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Where to locate in France? Help!!!

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AnAmericanCliche
  7/18/2014 07:30 EST

I am mid- fifties, speak very little French but am learning. I bike, hike & love to explore. But love the big city life, as well. I am looking to move to France in 2015. I prefer rich French culture, architecture, but would like expat support too. Not a beach person & prefer moderate temperatures to heat. Suggestions?

Lindesu
  7/19/2014 00:02 EST

South is beautiful with lots of wonderful Roman architecture. But in the summer it is quite hot and flooded with tourists. Lyon in a nice place witha lively jazz scene and lovely little villages nearby. Only about 2 hours by train to Paris. The French alps are only about an hours drive away. But. ..since it is so close to the mountains there is quite a bit of snow in the winter months. My daughter has been living along the Mediterranean for several years. She and her husband want to go north to Brittany. Cold winters and some snow but cool pleasant summers. Lots of neat places but different climate challenges.

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winomax
  7/19/2014 13:40 EST

Both Toulouse and Montpelier might also be good places to land. What is your strategy for being able to stay in France?

Max

Lindesu
  7/19/2014 15:02 EST

Where have you visited in the past and what was your opinion of each French area? Depending on you situation expenses may be a big factor. MUCH more costly to live in Paris or Provence. Langdouc in the south westt has much of the charm of Provence at half the price. Brittany and Normandy are more affordable. These areas also more likely to have English expats. If you have not traveled extensively in France, I would recommend a 3 -4 week road trip ( or a couple of 2 week trips) to explore the options.

CLP
  7/24/2014 04:55 EST

Haute Savoie (Annecy area) sounds good for climate and the activities you like but you DO NEED TO SPEAK FRENCH HERE and the people are much colder than other regions of France.
Lyon is only about 1 hour and 20 minutes and Geneva is only 30 minutes but it is expensive.
Lyon may be a good option since you like the city and there is a lot of transportation you can take to explore France from there and you can get by with basic French.
The south of France is nice, but it may be too hot for you and you may get bored since you it is mainly beaches. Another option is the Lille region. It's beautiful and people are much more open and friendly. Good luck! :)

azfrenchie
  8/3/2014 18:41 EST

Perhaps the Languedoc region...Carcassonne, Avignon, or the Dordogne west toward Bordeaux (and you are not a cliché - if so, there are several of us~).

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We are the best possible negotiator to help our expatriate clients to safely, efficiently and effectively find the right property in the right place in the French Riviera. Whether buying or renting, French Riviera House Hunting's objective is to find the best place for you, making sure that there are no hidden problems in the acquisition or renting process!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

French Riviera House Hunting - FRHFrench Riviera House Hunting - FRH

We are the best possible negotiator to help our expatriate clients to safely, efficiently and effectively find the right property in the right place in the French Riviera. Whether buying or renting, French Riviera House Hunting's objective is to find the best place for you, making sure that there are no hidden problems in the acquisition or renting process!
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MacMcCumber
  8/4/2014 15:40 EST

I have my house in the Gard area on the market. It is 2 story, 190 sq mt., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, upstairs balcony off 2 of the bedrooms, large courtyard with jacuzzi & high wall for privacy. We
completely redid the entire interior when we moved in 15 years ago. If
Located 10 minutes from Uzes and 30 minutes from Nimes. If interested contact me at [email protected] & I'll send pictures and more details.
Murrell McCumber

Samuel2
  8/23/2014 08:28 EST

Hi there,

I just did the same thing myself. I chose the Béziers area, particular because of the airport close by. This is a lovely area and I can strongly recommend it.

LimousinCottage
  8/26/2014 01:44 EST

Our area (the Haute Vienne, Limousin), may meet your climate requirements and your love of hiking in the countryside. It is the French Lake District. There are many ex-pats around the area, some full time and others with holiday homes. It is also an area chosen by many Parisiens for their holiday home. As for city life - Limoges, Gueret or Brive are the three departmental capitals. Limoges is the capital of the Haute Vienne. But none of these are of course going to compare with the likes of Paris or Lyon! Perhaps it would be a good idea to rent first?

chany
  10/29/2014 09:49 EST

Hi,


I would say in he area of Cote d azur, soft temperatures during winter.
but:
Lille is the north very cultural but rainy.
A very green place is the region of Perigeux
Lyon is also a good place to live.

Chany
Personal shopping-gift buying
[email protected]

fly4fish2
  10/30/2014 08:59 EST

New to this site, Limousine Cottage, so pardon any bungling. Could not find your website server through my Safari browser.

We are interested in a resort, probably near you, called Halcyon Retreat. A hotel within the resort is Chateau De La Cazine. We are interested in purchasing a fractional share of an apartment being constructed on the grounds of the project. We haven't made a preview visit yet, and don't care to until, sometime in 2015, apartments of our desire are supposed to be released. Won't bother you with further details at this juncture, but will answer any questions you may have. My only questions for you:
1. Are you familiar with the hotel or the project?
2. Whether or not familiar, could you do a drive-by and let us have your impressions?

Best,
Jim & Jeanette
Charlotte, North Carolina

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