Yes, I am a retiree, but I have a residence secondaire, pay all taxes, outgoings etc. Plus have spent substantial amount on doing up a very badly neglected property, previously French owned. Friends come and visit and spend money. Maybe if the French did not make it so difficult for other nationalities to gain employment, unlike UK, then the younger element would be able to make their home here. As far as paying our way is concerned, as holidaymakers we pay for any medical costs, the reimbursement is minimal from Newcastle, whilst other nationalities get all medical treatment in UK totally free, having been contributed to for years by all the retirees to France. We who love France are c ertainly not out here for what we can get - we contribute in many ways.