Retiring to Southern France
Nov 27th, 2009, 02:33 PM
#23
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op you gave very little useful info with your original post. the more info given the better the people who will reply. whoa cowboy is not a particular good response to anyone-maybe you want to reevaluate that. the reply from walkingaound was idiot territory with no useful info- agenda??? you recieved much useful info mayabe a nice reply is in order
Nov 30th, 2009, 05:05 AM
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Alec, Thanks very much for your advice. I have been in touch with the loacl french consulate and a local french sub-ambassador. Both have been helpful,however, its a little early to start legal paperwork proceedings since I'm not retiring for another 12 to 18 months. I do prefer to be within close proximity to a rail line especially the TGV if possible. I am seriously considering taking my BMW with me although, I'm a little concerned about price in shipping from the east coast to France. Thanks again.
Blackie
Blackie
Nov 30th, 2009, 05:12 AM
#27
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sheila - Wow, lots of great choices. Merci, Merci, Merci! Sounds like some very viable choices. I'm looking at doing some traveling while there, and probably will rent for the first year or two before buying. I'm in no rush; I want to make rational decisions and I appreciate all of the great feedback I'm getting. I'm going to research the areas you mentioned and I will let you know.
Nov 30th, 2009, 05:16 AM
#28
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Klondike - Thanks for the great advice. I will look into St. Thibery, and also Pezenas. They both sound like what I'm looking for. I will more than likely rent for the first year or two before buying. Still pondering if I should ship my BMW over to France from the east coast.
Thanks again,
Blackie
Thanks again,
Blackie
Nov 30th, 2009, 05:19 AM
#29
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ribeirasacra - Thanks for the links you provided for more information. I most definitely will use them and do all of my research before making my decision. I'm probably still 12 to 18 months away from actually retiring but want to start early.
Thanks again,
Blackie
Thanks again,
Blackie
Nov 30th, 2009, 05:41 AM
#30
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Cathinjoetown - Fantastic, very informative response and I really apppreciate to hear from other american retirees. South of Toulouse is the specific areas that I was looking into!! Sounds like you did your homework before moving. I am going to rent for the first year then buy later. I would love to talk or communicate with you possibly by e-mail to learn more about your experience. I am travelling to southern France in May of 2010 to learn more about the area.
Thanks for the useful information,
Blackie
Thanks for the useful information,
Blackie
Nov 30th, 2009, 12:02 PM
#32
I will just throw in the thought of Gramat in the Lot while we're at it. It is quite a small town but is on a line that still has 2 or 3 trains a day to Paris-Austerlitz.
It is part of the Rocamadour website: http://www.rocamadour.com/
It is part of the Rocamadour website: http://www.rocamadour.com/
Nov 30th, 2009, 01:33 PM
#33
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Blackiev,
Here's my email address--drop a line when you can--am very excited for you and we would certainly want to have you round for a drink or coffee if you get to our area:
[email protected]
The local expats (mostly Brits but a few US) have been very helpful to us as have our French neighbors. We like to return the favor.
Am in Missouri at the moment due to family issues but am answering mail. Will be back in France on the 17th of Dec (hooray).
Cath
Here's my email address--drop a line when you can--am very excited for you and we would certainly want to have you round for a drink or coffee if you get to our area:
[email protected]
The local expats (mostly Brits but a few US) have been very helpful to us as have our French neighbors. We like to return the favor.
Am in Missouri at the moment due to family issues but am answering mail. Will be back in France on the 17th of Dec (hooray).
Cath
Dec 1st, 2009, 05:36 AM
#36
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mpprh - Thank you very much for your helpful information and the attached links. They should be very useful for me to check out. I am thinking very much about taking my new BMW with me to France when I move there. So much country to see, so little time to do it in!
Thanks again,
Blackie
Thanks again,
Blackie
Dec 1st, 2009, 06:02 AM
#37
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We didn't seriously consider shipping our car but many people do. Check with a large nationwide mover--they should have all the specifics.
We shipped a 20'container (packed to the gills with furniture and clothing) for around $15,000 door to door from Missouri, including insurance. East coast will of course be cheaper and you will probably have more options. The shipper helped with all the paperwork which wasn't too onerous.
Essentially, your belongings have to been purchased six months' prior to shipping and usual restrictions apply that do for domestic moves (no alcohol, paint, corrosives, etc.)
We shipped a 20'container (packed to the gills with furniture and clothing) for around $15,000 door to door from Missouri, including insurance. East coast will of course be cheaper and you will probably have more options. The shipper helped with all the paperwork which wasn't too onerous.
Essentially, your belongings have to been purchased six months' prior to shipping and usual restrictions apply that do for domestic moves (no alcohol, paint, corrosives, etc.)
Dec 1st, 2009, 09:10 AM
#38
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Blackie, thanks for starting this thread. I think I would like to do this too, but at the moment it's just a fantasy. I
know I'm not the only dreamer reading about your plans. Please keep us posted on what you learn and what you decide to do.
If you keep this thread going, it may be potentially useful to all of us sitting at home fantasizing about living in France.
Even if I can't make the move myself, I'll be cheering you on.
know I'm not the only dreamer reading about your plans. Please keep us posted on what you learn and what you decide to do.
If you keep this thread going, it may be potentially useful to all of us sitting at home fantasizing about living in France.
Even if I can't make the move myself, I'll be cheering you on.
Dec 1st, 2009, 09:30 AM
#39
My parents also shipped their belongings from California to France when they lived here from 1972 to 1981. My mother being French, at least she understood that things like American furniture was inappropriate for shipping, but they took their dishes, pots and pans, clothing and lots of small items, which of course made the new place feel like home.
When they left France in 1981 (because the dollar had sunk to historic lows in 1980 and they were on an American retirement), they took many of the same things back to the U.S. plus a number of items from France...
It's really not all that difficult to get things packed up and shipped, so it is a "non-problem" compared to the administrative details, health plans and things like that.
When they left France in 1981 (because the dollar had sunk to historic lows in 1980 and they were on an American retirement), they took many of the same things back to the U.S. plus a number of items from France...
It's really not all that difficult to get things packed up and shipped, so it is a "non-problem" compared to the administrative details, health plans and things like that.
Dec 1st, 2009, 10:05 AM
#40
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Coquelicot - Thanks for the response and communication. I hope my move inspires others to take that leap. You only get one chance at life, and since I have French ancestry and was raised tradionally french in New Orleans, and Roman Catholic, I feel like it's my calling in life, to retire to southern France and travel as much as I can. I've already started the process and have travelled to France in 1971 and 72 while in the military, then back in 1999 on vacation. I just feel so much at home when I'm speaking their language and can relate to their lifestyle!
I have had such awesome information and suggestions on this forum, that I can't thank everyone enough!! I am more compelled every day to live out my dream there since retiring in the USA is a hopeless pipe dream with the state of affairs here. Keep in touch. (check out my profile pic with my 3 yr old grand-daughter!)
I have had such awesome information and suggestions on this forum, that I can't thank everyone enough!! I am more compelled every day to live out my dream there since retiring in the USA is a hopeless pipe dream with the state of affairs here. Keep in touch. (check out my profile pic with my 3 yr old grand-daughter!)
