lives across the street from us currently, and he has yet to complain. Thanks in advance! Richard

Thanks Tony!   I have really good friends that work for Kingfisher and have heard all about the salaries in France.   Looks like we're going to need to re-think this option as a result of the health care issues....   Bummer!

[quote user="Russethouse"]Is # 1 an 'address' or a house/home ?[/quote] A physical home, where we would continue with council tax, etc.

[quote user="Russethouse"]Is # 1 an 'address' or a house/home ?[/quote] A physical home, where we would continue with council tax, etc.