sexysu0 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 hi there this is my 1st time on here, so here goes, my partner +2 kids, 2 dogs are thinking about leaving lovely britain!!! and was wondering where the best place to look for advice and help with regards to going on eg, buying the house, morgages, rules, schooling all the usual type of things, my partner would go tomorrow but i just little bit more worried about making a big leap like this,any help would be greatly recieved, i have started taking language lessons so i will hopefully beable to speak a bit when finally make the leap across!. thanks for listening su[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 [quote user="sexysu0"]...............and was wondering where the best place to look for advice and help with regards to going on eg, buying the house, morgages, rules, schooling all the usual type of things .... [:D] [/quote]This site.Johnand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearly Retired (I am now) Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 When we were looking to buy a holiday home in France we logged on to this site and a couple of others that I won't name but are easy enough to find with a bit of googling. We spent maybe two years reading posts and following threads - we soon became pretty expert (in a theoretical sort of way anyway). We became familiar with a lot of things through a sort of osmosis I suppose. So when we actually started the physical searching in France and then had to deal with all the buying procedure we had a very good idea of what we were doing. I would imagine a continuation of this process would give a good grounding for actually living in France too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 It is certainly very useful to me, although we are part-timers in France.I think that rather than ask a portmanteau question, which is never going to be answered fully, it is better to read the forum for a while and spend some time with the Search facility, as NR says. Then ask specific questions as they arise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 [quote user="sexysu0"], my partner would go tomorrow but i just little bit more worried about making a big leap like this,[/quote]As well as looking at all the practical information re mortgages, schools, health and jobs. Take time to read the personal experiences both good and bad.Why would your partner leave tomorrow? Does he love France or dislike Britain? It's not all cheap housing and sunshine [:D] and I am saying that as someone who loves France and is generally an optimist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 It might be worth checking what is available at your local college in the way of evening classes. Before I moved to France I attended "Buying a house in France" evening classes run by the local education authority. People may laugh, and raise their eyes in disbelief, but it was actually quite rewarding. We had lessons on the buying process, including several visits from a solicitor based in my home town who specialises in French law, language lessons built around frequently used words used in house buying and driving in France, an introduction to the French health system, and a chance to compare notes with like minded people.It was a few years ago, and I wouldn't imagine that it would be available everywhere, but you might be able to find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 You don't mention the subject of working to earn money inFrance. This would have a large impact on where you could eventually live as some parts of France have high unemployment especially in the countryside. If you based the cost of living to be much the same as the UK you won't be far out as what you gain on one thing you lose on another, e.g. paying for your healthcare in France, having to drive double the distance etc. Schools are much the same wherever you go, all follow the same studies and exams. I would honestly suggest you perhaps rent here first, thus not putting all your eggs in one basket and see how you go, France can be a hell of a shock to british people who have only ever holidayed in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexysu0 Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 hi thanks for replying My partner is a lorry driver/ works on roads, he used to drive in france, france just seems more laid back with its attitudes and a better way of life, here the government is take take take and we are sick of it, working all hours for what???.I had never thought of renting that seems like a good idea as at least you know whether or not you like it and you can always come home[:(]. I will have to look into this.There is alot to look into before going ahead with this as it is a bit step. thanks su Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 If your partner is thinking of being a lorry driver for a French employer you should look for postings by Opas or Sunday Driver on the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerise Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Hi SuI think you are answering your own questions a bit when you say France 'seems' more laid back etc. Of course it does if you are on holiday or just passing through. Yes, the UK Government takes a big slice of your income but believe me the French Government like a nice big slice too[:)] France is an absolutely fantastic place to be retired - but not much different than UK if you have to work. Laid back is great if you have got all morning to spend - when you need to get on then, 3 wasted hours at some daft bureaucrat's office is a real pain. Sorry to say, I don't find being kept waiting an hour for an appointment sweet or laid back I just find it rude and irritating. I live here and like it, but I lived in UK and liked it too. Just been to the UK with a French friend who has never been abroad before and doesn't speak English. She has come back saying how wonderful it is in UK and how polite and smiling everyone is compared to France!!The grass I'm afraid is always greener somewhere else. If you are not sure I reckon renting is a good idea, and if your partner is a lorry driver and away a lot ask yourself if YOU really want to be in a foreign country on your own. It is fine for him to say how great it is but if you will be alone a lot then don't come unless YOU really want to be here.Good luck, whatever you decide. Maggi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 To drive for a french company your partner would have take the FIMO/FICO exam (the experts on the motoring forum will confirm this properly) and be able to speak and write good french. Don't think you will pay less in taxes here, you will have to pay probably more especially the compulsory pension and health ones as well as pay for those who don't work too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Actually if you have two kids the tax allowances are quite good, but as the others have said the health and social charges are high in France so you need to do your homework, and have capital which will keep you going comfortably for a couple of years while you get fluent and job hunt.AFAIK a proportion of taxes in most other countries go towards paying unemployment benefit, disability allowances and state pensions etc etc. It's just that in France it's more obvious as they usually tell you on your health statement, payslip etc whats gone towards what. I think 1 euro goes towards paying off the national debt every time you visit the Doctor and to me this is an excellent idea - didn't the Liberals in the UK propose the same sort of thing in their manifesto for the last GE?Anyway, buy an up to date copy of Living and Working in France by David Hampshire. It's available on amazon and usually ebay. This will be a good start as well as browsing and asking questions on the forums.The others are right, it isn't all milk and honey here and we've found many things more expensive than in the UK. But, after five years we still have no plans to go back - for a start I don't think we could afford the same lifestyle there. That will probably come as a shock to folks who keep telling you that wages are so much better in the UK - but, we can live quite happily on much less than we needed in the UK, in a country cottage out in the sticks. I'd just like Tescos to do a home delivery here a couple of times a year!!!Good luck......hopefully someone will give you a useful answer about driving jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollity Farm Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 It can be done... my husband works for a \french haulage company and took his FIMO etc in December successfully although not completely fluent in French - he loves his work and is treated far better and with more respect in France as a lorry driver. We bought our house last May but are putting the building blocks in place so to speak before making the big move, my language needs to improve before seeking employment now in 3rd year at college doing French( and its getting bloomin' hard!!) - do your research and take your time, wishing you lots of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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