FabSwingers.com mobile

Join us FREE, we're FREE to use

Web's largest swingers site since 2006.

Already registered?
Login here

Back to forum list
Back to France

Living in france

Jump to newest
 

By *he smoochables OP   Couple
over a year ago

Stafford

We are looking to move to France. Can any one recommend a nice town or village near cap.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have always liked Sete but you really have a tremendous amount of choice.

Best you rent somewhere first and look around to get a feel for the area before buying.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...


"I have always liked Sete but you really have a tremendous amount of choice.

Best you rent somewhere first and look around to get a feel for the area before buying."

That is very good advice and exactly what I did when I moved to Spain many years ago.

Rent a place for a minimum of one year (it took me two) and get the feel of the place before buying.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *-4pleasureCouple
over a year ago

Belfast


"Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French. "

brilliant post

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago

Cap d’Agde, France


"Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French. "

Very good advice,

We arrived in France a few years ago and feel lucky that we ended up in the perfect spot.

We have been coming to this area for 30 years and always planned to buy around Pezenas.

By chance, we came one day to Marseillan and instantly fell in love.

For us, it's perfect, theres a big international community (mostly using English to communicate) theres lots going on winter and summer, it's very pretty with excellent restaurants and bars and it's only 15mins drive from the entrance to Cap.

Take the previous advice and don't be tempted to buy that bargain out in the country.

They're only bargains because the French don't want them and when you come to sell, the French still won't want them!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Another thought is buy a map of the area. Michelin or IGN D34 which shows every town and village. Draw a radius and search in that zone. This is a fantastic area to live and you need time to discover the area. Everyone is different and it's very much a personal choice. Its quite costly legal fees wise so you dont want to make any mistakes. 10% needs to be added to any purchase price. Estate agents if you want to sell is on a sliding scale - depending on price but 12% is not uncommon!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French. "

This is good advice, you need to get a Carte de Séjour (residency permit) and ideally a Carte Vitale (National health card that covers about 85% of health costs).

You asked about towns and villages near Cap, we're planning to retire in about 12 years time in the Hérault and have looked around - one thing sure, the further you are from the beach the cheaper it is. We found Montady, Quarante and Castelnau des Guers to be charming but Swingatcapdagde are right, rent and take your time.. And yup, do learn French. Bisous.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *he smoochables OP   Couple
over a year ago

Stafford

Wow. Didn't expect such a response. We drag our caravan down there every year. We are looking all over. We will take a close look at all the ins and outs. Very interesting comments. Thank you guys. Xx

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *irm FoundationsMan
over a year ago

Hertfordshire

Once you have decided on the area , it may be worth researching how long the properties in which you are interested have been for sale . It is not uncommon for properties to remain unsold for two or three years ( which would tend to indicate that they are overpriced ) . I purchased in 2015 and some properties which were for sale then are still being marketed . My guess is that if the owner is non negotiatable on price the agent simply leaves them on their books but makes no attempt to actively market . However unless there is a specific reason why you wish to buy such a property they are probably best avoided . I can think of one property in village naturiste which has been for sale for at least three years and is potentially over valued by 100 ,000 Euros .)

When purchasing it should be remembered that the banks are very strict on anti money laundering regulations .

I transferred my completion monies in six different stages . The bank subsequently asked me for proof of the source of each indivual transaction ( transfer ) and threatened to return the money to the UK if proof was not provided within 24 hours . ( putting me at risk of incurring exchange rate and transaction cost losses ) .

Luckily I had a UK agent who now lives in Cap d Agde acting on my behalf and both he and his wife have extensive knowledge of the banking industry .They were able to correspond with the bank on my behalf and ensure that all the documentation which I forwarded was in order .

I would suggest that anyone whose intention is to live in France should enroll themselves in classes for French lessons . It is a language which takes years to learn . Arranging refurbishment of a house is difficult if you do not speak the language .

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French.

This is good advice, you need to get a Carte de Séjour (residency permit) and ideally a Carte Vitale (National health card that covers about 85% of health costs).

You asked about towns and villages near Cap, we're planning to retire in about 12 years time in the Hérault and have looked around - one thing sure, the further you are from the beach the cheaper it is. We found Montady, Quarante and Castelnau des Guers to be charming but Swingatcapdagde are right, rent and take your time.. And yup, do learn French. Bisous."

Montady and Quarante are lovely villages and close to several superb restaurants - Michelin star quality which is high on our list! If your going to move here permanently Do it before brexit day. By doing so you beat the deadline and it will probably be easier to obtain residency rights. At the moment as an EU citizen you don't need to get a carte de sejour. After brexit you will. Here is the quandry. Anyone who has been here permanently for 5yrs+ has acquired rights and qualify for a carte de sejour permanent. Less than 5 you can apply for a carte de sejour temporary and ultimately convert to a permanent. The problem is everyone who has a carte will have an EU one, this will have to be changed to a 3rd country carte. But nobody knows and prefucteurs are holding back on issuing new cartes until there is clarity. Being France there is a shed loss of paperwork to do to get one, and also a language test! A carte vitale which is your health part is I believe only available to French nationals, foreigners who are employed or self employed in France or those who have an S1 from the UK government (retirees). Other than that private health cover is required as per EU rules. Not cheap. Health cover is good but expensive and the cost of medicine is separate from food and accommodation. Hence you will be quoted for cover say 140%? This is because hospital charge food and accommodation like a hotel. As anyone who is here PERMANTLY and legal will testify beaurocry is plentiful. France is the 2nd highest taxed country in the world - a warning to be headed. But it's worth all the hassle.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 
 

By *rsandmrssCouple
over a year ago

Sheffield


"Do some research and then do some more.

You will not be able to rent a property here via a letting agent as you need to be in the French system and they take an insurance policy out to cover the rent. You can't pay a year up front either - we tried!

Your best bet is a private rental.

The next thing is getting registered in France - get here before Brexit as it's only going to get harder. If your not of retirement age the UK will not cover your health and you need a private insurance. If your not working then you need enough capital and income not to be a burden on the French state. Get a French accountant.

Buying here is similar to the UK but more like the Scotland. Once an offer is accepted you have to put a deposit down to secure - you lose it if you pull out.

House or apartment? Both are freehold, but the latter is what is known as "co-proprietary" a management company runs the apartments in the building for the owners. Majority decisions rule so you can be a bit stuck.

Finally dont fall into the British trap of buying out in the country - it's cheap for a reason - nobody wants to live there! Unless of course you like "splendid isolation".

Learn French.

This is good advice, you need to get a Carte de Séjour (residency permit) and ideally a Carte Vitale (National health card that covers about 85% of health costs).

You asked about towns and villages near Cap, we're planning to retire in about 12 years time in the Hérault and have looked around - one thing sure, the further you are from the beach the cheaper it is. We found Montady, Quarante and Castelnau des Guers to be charming but Swingatcapdagde are right, rent and take your time.. And yup, do learn French. Bisous.

Montady and Quarante are lovely villages and close to several superb restaurants - Michelin star quality which is high on our list! If your going to move here permanently Do it before brexit day. By doing so you beat the deadline and it will probably be easier to obtain residency rights. At the moment as an EU citizen you don't need to get a carte de sejour. After brexit you will. Here is the quandry. Anyone who has been here permanently for 5yrs+ has acquired rights and qualify for a carte de sejour permanent. Less than 5 you can apply for a carte de sejour temporary and ultimately convert to a permanent. The problem is everyone who has a carte will have an EU one, this will have to be changed to a 3rd country carte. But nobody knows and prefucteurs are holding back on issuing new cartes until there is clarity. Being France there is a shed loss of paperwork to do to get one, and also a language test! A carte vitale which is your health part is I believe only available to French nationals, foreigners who are employed or self employed in France or those who have an S1 from the UK government (retirees). Other than that private health cover is required as per EU rules. Not cheap. Health cover is good but expensive and the cost of medicine is separate from food and accommodation. Hence you will be quoted for cover say 140%? This is because hospital charge food and accommodation like a hotel. As anyone who is here PERMANTLY and legal will testify beaurocry is plentiful. France is the 2nd highest taxed country in the world - a warning to be headed. But it's worth all the hassle.

"

This is excellent advice. Having moved here ourselves a few years ago, we concur. Feel free to message us privately.

Good luck!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
Post new Message to Thread
back to top