annie

Oh, well that's not too bad then. Yes it is!!!!!!!! We are just about to begin our preparations for extension/renovation to our place and I'm doing some research on a new fosse. Sounds like a nightmare.

Yes Misty, Long but very informative. We have had our place for just over 2 years now, with another 2 to wait until the final move. I am in absolute agreement with Misty regarding the utilities. Being time limited, we have been able to stay at our place whilst 'pottering' with small projects and getting to know the neighbours and the systems because we have utilities and a roof!  The loo is an outside 'privee' and the shower room (yes aren't we posh!) is in the garage. The location may be a factor depending on how much you love or hate traveling; Whether you need to go by road with materials or happy to fly and buy on arrival. My biggest piece of advise, if you decide to buy, is make a list of necessities before you look - those you need first - do you want to stay in the place you buy immediately or are you happy to pay to stay nearby? How much actual work are you honestly prepared to do yourself? etc. And be realistic with the budget. Remember, there are still bills and taxes to pay on a holiday home.  Also, you mention you are not sure on a region. Decide on that first and you may be half way there. The advise above re not buying too big is also excellent. It can all get a bit overwhelming, especially buying materials. All in all, we love it - even during winter when we have to contemplate in a cold brick privee! The Living France web site/mag has been invaluable to us for legal questions and advise from buying onwards. Enjoy and go for it.

[quote user="Soozie"]We are buying a house where the only toilet is located in an outhouse in the back garden above a fosse. We would like to put 2 toilets in the house and connect to the main sewer line. Does a plumber install the sewer line or is their a sewer specialist we need to call? What do we do with the old fosse? Thanks for any help.[/quote] Hi We have the same sanitary arrangements at the moment! We have made enquiries with local French and Ex pats who all advise that our current fosse will not comply with the new standards and we will therefore require a new one when we install our internal bathrooms. It would not need to be replaced were we leaving everything in situ but as new installations are being made we have to upgrade. I am not sure if this is the same in all departments. I am in 56. We will be filling our old one in with rubble.

[quote user="Cat"]Was this the French chap you were thinking of Annie? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7635327.stm [/quote] Yes, that's the guy. Why?

[quote user="krusty"]Thanks for the replies , it still hard to understand , mainly due to the term that is getting used a lot "credit crunch" .That makes me think money is tight , stop spending.[8-)][/quote] Know what you mean...I am trying to educate my teenage daughter to save a percentage of her cash. Difficult when she is a student earning only from weekend job and surrounded by a culture of obtain now, pay later. I saw a French chap on the news who has returned to France after 10 years living/working in London. He said, although he loved it in the UK he still didn't understand the British spend culture-want so shall have etc. He said the French were not like that and that, on the whole, if they wanted anything they saved to get it and weren't as materialistic. Is this a true reflection of the French?

So Cruel !!!!!! In Devon, very cold and heating on for first time at the weekend to placate my moaning father-in-law. Off again now and on with the woollies.  Well there is a credit crunch on you know! Annie[:$]

Thanks both It would seem it is going to cost us more than we thought. My plan to work, only being a (late)spring chicken may become a reality then! Annie

Hi I am a newbee so forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere - can't find the answer anywhere. We are planning to move to our French place within the next 2 years. We will both be in receipt of a government pension (but not a state pension ) Our pensions are taxed at source. Our resources will reach the required RMI (as mentioned by Sunday Driver 15/09/07 at the top of this section) and we don't have any problems with the other requirements!! - although my husband would say I was a threat to public order first thing in the morning [6] 1) We have E111's but does this still cover us? 2) What are the cost implications for healthcare cover? Humour me here - 2 x middle aged folk in reasonable condition, no previous owners 3) If we were able to have our pensions taxed in France - which I have heard we can - would the payment of these taxes qualify us for healthcare as if we were working and paying into the system? Please help keep my french dream alive x [kiss]

Hi Have a look at www.ielanguages.com. There you will find lots of help with phrases and speech from beginner onwards. There is a facility to download mp3 so you can hear the pronunciation to assist with your speech. All the instructions are on the site so it is really easy to do. I have found it a real help because the recordings are by a native speaker. Hope this is helpful to you too[:)]