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EWmums

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ewmoda

summer in France?

gardengirl23623

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 22:56

we are thinking of buying somewhere in France to spend summers. had enough of the rain and family issues in the UK!
does anyone have any suggestions of areas that would be good for a mum and kids to spend some time, where there may be sports acitivities for kids and some other expat kids in same situation. I would like them to speak some French and improve, etc, but am realistic and realise that they will want kids who speak English too. Dont want to feel too cut off, so if anyone can suggest any towns/areas that may suit an expat family for a couple of months in summer, I would love to hear your opinions.
Would be great if water sports such as sailing, kayaking and swimming were available and weather was not too dodgy.
thanks in advance

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77

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 13:59

We are near Avignon (84) - the weather is great most of the time. There is a small expat community - admittedly older but we are an hour from the coast, an hour from the top of the Mont Ventoux - the local area has lovely scenery, you don't have to travel far to see beautiful things. I agree with LJB2010 - St Remy has a large expat community and I have recently met quite a few people over there with kids. I do have a friend who is English who lives near Lyon who specialises in mortgages for foreigners in France. You can email me if you have any questions ameenafalchetto (at) gmail(dot)com

1046

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 10:59

I can recommend Beaux Villages (Monsegur, Lot et Garonne) and Bordeaux and Beyond websites from personal experience. You really need an agent who will hold your hand throughout the process and look after your best interest.

gardengirl23623

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 10:45

sounds lovely LJB2010. do you just use the house in the summer or do you live their year round? if just summer, do you rent it out rest of year? interested to hear of people that have a summer house and if they rent it out. if not, do you have someone to look after it when you away? if you rent it, do you use a local contact to clean and prepare between guests, or an agent? how do you market it, etc. any advice and experiences - good or bad are very much appreciated. also, if you have found any websites particularly good for France, would love some recommendations.

179

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 17:11

We have a house in Paradou, about 15 minutes from St. Remy de Provence and 15 minutes from Arles. We love it here, the weather is gorgeous and life is good :-). We are french speakers so I'm not sure what its like for enlish people here, but there are a lot of Brits in St. Remy so I guess there must be some activities for kids. We are about an hour from the coast and bicycling is very popular though I tend to do more relaxing by the pool.

80

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:26

gardengirl, our house is in a small village called Montreal, about 20 minutes from Carcassonne which is a beautiful part of the country. During your research if you do intend to sell at some time in the future check out the tax payable on profit, it is on a sliding scale depending on how long you keep the property, but any home improvements can be off set against this. <em>edited by DM on 14/08/2011</em>

gardengirl23623

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:31

Hi Montes, thanks very much. I have taken your contact email and will in touch in the near future. Thanks and hope you settle in well. How old is your daughter? Is she fluent in French and will the IB school teach everything in French. Good luck

17

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 16:23

We have just moved to France permanently having owned a house here for almost 10 years. It's a great place to spend the summer and other school holidays - a fabulous outdoor life for the children too. Out daughter has attended local summer schools for a couple of days a week each summer and will be starting at a French ib school in a few weeks. At the moment I am trying to reply on my iPad as our shipping has net arrived yet but would be happy to give you any advice you need if you send me an email on [email protected] - I'll take this off later. We have a really good estate agent, local French workman and a truly wonderful life. We are in the Gironde, close enough to Bordeaux for ease of flights and a city buzz when required but our house sits nestled in 2 acres of glorious countryside with a village nearby for daily bread runs and a big supermarket within 15 minutes for everything else! Good luck!

gardengirl23623

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 15:30

thanks DM. I am in early stages of considering this. Been doing summers in UK for years and staying with friends/family. Not sure how long I want to keep doing this, so thinking of buying somewhere for summer use. Could buy in UK but weather has not been great for last 4 years. Was ok this summer, but not great and in 5 weeks we did not have one evening where it was warm enough to sit outsite - even after warm days. We spent a week in France and loved it and I do speak French, so am considering whether it would be a good move to buy in France and have friends/family come and see us there. We would be looking at it as a bolt hole for us, rather than an investment that we want a return on. I will look into taxes, etc. I know about wear and tear as we have a house in UK that we rent out, so constantly paying out for that. Also agree about using locals for maintenance. Out of interest, where is your property?

80

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 23:15

Have you done your research on this, we have had a house in the South of France for 11 years. It is rented out for some of the summer but we also use it. Consider the Taxes Francais, Taxes Habitation, wear and tear, garden maintenance, someone to look after the property. Do you want a villa with a pool? These come with their own upkeep costs. I do not consider it a holiday when I am here as we are constantly working in the garden or on the house. On the other hand it is a great place for children be there English or French speakers around. My daughter has 'grown up' here in some respects and the locals all know us and her. If you go ahead try and use locals for your maintenance etc. Puts you on a better standing within the community and surprisingly it is often the "expats" who charge over the odds. But I am sitting here with my glass or two of Rose and life could be worse!

gardengirl23623

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 23:07

thanks. Will have a look at Martel any other ideas gratefully received.

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 23:04

Martel in the Lot (46) There are lots of British people with homes there. All your food needs would be in walking distance as well as many other conveniences. It is close to the Dordogne so kayaking is possible.

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