Where to live in the south of France.
 

OK, this is a big wide question and I expect big wide answers :)

I want to buy a place in the south of france which the missus and I intend to spend 3 to 4 months of the year at.

We have visited and really like Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Orange and like all three. After looking at some real estate sites the Languedoc comes in significantly cheaper than Provence. Give me your thoughts....or tell me to bugger off...its all good ! :)

Languedoc and Roussillon still have some good real estate bargains not too far off the beaten track (meaning with train lines and autoroute access not very far away). To find bargains in Provence, you have to look in the most inconvenient villages.

I know a number of expats who are extremely satisfied to be living in various parts of the Hérault department.

Thanks Kerouac, the price difference is significant.

Marko
Here's a web site which shows the area in Pyrenees Oriental. In my case, it's heaven.

http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanliving.com/

This is a large photo album and there's not any special theme. It's just what looks like in that area. The photos come from the whole year~all seasons.

Certainly it's cheaper than Provence or the Cote d'Azur. You'll find that the properties drop after you head West from Sete.

The area in the photo album are serviced with Ryan Air through Perpignan, Girona, Barcelona, Carcassone, and a few other place too.

Enjoy

Blackduff

ttt

The Dordogne is still affordable (but I'm not selling;)).

I'd definitely look around the Lot and Quercy and L&RIf I were going to buy another place in France I'd be looking around Castelnau-de-Montmiral or St-Férréol or Revel or Graulhet. Not sure about train connections, though.

Do you speak French?

I have a bit of basic french ( and Spanish and Italian!!). I tend to pick up more quickly. I have two children who are fluent.

The more research i do the harder it gets...there are some really lovely places around !!

But Marko, aren't you also going to ski the Kootenays next winter for me? Lucky you!

If you read French, I suggest you purchase the series by De Particuliers à Particuliers on buying property in France. I found it invaluable.

If you have enough French to deal with French real estate agents, do it. Dealing with the rampant British aqencies who cater to non-French-speaking buyers will cost you - and the exchange rate is no picnic now.

Also, if you have enough French you can make friends with notaries in areas you're interested in buying in. They get notice of good deals on real estate from clients before the properties are even listed. You can save loads with a good notary looking out for you.

Personally I would avoid the South East and head to the South West, La Landes. Somewhere like Dax. Souston or the Lac de Leon area. Biarritz is also lovely. Much quieter than the Med but my god the beaches are spectacular. Moliets Plage is simply stunning.

Oh God, I hate Dax and all that area. Mile after mile of sand and pine trees and weird chalets, and just miles and miles of nothingness. And the beaches with Atlantic City-like cheapo concessions and all. Am I missing something here? I absolutely hate that region of France. Please enlighten me as to what is interesting or charming about this area. It left me cold, and I was there a half-dozen times...on the way to somewhere better.

LOL Linda, this is retirement planning !! I also have plans of buying an apartment in BC as well !!
:)

TTT

Hi Marko,

I have a friend whose niece lives in Narbonne. she can't stop raving about it and visits every opportunity she gets. and we liked Perpignan very much when we stayed near there last year. That would be the area i would look at.

regards, ann

Thanks Ann !

As they say StCirq, each to their own.

Blackduff, your pictures do look like heaven. I always love looking at them and will definitely visit that area when I am in france.

Yeah...sorry Blackduff!! Forgot to say GREAT pics !!

Some tips :

Prices generally drop East to West -
Cote d'Azur being most expensive

Prices rise on the coast

Prices rise in commuter areas near cities

Prices fall dramatically in locations with no shops, schools, transport etc.

Weather is very localised - even lower mountain areas have significantly more rain/snow

Avoid the Mistral and Tramontaine - this rules out the Rhone valley & Camargue areas

Some useful links :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...hoto-index.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/property/location.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/pr...seful-tips.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/newsletter.htm


Peter

Thanks Peter, sounds like you have done some research !!