Moving to France

Information for all those interested in making France home.

Some top tips to consider if you’re thinking about setting up home in France.

Are you considering moving to France to escape from the rat race or the weather? 

Are you looking to relocate and find a rural idyll for your perfect retirement?  Are you thinking of establishing yourself in a little Gites business?  Or are you moving to the South of France or Paris and hoping to find a new and exciting sophisticated edge to life?

Whatever reason you have, you can find what you’re looking for, but before you venture further, know one thing - forget how to speak English!  English won’t get you far in France; you really HAVE to learn French thoroughly and comprehensively! 

Among a wide and diverse cross section of expatriates interviewed about the essentials of moving to France, learning French to a high standard was universally regarded as the most important pre-requisite for relocating to this beautiful country of opportunities!

With French under your belt you will cut a swathe through the sometimes complicated red tape necessary for your registration and day to day life in France, you will be able to find a builder to fix your leaking roof, you will be able to flirt with the beautiful people in the cafes on the Parisian streets and you will be able to order your daily bread! 

Other considerations that are essential are tied up with choosing the right location for YOU.  France is a large and varied country and so some of the points you should bare in mind are: -

• The climate - both in summer and winter.  What are you looking for?
• The accessibility - from the local transport links and regional access to larger towns for example - to international flights for all the visitors you’ll undoubtedly have!
• The price of property - what can you afford, what is the projected market value for your chosen property etc.
• The local facilities - what facilities are essential for you and your family - from schools to supermarkets etc.
• The demography - from the expat/local split, the age groups around you, their income levels and whether you will fit in.

If you take these fundamental points into consideration you should get it right first time!

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