Silly Question! But Can You Help.....?

[LaChatte]

Hi everyone!

Taking the excellent advice on this great forum, I am trying to do as much research as possible before making the move (expecting this to be in a couple of years at most when I retire). I'm learning the language and trying to get a feel for all things French. However, the big question in considering the final move is - where?

The only part of France I am familiar with is Paris - and not being rich I do not want to live there, beautiful though it is. Again, not being rich, I am unable to flit around France alighting here and there as I wish! So I am going to pay a few weekend break type visits to various parts and then longer visits to wherever I decide I like best.

Can people please suggest good locations to start looking perhaps? I love the sea, and also the countryside, and am sufficiently townie to want to live near to a decent shopping area. I would prefer a reasonable ex-pat population too.

A few ideas would be great - so I can start my research!

LaChatte

[giantpanda]

Hi!

You should at least give us some preferences:

Do you intend to rent or buy?

Do you wish to live in a

- big city

- small city

- village

- in the countryside

What type of weather do you prefer?

What type of monthly budget will you have?


NB. If you are an US citizen, you should without delay contact a French Consulate in USA.
Now there are quite some difficulties for non EC-member, with the Health Insurance question, not to speak of the other red tape.This takes time.Start here:

Séjour des étrangers - Service-public.fr

Then afterwards you would be probably "citoyen non actif" ( not working ) -

If you were to intend to work, even a little, then it would be yet more complicated.

Yours,

giantpanda

[parsnips]

Originally Posted by LaChatte

Hi everyone!

Taking the excellent advice on this great forum, I am trying to do as much research as possible before making the move (expecting this to be in a couple of years at most when I retire). I'm learning the language and trying to get a feel for all things French. However, the big question in considering the final move is - where?

The only part of France I am familiar with is Paris - and not being rich I do not want to live there, beautiful though it is. Again, not being rich, I am unable to flit around France alighting here and there as I wish! So I am going to pay a few weekend break type visits to various parts and then longer visits to wherever I decide I like best.

Can people please suggest good locations to start looking perhaps? I love the sea, and also the countryside, and am sufficiently townie to want to live near to a decent shopping area. I would prefer a reasonable ex-pat population too.

A few ideas would be great - so I can start my research!

LaChatte

South of Charente-Maritime or Charente: Low house prices,1.5 hours from sea ,3 hrs from Spain,less than 1 hr from Bordeaux-all shops, historic town centre (UNESCO world heritage site), reasonable but not over-whelming ex-pat presence, low cost of living.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by LaChatte

Hi everyone!

Taking the excellent advice on this great forum, I am trying to do as much research as possible before making the move (expecting this to be in a couple of years at most when I retire). I'm learning the language and trying to get a feel for all things French. However, the big question in considering the final move is - where?

The only part of France I am familiar with is Paris - and not being rich I do not want to live there, beautiful though it is. Again, not being rich, I am unable to flit around France alighting here and there as I wish! So I am going to pay a few weekend break type visits to various parts and then longer visits to wherever I decide I like best.

Can people please suggest good locations to start looking perhaps? I love the sea, and also the countryside, and am sufficiently townie to want to live near to a decent shopping area. I would prefer a reasonable ex-pat population too.

A few ideas would be great - so I can start my research!

LaChatte

I've travelled through France, but never lived there ...... But I always found the West Coast to be particularly beautiful down towards Bordeaux.

[PETITEGANT]

It's a fantastic way to see France and all the different regions,cities,towns and villages.There's no great rush to move on.Hardly any traffic about.Once you have purchased your craft the running costs are minimum.Free moorings at almost all towns and villages etc.it's a brilliant way to experience real French hospitality.Follow the Canal du Midi up though Carcassonne, Castelnaudary,Hompes,Trebes,Toulouse.Montech...... fantastic.
I guarantee a wonderful experience and one that will help you decide where abouts in France you will want to settle in retirement.

PETITEGANT

[LaChatte]

Thanks GiantPanda - I will perhaps be doing a little writing, but not employed as such. I will have a reasonable pension, and I like warm or even hot weather. I don't really want to be in the middle of a big town, and would prefer the coast, but basically I intend to take a lease rather than buy until I I am sure I have found somewhere I want to stay. I know asking for this kind of advice is a tall order............................!

[LaChatte]

Cheers Parsnip - I'll put it on my "consider" list!

[LaChatte]

Love the pic Stravinsky! I've heard about the West Coast from someone else too - another place to visit - thanks!

[LaChatte]

Thanks for the suggestion,Petitegant - but boating? I love boats but don't see myself organising one and setting off to explore. A great idea for later on perhaps, when I'm actually living there.

[BabsM]

We've spent a fair amount of time in France and like the area around St-Jean-de-Monts & les Sables d'Olonne, between St Nazaire and La Rochelle on the West Coast. It is close to La Roche sur Yon & Nantes for shopping but not too close!. The beaches are great and the countryside is good. We stay with French friends but we seem to hear about a fair number of ex-pats living around St-Jean.

Alternatively there is the area around St Malo on the North Brittany Coast. Easy to get to for your 'taster' sessions because of the ferry. Shopping is good in St Malo. Lots of Brits because of the proximity to the UK. Good beaches, good countryside. However it can be expensive because the influx of Brits buying weekend homes has put prices up.

Babs