Sold my house the week before last, bought a house in France last week and moving out there for good on 20th May...whoopee!

Much as I love the west country of the dear old UK where I was born and brought up I have got fed up with too many things and have found myself spending more and more time in France with some mates and family who have already moved there. I will be in the sunny south west of France for the long hot summer! Chief reasons for going are:-

WEATHER!!! They have predictability and a decent summer. Shorts and T shirts only needed from June to October.

Lifestyle. Rural laid back who gives a stuff about anything.

Booze. Say no more.

Food. (see booze)

Cost of living. (I have done my homework) If you are a retired Brit things are good. Low income tax very low "council tax", no car road tax, cheaper diesel etc.

Space. In the bit of rural south west France we are going to there is more elbow space than you could need and no traffic jams. Driving is an absolute pleasure there.

Housing costs. I have bought a large 4 bedroomed (all ensuite) completely restored place with a swimming pool and half acre garden for £185,000. it also has a new workshop which will hold 4 cars with ease. It is in a rural location but within 8 minutes walk of the village bakery and bar. Bizarrely there is also a fish and chip shop!

Not for everyone I know but each to his own. BTW I will be taking the FL2 and the Series One.

Anyone passing through the Charente...give me a shout. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Fantastic mate, sounds like a dream come true.

Good luck

That's good

We all deserve something a little better than having to work all week, enjoy your retirement.

PS: have you room for a towable living room and electricity hook up

Hi JST,
Wow that all sounds great, i agree the traffic and general laid back lifestyle over there will be something to look forward to.
So roll on the middle of May, also sounds like you will have enough parking for a few Fl2`s at your summer BBQ .

I wish you and your family all the very best of luck in your new adventure, its making me jealous already.

Regards JustChillin

Any pictures of your new house. sounds fab. MY13- TD4 XS Mauritius Blue, Privacy glass, Cold climate pack, Tailgate spoiler, Armrest pack, LED signature, Body side mouldings, Full size spare and finally Mudflaps

GONE - MY11 TD4 HSE LAGO GREY Privacy Glass

GONE- 08 GS Stornoway Grey Privacy Glass
GONE- 07 GS Stornoway Grey Privacy Glass
GONE- 04 Silver

Superb plan! Sounds idyllic.  * GONE. GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* 1974 Series 3 Lightweight called "Millie"
* 2024 Defender 90 D350 on coils!
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

I use www.glenrands.co.uk Great independent specialist!

The flaw in your plan is that France is full of French people.


Good luck, sounds like the West country was 30 years ago ! Will you be trading in your FL2 for a left hooker ? _________________
Gone - 2010 Rimini XS

Congratulations - It sounds great and has got me thinking! I know two other people who have done the same as you and are very happy  - 2007(57) XS Auto, Rimini Red, Alpaca Leather.
- GCS Hawke - Sports, BRG, Vulcan 2.1 inj'. My toy - built it myself in 2001.

Congratulations and Good luck. We have a place just north of La Rochelle so may bump into you.

A donf! Hope you'll still keep chip[[ing in to the forum. The Pineau is pretty good from round there so a visit may have to be arranged if we get to France on hols Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

Thanks guys!

Trawlerman, here a a few pics of the important bits.

Firstly one of the sun patios

Click image to enlarge

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Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Just one huge problem, The french drive on the wrong side of the road, and who wants to eat frogs legs or snails day after day. Most don't even speak a proper language English. Na you can keep France. The only thing stopping them being civilised is the English Channel

I stayed with friends in Brittany some years ago and it horrified me seeing local farmers sucking up human raw sewage from household cesspits and spreading it straight onto their fields. Also they eat HORSE MEAT.

Realspeed Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner

Last edited by realspeed on 3rd Mar 2013 4:45 pm. Edited 4 times in total

I feel a bit deflated after looking at the photos.

Sun, wine, food and fresh air. What more can anyone as for. MY13- TD4 XS Mauritius Blue, Privacy glass, Cold climate pack, Tailgate spoiler, Armrest pack, LED signature, Body side mouldings, Full size spare and finally Mudflaps

GONE - MY11 TD4 HSE LAGO GREY Privacy Glass

GONE- 08 GS Stornoway Grey Privacy Glass
GONE- 07 GS Stornoway Grey Privacy Glass
GONE- 04 Silver

Good luck, it sounds great!

I have been tempted to sell my house here and move out to North Cyprus with the FL2 and buy a large villa. But time will tell.