Joe Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [:D]I intend to move to Charente once my house is sold.How easy is it toenter the health and tax system.I have a company pension that can paid into a French bank.I will not have a mortgage.At 61,am I too old to make the move?Any views on this?My wife and I have owned a Mobile Home in Brittany for 6 years so we are no strangers to France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 As you are under UK state retirement age, you can apply to the DWP for a form E106 which will get you temporary entry into the French state health insurance system for up to two years. Once the E106 expires, you will have to purchase private healthcare insurance until such time as one of you reaches UK retirement age and qualifies for a form E121 which will allow you to re-gain entry to the state system. Tax is straightforward in France and operates on a self declaration basis. Unless your company pension is very generous, you should find you pay little or no tax in France. Check out the Tax FAQ in the legal and finance section of the forum for more details.As far as making the move is concerned, age is less of an issue than having sufficient income to get by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thanks for that advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Streason Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 JoeI read your post a couple of hours ago and I cannot stop thinking about it, it has quite depressed me, so I must respond.I am within 6 years of your age and other than a number of physical things ( I would no longer race or arm wrestle my adult sons) I have never considered that I am too old for anything. I would be insulted if they ever gave me leeway for age. 6 months ago I handed in my notice after 20 years in the same job, because I wanted a change. It never occurred to me that people my age get discriminated against. I was 2 weeks without work and although the pay is not quite as good (something I went into eyes wide open) I am now passing on my experience to a younger group who need someone with a few grey hairs at times and thouroughly enjoyiong the new challenge.I can still out drink and out walk my kids, (unless its "shots" which I have little experience of). I can still go 48 hours without sleep if the need arises (so I still do the long overnight drives whilst everyone else sleeps).My father is 83 and just beginning to slow after falling off a ladder last year. My mother in law is 87 and was old at 50.There are many important things to take into account in what is a big decision but please, age in itself is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [quote user="Joe"]At 61,am I too old to make the move?[/quote]Your asking the question hints (to me anyway) that someone, somewhere has sown the seed of doubt and you half feel that the answer is yes. You are not too old but you think you are, so you are.Burning boats and moving to France requires 150% commitment from both parties - anything less, forget it.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 JoeIf you are moving full time it is your language skills rather than your age that is the determining factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 [quote user="Renaud"]JoeIf you are moving full time it is your language skills rather than your age that is the determining factor.[/quote]Meaning what ? ..........if you can speak French you can move , if you dont you cant move ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 If you can't speak French it certainly makes life much harder. Not so much the routine stuff, but any emergencies or problems are magnified if you can't communicate. It's not a problem for me, but I know a fair number of Brits who have found it really difficult to cope with stuff that they could have handled in Britain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 KrustyShopping French and Restaurant French is one thing but I think it might be hard to live somewhere and not be able to hold a conversation with anybody other than expats. As Albert says what happens if you have to go to hospital, have your car repaired or want a new gas boiler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Renaud, you are so right. In fact, only today, I have threatened OH that if he doesn't make more effort to learn the language, I am not prepared to stay in France and deal with all the "stuff"![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinks Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 For me, living in France is more important than my OH's total inability to communicate with our co-patriots. As a fluent French speaker, it is natural for me to handle the day-to-day 'living in France' issues. Admittedly, it can be a burden at times, but one that I am happy to deal with. Move back to the UK....? No way, ever, José!If we are honest, the ability to speak French if you are living in France is not a major problem these days as there are just so many English living in France these days (more's the pity). If the OP moves to France without the ability to communicate, I can bet that there will be an English-speaker in his immediate vicinity on whom he will be able to call in times of need. Even here, in one of the supposedly more 'remote' areas of the Ariege, there are countless English. Dutch, Belgians, Australians within a 10km radius of our cottage. And then of course there are always internet forums on which people can call in times of need ....?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 It would be a little difficult, don't you think, to call on an internet forum, when you are ringing for an ambulance or the pompiers?By the time you are able to consult anybody or call on your countless English, Dutch, Belgian and Australian neighbours for help, it might be too late![:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinks Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hah, hah! Even people supposedly fluent in French won't have to hand the French for 'my husband has severed an artery' or 'my husband has had a fit' ....note to self, must make a comprehensive list of vocab for possible medical emergencies ;-) And and as for 'Feu ,,, <quote address>, I think that will mobilise the forces?! Anybody with any nouse (OK, hands up all those who don't comply!) will at the very least have made a prior note to dial 18 for the pompiers/paramedics in the case of a medical emergency/fire and know to give their address. If they don't, they don't deserve to live in France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 My husband is 62 this year and we are hoping to move as soon as our house in the UK sells......sigh[:(]............we have done our homework, (thank you France Forum!) and with one of us already having some language skills and the other willing to learn, we are more than willing to give it a go. At least I won't be sat in the nursing home in the Uk when I'm 80 odd thinking... I wish I'd tried.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Agreed, Jo.I think if money matters are no problem , and you have a little French and willing to learn more, age is not a pb at all.Motivation is the key word, in my opinion.But then, what do I know people will say,; as I am French ... PS : In what part of Charente do you intend to move ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 [quote user="sweet 17"]It would be a little difficult, don't you think, to call on an internet forum, when you are ringing for an ambulance or the pompiers?By the time you are able to consult anybody or call on your countless English, Dutch, Belgian and Australian neighbours for help, it might be too late![:-))][/quote]Do you not know you only have to ring the international emergency number 112 ?http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/index_en.htmSo it is not as Renaud said the "determining factor" , I am sure plenty of Brits have come to France without knowing the language , It is a barrier , but one that can be overcome. Plus if you are retired it is a new hobby to keep you occupied ....learning a language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuppence Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 As someone who is female, single and over 60 and moved to France 18 months ago, I say to the OP, go for it! It's a well worn cliche that if you don't you'll always have that " if only......" hanging over you for ever more. Language is a small priority. My French has improved no end because I choose to read language self help books, sometimes as night time reading [:(]. But it works for me. My village fortunately has a smattering of Brits but when shopping I can converse quite well now. As for emergencies, keep the numbers close to the phone and practice using " I am sorry I don't speak French well but.......!You'll do it as one poster said .......if you have the motivation.Bonne chance, et bon couragetuppence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Hey, come on, folks. You know that I would never say don't come to France unless you can speak the language.Goodness knows I myself had hardly encountered the language until I came here 2 years ago. I was merely agreeing with Renaud that you do miss out on so much of social, political and cultural life (nevermind the enhanced ability to deal with an emergency!) if you do not think make a real effort to learn.I was also answering Dinks somewhat cheekily when he said about the numbers of non French who now populate the Hexagon.I personally would hate to live in some sort of Brit ghetto and only socialise with ex-pats from the UK. It's hard enough making new friends when you get older; when you don't share a common language, I would say it's almost impossible. After all, what kind of meaningful conversations can you make when you can hardly talk to each other?It's sometimes important to read more than one post from someone before being jumping to conclusions about them or what they are actually saying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 [quote user="Frenchie"]Agreed, Jo.I think if money matters are no problem , and you have a little French and willing to learn more, age is not a pb at all.Motivation is the key word, in my opinion.But then, what do I know people will say,; as I am French ... PS : In what part of Charente do you intend to move ? [/quote]If you were asking me and not the OP, we already have a place in the Vienne, right on the border with the Charente. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Ooops , sorry about that.[blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 No need to be sorry! Just didn't want to be rude and not reply if it WAS me and not the OP you meant[:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 OK [:)]No probs !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerise Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 [quote user="Dinks"]If we are honest, the ability to speak French if you are living in France is not a major problem these days as there are just so many English living in France these days (more's the pity). If the OP moves to France without the ability to communicate, I can bet that there will be an English-speaker in his immediate vicinity on whom he will be able to call in times of need. Even here, in one of the supposedly more 'remote' areas of the Ariege, there are countless English. Dutch, Belgians, Australians within a 10km radius of our cottage. And then of course there are always internet forums on which people can call in times of need ....?![/quote]I for one am not thrilled to read the above. I am that poor sap of an English speaker who also speaks French and to be honest I am sick and tired of helping out people who have moved here with no language skills. I am a councillor in our commune, so everybody locally knows me and tends to point lost English souls in my direction, but I did not actually move to France to be an unpaid translator. I have spent the whole of this afternoon with the Assistante Sociale and some sorry English folk who are almost destitute and need help, but have no French and have been thus far unable to get assistance. Of course I am sorry for their plight, but I do have a life of my own. When people phone, if it is not an emergency, I now give them the name and number of an official PAID translator. It is not fair to expect the rest of the world to dig you out because you decided you'd like to move abroad without considering how you were going to communicate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Don't mince your words, do you, Cerise? You've made your point very well indeed.Of course, I cannot speak with your wide and longstanding experience but, even in my limited capacity, I get given letters to translate, asked to make appointments on the phone, go to people's houses to talk to the plumber, write out cheques in French, accompany them to the Mairie, Tresor, etc.That's exactly what I meant when I said I was threatening my OH about moving back home if he would not put more focus on his attempts to learn. I do get quite cross and feel put upon, having to always be the one dealing with day-to-day communication issues here.It gets tiring and vexing and I get resentful. In his defence, he is certainly a lot better than he was 2 years ago. I just don't feel that I signed up for all this sorting out of routine matters for another grown-up person who should be capable of dealing with things themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 [quote user="Cerise"] [quote user="Dinks"]If we are honest, the ability to speak French if you are living in France is not a major problem these days as there are just so many English living in France these days (more's the pity). If the OP moves to France without the ability to communicate, I can bet that there will be an English-speaker in his immediate vicinity on whom he will be able to call in times of need. Even here, in one of the supposedly more 'remote' areas of the Ariege, there are countless English. Dutch, Belgians, Australians within a 10km radius of our cottage. And then of course there are always internet forums on which people can call in times of need ....?![/quote]I for one am not thrilled to read the above. I am that poor sap of an English speaker who also speaks French and to be honest I am sick and tired of helping out people who have moved here with no language skills. I am a councillor in our commune, so everybody locally knows me and tends to point lost English souls in my direction, but I did not actually move to France to be an unpaid translator. I have spent the whole of this afternoon with the Assistante Sociale and some sorry English folk who are almost destitute and need help, but have no French and have been thus far unable to get assistance. Of course I am sorry for their plight, but I do have a life of my own. When people phone, if it is not an emergency, I now give them the name and number of an official PAID translator. It is not fair to expect the rest of the world to dig you out because you decided you'd like to move abroad without considering how you were going to communicate.[/quote]I completely agree with Cerise, she's got it on the button. I'm in exactly the same position tho it's not people in my commune that necessarily need help, it's being known as one of the English councillors and having all and sundry pointed towards me - and what's with people who have lived here for years not understanding how to buy and sell houses, not enough French to get by with even the easiest things at the Mairie, interventions with the G men after they've been done for speeding the third time in 6 months?And as for the 'well, that's not right, it's not like that in the UK', folks, we've got news for you, it isn't the way the French do things - patience Grasshopper!And the unpaid advocate (general meaning not legal), translator, hand holder etc - we have lives too and even after just a year on the Council, it's getting very tedious.Dinks, you're just asking people who the incomers may not know to hold their hands, see them through the start up process etc etc - why should they, it's not being un-neighbourly not to do so, the other people in their area have lives also and unless there is a dedicated organisation to help incomers, Fora like this one frequently carry 'what to do' check lists, if people come here without enough French, it's totally and wholly down to them, don't expect other people to make up for their deficiencies!Stands back and waits for the onslaught .............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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