Daniel5791 Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hi all,Just a generic question really.....It's always interesting to hear of the doom and gloom reported locally(Australia in this case)about the world economy and how awful things have become.Here things I think are really quite ok, and the only thing that will put us in the toilet is if we panic and lose the plot. We seem to be good at talking ourselves into recession because it's fashionable to do so! :) Our government has just given us all nearly $1000 AUD each to spend and be happy, so that should keep our casinos busy for another few weeks! ;)So I am asking....how are things generally in France today? My French friends at work say that unemployment is becoming a major issue and the economy of not only France but the whole of Europe really is in trouble. This bothers me personally as I still have dreams of my little farmhouse in the countryside being almost self sufficient with my dogs and a little work on the side doing anything that appeals. (wine taster springs to mind) I am interested in hearing from anyone living in various parts of France about how life is generally and for those who are expats from the UK or anywhere really, are you planning on staying or do you feel the need to return home to ride out the storm?ThanksDaniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote user="Daniel5791"]Hi all,So I am asking....how are things generally in France today? My French friends at work say that unemployment is becoming a major issue and the economy of not only France but the whole of Europe really is in trouble. This bothers me personally as I still have dreams of my little farmhouse in the countryside being almost self sufficient with my dogs and a little work on the side doing anything that appeals.ThanksDaniel[/quote]You might be interested in this map showing economic figures at the end of 2008 across Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote user="Daniel5791"] My French friends at work say that unemployment is becoming a major issue and the economy of not only France but the whole of Europe really is in trouble. This bothers me personally as I still have dreams of my little farmhouse in the countryside being almost self sufficient with my dogs and a little work on the side doing anything that appeals. (wine taster springs to mind) [/quote]Just on the unemployment figures: 2 days ago, we got the news that newly unemployed in January 2009, were over double the figure of the preceding month (December 2008). From over 45,000, to over 90,000 in one month. That is a lot.As for your dreams of "a little work on the side doing anything that appeals", good luck, you will need it. There are plenty of people with Bac+5 who cannot find work even packing carrots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Be fair 5-element! Sarkozy has created at least two jobs ...see here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Humph![:@] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprogster Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Daniel, you are in a much better position in Australia and if was younger I would seriously consider emigrating your way, so appreciate what you have as believe me in this situation the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 [quote user="Sprogster"]Daniel, you are in a much better position in Australia and if was younger I would seriously consider emigrating your way, so appreciate what you have as believe me in this situation the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence![/quote] The most sensible answer to this query ..... I totally agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel5791 Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Thanks for the replies!Well naturally my comment about being a wine taster was meant as a bit of a joke........ I am in absolutely no position to make a move anywhere right now or in the immediate future, so for what it's worth I am staying here for a while anyway...I was really just curious about how the media reports and stats translate into what life has become in "these times" in real terms. Seems like the question has been answered.....:(Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ps Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 From January to April this year we have had a 5 fold increase in client enquiries and business is going well. It is not all doom and gloom in France. Though it is tough you just have to try harder, focus on your client needs and back it up with good service.I find it hard to listen to the doom merchants but understand that there is a real recession out there and people are suffering. I just can't help feeling though that there are many who would prefer to talk things down than up and that things become self fulfilling prophecies; especially in the media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Nice attempt at hidden advertising...[:)][:)][:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 The very same thought had crossed my mind, given the OTT upbeat message and covert bragging.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 And should always remember that tyhe majority of people in rural areas rely on farming, lots of people get the SMIC or just a little more and as already pointed out, unemployment is on the incresae and France to take something of a French first attitude.Not sure what part of the Languedoc the Ps live in but it ain't like that round here - still, great advert for hot tubs (I think), just what we all need in times of recession and lowered incomes because of the exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ps Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Hi DanielIt would seem your comments in your original posting are correct. We will all go down the pan if we all start panicking and talking things down. The unemployment rate is plunging around the globe and will settle at around 10% I think in most mature markets. That is a terrible thing and I feel sorry for all caught up in that but there are also going to be 90% of the available workforces still in employment......that is a much more positive number.Come on guys, it is a little unfair. It was a wet weekend and I sat on the laptop and thought I would join in some debates. You will see from other subjects how much I contributed in forum topics I don 't normally bother with this weekend. I also thought I was just telling it like it is, nothing more. Would you rather I was having a bad time also? Would that honestly make you feel better or would you prefer to hear about a success story from a Brit who has moved to a foreign country, embraced life and language here and done something that ensures he can stay here?I feel sad that innocent comments were twisted in such a way. I will post on this forum again but only now in the pools section where sometimes I have managed to help people without any benefit for myself. Of course, you may see my reply as cynically as you chose to read the first one as well......um, I guess that is your right and if you are so moved to add further comment than so be it but as I say, I will only stick to the one subject now. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVienne Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 ummmmm, they have some okish wines in Aus you could taste....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel5791 Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Poor John,Never mind...good comments nonetheless. Nothing wrong with being positive. I always seem to create controversy with anything I ever post!. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 [quote user="Daniel5791"]I always seem to create controversy with anything I ever post!. :)[/quote]Don't worry - it beats being boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 LOL -Join the club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarisworkz Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 [quote user="Daniel5791"]Hi all,Here things I think are really quite ok, and the only thing that will put us in the toilet is if we panic and lose the plot. We seem to be good at talking ourselves into recession because it's fashionable to do so! :) Our government has just given us all nearly $1000 AUD each to spend and be happy, so that should keep our casinos busy for another few weeks! ;) [/quote]Grrr ... I didn't get any money off Krudd (our Prime Minister) [:(] ... I think we are okay too, but any problems in France will sort themselves out eventually I think. Economies worldwide go up and down and France is no different. It's a very strong country and part of the EU, which is (my understanding) very strong economically.[quote]This bothers me personally as I still have dreams of my little farmhouse in the countryside being almost self sufficient with my dogs and a little work on the side doing anything that appeals.[/quote]This is the same plan as I have. To buy a few acres in Central Brittany (it's a lovely area, so green and lots of trees) and build a small cottage and be almost self-sufficient, and have a couple of cats [:P] I'm fully self-funded so I'm actually retiring to France and not seeking work, so that isn't a problem for me. But I think you need to get a term deposit and start putting away money and getting whatever interest rate you can and get it growing. I do believe you need a minimum income of at least 460 euros per month to reside in France, if you are a étranger (foreigner). Someone on here should be able to clarify that, but I think that's the figure or close to it.I think you should be okay if you have enough funds to live comfortably for at least a year or until you settle in, and find some work. As 5-element said in his post, "There are plenty of people with Bac+5 who cannot find work even packing carrots.", then you will definitely have to plan ahead (now all I need is for 5-element to explain to me what a Bac-5 is). [:D] Btw, where in Australia are you? I'm in Western Australia ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chessfou Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 BAC+5The number of years study after taking the BAC (baccalauréat) exams.BAC+3 = 1st degree (BA, BSc)BAC+5 = Masters/MBA/Doctoral degree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now