Retiring to France

Nathalie Corbin,  Thursday, 23 September 2021

Old house in France 

If you are going to retire in France, it is advisable to choose your house carefully. When you grow older, your circumstances may change. You become less mobile, or your partner may die, you may no longer be able to drive, so shops in the village or the city are unreachable. Medical care in the neighborhood is becoming increasingly important. If you live somewhere far away in the French countryside, you can feel lonely if your partner is deceased and you are no longer mobile.

Consider the following points if you plan to retire in France:

How far are local shops and the general practitioner? In walking distance?

Should the house be renovated? Do you have to spend a lot of time in the maintenance of the house. Does it have a large garden? The older you get, the more difficult it will be to keep everything clean.

Can you adjust the property if your physical condition deteriorates?

Is the house insulated and far away from the neighbors? Can someone nearby help you if needed?

Is the property in a sought-after region where there is much demand for housing? If so, you can sell the property quickly if needed.

How is public transport?

Rent before you buy

If you rent a house in In your favorite region, you can get to know the area, the people, the stores, the weather, etc. You can examine the local housing market so you can make an informed choice and even may find a bargain. If you get to know the region and the locals, you probably find homes that are not even officially on the market. A neighbor's tip can be worth gold and save you a lot of money and brokerage costs.  


French village in the countryside
Search for French property and real estate for sale in all regions of France. Fermettes, gites, houses, B&B’s for sale by owner. Houses for sale in Gironde, Dordogne, Landes, Calvados, Manche and Orne 

Bee hives in Provence It used to be a bit easier. You bought a house in France, and if it turned out to have hidden problems, you just sold it again. There were buyers in abundance. Of course, you did not mention the issues. The new owner had to discover them for himself. Selling your house and buying something new did cost a lot, but if you thought it all out well, you could make a nice profit at the time. 
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