move to france

[People]

We plan to move to france in two years time with our two young children and I have been avidly reading the forum which I think is brilliant and very informative. This is my first posting, very nervous, but wonder what any members think/advise of this.

We plan to rent for a year to see if we can make it and in that time we hope to immerse ourselve in the language. We have focussed on two areas to further our research. We have finances to cover this without having to work for one a year (although we will explore any opportunities whilst there). sorry for waffling, we think it's a wise step , others may think it's bonkers, many thanks,

[Baz]

Welcome to the Forum, I am sure you will pick up a wealth of help and information here. I think you are very sensible renting for a year but would suggest you take breaks over the next 2 years in different locations to establish exactly to where you want to move.

One tip that causes many people to fail is the lack of  communicating in the French language and you really should start taking action now to learn and not wait until you move. To integrate with the French community you really need to speak French from day one. Your young children will pick up French very quickly when you get there and in many cases become more fluent than their parents in the short term. Good luck with your venture.

Baz

 

[People]

thanks baz, have been staring at Michel Thomas CDs for a few weeks, hope to at least open one soon.

[Blackadder<IMG src="http:forums.livingfrance.comimagesline.gif"><BR>Blackadder<BR>Keighley and Creuse]

Two years is an awful long time in property. I presume you are oving over there in 2 years which means possibly buying in 3??

The market in England may fall slightly over the next 2 or 3 years (may well keep rising as well) whereas I imagine the whole French market will continue to rise as more people buy into the 'dream'

I would seriously do loads of 'area' research and get out there for a few lots of 4/5 days and see where you like. If you're like us and many others, your choice of area may be limited to budget, that makes it far easier in any case. We were extremely fortunate in that the first area we chose to go look at that we could afford, the Limousin, we fell in live with and bought (a cheap barn to do up) there.

Without knowing your current state, i.e renting, own house with little/loads collateral. Its hard to gibe advice but if its the 'normal' own house, fair amount of cash tied up that will be released on sale, i would seriously look at a non tie in re-mortgage to get the cash asap to buy before you are priced out of the market. It will happen if prices continue abroad and steady off here! You may well be sorry as the type/size of french property will be severely limited.

Just my twopenneth