Moving to Languedoc Sep 2008?

[MyNameIsEarl]

We are a couple with a young son (21 months ) and another on the way who are planning a move to the Languedoc area in Sept 2008. We have been contemplating this move for many years and have decided to take the plunge after a lot of consideration. We plan to rent initially (sell our house first in the UK) and then move to get a feel for the French way of life before committing financially to any business ventures (we have a few ideas in the pipeline which we hope to investigate once we are in France). We have been regularly logging onto the forum and have found it to be a really valuable source of information but feel the only way forward is to get ourselves over there and find things out first hand. We would love to to know where the concentration (if any) of British/Irish expats are in the Languedoc. We intend to fully integrate into the local community and eventually make French and expat friends but feel that having others around who have gone through the settling in experience would be beneficial. We have certain criteria e.g. near to a town about 30 mins from coast, close to Cathar routes, easy access to Barcelona, Carcassonne, Toulouse , ski stations etc...

Geographically we could pick a town ourselves that meets the above criteria but we are looking for suggestions for towns that have have expat families ie Toddler groups, English speaking doctors, children in primary/secondary education. NB We are NOT looking for 'little England' in France but just a way to ease ourselves into a massive life change.

We look forward to hearing from you!              

 

 

[groslard]

You could have a look through this thread.

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1139883/ShowPost.aspx

[MyNameIsEarl]

Hello Groslard and thanks for the prompt response.  The thread makes interesting reading.  Are you a resident of the Languedoc?

[raindog]

[quote user="MyNameIsEarl"]

 English speaking doctors,            

 

[/quote]

I'll be interested to know how you get on with this.

I should think it will be about as difficult as finding a French speaking doctor in England.

Good luck tho'!

edit: shouldn't this be moved to the South Eastern section?

[5-element]

To be fair, Raindog, I did come across one specialist (nephrologist) in Montpellier CHU, who speaks English, as he had worked in Australia. [:)]

In my nearby clinic/hospital, I hear there is one radiologist who speaks English, and is usually called to the bedside of any distressed English speaker

...None of the generalistes I have come across (about 6 or 7) speaks English although they might understand a few words.

Both my dentist and kinesitherapeute (physiotherapist) are of Spanish descent, and speak Spanish. Which of course, would not help those who speak English only.

[groslard]

I know some specialists in Montpellier who do: I used to teach them! and yes I have been here a long time..

[carl1]

edited

[Judith]

[quote user="MyNameIsEarl"]

We are a couple with a young son (21 months ) and another on the way who are planning a move to the Languedoc area in Sept 2008. We have been contemplating this move for many years and have decided to take the plunge after a lot of consideration. We plan to rent initially (sell our house first in the UK) and then move to get a feel for the French way of life before committing financially to any business ventures (we have a few ideas in the pipeline which we hope to investigate once we are in France). We have been regularly logging onto the forum and have found it to be a really valuable source of information but feel the only way forward is to get ourselves over there and find things out first hand. We would love to to know where the concentration (if any) of British/Irish expats are in the Languedoc. We intend to fully integrate into the local community and eventually make French and expat friends but feel that having others around who have gone through the settling in experience would be beneficial. We have certain criteria e.g. near to a town about 30 mins from coast, close to Cathar routes, easy access to Barcelona, Carcassonne, Toulouse , ski stations etc...

Geographically we could pick a town ourselves that meets the above criteria but we are looking for suggestions for towns that have have expat families ie Toddler groups, English speaking doctors, children in primary/secondary education. NB We are NOT looking for 'little England' in France but just a way to ease ourselves into a massive life change.

We look forward to hearing from you!              

[/quote]

The

area around Beziers / Pezenas does seem to have a sizeable non-French

community, but that could be said of many places in Languedoc - our

very small village has several English (of differnt ages) , though we

too were not looking to be in an "enclave" it proved helpful initially,

but less so as we get more accustomed. After intial researches in that

area we discounted the Beziers /Pezenas area for that reason.

Also,

it is likely that what ever you think you want, it will be changed by

your researches, your budget, and in the end, what is actually

available to be bought.  Each area of the Languedoc is quite different,

and in only a few miles apart.  We researched for

several years, visiting  different areas as well as doing desk research

(I am a librarian, so can do that relatively easily) before starting

the house hunt. We first looked in a completely different area, one we

knew well, but explored other areas as we found the weather and type of

house (and its price) we wanted changed our must-haves.  Once we

started looking at houses seriously, during our holiday visits, it took

about 2 years to find the area which fitted a majority of our

criteria.  Finding a house in our price range with the habitable area

we wanted, which did not need doing up to any great extent is what

determined the area we chose to buy in, though there were other factors

we took into account.

In the end, no amount of desk research or

advice from others can take the place of actual on the ground research,

as is obvious from this forum and the differences of opinion which you

will find stated.  Renting first is a very good idea, though we did not

do that as we had been using the family holiday home for nearly 10

years before house hunting for ourselves, so were familiar with living

in France, (and with what owning property in France entails)  rather

than just holidaying  there.  If you are not  familiar with living in France it can be a big shock.

To get "Toddler groups, English speaking doctors, children in primary/secondary education" you will need to be in easy access of larger towns I suspect, espcially if you want a sizable proprtion of those children to be English.   If you are building your hopes on finding professionals who speak good English and who will understand all you need to have understood (and vv) Montpellier would be your best bet, as it has (as pointed out) a university and most cities will have English speakers (but the quality of the English is very questionable and not necessarily good.)

In the end, if you want to live in France, you will have to learn to cope in French.  There really is no other option.

[Richardk]

We've been here coming on 5 years now, and without specifically looking have come across health professionals (GP, gnaecologist, and knee surgeon) who talk English to various levels of proficiency. Those who speak it well are seemingly always those who do not use it unless you request it, whereas, anyone who knows 3 words will always have a go! Like you we have a young family with another on the way due in June.

We've lived near Narbonne and now (again) between Perpignan & Prades in the PO.

The point is, as long as you don't live in the middle of nowhere, you will, if you wish, be able to find people who speak some English I am sure. Toddler groups are not easily found, although find another English family with young children and you will aready have a the start of weekly get togethers. We haven't found French families so keen on the concept.

My recommendation therefore would be, don't live in an isolated place. A village / town of minimum 500 and really with a school in it should be your starting point. Don't be tempted by the idyllic 'quiet' house away from it all which seems to have everything...you'll be very lonely. If you want English contact, you will find it. If you don't go looking, you won't...or at least, not too much. 

I have a perception that there is a fairly high congregation of English from Carcassonne to Limoux further south, and as someone esle said around the Pezanas area.

If I can help with any more info, please ask.

Regards,

Richard

[Eos]

[quote user="Richardk"]...health professionals (GP, gnaecologist, and knee surgeon) who talk English to various levels of proficiency...if you want English contact, you will find it. If you don't go looking, you won't...or at least, not too much.  [/quote]

We live in a village outside Beziers and would fully concur with the above. I don't avoid other English speakers but don't seek them out either.

[MyNameIsEarl]

Hello Eos, RichardK and Judith and thanks for taking the time to respond.  We are something of an enigma because, though we seek English speakers in order to settle in, and to not be overrawed with anything medical (should it arise), we don't want to be in an enclave as we feel it would hold us back from fully integrating.  We don't seek a 'little England by-the-sea' we  simply want to spend more time together as a family in a warmer climate with a more (laid back?) attitude to life.  Perhaps this isn't realistic??

Our 2nd baby is due within the next 4-5 weeks and until baby makes an appearance all things French are on hold.  We still have our plan to be over in September, renting first until we find an area\house\business that we feel we can commit to.

Any further comments from anyone will be welcomed in the meantime.

Best Regards

[Bones]

Certainly around Carcassonne you'll find English speakers wherever you go and our Doc speaks English: a lot of French folk do.

Your kids are going to be translating before you know it!

[Richardk]

I think you're being entirely realistic. It's always nice to know there is help to fall back on, and frankly, although I can chat away with our neighbours in French (... my French is not brilliant), there is nothing like having the occasional evening chatting in your mother tongue with native English speakers. It's helps to keep us sane! For us, having English speaking friends is necessary. We see them when we want to, which probably means every 6 weeks or so. BUT....they are a phone call away and just around the corner. We have both English and French friends lined up to help support us when my wife has the next baby. In some ways it's easier with the English, in others the French (like they are next door).

Good luck. You'll enjoy it. Really though, if you pick your area based on an area you like whilst making sure you are  in a large village / small town or bigger, you'll find all the English speaking contact you want even if you have to ask at the local town hall. You won't have a problem.

Regards,

Richard