Hello Any and All,
First time on here, in fact apart from uni tasks, first time on a forum, so please be forgiving if I break any rules, although I do not intend to upset anybody or sell anything, so hopefully that is a good enough intention.
My husband and I and our 6 year old son are planning on moving to France next year, around the Limoges area. My husband will work from home but return to UK office monthly for 'important' meetings and the like. His income will be enough (we hope) to cover all our overheads and allow us the simple life we are looking for.
However, I also want an occupation, I am NOT a would be 'lady of leisure', I am very active and very sociable and am not intending to become a recluse. In the past in the UK I managed restaurants in my early career and then went on to become a guest house owner, which I did for 10 years or so. After my son was born, I then became an English teacher, with a specialism in ESOL and am currently working at Manchester College as a tutor.
When we come to France we had initially intended to buy a home with potential for a B&B or an up and running one. However, since house hunting we keep coming across homes with gites attached or in the grounds for sale, and have actually seen one we really like the look of.
What I am looking for from the users of this site therefore, is any feedback, opinions or advice, anecdotal or otherwise that can perhaps give us something to make an informed decision. I have lots of experience in running the B&B and am obviously aware of the hard work involved, lack of regular working hours and personal privacy etc. I can't see how much difference the gite ownership would be, apart from not having to cook breakfast and evening meals, but really think you guys will know so much more. Not looking to make a fortune, just tick over, pay its way, make me feel I have something to get up for in the morning and so forth.
Enough of the waffle then, sorry, but any help would be most gratefully received. P.S. I speak 'holiday' French , have an O' Level in it, but obviously that is years old, I am currently taking lessons in England and will obviously continue as soon as we finally get to France.
Thanks, Jacqui
First time on here, in fact apart from uni tasks, first time on a forum, so please be forgiving if I break any rules, although I do not intend to upset anybody or sell anything, so hopefully that is a good enough intention.
My husband and I and our 6 year old son are planning on moving to France next year, around the Limoges area. My husband will work from home but return to UK office monthly for 'important' meetings and the like. His income will be enough (we hope) to cover all our overheads and allow us the simple life we are looking for.
However, I also want an occupation, I am NOT a would be 'lady of leisure', I am very active and very sociable and am not intending to become a recluse. In the past in the UK I managed restaurants in my early career and then went on to become a guest house owner, which I did for 10 years or so. After my son was born, I then became an English teacher, with a specialism in ESOL and am currently working at Manchester College as a tutor.
When we come to France we had initially intended to buy a home with potential for a B&B or an up and running one. However, since house hunting we keep coming across homes with gites attached or in the grounds for sale, and have actually seen one we really like the look of.
What I am looking for from the users of this site therefore, is any feedback, opinions or advice, anecdotal or otherwise that can perhaps give us something to make an informed decision. I have lots of experience in running the B&B and am obviously aware of the hard work involved, lack of regular working hours and personal privacy etc. I can't see how much difference the gite ownership would be, apart from not having to cook breakfast and evening meals, but really think you guys will know so much more. Not looking to make a fortune, just tick over, pay its way, make me feel I have something to get up for in the morning and so forth.
Enough of the waffle then, sorry, but any help would be most gratefully received. P.S. I speak 'holiday' French , have an O' Level in it, but obviously that is years old, I am currently taking lessons in England and will obviously continue as soon as we finally get to France.
Thanks, Jacqui