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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 09 August 2015, 09:54:20

Title: Rural France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 09 August 2015, 09:54:20
I'm on another house sitting gig, this time in rural Brittany.  :y

Apart from the usual things like smelly cheese, baguettes and cheap plonk, the other thing that has struck me is the amount of unloved property that you see around the place.  ::)  If you're into renovating property then this is the place to be as the houses are cheap and there are plenty of them!  :y 

Although I reckon plenty of Brits have come here with £ signs in their eyes and have lost their shirts!!  ::)

Still, the sun is shining and it's a nice place to be for a couple of weeks!  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: TheBoy on 09 August 2015, 13:09:16
S'not a cheap place to live when you add all the taxes.

I like France, though, and the architecture. But would need a more modern interior.

I like the French (bar Calais and Paris) as well :y
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Rods2 on 09 August 2015, 16:10:10
Great for holidays and retirement, not so good if you have to make a living where employment is difficult and taxes very high. Their tax system is setup, so realistically, the only people that can make a living out of property development are those creating new builds as VAT and CGT apply to property renovation and unless you use French builders you will find it difficult to offset any costs with the CGT calculation.

With work and higher wages in the cities there is still a general drift from rural regions to the town and cities and Hollande / EU austerity policies means their economy and economic prospects are poor. Expensive ferry costs mean that it does not have the attraction for regular cheap holidays it used to have when you have your own property, so lots of property available.

In the early to mid 1990's special offer boose cruise prices meant I could have a weekend at my house for £20 return from September to just before Easter, so I used to go 1 or 2 weekends a month. Even normal prices weren't expensive so regular trips during school holidays were normal. It all used to add up to spending between 2 and 3 months a year over there.

TBH If it wasn't for the high taxes and difficulties in running a business over there I would probably have gone to live there full time in the 1990's.
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 09 August 2015, 17:47:13
I was walking past a bar this afternoon in a small town and there was a battered Peugeot 405 parked outside with the engine running.  As I walked by the driver was slumped over the steering wheel and was dribbling down his shirt!  ::)

My first thought was "Christ, he's had a heart attack!"  :o  but then decided he was pissed!  ::)  So I did the 'Gallic Shrug' and went in for a beer. :y

About half an hour later I saw him drive by, so it was OK, he was just having a little nap!  :D  ;D
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Varche on 09 August 2015, 18:07:23
We seriously considered France but ended up with Spain.

France . Houses cheap, cost of living high. Bitter coffee, fair amount of sun
Spain   . Houses expensive, cost of living cheap. nice coffee, lots of sun

Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: biggriffin on 09 August 2015, 19:07:46
We seriously considered France but ended up with Spain.

France . Houses cheap, cost of living high. Bitter coffee, fair amount of sun
Spain   . Houses expensive, cost of living cheap. nice coffee, lots of sun
And lots of pretend villians,hiding from the Sweeney. ;D

I'd go to France if I had to. :)
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 09 August 2015, 19:13:40


I'd go to France if I had to. :)

It's a tough gig.  :(  Feel for me fellas!  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 13 August 2015, 00:15:24
So I'm in the local Carrefour this afternoon, the checkout queue isn't moving and I saw something I havn't seen for a long time.... 

Someone paying for their groceries with a cheque!  :o   :D

Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: biggriffin on 13 August 2015, 06:53:21
Ere have you changed your nom to monsure tigger"les groomer" as you've gone all foreign. ;D
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Gaffers on 13 August 2015, 09:31:43
Sir translates more as Monseigneur rather than Monsieur

La classe, quoi 8)
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 13 August 2015, 10:23:02
Ere have you changed your nom to monsure tigger"les groomer" as you've gone all foreign. ;D

Watch out bg, my next trip is to East Anglier......  :)  I hear that's pretty 'rural' too!  ::)
Title: Re: Rural France
Post by: biggriffin on 13 August 2015, 11:03:51
Ere have you changed your nom to monsure tigger"les groomer" as you've gone all foreign. ;D

Watch out bg, my next trip is to East Anglier......  :)  I hear that's pretty 'rural' too!  ::)

East Anglia, mmm that means your going to the Lord Opti's vast estate, to oversee, and help service the staff ;D,
Far enough away the lords estate...not worried yet  :o