THE internet is peppered with tales of woe from people who followed their dream and moved to France in search of a better life, only to discover that things over here weren’t as advertised on A Place in the Sun, writes Richard Stewart.
But why did they fail? And what can we learn from their experience? Here are ten things you have to consider before you take the plunge:
IF there was one thing I learnt from living in the French countryside it was the beauty and balance of the natural world around me.
When out in the fields I would spot signs of the changing seasons, from the migration of cranes overhead to the swirling clouds of frog spawn in muddy puddles, all highlighting the delicate changes over time.
SAME-SEX couples who are registered in a civil partnership from outside France, and who are then considered resident in the country, face paying thousands of pounds in inheritance tax, even if they are not considered French residents.
Although the UK recognises the French equivalent of its own civil partnership, the pacte civil de solidarité (PACS), the reverse is not the case.
Meaning should one or other partner die in France an inheritance tax bill of 60 per cent will be sent to the surviving partner, with those affected having little option but to pay up.
IF you are away from your home in France visiting friends, or even taking a holiday, many areas will operate Operation Tranquillité Vacances which is overseen by the local police or gendarmerie.
The Connexion newspaper highlights the service and it is designed to provide homeowners with added security as police officers will be aware the property is empty and so be vigilant during patrols.
THE appeal amongst holiday makers to both enjoy their time away, but also to make sure that their impact on the environment is kept to a minimum, is proving increasingly important.
With this in mind there are a growing number of gite owners in France making their facilities ‘green’ not only to cut back on waste, but also as a way to appeal to people looking to take a holiday that respects the environment.
This is it! You have turned over every stone in the country and at last found the French gem you were looking for, writes Guillaume Barlet .
However, there is a lot of money at stake and you are determined to keep your feet on the ground until you can hook your hammock between the old trees you spotted at the end of the jardin.
Once you have agreed a price, a first contract, or compromis de vente, should be signed and this is the most important part of that transaction.
IF you are not ready to retire and instead are looking to work or start a business in France many people gravitate towards being involved with the property market.
Whether you are a builder planning to help people improve their home, or want to sell properties and guide buyers through the process there are various options open.
A MOVE to France is something not to take lightly, so reading up on subjects like how to buy a property, employment prospects and improving your language skills is very important.
Here Ros Williamson, who runs the Relocate France event, passes on her top tips on what to consider before crossing the Channel.
DOES buying a property in France have to be difficult? Well it can definitely be made easier if you have done plenty of reading in advance and have an understanding of the processes involved.
With this knowledge you can then ask questions of the professionals involved, be that estate agents or notaires, as well as focus on the type of property that suits your needs.
THANKS to the site’s forum, and in particular a comment from LaBourse, I was made aware of a telephone line rental contract from France Telecom for a second home.
The company’s Ligne Résidence Secondaire enables you to suspend your line rental payment a maximum of six times a year, for a minimum period of at least one month (and at maximum one year) at a cost of €4.69.