Saturday 28 August 2010

Our Move to France is Over!

I've suddenly realised that the summer is just about over, the kids are getting ready for La Rentrée, Bill is heading back to Liberia and ......

.....I haven't written this blog for more than 2 months.

I've been writing 'A Family Move to France' for nearly 2 years and I am more than happy to say we are now 'A Family Living in France'.

We have had moments of panic and uncertainty and of frustration and fatique but we have had even more moments of satisfaction, encouragement and fun and that great sense of achievement.



We set out to move our lives to France and I really feel we have achieved it.

Looking back, I kind of wrote this blog as a diary and also as a way of reassuring myself that things were progressing and that we were learning and discovering. And also that we were being supported by people who read this blog, friends we have made along the way and family and friends around the world.

Now our move is over, I think I can stop writing it. Either that or I need to change the title.

Actually we do have a new project on the horizon - Building a House in France.

We originally planned to self build when we first arrived here in Limoux but we ended up buying a house with a building plot instead. Well that building plot is begging us to put a small gîte or maison d'amis on it.

So.......keep your eyes peeled as the new blog is on its way.

A bientôt ~

14 comments:

teresa ewart said...

Hello, I wanted to say... how lovely your blog is. we’re about to embark on a similar journey to the one you made... though from sussex to castres
http://upstixtofrance.blogspot.com/
I'm trying to document it from the start, and though i'm new to this whole blogging thing it's really enjoyable and a proving great source of inspiration and information - thanks, teresa

Nicole said...

Hi Teresa - I just looked at your blog and I really look forward to watching how everything goes. Moving to France is a challenge but then so a are most things in life. But it is also fun and exciting. Do get in touch and feel free to ask me any questions and hopefully I'll be able to help :)

BooksellersWife said...

Hi, I enjoyed reading your blog and it looks like you found a happy place. I found it diddicult to deal with the "moody french". I am from Scotland but grew up in Germany and have lived in Ireland. So, with us being selfemployed - moving from Ireland to France was a logical step to finally enjoy sun, wine and cheese. But I was very unhappy and wanted to go back to Irleand. We have 4 kids and i somehow always miss France when I am not there. So, I need the french experience every 6 months. If you want you can read my blog. But also, maybe you have advice on how to keep going....lol thanks

greetings from Ireland at the moment (www.parentingwithfun.com)

BooksellersWife said...

Hi, I enjoyed reading your blog and it looks like you found a happy place. I found it diddicult to deal with the "moody french". I am from Scotland but grew up in Germany and have lived in Ireland. So, with us being selfemployed - moving from Ireland to France was a logical step to finally enjoy sun, wine and cheese. But I was very unhappy and wanted to go back to Irleand. We have 4 kids and i somehow always miss France when I am not there. So, I need the french experience every 6 months. If you want you can read my blog. But also, maybe you have advice on how to keep going....lol thanks

greetings from Ireland at the moment (www.parentingwithfun.com)

eva hamori said...

Thank you for the great information!
We are a family of 4 in Canada, have a vacation home in Budapest, and now want a more permanent move to France!
Wondering if buying a B&B would be a good option for us....
Our kids are 5 and 7, speak no French yet, we have 8 months to sell everything off here, and hire a tutor, and maybe even get TESOL certified.
Are these good plans? I'd love to hear your view.

Nicole said...

Hi Eva - Thanks for your message. We love it here and although it takes time to settle, it is a good life. I think as your kids are pretty young, picking up the language will be much easier for them than for you and they'll be speaking like a native in no time! You may find they are placed in a class below their normal age group or have to repeat a year whilst they get up to speed in their French. However that is not a big issue here as lots of kids redouble a year. Your biggest issue will be work and you really should have that sorted before you arrive. I have friends who have recently started a B&B near Limoux and they have had to do a lot of work advertising to get the business going but it is paying off. I think if you can get a ready established business that will definitely be easier. The other thing to be aware of is the amount of taxes and social payments you have to pay. It is pretty high. However as you have 2 kids you will get a lot of financial help from the state once you start paying taxes. Have you looked at the Total France forum as there is loads of info that i think you would find helpful. http://www.totalfrance.com/france/forum/index.php
Do let me know how you get on and feel free to email me if you want more info. My personal email is : thetods.limoux(at)gmail.com
Have you thought where abouts in France you want to live?

eva hamori said...

Hello again from Canada! Our family created a website for people to follow us to France!
We have sorted most of it our in the last 7 months since we poke last. Now we are looking for an English Speaking Realtor to help us with our B&B purchase for House Hunters International! very exciting!!
Check it out!
evalasvegas2@gmail.com is my personal email and any flaws pointed out in our plans are high appreciated
Our French is also coming along nicely! eva

http://tinyurl.com/3dayff8

Unknown said...
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Nicole said...

Thanks Timmy. I'm glad to know that I was able to help you and others. It can all seem quite daunting at times!

Sudha Thakur said...

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Brendan Gertner said...

Congratulations on the move! France is a beautiful place, and I’m sure you will be delighted staying there. Is the orange house your new home? It's so charming! Another thing that’s beautiful about the country is its romantic language. It feels like you’re saying poetry when you use it! Also, there are so many unforgettable places to visit. Well, good luck and au revoir!

Brendan Gertner

Nicole said...

Thanks for your message Brendan. It's funny to think we've been here 3 and 1/2 years now and I must say it gets better and better. The language is still a challenge but it is good for keeping my brain alert!

Unknown said...

Hi Nicole, I've only just found your blog so I should imagine your life has moved on considerably since your last post. I hope you and your family are still well and happy. We are, you've guessed it, about to take the plunge and "semi" move to the Limoux area. I would have loved to have done it sooner and in a more permenant way but my husband and I don't have the most portable of businesses and our son is just about to embark on his 'A' levels.So we are hoping to ease ourselves into our dream of living in France. Many thanks for your candid and positive observations about the region and French life in general. You are an inspiration. Eileen x

Nicole said...

Hi Eileen

Thanks for your lovely message and great to hear that you are thinking of moving to this region.

I can't believe that we have been here 4 years now and I can no longer have an excuse for my not so fluent French! Our kids are pretty settled which is the main thing and our youngest is about to embark on his final 2 years of school like your son. I think you were wise to wait till he has finished before moving permanently as it is quite a challenge to move as a teenager if you don’t speak French.

Feel free to ask more questions (you can use this email address....thetods.limoux[at]gmail.com) and I'll do my best to help and if you are ever in Limoux we can meet for a coffee if you want. Perhaps I should update my blog too!