Any advice/help buying a property in France

[PaulT]

Sorry, do not agree on the 'rent' option.

For me it is nice to own the property and do things that we want to it - which could be problematic with a rented property and you could be laying out money that the owner will benefit from.

Do think of the distance from the UK and what if the airlines decide to stop flying to a nearby airport. We are down in 31 but happy to drive down in a day. If you are not then factor in hotel costs for the journey.

We leapt in with both feet and bought somewhere very rural. The intention was that we would move to France full time until M Sarko changed things. On the basis of moving full time we were definitely of the opinion that we would need to move in to a town or large village with 'facilities' when we grew older and learn how to say' these are all my own teeth' in French

[joidevie]

[quote user="baypond"]"  The French would love to tax foreign ownership i'm sure.[/quote]

Wasn't this already thrown out as against EU level playing fields? I remember there being uproar within France for additional taxation of residences secondaires..

[Beckett]

@PaulT: And to be able to ask strangers if they know how old I am, too. :)

[Sprogster]

PaulT, the recommendation to rent is only for the first year, so for such a short period of time the negatives you mentioned do not really apply. Also the property market now is very different from when you bought, with house prices likely to continue to decline in real terms for at least the next few years.