Hi,
Me,my partner,dog and 3 horses are making the move from the uk to france.its been years in the making,but we have decided to leave in october.but i have no idea where the hell to start first.weve decided to rent for 6months before buying.any advice very much appreciated.luckily we are in a situation were we dont need to find work.
Many thanks :D
Roxanne
Hi Jeanette
Thank you for your wonderful encouraging words.
We were on holiday in France (our first time in the south) and during a mad rush of blood to the head, bought a village house in the Aude. It was love at first sight - we had only been looking 2 days and weren’t really convinced we were doing the right thing. It certainly wasn’t really on the agenda when we left Aus.
We take possession in early September, when we will have 3 weeks to set up before we have to return to Aus. Our plan is spend at least 6 months of every year here. We are so very excited, and your words gave me comfort that we DID do the right thing - chase that dream 
After the winter / spring / summer thus far, we have had - all hot air is very gratefully received - however it is produced!!
Maria, If you look at my reply I said that we needed more hot air and less dampeners, this was an aside to the weather! There was no mention of SFN.
Sounds like the old carte vitals lottery all over again sighs
I've been through this and whatever it says on the web site, it doesn't work out that way, they actually wrote to me saying that I could not have a S1 until I retired and in spite of a 2 year battle I didn't get mine until 2 months after my 65 birthday -I think the key words are "may be eligible". All my national insurance was up to date and I was not working. Also Form 106 is now completely obsolete.
Of course like over here you might get a different story depending on when and who you speak to in the government departments -anyway good luck
Janet, you only get a form S1 to cover you for the french health service if you are in receipt of a UK retirement pension.
Looking at Roxanne's photo, it seems as though she has a fair way to go before that.
Loc transport is WONDERFUL. Just google it in, find the number and then talk to Jody. They take care of everything.
Actually, Brian makes a good point as many times over the early years I have had to make many random choices, particularly using the yellow pages. If I had researched my every move or sought advice from certain self-styled experts, I'd have neither gained my confidence nor moved on very much.
I agree that one can usually find people happy to help, but beware ........ there is good advice and bad advice.
I believe this could indeed be the answer to the troubles. Over here they tend not to send cheque books / bank cards via post.
We have to collect our debit/credit cards from our bank,also cheque books,could that be the answer to your 5 week wait?
Hi Jane
I would like to ask you a question about Burgundy but don't know how to send a pm.
If you would kindly reply to me pm wise that would be a help
Many thanks
Libby
France, without any of the stress of making a living, can be as close to paradise as anyone might like to imagine.What's not to like here?
Id say - think of renting a bit longer than 6 months - or anyway dont rent a place where you cant stay longer if you feel you need to - because there is likely to be a vast selection of properties you might like to consider as home - and 6 months, with all the other arranging you will be doing - may not give you nearly enough time to wallow in delightful possibilities. You have the opportunity to find the 'perfect' home. Taking all your dreams and needs into consideration, in situ, where you can explore a whole region and know it thoroughly - before settling anywhere in particular. Only you will know best.
I wish for you, all the joy Ive found here, for myself. All the kindness, consideration and measured pace of life, all the gentle weather, and amazing food, all the beauty and peace of a country that still has space & time enough, to welcome strangers.
Hi
We moved to south charente maritime and had 2 horses for my daughter. She has grown up and moved back t the uk now.
We have a place with a spring going through the back field where the horses spent most of their time which was great s it meant there was water all year, something to think about when it is hot, it made life so much easier. Also, having plenty of off road hacking on our doorstep was another great bonus.
We have found the temperature here to be quite good for the hoses, although we did have an unusually bitter winter the year before last but most of europe had it.....
Carole
I live in the Aude, lots of horse type activity, more so in the Ariège.
My only advice would be to find somewhere in a really scenically beautiful area to live in, because every time you start having second thoughts about your move (and you will, trust me) you've only got to look out of the window to remind yourself what a good move it all really was.
So near mountain foothills, lakes and in my opinion close enough to the med to make it seem like you have moved to a hot country (ok this year is exceptional ie bad). Around here you can get places with views of snow capped mountains and be 50 mins drive to the sea. Best wishes and good luck
A decent level of french will help a lot
Charente is a strange deoartment as it varies from east to west so the climate in say, the Confolens area on the eastern limit is more 'harsh' with cooler temperatures, especially in the winter months due to the higher ground etc than say Aigre which is much flatter and more open to the elements from the Atlantic ie more winds & rain etc but generally milder. The soil to the east is more clay based and so not favourable to some crops whereas the western side is more lime based and better draining etc So, horses for example may find life more harsh over towards the east.
You need to look around and maybe make your final decision after having spent the winter having visited all parts. Don't be misled by the lovely (usually !) summer weather !
The Charente can be very dry.
If you are keen equestrians also look for an area where there is an Arras.
Here in Cluny in Southern Burgundy we are very well provided for many equestrian disciplines, except polo, and they are all based around the Arras.
Also it is cheaper than in the west.
We feel that is is like the Cotswolds, ute on a bigger scale.
I can't help you with that area. I live in Brittany where it's a bit wet but the pasture grows well!!
Good luck
vic
Hi,
we are in the process of learning more french.we had basic school french also.We are aiming for Charente area for the climate really,as grazing for horses is main priorty.We are aiming to live out there for good all being well :D Thank you very much for you advice.we have a manic few months with horse transport ect.
Thanks
Hi Roxanne & partner. Welcome.
It would be handy to know what part of France you intend heading for & if you have any French language. We came here with basic school French & were gutted when nobody understood us.
We have been here about 10 years & have jumped through several hoops to suit the French authorities but it was worth it in the end.
We have a dog & 2 horses so understand the problems associated with this & have 1 horse imported from England to here by my wife's brother so know the ropes re. this.
Ignore the comments of our illustrious Mr Milne, he very often posts things only he considers funny!!! This is a good place to find help with many people who will be happy to help you.
If you propose to live here permanently & if you do not need to work one of my first considerations would be how to avail myself of the health services. This will probably not be easy although the first 2 years will be paid for by the English Gov. if my memory serves me right.
A bank a/c here is important as is a decision as to where you will eventually pay your taxes. These & many more such things all help to convince the fonctionaires that you actually do live here!!
I can assure you it will be a rough first few months & can further assure you, you will be unlikely to regret your move here.
vic