Thinking of moving to France
Discussion
I am about to start a new job which involves a rotation of 6 weeks away and 2 weeks back and for the first time I can start putting in to place my idea of the 'ideal life'. This for me entails a multiple garage/workshop and the ability/area to go hunting plus a few dogs and wood burning fire. All very PH thankyou very much.
The more I think about it the more the UK is looking less appealing. I am hugely patriotic but I am afraid the house prices have just gotten ridiculous and even though my knowledge about rights to hunt/off-road are limited I am pretty sure every other country out there are slightly more relaxed on these matters. It's just that there are so many people on this little island. I would prefer a bit of space and frankly I don't think I am going to get that here unless I win the lottery.
For the new job I will be required to touch base in the south of England (Portsmouth) before heading off so I can't be too far from there for obvious reasons. Thinking possibly somewhere nice and rural near or around Le Havre as you can get a 5 hour ferry straight from there to Portsmouth for around £100 return.
As ever I would be grateful to pick the brain of any fellow PH'er who has done the move or even looked into it. No idea how the tax system works as the new job effectively is tax free as I spend less than 90 days in the country (don't quote me on that one, maritime tax law etc) so I don't know what the French tax system will make of that.
Yes I am probably being a little romantic about it but the thought of sitting in my expansive garage sipping (slurping) a glass of fine red wine admiring the battered defender with the gundog sat next to me after a hard days hunting and off roading is a dream I wish to pursue.
For a visualisation of what I am after think of the guys house from the film 'Shooter' but with more of a PH twist to it. As in wine cellar and mahoosive garage but still with the privacy.
Many thanks in advance PH collective.
The more I think about it the more the UK is looking less appealing. I am hugely patriotic but I am afraid the house prices have just gotten ridiculous and even though my knowledge about rights to hunt/off-road are limited I am pretty sure every other country out there are slightly more relaxed on these matters. It's just that there are so many people on this little island. I would prefer a bit of space and frankly I don't think I am going to get that here unless I win the lottery.
For the new job I will be required to touch base in the south of England (Portsmouth) before heading off so I can't be too far from there for obvious reasons. Thinking possibly somewhere nice and rural near or around Le Havre as you can get a 5 hour ferry straight from there to Portsmouth for around £100 return.
As ever I would be grateful to pick the brain of any fellow PH'er who has done the move or even looked into it. No idea how the tax system works as the new job effectively is tax free as I spend less than 90 days in the country (don't quote me on that one, maritime tax law etc) so I don't know what the French tax system will make of that.
Yes I am probably being a little romantic about it but the thought of sitting in my expansive garage sipping (slurping) a glass of fine red wine admiring the battered defender with the gundog sat next to me after a hard days hunting and off roading is a dream I wish to pursue.
For a visualisation of what I am after think of the guys house from the film 'Shooter' but with more of a PH twist to it. As in wine cellar and mahoosive garage but still with the privacy.
Many thanks in advance PH collective.
Edited by pimping on Friday 4th November 14:55
Not quite in the same boat as you, but I got the chance to move to Switzerland 5.5 years ago and I jumped at it. Best decision I've ever made, even if I can't afford huge swathes of land or a massive garage of exotica!
Have a look at all the destinations you can fly to from Southampton with the likes of FlyBe- you could almost pick and choose where to live in France and other countries, maybe further south for better weather or cheaper property or better wine or great hunting or whatever. Sometimes the flights are cheaper (and usually quicker) than the ferry- of course this depends on how much luggage you have to drag along!
Have a look at all the destinations you can fly to from Southampton with the likes of FlyBe- you could almost pick and choose where to live in France and other countries, maybe further south for better weather or cheaper property or better wine or great hunting or whatever. Sometimes the flights are cheaper (and usually quicker) than the ferry- of course this depends on how much luggage you have to drag along!
k yeah i have done it'!You have the oppurtunity to live my dream (although I would move a little further south)....
In fact why don't you look further south and get cheap flights back to Blighty when required??
Although i'm only 34 i already have plans to move to the Cevennes on (or hopefully) before retirement.
I been to France at least once a year since I was 10 and the idea of being able to live there, even if I had to commute back here, is almost ludicrously appealing, unfortuanatl;ey in my line of work (HGV driver) all the jobs over there are being filled by Eastern Europeans who will work for basically nothing and don't mind not being home for 6-8 weeks at a time.
Go for it, it'll be the best decision you ever made/
In fact why don't you look further south and get cheap flights back to Blighty when required??
Although i'm only 34 i already have plans to move to the Cevennes on (or hopefully) before retirement.
I been to France at least once a year since I was 10 and the idea of being able to live there, even if I had to commute back here, is almost ludicrously appealing, unfortuanatl;ey in my line of work (HGV driver) all the jobs over there are being filled by Eastern Europeans who will work for basically nothing and don't mind not being home for 6-8 weeks at a time.
Go for it, it'll be the best decision you ever made/
I'll offer my little bit, although I know nothing of the tax system.
My parent's have lived there for just over a year now, my dad is finishing their house that was started 25 years ago (by someone else).
Everything is ridiculously bureaucratic, BUT the way of life is so nice over there (being retired at least) that it makes up for the annoyances France has to offer.
In short, do it. DO IT DO IT DO IT and integrate. (Some cracking roads too
)
My parent's have lived there for just over a year now, my dad is finishing their house that was started 25 years ago (by someone else).
Everything is ridiculously bureaucratic, BUT the way of life is so nice over there (being retired at least) that it makes up for the annoyances France has to offer.
In short, do it. DO IT DO IT DO IT and integrate. (Some cracking roads too
)DO take the time to learn some (useful) French before you move. By useful I mean an intensive course which takes into account the things you need to know, rather than just "where is the post office".
It will make integrating that much easier, and you won't have to be one of those expats who are always asking "where can I find an English-speaking XYZ".
There are absolutely no allowances made for non-French speakers by the French administration, unlike the UK, where you can do things in every language under the sun.
It will make integrating that much easier, and you won't have to be one of those expats who are always asking "where can I find an English-speaking XYZ".
There are absolutely no allowances made for non-French speakers by the French administration, unlike the UK, where you can do things in every language under the sun.
Beefmeister said:
France would be an amazing place if it weren't for all the French people living there.
Harsh? Apart from the t*ssers that insist on driving 2" from your rear bumper I find the French very reasonable, and many of them have been very helpful to us settling in Normandy.
My only other gripe is their general lack of courtesy (if you hold a door open for a woman they really have no idea how to react, and if you let out another driver on the road they simply think you are mad). In fairness that's simply a difference between our cultures.
Beefmeister said:
France would be an amazing place if it weren't for all the French people living there.
Indeed,lovely country ruined by the worlds most rude and unfriendly inhabitants.I spent 17 months near Lyon,if it were not for the people/peasents I`d probably still be there.
One tip though worth remembering:If you want to hide anything from them,hide it under the soap!
pimping said:
No idea how the tax system works as the new job effectively is tax free as I spend less than 90 days in the country (don't quote me on that one, maritime tax law etc) so I don't know what the French tax system will make of that.
I recommend you find a good accountant who knows both French and maritime tax law. If your main residence (180 days/year) is in France, your income will be taxed by the French state, which may have implications for your employer as well as for you. Also, I believe (though could be wrong) you pay tax on French property even if your fiscal residence is elsewhere. Apart from that, I say go for it. Moved here nearly a decade ago and I don't regret it. Life's too short to not take the odd calculated risk.
France may have its faults (mad bureaucracy, arrogance, comedy president, protectionist politics, stupid priorité à droite driving rule, crap TV) but then so does everywhere else. To my eyes the culture/countryside/generally more relaxed way of life/food/wine make up for them.
'punt
As suggested already, you need to ensure that you understand the tax implications; inheritance rules etc are also different. Not problems, just different. Are you talking about selling up completely in the UK, or having a place in both?
In my experience, the French really appreciate those who make the effort to integrate and, in particular, try and speak their language, even if not always successfully.
I know some who have been in France for years and are very happy, wouldn't change anything. One other who decided to move back after 12 months, despite having spent years in the same place on extended holidays and another who has been trying to sell to move back for 18+ months, but can't sell at the moment.
The change in the exchange rate over the past few years hasn't helped some, what happens when the current Euro situation is finalised is anyone's guess, IMHO.
In my experience, the French really appreciate those who make the effort to integrate and, in particular, try and speak their language, even if not always successfully.
I know some who have been in France for years and are very happy, wouldn't change anything. One other who decided to move back after 12 months, despite having spent years in the same place on extended holidays and another who has been trying to sell to move back for 18+ months, but can't sell at the moment.
The change in the exchange rate over the past few years hasn't helped some, what happens when the current Euro situation is finalised is anyone's guess, IMHO.
I have been in France for nearly a decade also. My advice would be to get a good understanding of the language in order to intergrate well.
Also to take no notice whatsoever of people slagging of the French,as they are uninformed idiot's.
I have just returned from being away from France for 2 months. Within 12 hours my French pals had called in with gifts of the forest and rivers/lakes. ie mushrooms and fresh caught fish.
Go for it and enjoy what France and the people of France have to give.
As for hunting,there is no better. Hunting here is fantastic with a great social scene also.
Good luck.
Also to take no notice whatsoever of people slagging of the French,as they are uninformed idiot's.
I have just returned from being away from France for 2 months. Within 12 hours my French pals had called in with gifts of the forest and rivers/lakes. ie mushrooms and fresh caught fish.
Go for it and enjoy what France and the people of France have to give.
As for hunting,there is no better. Hunting here is fantastic with a great social scene also.
Good luck.
We have a place between Caen and Mont St Michel and it's lovely, and would fit your lifestyle desires perfectly (log fires, outbuildings, land etc) and all for under £150k which you would never find in the south of England. The Le Havre ferry service is great and you can fly from Rennes to Southampton if needed as well.
Council tax is far cheaper than in the UK but no idea on the actual income tax situation. There are loads of Brits around where we are (near Coutances/Granville) but it's still very French and you do really need to speak the language to get by effectively. Our neighbours are all French and mostly farmers and really friendly, even when you have to ask them to tow your Dad's van out of the front garden where he parked it and couldn't get it out again...
I'd do it like a shot personally, but do bear in mind once you've made the move it's hard to come back if you want to maintain the lifestyle you've become used to.
Council tax is far cheaper than in the UK but no idea on the actual income tax situation. There are loads of Brits around where we are (near Coutances/Granville) but it's still very French and you do really need to speak the language to get by effectively. Our neighbours are all French and mostly farmers and really friendly, even when you have to ask them to tow your Dad's van out of the front garden where he parked it and couldn't get it out again...
I'd do it like a shot personally, but do bear in mind once you've made the move it's hard to come back if you want to maintain the lifestyle you've become used to.
Having lived in France for quite a while now, I have noticed that France was more expensive when the Pound dropped in value to a similar level as the Euro. However, over the last six months, Britain seems to have become a lot more expensive for day to day requirements. I can make some generalisations though.
Fuel is smilarly priced but diesel is slightly cheaper in France.
Clothes are more expensive in France.
Garage bills are higher in France, franchised dealers similarly priced.
Cold, sliced meats are more expensive in France
Bathroom consumables are more expensive in France.
Second hand cars are more expensive in France
Car parts can be more expensive in France.
Local taxes are normally cheaper like for like, but very area dependent.
Eating out is cheaper in France.
Property is much cheaper in France
No road tax in France, but if you want to use the péage it adds up.
Alcohol is cheaper or better quality in France
Fruit and vegetables are cheaper in France as well as much more tasteful (tomatoes are not just tasteless water bombs).
Meat is slightly cheaper in France and much better quality.
Animal feed is slightly more expensive in France, but the butcher supplies meat for the dogs very cheaply.
Income tax and social security is around 50% of gross salary in France, but if starting a Sarl in some regions gets more or less tax free operation for 5 years and then scaled to normal over the next 5 years.
Health care very good, but difficult to get cover as a foreigner in the first year.
Top up health insurance is advisable in France
As a whole, I think it works out similar as it seems that France doesn't have as many stealth taxes as Britain.
As others have said, speaking French is imperative as the French talk a lot. To become accepted in a village means that you have to communicate with people all of the time. If you do this, you'll find that France is actually a lot more sociable than Britain.
If you have kids, you'll find that French education is more old fashioned in style but not in content. Even English is taught at primary school now. Spelling, grammar and writing properly is still very important.
In conclusion, if you think you can adapt to a less stressful, less hurried and relaxed society that does not operate like a 24hours, 7 day a week rat race, a move could well be your best decision. Of course, my opinions are based on rural or town life in France, if you move to a large city, things are different again.
Fuel is smilarly priced but diesel is slightly cheaper in France.
Clothes are more expensive in France.
Garage bills are higher in France, franchised dealers similarly priced.
Cold, sliced meats are more expensive in France
Bathroom consumables are more expensive in France.
Second hand cars are more expensive in France
Car parts can be more expensive in France.
Local taxes are normally cheaper like for like, but very area dependent.
Eating out is cheaper in France.
Property is much cheaper in France
No road tax in France, but if you want to use the péage it adds up.
Alcohol is cheaper or better quality in France
Fruit and vegetables are cheaper in France as well as much more tasteful (tomatoes are not just tasteless water bombs).
Meat is slightly cheaper in France and much better quality.
Animal feed is slightly more expensive in France, but the butcher supplies meat for the dogs very cheaply.
Income tax and social security is around 50% of gross salary in France, but if starting a Sarl in some regions gets more or less tax free operation for 5 years and then scaled to normal over the next 5 years.
Health care very good, but difficult to get cover as a foreigner in the first year.
Top up health insurance is advisable in France
As a whole, I think it works out similar as it seems that France doesn't have as many stealth taxes as Britain.
As others have said, speaking French is imperative as the French talk a lot. To become accepted in a village means that you have to communicate with people all of the time. If you do this, you'll find that France is actually a lot more sociable than Britain.
If you have kids, you'll find that French education is more old fashioned in style but not in content. Even English is taught at primary school now. Spelling, grammar and writing properly is still very important.
In conclusion, if you think you can adapt to a less stressful, less hurried and relaxed society that does not operate like a 24hours, 7 day a week rat race, a move could well be your best decision. Of course, my opinions are based on rural or town life in France, if you move to a large city, things are different again.
Just to add, I find bureaucracy on a national level just as bad as Britain. However, at local level it is very helpful and friendly. Again, communication in French makes all the difference.
Local services here are also top notch. In winter the snow plough is out every day, even on Christmas day. All the roads, including very small dead end ones get cleared.
I am based in a 'parc naturel' in Burgundy and things might be different in other parts of France. But I do stress again, communication in French is very important. If you do not learn the lingo, you might well end up with the same opinion as the French bashers here.
Local services here are also top notch. In winter the snow plough is out every day, even on Christmas day. All the roads, including very small dead end ones get cleared.
I am based in a 'parc naturel' in Burgundy and things might be different in other parts of France. But I do stress again, communication in French is very important. If you do not learn the lingo, you might well end up with the same opinion as the French bashers here.
Beefmeister said:
France would be an amazing place if it weren't for all the French people living there.
That made me laugh. I travelled and lived in many countries all my life and guess what ? There are twonks everywhere.The French are rude ? Depends what you call rude and all cultures have a vastly different definition of the word. I love how quaintly respectful people are in the UK but then again there is no lane discipline at all in the UK, I find that rude. Whereas by and large lane discipline in France is exemplary, why ?
You'll indeed find the French rude if you have very little understanding of different cultures and habits, start reading a couple of books by the late Claude Levi-Strauss for a start or Roland Barthes, that should help.
The French find the Brits hypocritical. Which they are not in my experience. It's just their way of not being "rude".
Another classic : the French have no sense of humour. In the UK people are so polite (ie unlike the French) that they use their sense of humour to say what they actually think but have been brought up with so much restraint that they haven't got the balls to say it straight (apart form when saying it online), like the French usually do (which appears rude when it's only meant to be flatly factual).
Gassing Station | France | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff