Living in Northern France?

[Pompeylottie]

We've just got back from Argentan in Normandy and was looking at the property there, and we have the beginnings of an idea to consider retiring there in abut 5 years or so. It looks like we could afford a place with quite a bit of land. After allotting in city with all it's vandalism its very tempting to have our own private veg garden

Does anyone live there, got any advice, pitfalls, problems???
Thanks.

[TonyF]

There are quite a few Brits who live in France using this Forum - my advice would be, unless you're within 3 years of statutory retirement age, be very careful.

And, if you have domestic problems, bringing them to France wont make them go away.

That said, it's the second best decision I've ever made in my life, bestest was proposing to Jenny. Integration isn't easy, life can be difficult, especially in the winter when many areas close down, but if you can get through that, I think life in France is great. Property is cheaper as are some utilities but generally, the cost of living isn't too much lower than the UK. It just seems that way sometimes.

Bio/Organic here is still a way of life, not a life style option so that works well and gardening/vegatable raising is a way of life.

Any more info, just ask.

[scarey55]

Couldn't agree more Tony, with everything you have said.

We have found that the cost of living here is pretty much the same as it was in UK but we have been able to get much more house for our money and with a huge (sometimes unmanageable) garden. It is just something to think about if you do decide to move, the idea of a big garden is very appealing but it does take quite a bit of work.

Beware too, the exchange rate. Our income (mostly from a UK company pension) has gone down by about twenty percent in two years. It may go up again but we're not holding our breath.

Integration is hard and if you are seriously thinking of moving and don't speak good French - START NOW - sorry for shouting but it is absolutely vital.

That said, we wouldn't have it any other way. Life here is good and we love it

[smallblueplanet]

- my advice would be, unless you're within 3 years of statutory retirement age, be very careful.

Any more info, just ask.

What do you mean by your first point tony?

[Jardiniere]

just adding to whats been said .......be prepared for health care to be very expensive unless you have reached statutory retirement age ...you cant get a carte vitale until then.Otherwise its great ...we only have a small house with a medium sized garden but also a piece of land that needs clearing.We know loads of people here now .....some are english but we also know loads of french people too - mainly ones who speak a little english ....cos our french is lousy although we are trying to improve...we go to village functions and try to mix.....but we live on the edge of quite a large village which has stuff going on....i would recommend living in a village rather than the middle of nowhere...or at least using your local village as often as you can......and also i recommend moving further south than Normandy ......the Lot, Lot et Garonne, Aveyron - all wonderful departments ...red wine and duck .......the basic needs of life.

[tootles]

Sorry to contradict, but you can get a carte vitale before you retire. You just have to do something classed as work (min16 hrs a week i think) and pay your cotisations (social security contributions) You also have 1 year before this is an issue if you ensure that you have an E106 which will give reciprocal treatment. You will require private insurance to top up the 30% that the health service doesn't pay though....
If you register as unemployed (chommage) you can also get French language classes for free and lots of other courses.
We love it here, the children go to the local schools and we have far more house for our money here ( or will have when we finish it!). We live in the middle of nowhere and would recommend a village unless you are brave, mad or allergic to other people. It is much easier to integrate into village life if you actually live in one! We have children which helps with our joining in...
Take the plunge I can thouroughly recommend it.
Tx

[Jardiniere]

sorry - was assuming that they were near retirement - you are right tootles - working gets you in to the system OK.
and having school age children throws you in at the deep end - we are however retired - although husband is not yet 60 - just know about the problems that some of us oldies have!!!!
however taking even that into account its still brilliant - although the weather is absolutley CR** (Merde) at the moment

[Pompeylottie]

Thanks so much everyone for replying, it was very helpful, we have a few years to decide but such a big step neds alot of thinking about The main drawback would be leaving the family behind but being in Portsmouth is quite handy for Normandy.

[Alice]

And have a look at the French inheritance law Pompeylottie. There are ways round it, but it's a minefield.

[TonyF]

Actually Alice, the French inheritance laws are very straight forward as long as you get good advice on day 1 when you buy a house/property here, especially if you're married second time round or living togather, which makes matters a bit more complicated.

As for the early retireds, you can get health care with an E121 if you have a long-term health condition when you arrive in France but the majority of inactifs (early retireds) come with an E106 but you still need your top-up assurance, no matter which one you have. The E106 usually runs for 2 years (environ) and it's when that runs out people under retirement age, not working (inactifs), get into trouble.

Basically, you then need to be able to get private health insurance (unless you have developed a medical problem) and the French PHC system is increasingly Americanised, no pre-existing conditions, which means no health care, which in turn means you're here illegally, tho the chances of anybody doing anything about that are slight unless you get caught doing something against the interest of France (criminal).

We had a local series of ceremonies (planter le mai for those who have similar) in our commune this weekend, going to the various newly elected councillors houses for the ceremony, drinks and food. It was just great fun, very tiring but a great way of getting to know even more French people. Problem was, as usual, very few of the Brits turned up, except at our home because they think I just represent the Brits/Europeans on our local council, the majority would rather sit indoors rather than try to integrate tho some have been here over 10 years but are are still 'etrangers' to the majority of people in the commune.

Makes you wonder sometimes.........

[tootles]

Thanks so much everyone for replying, it was very helpful, we have a few years to decide but such a big step neds alot of thinking about The main drawback would be leaving the family behind but being in Portsmouth is quite handy for Normandy.

It really isn't such a big step....
If your family are all based in Portsmouth then it would be farther for them to travel to the Lake District than Northern France. If you think it is a big step now then it is one you probably won't make in a few years. I would suggest you buy a place soon and use it for weekends and hols and this will help you realise how straightforward it can be and help lower yourself gently into the local community. You also might not find it to be such a step when the time comes.
I'd rather be in France than UK when I am of retiring age!
Tx

[marigold007]

I'm just reading a novel entitled "The Earth" which has to do with French inheritance laws in the 19th century. The owners just gifted the property before dying. Have the laws changed much since then? I went to Nice for a holiday earlier this year. I'd love to spend my last days in that area!

[pigletwillie]

Wahoooo, were off to our usual pad in Normandy on Wednesday and will be enjoying it for a whole fortnight.