Looking for the right spot!

[LaChatte]

Hello to everyone!

I am a wannabe ex-pat as soon as I retire - in the next couple of years. I am single and think this is going to be maybe the best adventure of my life so far.

After a lot of thought and research I have decided France will be best - I have begun to learn the language already so that when I make the move I should be quite fluent.

Sadly, I am not wealthy enough to just flit about France alighting here and there! So I hope anyone who reads this and has the time to spare will recommend their own area and tell me a bit about it. I am going to take short breaks to parts that sound interesting, so will be watching this space after posting this!!

I intend to rent or lease initially until I am quite sure I want to live there - then buy. Although I hear buying is not the big deal in France it is over here?

I love music, reading, theatre, food, tai chi, Zen, and am learning chess. I am very active and want to either cycle or work out a lot.

I am really keen on this site - it looks great!

Bye for now

La Chatte

[Bevdeforges]

Hi, and welcome to the forum! Big decision you've taken there. Luckily, it looks like you're coming from the UK, which cuts out much of the hassle - visas and such.

Have you thought about what you'd like to find in any location you settle in? Activities such as concerts, theater and fabulous restaurants tend to be centralized in Paris or other larger cities. There is a tai chi group that meets in the Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris, and I suspect more than a few chess games going on there in mid-summer. But living in Paris is expensive.

The rural areas of France can have some surprising resources, but can also be a bit isolated and, like small towns everywhere, it can be difficult to integrate yourself if you have no strong local ties or family. In some areas where there are good sized British communities, the Brits are quite frankly resented by the locals for running up property prices and changing the life style of the area. But with no local anglophones nearby, it can be lonely.

What is it about France that attracts you? Maybe that will give us some clues as to areas to suggest.
Cheers,
Bev

[LaChatte]

Thanks for replying. I love the sea, for a start, but I also love the country!

I can imagine the locals resent large ex-pat communities, I think people everywhere feel a bit invaded when there are very large groups of foreign nationals on their doorstep. When you look at some of the settlements in Spain ........................! So I think I would like to try somewhere where there is a small community of ex-pats who are perhaps better integrated - or less intrusive.

I do like some company but am also very fond of my own! So I am not looking for an overwhelmingly friendly group of people. I wondered about learning to play bowls (or is that boules?) or something I could join in with. I will probably be writing a bit so that will take up quite a bit of time, and I plan to run a website also. I love opera but I could always go to Paris for that. It would be nice if there were a local club who organised outings, for instance.
I know there is not going to be a tailormade spot answering all my exact requirements, but I have time yet and intend to start taking long weekends when I decide where to try.

Bye for now!

LaChatte

[giantpanda]

Hi!

Sorry I have to play devil's advocate.

Before taking any decision, you really have to check your timetable to come to France, and this because of the Health insurance question.

If you have a GB State pension, you qualify for an E121, you have no problem, because you qualify for the French basic system.

If you have worked, you will qualify for a E106 - but that is valid only for max. 2 years. If by then you do not qualify for an E121, then you would have to show an equivalent private health insurance scheme to the French CMU for the intermediary period.

Now that can cost at least Euro 3500 a year.

Yours,

giantpanda

[LaChatte]

Thanks for this, I wasn't aware of it. I will have a GB pension when I come though, as well as a private pension, so should be all right?

To begin, I will rent or lease in the region I prefer for one or two years, and then perhaps buy later on if it seems a good idea.

Thanks again.

LaChatte

[giantpanda]

Originally Posted by LaChatte

Thanks for this, I wasn't aware of it. I will have a GB pension when I come though, as well as a private pension, so should be all right?

To begin, I will rent or lease in the region I prefer for one or two years, and then perhaps buy later on if it seems a good idea.

Thanks again.

LaChatte

Hi!

Just that there is no confusion.

- private pension* does not help here.

- you mention a " pension " - the standard state one? That is the only one that will qualify you for a E121.

Yours,

giantpanda

PS. *Just a note for later, when you declare - a French private pension - i.e; one where you are the sole contributor - not form, no others - is not declare as pension, but as " Rente viagère à titre onéreux ", which give you a higher allowance according to the age when it is 1st paid. So it it is better to postpone from 59 to 60, which gives you 10% extra. But such are subject to CSG ( Contribution Sociale Généralisée of 11% on gross whilst a normal pension only gets 10% allowance, but no CSG.)

Imposition des rentes viagères - Service-public.fr

Renting before settling is a good idea, because you only really get the feel of a place when living there.

Yours,

giantpanda

[pepsisue]

We love our home in the Midi-Pyrenees, whilst we relax by the pool we can see for miles, with the cascading hills of the Pyrenees. Centered to 4 major cities and 4 Airports of 45m-2 1/2 hrs drive. In 2003 i walked part of the compostelle, and still walk parts of it now. There are plenty of lakes if you like fishing, also a great place for cycling.
We can provide these for your use, if you would like to stay with us, in your search for your place in the sun. LOL from early retirees.

[LaChatte]

Ok! I'll pop your details in the growing file I' m making for the move. Thanks for this!

[LaChatte]

Thanks again - this type of info is going to be invaluable.