Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

droopsnout

Couldn't agree more, Gallygirl!

There really do seem to be a lot of people who simply want a British experience but with better weather. They are missing so much!

seven-day-weekend

gallygirl wrote: »

I have just returned from Almeria and was disappointed, but not surprised, on Saturday night that none of the English residents turned out to support the locals taking part in a 10k run, with the exception of one family who had a runner participating. Similarly, few turned out to the local fiesta (one couple went the village but went to the English karaoke bar instead :wall:). OK, the acts might not have been 1st (or even 2nd ) class, but to me it's part of integrating with the community. What a waste.

I agree with you in principle, but in practice we very rarely went to the Fiesta events unless they were in the daytime, as they quite often didn't start til midnight! We never got used to Spanish time and were tucked up in bed long before that. If there were things on in the daytime, we usually went to those; quite often we went to the associated church services.

gallygirl

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I agree with you in principle, but in practice we very rarely went to the Fiesta events unless they were in the daytime, as they quite often didn't start til midnight! We never got used to Spanish time and were tucked up in bed long before that. If there were things on in the daytime, we usually went to those; quite often we went to the associated church services.

I was tucked up well before 6am :rotfl:. There's always something on early, with music for the oldies and all night disco for the youngsters . We planned to watch the open air mass from the edge of the square, where the bar and tapas were. More and more people turned up so we ended up in the midst of it. Not really sure what the etiquette is for mass when you're not a Catholic and don't understand the language but we got plenty of handshakes and kisses on cheeks so don't think we disgraced ourselves . Unlike the drunken Spanish woman at the back who ended up with a policeman's hand over her mouth :eek:.

droopsnout

Lol. Sounds great fun!

We had a first for us this year. Well, two, actually, Both church-based, and like you, Gallygirl, we are not of the Catholic faith. (Not that it matters to either of us in the slightest).

The first occasion was a Christening. You know, I was always brought up to believe that Catholic services are very formal. Maybe they are in the UK, but here it seemed to be a free-for-all! Folks wandered behind the priest and altar to take photos, there was a constant hubbub of chatter over the priest's words of wisdom and prayers ... Unbelievable!

And it was similar, but a bit more restrained, at our second new experience: a wedding.

It was really informal, very sociable, and we really enjoyed it.

Not sure what God thought of it all, though!

seven-day-weekend

We are not Catholics either (although we are practising Christians). I asked a lady from the village if it would be OK if we attended the services as we were 'protestantes' and she replied that God welcomed everyone. So we went, but did not take Communion as the Catholic Church do not like you to do so if you are not a Catholic. Even so, we had an enjoyable service. A friend gave me a bi-lingual copy of the Mass so that we were able to follow it.

We went to quite a few ordinary services, some Fiesta services, a couple of funerals and a lovely First Communion (where my husband had the honour to be the official photographer). This was a gitano (gypsy ) event and two of the gitano families were unable to come due to family bereavement, so the grandfather of the child who was making her First Communion asked us to invite 'all our English friends' to the feast, which we duly did, and a good time and good food was had by all!

I have never met open-heartedness such as I did in Spain. The 'worst' we got was politeness.

angelil

Still here in France! Although I still don't have as "French" an experience as I would like as it just isn't how things have turned out. We moved to a suburb of Paris not knowing just how "expatty" it was (we chose it because we liked the surroundings). That was in 2009 and now we cannot really afford to move elsewhere, as rental prices are now higher than what we currently pay for something smaller than we currently live in! However, despite the English pub across the road and the high proportion of Brits/Americans I wouldn't say we suffer too much I go to the cinema in French, don't try to speak English to anyone when I'm out (even if they try to speak English to me, I respond in French!), and am taking my driving licence in French this year.

This isn't to say there aren't things we could improve! We speak English at home, I work in an international school where I'd say I use English for 60%-70% of the day, we don't own a TV and when we do watch TV programmes online they tend to be UK programmes (even my French husband prefers UK TV). My social life is also non-existent due to work commitments (I often private tutor in the evenings), so I'm not really meeting many young French people of my own age.

I also visit England 2-3 times a year as a minimum, which is probably too much for some people. However, my reasons for moving to France still stand: I was able to gain employment there at a time when I wasn't being offered anything in England, the country offers better prospects educationally (up to a certain point) and socially (again, up to a certain point) for any children I might choose to have, and France seems to lack the culture of debt, binge drinking, huge gulf between rich and poor, and casual violence that are problematic in the UK.

That's not to say France is perfect at all! When you choose to live in another country you are simply choosing between another set of pros and cons that's different to the country you're leaving. I had a colleague who left France after three years because she failed to realise this and made no commitment to France itself (her language skills advanced very little in three years because she refused to take French lessons) and this is what will happen to several people who have not researched the country they're moving to properly.

oldandhappy

We are seriously looking at French Property but finding it really difficult choosing an area.Our budget would be around 200,000 Euros less if possible. It is holding us back now. The coast would be ideal but too expensive from the view of of us wanting around 1 acre of land.We dont really want freezing winters either. Help anybody....

droopsnout

Hi, oldandhappy.

I'm really sorry, but your budget is extremely unlikely to buy you anything on the coast with one acre. (By the way, if you consider yourself "old", why do you want an acre, as it's a lot to manage?)

In fact, 200,000 won't get you an acre in any of the more desirable places to live, though obviously there will be exceptions here and there, with a small property, or one in poor condition, etc.

The only real way to choose an area is to visit them and make a short list. Then spend a lot of time in each one of them, especially in winter. Many people have bought in the Lot, for instance, where it is absolutely gorgeous in summer, but in winter it's sometimes perishing cold and quite wet!

France north of the Loire is noticeably cooler than France south of the Loire.

I think you have a lot to do before choosing a property. Get yourselves over here and do the research! you'll love it whatever happens!

Have you asked yourselves all the questions?

Do I want to live in isolation, in a village or in town?
Does it matter if there aren't shops within walking distance?
Can I afford the health care?
How would I cope in an emergency, or if I was in hospital in France for a while?
How would I cope if my partner was hospitalised?
Can I get by if 2008 happens again (pound collapsed against euro)?
Will I miss my family?
How will family and friends react if I emigrate?
Will I take my car or buy one in France?
What happens to me when I need nursing care because of age or disability?
Why exactly do I want to emigrate? Can my goals be achieved before I die?
WHat kind of social life do I want? A French one, or one with the Brit dinner circle? Can I afford the Brit dinner circle?!

There are lots more!

I live in the SW of France and today the temperature approached 40 degrees. Yet back in February we "enjoyed" -14. Yes: MINUS 14. The heat of today is normal for summer: the -14 is a little exceptional, but even here it goes down to -7 most years. To avoid freezing winters at all, you have to move to the Med coast - and your budget won't allow it. An alternative is the SW coast - Biarritz is often the warmest place in France in winter. But again, it is terribly dear, and in summer it can be bit variable with the weather.

OK, so to try to be realistic, staying within your budget and avoiding the coldest areas, have you thought of Charente and Charente-Maritime? If there's a downside it is the countryside, which is remarkably flat. But there are compensations, too.

Are you prepared to rent a place for a few months (again, over winter) to make sure it is right for you before buying?

I'm not a great fan of buying a holiday home, as I feel it ties up a lot of money that could be used for travelling the world. But obviously it suits many people. Have you considered buying a small holiday flat on the coast?

If you are particularly interested in the SW (Agen/Lectoure/Toulouse) I may be able to help.

Whatever you do, have fun, be honest with yourselves, and, as I say, get over here and research at first hand.

sleepless_saver

oldandhappy wrote: »

We are seriously looking at French Property but finding it really difficult choosing an area.Our budget would be around 200,000 Euros less if possible. It is holding us back now. The coast would be ideal but too expensive from the view of of us wanting around 1 acre of land.We dont really want freezing winters either. Help anybody....

Here's an example of a small new "off grid" house with a couple of acres in the Herault for 137k euros. This part of France is generally good value for money, is on the Med, and has a good climate compared to further north - but can still be wet and cold in winter especially at altitude.

droopsnout

Nice find, sleepless saver. But it is just one bedroom and only 55 square metres of living space.

It is not on mains electricity and requires its own generator, is not on mains water (has a new well with sand filter), and has its own septic tank (as do almost all properties away from town). No telephone point, but a cable runs 80 metres away.

80-mettre track to the house, not tarmac-ed. Not on mains gas, but uses large gas bottles. Nearest neighbours 2km away.

It is basically two rooms: a living area with kitchen, and a bedroom with bathroom.

And what would you do with 58 cherry trees??? We have more than enough with two! Well, I suppose you could sell the fruit at the nearest market!

But yes, it does fit oldandhappy's requirements, such as we know them!!