Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

missile

I had always been confused as to the benefits of having residencia. As I understand it, EU rules demand member states to permit free access and residencia should now only be applicable to non EU nationals.

It is common for a percentage (usually 5%) of house sale price to be deducted in liue of capital gains tax. The seller ought to make a tax declaration and reclaim any overpayment. In practice very few Brits have done this and so end up out of pocket. I noticed an advert in the local rag for a company offering to reclaim extra TAX paid on house sales, as no win no fee.

donny-gal

Those solicitors don't miss a trick do they!

samja1

Hi,

Just spent a happy two hours reading this entire thread. It is very interesting.
My parents live in SW France (4years) and we have been going there as often as possible since I was 11. Have always wanted to live there and we (me husband and 10 year old son) have decided we are going to move hopefully early next year.

We are lucky in that we know the area we will live in very well and all the locals (who cant wait for us to join them). We are currently researching every aspect of relocating there as possible before we go and finances is a biggie. We are all learning French (curteousy of Michel Thomas, BBC etc) and my parents are scouting round for property on our behalf.

LLoyds TSB offer an international account which sounds similar to the Nationwide one you have all got. No fees for taking out money abroad and the same currency rates as I would get from them if I changed money with them to begin with. Has anyone tried this? We were thinking of opening this account but if Nationwide is better...........

We are in our late 30s and the pension issue is a sore subject at the moment. I have a teaching one but havent paid much in over the past few years because of doing supply for 3. My husband has a private pension (which he wants to freeze anyway).

I am doing a TEFL in AUgust but dont know what the teaching job market is like over there. I have some contacts through parents but wondered if anyone knew. I get the impression that I would have to retrain to teach in France but I could get some work as classroom assistant type work for the time being.

My husband is hoping to take a year off to work on renovating the house but we are pretty sure he wont have a problem finding work locally anyway as he has already been offered one job and could probably transfer through the company he works for in UK anyway.

We ave wanted to do this for so long and I know it wont be a bed of roses but I DO know that there is more of a sense of community there than where we live now and I would be closer to my Mom and Dad. My son has a gift for language but this is balanced by the fact that he has Asperger Syndrome and struggles socially. I am concerned for him coping with the change but more so if we DONT move.

I look forward to reading more and more of your chat and advice here.


Samja1

donny-gal

I don't know if the Halifax has any branches in France yet, they are in Spain, and by having a current account here and one with Halifax Espania, you can transfer money without charge and you get a better rate than I have seen on any exchange shops. Just make sure you have any accounts you need open before you leave the UK as opening one afterwards is not easy as you need a utility bill with your name on it for an address confirmation.

Regards
DG

droopsnout

To obtain a teaching post in a state school in France, you would need to do the competitive selection exam taken by potential teachers. Given your linguistic disadvantage, you must assume your chances to be somewhat reduced at the outset compared to the native competition.

Private schools may have different rules, but are generally not regarded highly, and I have heard from others that their pay and conditions are very poor. That is anecdotal evidence, however.

I do know one Brit lady (ex-teacher) who does some teaching assistant work, but I am unsure as to the exact nature of her employment and possible remuneration. She also teaches local Brit youngsters some extra French, and may offer lessons in English to French people.

If you don't mind networking and some degree of ingratiation (I can't stand either!) there is no doubt that work does become available.

Bear in mind that the whole area is teeming with Brits who are looking to do a bit of teaching on the side. You should definitely assume that the money you have is what you'll live on, and any extras that come in through teaching will be a bonus.

Full-time employment for your husband would seem to me to be much more problematic than you may think, though, of course, if one opportunity has already been offered, I must be wrong!! But, in general, if you aren't able to communicate sufficiently in French,you aren't going to get a job.

The south west of France is a pretty huge area, so I don't know where exactly you are looking. But you will be aware that it is predominantly a very rural area, and employment is not easy to find.

Where we live (Gers/Tarn-et-Garonne/Lot-et-Garonne border), there is very little in the way of employment for an outsider. One way in might be to take on some voluntary work and hope that word of your competence spreads to someone who could offer paid employment.

Regarding banking, yes, you should ensure you have all necessary accounts in the UK before you leave. But if you are living in France permanently, you will need a French account to pay your direct debits for utilities, etc (assuming you prefer to do it this way than turn up at offices with cash in hand). Also, of course, if you do find work, you will need an account to pay in your salary/wages. I don't have a Nationwide account, although wife does. Never used, though.

Regarding the renovation of the house, does your OH have the necessary French qualifications to ensure that he is carrying out work to the legal requirements and accepted norms? Have you researched the legal stuff for electrical/plumbing/gas/etc installations?

I'm really sorry if this sounds rather negative. It's just that I've seen people have to go back to the UK having spent their savings and then having a problem whilst their French property took ages to sell, and then, since property prices here go up much more slowly than in the UK, they haven't been able to afford a property in the UK - at least, not one that they wanted.

It does sound that the presence of your parents and the closeness you enjoy with their neighbours will give you an advantage.

There is no doubt that living here is a pure joy. It is not a paradise, though!! And it's only a joy if you don't have financial worries hanging over your head all the time.

Whatever you do, I wish you much luck and much pleasure.

Francophile

Where in SW France do your parents live Samja1. We have a house near Beziers. Our next door neighbour is originally from Paris and cannot get work locally as she is classed as what we would term here in Ireland as a blow in.
She did eventually get work but about 20 miles from where she lives.
I hope it all works out for you. We would love to live there at least six months of the year but need to wait till the children have finished their education. Hopefully about 4-5 years time.

Droopsnout - would you know of any cheap car hire companies at Toulouse airport?

mioliere

For loads of info re living in France a brilliant site is angloinfo which covers every department in depth! Also, sign up to Expatica for info and a daily enewspaper! My DH and I have a house in SW France which we're very very slowly doing up to live in eventually! Lots of fun and lots of dosh being spent at the moment!

droopsnout

Francophile wrote: »

Droopsnout - would you know of any cheap car hire companies at Toulouse airport?

No, sorry. Never use 'em. Always people around for a lift, and these days we tend to use Bergerac, where the car park is free!! It's further away than Toulouse, and a twisty drive, but hey, I'm an MSE-er!

From what I've seen within the airport itself at Toulouse, there are just the usual suspects for the car hire. Have you looked at the airport website? http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/FR/default.asp?lgue=1. There are links to car hire from there.

samja1

Thanks for all advice. I always think it is best to err on the side of caution and be pleasantly surprised than swan off thinking everything is rosy and find out it isnt.

We wouldnt move unless at least one uf us had a job to go to anyway. My husband works for a large company in the motor/truck industry. He is extremely skilled in what he does and there are a number of options available to him even if he cant speak perfect French (though he is learning).

Parents live in Lot-et-Garonne and we would hope to as well. VERY agricultural area full of tractor shops!

Good point about the building qualifications I will find out from Dad how he got round that with his house.

There is a possibility (I read it on one of the france websites) of continuing my business that I have in here in the uK in france but keeping it registered in UK for tax. I found it a bit complicated so will need to have it all explained to me legally before trying this but that would be a source of income if teaching dried up or wasnt available.

Scary move changing our lives like this. Like I said though we will only make the leap if we have covered as many bases as possible before leaving UK to avoid problems later.

More negative advice welcome as then I can set about finding out how to overcome the obstacle!

Samja1

droopsnout

Sounds to me as if you've thought of most things. You've certainly got a better chance of having a wonderfully happy life here than some of the very ill-prepared house-hunters we've come across.

Plenty of people seem to manage the building bits. Perhaps there's a way of having your DIY work supervised or inspected by a qualified pro.

Good luck, and enjoy the excitement of the move!