Braco

Gluestick Change is never easy. The current level of borrowing and spending are simply unsustainable. Without hard choices the end result will be hyper inflation and collapse. As to the 'free market' where exactly did you experience a free market? Do not take the statements of politicians at face value.  

The list of benefits is long and probably best suited for a political web page, but here are just a few:   The first duty of a government, especially in the absence of a true democracy (representative parliaments are at best just that) should be to preserve the status and value of the currency – who is best place to do this – at this moment I say the European Bank.   A government should function within its means – unless each and every citizen is allowed a say as to the level of expenditure (with an opt out clause if you wish to not partake) then my view is that governments should only be allowed to budget and spend monies that are raised. This will have the benefit of forcing people to directly decide on what if any of the current spending programme warrant support.   Thirdly a move to the Euro will be a massive step in emancipating the UK from the malignant influence of the USA, and its pressure groups.   Forced to live within its means you may find the government has to reign in its bloated social spending and that illegal immigrants are no longer queuing up at Calais.   Bottom line I am a supporter of a pure free market. Do we have this in Europe – at the moment no. Can it be achieved yes.     A market will not ultimately support waste. Changing money at 0.5% + is the economic equivalent of us taking in each others washing and calling it an industry.

Money from children – a concept I am having difficulty conceptualising.   On a serious note – child pays all expenses plus makes gift to deserving parent = no rental profit therefore no tax liability.  

Amazes me that the myth that joining the Euro mechanism is like some sort of fiscal analgesic still persists! I for one do not see it as a economic pain killer, but a very desirable first step in tackling the UK problems (socio, political, and economic) while strengthening Europe.   I am a strong believer in the market, and while the initial entry might be painful the future could be very bright with efficient companies expanding.  

I for one look forward to the day that the UK joins the Euro, and we can all plan our futures with a degree of confidence.

Green shoots - probably not, as I think that UK unemployment figures still have a way to go. The next movement in base rate can only be up which will help Sterling.

My bet is that it will hit 1.25 by April 2100.

Hi Owen88 So your spiritual home is Munich in October?

Cendrillon The answer is that it will of course be my loss. I am fluent in Greek (my first language) and English. I sincerely wish that I was multilingual but we have to deal with situations as they are. I doubt very much that in my remaining years that I will become proficient in any others. What to do – spend the next ten years learning the language before taking the leap. And after that if we decide to move on to Italy which we also love another cycle. You mention the French neighbours, what about the Dutch, Germans, and any one else living near by. Our choice is to muddle along. The bottom line is that we visit the fishmonger to buy fish, not to discuss Dostoevsky’s moral question.

Hi Owens88 Surely it is just a matter of practicality. Braco. Wherever you call 'home' would you be impressed by immigrants who made no attempt to accommodate to at least some of your norms, including language ? I detest nationalism in all its forms. I would be interested to discover what you would consider ‘some of you norms’ as I suspect that they are either universally held or just particular to your life experiences. Tens of thousands of mainly Eastern Europeans are currently establishing themselves in the UK – finding work, setting up homes, and educating their children without too many problems. It would be a truly damning indictment of the UK education system (I was educated in the UK) if I was not able to feed myself, and relax while not having to work because of a lack of French. Denying myself possibly years of happy experiences because at some point I may have additional difficulties in a hospital makes no sense. Ultimately we all gravitate towards people who have similar interests and outlooks. In my case the persons ‘nationality’ is a complete non issue unless it is important to them in which case we have nothing in common.

Sorry but I could not disagree more. The world is now a small village for anyone with the means to have a choice. Language tests and the like hark back a time when nationalism/insecurity ruled. By this logic it is better to be despised in Cornwall rather than France for driving up the cost of housing when purchasing a second or third home because I will understand the language. I just wonder if there is not an element of elitism in the fluent French speakers.

Come to France if you speak good French, Don't come otherwise. I speak twenty French words badly and yet have no fears of moving to France or any other country. While I agree that language skills are a prerequisite for gaining employment in most trades they are by no means a requirement in all. A lot of the successful business start ups are initiated by immigrants who lack these formal skills. As I will not be looking for employment the debate is purely academic. It should also be remembered that over 50% of all communication is not verbal and universal.

While I feel sorry for people that struggle and fail to lead a comfortable life, I have no sympathy for the ones whose problems are self inflicted. It is not uncommon for people to be paying up to a third of their income servicing exorbitant interest payments on silly purchases due to the influence of the advertisement industry, and peer pressure. I am one of only three people in a large office who bring lunch from home each day. Not only do I know that it is clean, but I probably save over a thousand pounds a year compared to the others. Add another thousand pounds a year on mobile phone costs and a dozen other things and you can soon see why some struggle and others don’t.

Not sure how old young is, but old is at least ten years more than your current age.

Any couple should be greater than the sum of its parts – differences yes – subservience no. PS I am allowed into the kitchen on good behaviour to eat. The thought that I might mess up the kitchen by cooking ranks right up there with infidelity.

Agree with you about big cities.

UK, Cyprus, and soon La Belle France

One of the most European of US cities (by their standards) - we choose to reside in the original. 

Hi Krusty   While we visit the US every year, have many American friends, and have enjoyed every visit. The thought of living there to us is as unthinkable as attending Nuremberg rallies in the 30's.  The US is in many ways a developing country.  Out of interest which part of the US would you choose to reside in? The only part that we would even consider would be the Boston area.  

desperatedan You are the only one that can answer the question that you have posed. Best make a list with positives on one side and negatives on the other. For each entry add a realistic score. Even then you will need to go with your gut instinct. Your comments about life style are rather naïve. The life style is determined by the person’s character, their personal circumstance, and commitments. Rarely is the country of residence a factor.  

Thanks for the info - good news as my guess was about 200 to 250. Not too sure that it would add much to the BBQ experience.

As we are also hoping to complete within in the next few weeks, can you please give us and indication of the ball park cost of emptying a tank. Did not think to add emptying as a condition.

Negotiation is an art. The agent will be the first to tell you if an offer is insulting.   First decide what your maximum figure is and then try to better it. You should pitch you offer at a little less than you think their bottom line is. If this initial offer is rejected wait a couple of weeks after their refusal to make your final take it or leave it offer. This final offer if required should be time constrained (say two to three weeks for them to decide). Options are also good. I offer you x for the property/or y for the property plus the following fixtures/fittings.   Good luck  

bambros2 While I have no experience of running Gites, I strongly believe that rental income with a young family should be only be considered as a income supplement and not a main income stream unless you have substantial capitol reserves or alternate income sources.    

It also freezes perfectly if you dont want to keep it in its whey.