Property in France - making the move
Deciding to purchase a property in France whether as a holiday home, a full-time base or as an investment, is a big decision and one that requires lots of thought. Choosing a region may be easier; perhaps you have spent time in a particular area or have family and friends already resident there.
However, within that region there may be a huge choice, not only of differing areas but also of types of locations. All of these will have their advantages and disadvantages; what might be perfect for one person may not suit another. Clearly a good deal of thought needs to go into choosing a location but by thinking about all the factors involved, it is easy to find the perfect property.
Having selected your ‘target area’, the first thing is to decide the type of location. These fall into roughly four categories – urban, ie a city or town, a village, a hamlet and finally, totally isolated. If you are someone who cannot be without the buzz of others and who lives for shops and café society, then a town is the obvious choice.
However, you need to think about whether you want to be in the town centre, where everything will be close to hand but there may be constant noise, or whether the quieter suburbs may suit better.
Carbon emissions
If choosing the latter, then think about transport links. In bigger towns and cities with good transport systems to the centre, this may be a good option. Indeed, some regional authorities are even setting up free transport systems in order to reduce their carbon emissions.
A bustling village is often the ideal for many people. If looking at this type of location, it is important to list all the things that you require and check that they are all there. It is useful to make a check list:
Is there a boulangerie?
Are there any shops? If so, which ones?
Does the village have a primary school? A church? A post office?
Where do the local children go to secondary school? Is there a bus?
Are there sporting facilities?
What is the village social life like? Notice boards and shop windows give a good indication of what is going on and a village with a thriving social life will often produce its own mini-newsletter.
Are there people of a similar age living there? Some villages, perhaps those that are commuter satellite villages for big towns, can be very empty during the day, which may not be ideal for a retired couple looking to chat to neighbours and make new friends. Equally a village full of more elderly people may be socially isolating for a young family.
A hamlet may be perfect if you want just a few close neighbours and yet a very quiet lifestyle. However, as you will be living in close proximity, it is important to make sure that you have checked out the neighbours beforehand! Barking dogs are often a feature of rural French life and it is better to find out any possible ‘downsides’ before signing the acte de vente. Equally, close neighbours often provide a valuable support network.
Rural isolation is the ideal for some buyers. France offers many people a chance to become landowners for the first time and while the thought of having acres of land surrounding your property can be tempting, it is important to consider how living miles from anywhere will work.
Families with school-age children will need to check out bus routes to and from school and travel time
A second vehicle may be necessary
Integration into the local community may be harder
Trips to the supermarket/doctor/dentist may take a considerable amount of time
Access – some really rural properties may be difficult to reach all year round
Renovating a very isolated property will become far more expensive as deliveries will cost more
All of these issues can be overcome but they do need to be considered.
Transport links are a very important factor too. Of the many people who purchase French property every year, a huge number will need to either return regularly to the UK to work or welcome visitors, friends and clients on an ongoing basis. Good access to and from the UK and possibly other European countries is vital.
The TGV network is fast, efficient and relatively cheap so a property within easy reach of a TGV station will always be a wise purchase. Budget airlines have helped make some areas of France very popular with buyers and holiday-makers. However, there are no guarantees with such carriers who may suddenly decide to pull out of a particular route and it is wise to look at which other airlines are using a given airport.
Public transport
On a more local level it is sensible to check out bus and train routes. There will always be occasions where public transport is useful. Buyers thinking about opening gîtes or chambres d’hôtes will find that this is a real bonus for their clients. Families with older children will also find access to public transport useful.
Having looked at how to get to and from an area, it is time to start looking at what goes on there. It is important to think about your hobbies, passions and interests and to try to find a location where these are easily accessible. If possible go and visit leisure facilities such as golf courses, swimming pools and sports complexes to see what is on offer.
Try and find out about evening activities such as classes and clubs. Joining local groups is a great way to meet people and integrate into a new area. The mairie will be a source of detailed information relating to both the commune itself and the immediate locality. It is well worth popping in for a chat! You can also take the opportunity to ask about any forthcoming developments in the area; new roads, house building and industrial developments may all affect the enjoyment of a property.
Access to shopping facilities is important for all prospective purchasers. While everyone is different and will have different requirements, there are some questions that all buyers need to ask:
How far is the nearest supermarket?
How big is it and can I get all I require on a regular basis there?
Where is the nearest convenience store?
What does it stock?
Where is the nearest petrol station?
Is there a local market?
Where can I buy basics such as gas bottles?
If I have specific requirements – perhaps supplies for a business or animal feed – will I have to travel far?
Obviously, this list is by no means exhaustive but it is a good starting point for thinking about your requirements.
Health is also an important area that should not be overlooked. Pharmacies and doctors are widespread in France so finding one nearby is not normally a problem. However, people with existing health conditions who know they are likely to need regular treatment, should look carefully at getting to and from the different clinics, hospitals and medical centres in an area. Frequent trips will be much less onerous if the journey time is not too long.
Families with school-age children need to find out as much information about the schools in the area as possible in advance. Generally schools in France and especially in the countryside, tend to be of a pretty high standard. However some rural schools may be too small to have a maternelle section – age two to six – and other primaries may split the age groups between two different buildings in two different villages.
Working parents
While none of this is necessarily a problem, it is wise to be aware of the facilities on offer in a given commune. It is also important to check out school bus routes especially for older children. These do change slightly from year to year as people move into or out of an area and most mairies try to be accommodating.
However, if you wish your child to go to a school other than the local one as designated by the carte scolaire, it is essential to check out school transport before making a final decision. School days are long in France and spending extra time travelling needs to be factored into the equation.
It is also important to look at the facilities and services offered by any particular school. Obviously classrooms, equipment and activities are important. Equally vital for working parents will be pre- and after-school childcare, known as la garderie, and any holiday clubs run on school premises, usually organised by the local commune.
Last but not least, think about what you have always wanted from a move to France, in terms of both lifestyle and the ideal location. This could be access to rolling countryside for walks, mountain views or being able to go to the beach whenever possible. All of these are achievable given a little patience. France is a huge country and somewhere there is the perfect spot for everyone. Finding it is not always easy and can take time but the reward is certainly worth the effort.