I think ignorance of the problems helped us move, because if we knew then what we know now I'm not sure that we would have bothered. Perhaps simply moved area. But now we are here it's fantastic. Wouldn't live much further North because of the weather. House with land half the UK price, so we couldn't have ever afforded this. A very rare thing even here, small house in the middle of a decent plot. Nearest neighbour 200 metres, clean air, no traffic and most importantly very little theft. But houses are a minefield because the French don't maintain them and they have problems like asbestos, termites, damp, drainage and shared driveways with tractors. This was the 52nd viewed. You can't buy a new (ish) house with land. Legislation limits the plot to 1500m2. So you are stuck with all the maintenance problems of an old property. Been in France 11 years now but bought 6 years ago- still working on it with perhaps 2 or 3 years to go. The previous Dutch and English owners did all the expensive stuff, we're just tidying up.
To be honest, retiring here is going to be a nightmare with an old property which will become a money pit. Tradesmen are very expensive and difficult to find. We have only just reached retirement age and fortunately can do just about everything ourselves. But the speed things grow with all the sun took us by surprise. We are cutting the lawns every 4 days, any more and it would be too long to cut. And then there is the language- what you lean in England isn't worth much because it's so out-of-date.
So moving pre-Brexit, with all our chickens, at our age then, it was worth the work and living in France is great. But it wouldn't suit most people.
To add, based on the last post:- yes you can get your pension paid here and in € at a good exchange rate as well. BUT a single UK state pension isn't deemed sufficient income for residency and I'm not sure if two for a couple would be enough either?
Topic: Moving to France (Read 1315 times)
