In Need of Advice

[Robert]

My wife and I are interested in buying a 3 bedroom property in southeastern France to enjoy the sun.  We have a number of wants.  They are:

1.  15 minute access to the beach and see the Med.

2.  In the case of purchasing a home, have a swimming pool, or in case of owning an apartment, a pool is part of the development.

3.  Close to a direct flight airport from London

Where would you recommend looking and do you recommend a house or apartment?  Are there any specific new developments you recommend we consider.  We would like to spend between Euro 350-450K.

Thanks,

Robert 

[dave21478]

My only advice is to not rely solely on flights to get you back and forth. Airlines can and do cancel routes at the drop of a hat, and many brits have found themselves with serious transport difficulties due to loosing a regular route to their second home.

[plod]

You'll probably have to choose somewhere with scheduled flights - which restricts you to Nice or Marseille areas I think.

[baypond]

Toulon area, particularly on way to St Tropez has some great areas and beaches. Toulon Hyeres airport is great, but you will be relying on Ryanair. However, Marseille isn't too far away should services stop for some reason.

[NormanH]

Montpellier.

[The Stig]

Why don't you consider the souh west of France- around Bordeaux area? A beautiful region, with excellent beaches and masses to do

[bubbles]

I would get out a pair of compasses and draw a circle to include Montpelier, Carcassonne, Perpignan and Gerona (just over the border into Spain)

Ryanair can't stop using ALL those airports surely.

The latest news is that they are stopping flights to Perpigan this winter but increasing flights to Carcassonne and Gerona.

[Braco]

If a sea view and sun are top of the list then I would head further south or east. If it is just for holidays with no long term re-settlement plans then I would save myself a whole lot of hassle by renting as required.

[mikeinfrance]

Why go that far south.

Try the Loire Atlantique, loads to do, Nantes airport for scheduled flights and only about 2 hours from St Malo for a ferry port fall back.

We have had a great summer all along the coast.

[Sprogster]

Robert, your budget is much too small for the Alpes Maritime & Var, as a three bedroom house with pool & sea views, within 15 mins of the Med is going to set you back well over a million euros, in walk in condition.

Apartments can be found cheaper, but tend to be very small and for three bedrooms you are looking at 600k upwards to the skies the limit.

[woody234]

theres some nice appartments in st tropez for about 450k but I would go for 1 with a big house with a swimmingpool, you can pick one up for about 2 million now the market is on the bottom, then you can sell for 8 million when the market peaks in 2018

[Babbles]

We tried the Gers and found it too cold and damp so have headed to the Herault and love it with good access with half a dozen airports close by, 1/2 hour to the Med or Mountains and 45 mins to Montpellier gives a great variety to do. If you want good weather you really need to be near the Med.

[mint]

But, tell us truthfully, Babbles, are the natives friendly?

 I have a French friend from those parts and she assures me that the natives are even ruder and less friendly than Parisiens!

[Maricopa]

Don't know about Babbles bit of the Hérault, but my locals are very friendly, (unless you are Parisien[6])

[Babbles]

Had absolutely no problems with the Natives and my French is far from perfect, it could be because we bring money to the area and the locals are no fools but everyone in the village has been friendly