Gransnet forums

Chat

Advice please

(42 Posts)
Reddevil3 Sun 10-Jul-16 15:52:20

I am a fit and healthy 75 year old, a confirmed Francophile having lived in Paris for several years in the 70's. I speak the language.
I have this urge to behave a bit like an old teenager and go and rent somewhere in France for a year. I have no ties. I can rent out my house, give my car to my daughter to look after, and just go.
There are many gransnetters living in France - I need to be near the south, near the sea, near a town which has several bridge clubs. Can any of you advise me please?

Zena510 Mon 11-Jul-16 13:32:18

Go for it indeed !!!

TriciaF Mon 11-Jul-16 14:15:10

Adding to my post - Biarritz is a lovely town, on the SW coast bordering Spain, and plenty of activities going on. Probably cheaper than the Nice area.
I'm sure they'll have bridge clubs, it's very popular in France.
www.bridgebiarritz.com/bridge_club_le_bcbb_065.htm

Bez1989 Mon 11-Jul-16 14:58:44

REDDEVIL3.....Go.....live up to your name. You may regret it later on !! sunshine
Check out health situation if we do come out of EU though. ENJOY...and DO tell us how it goes....?

Elizabeth1 Mon 11-Jul-16 16:03:37

Just back from Antibes - how I would love to go back there. The square near the old town is beautiful where you can just sit under the trees watching the world go by. Don't know if there's a bridge club there though.

frue Mon 11-Jul-16 17:08:03

West of Beziers (Narbonne) is windy and east of Montpellier is too but between the two is occasionally windy, and can last several days, but not that often.
Bonne chance
former resident of Pezenas

Alidoll Mon 11-Jul-16 17:40:59

Go for it! You only live once as they say so why not.

narrowboatnan Mon 11-Jul-16 17:51:20

Sing along if you know the tune -
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, faster than a wink
Enjoy your self, enjoy yourself while you're still in the pink.
wink

MoiraAnn Mon 11-Jul-16 18:31:07

I live on the French side of the French-Swiss border near Geneva so have a big lake but no sea. The Mediterranean coast is expensive and very crowded in the summer. I'd go for the south-west, better weather than further north. Bear in mind that to sign a lease the French usually Insist on an income of three times the rent so if the rent is €700/month you need an income of €2,100/per month. Also, if you stay for over 6 months you'll have to submit a French tax declaration which can be complicated since the French and UK tax years are different. Best of luck if you decide to go for it!

albertina Mon 11-Jul-16 19:27:23

Wow. Sounds wonderful. All the very best in your adventure.

grannylyn65 Mon 11-Jul-16 19:38:02

Wow! see my thread ,Have I finally gone mad!!

CrazyDaisy Mon 11-Jul-16 20:21:53

Go for it Reddevil3. You're fit and healthy so what's to stop you?
Please keep us posted!

anne53 Mon 11-Jul-16 22:40:11

Oh you make me envious. After spending many holidays in France, I want to hire a camper van and travel round France for months. Unfortunately family commitments means thus is impossible at the moment but perhaps one day ........
Go Reddevil13 and enjoy it.

GrannyJane Tue 12-Jul-16 16:41:15

What a lovely plan. (Let me know if you ever want a fourth.)

Daisyboots Wed 13-Jul-16 21:00:11

Go for it RedDevil. As everyone say you only have one life so live it how you want and ignore what family might say.

Nine years ago I was looking at property to buy in SW France and somehow clicked on a house in Portugal. We flew out 10 days later to look at it taking my 90 year old Mum with us too. A year later we moved over totally and it has been a great 8 years so far. My old Mum lived until she was almost 98 so it did her good too. My family were not very happy about us moving away but it is only a 2 hour flight to get back to England. Make the most of everything while you are fit.

Reddevil3 Fri 22-Jul-16 06:37:33

Thanks everyone for your encouraging remarks- I have put my house with a rental agent, have the possibility of 3 places on the south coast of France, and will probably be there well before Christmas. Flying over with my daughter for a 'reccy' in September, told my siblings (all think it's a great idea and are coming to visit) but am still a bit apprehensive/excited. But if I don't do it now, I'll never do it.

silverlining48 Fri 22-Jul-16 16:56:35

How exciting, decision made. wish i could persuade my husband to do something like that. Have a wonderful time and if it doesnt work out for some reason, you can always come back knowing you gave it a go.
Goodluck.