Peter and Susan moved to France from Australia in 2001 they now live in the Lot department in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

What made you move to France and how long have you lived here?
Peter and I semi-moved to France from Australia in 2001 because when we retired we needed something in common to provide interest for those retirement years. We thought we might manage to learn French (hmmm).

Which part of France do you live in, and what's it like to live there?
We live in the Lot in a great village with exceptionally nice French neighbours. (You see we did have to learn some French after all).

It was quite by hazard that we chose to buy a place here, but the location and the village probably could not be bettered for access and facilities (for somewhere that is not a large town and we did not really want to be in city).

Learn French properly and give up comparing what it is like elsewhere, to France!

What is your age?
61 and 69.

Where were you born?
Scotland and England.

What was the worst mistake you made when buying in France?
Not realising fully the different ways property can be held in France and the implications. (Legal ways to hold title).

Your best tip or advice to other people considering moving to France?
Do not rely on income from a gite etc - there are now far too many people trying to do it, but no more people coming to France than there were before - probably fewer.

Did you find it hard to integrate or adjust to your new life in France and do you have any tips to help others?
Learn French properly and give up comparing what it is like elsewhere, to France!

What's the best thing about living in France?
Food, support for the Arts, and the French themselves.

And the worst?
Bureaucracy and difficulties with tradesmen (and their costs), and we did not have to do much renovation beyond our own skills.


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